My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

AIBU?

To ask where you buy a kids bike from

80 replies

myusernameisnotmyusername · 24/06/2017 15:24

Posted here for more traffic. I'd like to buy 4 yr old DD her first bike. Need reliability and obviously safety. Thanks.

OP posts:
Flisspaps · 24/06/2017 15:25

Bought ours from Argos.

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 24/06/2017 15:25

Halfords.

They're really clued up.

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 24/06/2017 15:25

Toys r us.

Rathkelter · 24/06/2017 15:26

Look out for eBay bargains. We got two Specialized Hotrock mountain bikes on there. Hardly used by previous owner and obvs a fraction of the new price.

Vajazzler · 24/06/2017 15:41

Decathlon! I love their bikes

GlitterRoseGold · 24/06/2017 15:41

Toys r us

winewolfhowls · 24/06/2017 15:44

Excellent service and helpful assistance at Evans

PotteringAlong · 24/06/2017 15:45

Decathlon for our boys - been really impressed with them.

CommanderShepard · 24/06/2017 15:47

Islabikes. Not cheap but absolutely worth it.

missyB1 · 24/06/2017 15:47

If you don't mind pushing the boat out Isla bikes are amazing! Our ds loves his.

sillyquestionnow · 24/06/2017 15:51

Seconding another poster - Evans, we have a ridgeback for ds (5) and he loves it

bigmouthstrikesagain · 24/06/2017 15:55

Car boot sales or ebay. If you can do a bit of bike maintenance and have a bike shop handy to check over gears I don't see the need for a brand new/ expensive bike for a child. In fact i enjoy tinkering with my children's bikes. Swapping over seats, cleaning gears, adding racks or bells it is good for children to learn as well.

Funnyfive · 24/06/2017 16:05

If you have the budget the definitely Islabike or Frog bikes. Expensive but so worth it, buy new or second hand on eBay/fb selling sites (there's one just for buying/selling islabikes!). The bikes are light in weight and designed for small hands to grip brakes.

NavyandWhite · 24/06/2017 16:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JustArandomUser · 24/06/2017 16:09

eBay.

SheepyFun · 24/06/2017 16:10

Gumtree for a secondhand Islabike. But it's worth saying that I'm happy to do basic bike maintenance, and was confident I could check a bike over (brakes, cabling, tyres etc.) before buying it. Otherwise I'd have used one of the (many) local bike shops - but I live somewhere where cycling is popular.

LeannePerrins · 24/06/2017 16:14

YY Decathlon

misscph1973 · 24/06/2017 16:15

We have a charity in our area, On Your Bike, they teach people out of work/with mental health issues/etc to repair bikes and then they sell the bikes. I have bought several bikes from them and donated 2 bikes to them. I also get our bikes serviced the same place. It's the best bike place I have come across, they really know their stuff. Maybe see if there is something similar in your area?

Other than that, definitely buy it second hand. Your DD will grow so fast and the bike won't get much use before it's time to get a new one.

witsender · 24/06/2017 16:18

We bought a Wiggins bike from Halfords for both of ours, youngest got straight on and went without stabilisers etc.

Very much like Islabikes, Frog et Al but with less of a price tag. Very light and well balanced.

NotMeNoNo · 24/06/2017 16:21

We had several Raleigh bikes from ebay -tried to look out for a known brand - although the first pedal bike IIRC was from the local tip and did several years of sterling service.

Safety and reliability is more about how the bike is maintained, oiled, brakes adjusted and the saddle the right height. That's down to you!

We've bought very few new bikes whilst they were in the stage of growing out every couple of years. Now we've found a place that does reconditioned mountain bikes and equipped the whole family.

NursieBernard · 24/06/2017 16:24

I would recommend Isla, Ridgeback or Frog bikes. Look on eBay for a good condition used one and then get it serviced at a local bike shop if necessary.

FrogsSpawnofSanta · 24/06/2017 16:26

An independent bike shop or Islabikes. DS had an Islabikes for his first bike, it was brilliant and they hold their value. I find the independent bike shops a lot more knowledgeable than halford.

Newsletters you might like

Discover Exclusive Savings!

Sign up to our Money Saver newsletter now and receive exclusive deals and hot tips on where to find the biggest online bargains, tailored just for Mumsnetters.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Parent-Approved Gems Await!

Subscribe to our weekly Swears By newsletter and receive handpicked recommendations for parents, by parents, every Sunday.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Sparklingbrook · 24/06/2017 16:28

Halfords. They seem to have the experts. Or they do at mine.

Got one from Toys R Us once and they hadn't got a clue. it went back in the end.

Groupie123 · 24/06/2017 16:30

Wouldn't trust anyone except Halfords.

SleepingTiger · 24/06/2017 16:31

Halfords.

They are really clued up. As another poster says.

They know about bikes. ToysRUs know about selling.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.