Kit review: Islabikes Luath 700

A review of the Islabikes Luath 700 for kids aged around 13-plus. It is reviewed by me and also by 13-year-old Rowan.

There are two sizes of the Islabike Luath 700 for age 11+ and 13+. There are Luath 24s and 26s for age 8+ and 9+. These are racer bikes that can be used on the road, trails and for cyclocross (you simply change the tyres to suit).

The Islabike can be fitted with grippier cyclo-cross tyres or touring tyres, Islabikes’ own mudguards and luggage racks so they racer style bike is very versatile.

On test is the Islabike Luath 700 13+

One of my Islabikes fans Rowan agreed to tell me about what it’s like to ride the Islabike Luath 700.

First, though, let me tell you my thoughts on the bike. I got a close-up view of the bike when I assembled it for Rowan. When I say assembled, there wasn’t much to it. The bike arrived in a large box and all I needed to do was straighten the handlebars, put the seat up and add the front wheel.

What I liked about Islabike Luath 700

It feels lightweight. There are kids’ bikes that weigh more than traditional bikes for adults – and sometimes even more than the child! – but thankfully Islabikes has realised that kids should be riding lighter bikes because they are easier to ride, especially up hills.

Islabikes have made the Luath 700 with “heat-treated, variable thickness 7005 aluminium”, so they are super light but still tough enough to handle the power of junior cyclists.

The frame is also coated in a hard-wearing, long-lasting paint finish. The colours are lovely, too. My reviewer, Rowan, chose bright green. There is also a bright red version.

Brake levers tailored for children

The Luath models come with Shimano STI integrated levers, which means that riders can change gear and brake with the same controls. This is what many adult bikes have.

Because children have smaller hands than adults the levers have been adapted to give a shorter reach.

In addition, brake levers have been fitted to the flat top of the handlebar. This is a great idea for kids.

The handlebars have also been designed for kids with a shorter, shallower and narrower shape. The designers have thought of all the right things in terms of riding comfort and safety.

All of this is similar to female-specific bikes, in that the bike frames and components have been designed for a physique that is different form the average male. Thanks goodness for 21^st century bike designers!

Saddles for kids

Most adults will choose their own saddle for a bike. They will rarely stick with the saddle that the bike comes with. Islabikes has thought about this and have created junior saddles that are properly proportioned for younger riders. This means that parents do not need to worry about changing the saddle for something more comfortable.

Rowan’s previous bike saddle was not comfortable. However, his Islabike saddle is far more comfortable because of its shape. Wearing padded bike shorts will add to comfort levels but it’s not necessary.

High-quality Shimano gears

The two smallest Luath models come with eight gears for simplicity, while the two larger Luath bikes have double chain rings and a total of 16 gears.

All the bikes have wide-ratio cassettes, which means there are lots of gears for coping with hills and also for gaining good speed on the flats. Rowan has really appreciated this. After riding a bike with limited gear range he finds it a pleasure to be able to ride on all terrains without any difficulty. He told me: “It’s so good to be able to go fast and to be able to climb hills as well.”

Cranks for kids

The cranks, that’s the part of the bike that the pedals attach to, are created at a length that “ensures growing legs go through a perfect range of motion with each pedal stroke”. I have no idea how they work this out but Rowan seems very happy with the pedal power of his Luath bike.

Luath 700 wheelsets

The wheels are light but also durable. The wheelsets are created by Islabikes and include lightweight aluminium rims and hubs. The spokes are double-butted and stainless steel. Quick releases allow the wheels to be easily removed for maintenance or transportation.

The tyres that are fitted as standard are Kenda Kontender, which are narrow and ideal for tarmac. The bikes can be fitted with chunkier rubber tyres for cyclo-cross or if the bike is carrying more load when, for example, cycle touring.

Rowan’s review of the Islabike Luath 700

Rowan is very pleased with his new Islabike. He says: “My mum got a new racing bike and I was quite jealous. Now I’m faster than her on my Isla bike.”

Rowan added:

I found the brakes on the top handlebar easy to use but I found the drops harder to use because my hands are too small.
The gears are very easy to use but they can be a bit jumpy at times. (I suspect that Rowan has not learned how to effectively use the full range of gears. He will get the hang of this in due course.)
The gears are great uphill but they can jolt a bit when you’re not going very fast and going on flats are very fast and easy. (Again, I suspect that Rowan needs to learn which gear to pick for the terrain.)
The saddle is good and easy to adjust.
Overall the bike is very good to ride – between the good gears changes, great brakes and a sleek design it’s amazing to ride.
It is very easy to pedal but the pedals are slightly too small for my liking.
What I don’t like is how easy it is to get your trousers leg caught in the chain. (Rowan has since learnt about the clips that can be wrapped around the ankle to keep trousers neat while riding.)
My friends have said they like my bike because most of them have mountain or BMX bikes so they think it’s cool.
I’m proud of my bike.