Georgina Crawshaw and her four-year-old son test out one of Marin’s kid specific Neighborhood bikes – the Coast Trail 20in 7. Photos by Andy Lloyd
Talk about Christmas coming early! This little beauty is part of the Coast Trail range from award-winning manufacturer Marin. Maybe not a brand you’ve heard of, but don’t let that put you off – when it comes to two wheels, these guys really know their stuff.
The Coast Trail family have been designed specifically with young riders in mind and, if ever a bike lived up to the company motto ‘Made For Fun’, it’s this one. It comes in three different wheel sizes (16in, 20in and 24in) and various colour schemes, so it’s easy to pick the right one for your budding little biker.
What should I look for in my kid’s first bike?
Safety and usability are the two biggest dealbreakers in my opinion. I’m particularly impressed by the low standover heights of this range (much easier for his little legs to get on and off) and pleasantly surprised by the super light alloy frame and fork. Not just because his balance and handling have come on leaps and bounds since upgrading – but it’s also less hassle for me to lift in and out of the car!
The front (and rear) brakes are basic linear-pull rims with short-reach levers – perfect for little fingers and powerful enough that stopping definitely isn’t an issue! Speaking of control, the tyres feature a low-profile tread pattern – we’ve found them sufficiently grippy to cope with a bit of light off-roading on the Ashton Court mountain bike trails, but also fast rolling so they don’t drag on our longer rides along the canal and bike paths.
Another bonus is the freewheel hubs (same as on adult bikes). I’m keen for my wee man to develop coasting skills and confidence downhill as early as possible, and it will also help with transitioning to larger bikes as he grows. Not to mention the fact that he can rotate the pedals backwards now – a game changer for setting up his bike for easier push-off (and less wobble!)
What size should I choose?
For those ready for their first proper pedal bike – the 16in is for you. As well as single-speed gearing, it has the added bonus of a chain guard to protect curious fingers (and clothes!) Marin have skipped the stabilisers on their smallest model, which actually makes a lot of sense. Balance bikes have revolutionised how kids learn to ride, and an extra set of training wheels would actually be a step backwards.
Next is the Marin Coast Trail 20in, recommended for riders 107-140cm tall – tick! It comes as a single-speed model, but we’ve chosen the Shimano 7-speed version for a few reasons, not least because we live in Bath (and it’s very hilly).
I have to admit – he hasn’t quite got the hang of the shifting yet (he is only four). But we wanted to get our money’s worth and multiple gears means he should be tearing up the local streets on this mean machine for a good few years yet.
There’s a lot to think about when you’re first learning to ride, so Marin have kept the added extras to a minimum. That said, both this and the 24in version (8-speed Shimano gearing, heights<155cm) have bells, handy built-in stands and mounts for bottle cages and mud guards.
My only complaint is the lack of quick-release wheels, which would make transport and maintenance that little bit easier.
All in all, my mini-me has taken to his first Marin like a duck to water – in fact, I couldn’t get him out of the saddle after we finished our photoshoot this morning. Here’s hoping this is the start of a lifelong passion – and many exciting adventures on two-wheels together!
Bikes in the Coast Trail range are priced from £349. For more information, and to find your local dealer, visit https://marinbikes.com/en-gb/collections/kids-neighbourhood
