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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I being tight?!

180 replies

McSteamyorMcdreamy · 12/06/2024 20:19

My friend has just turned her nose up at me....

"Really? You're doing that?. Ew, I would feel awful if I did that!"

DD4 turns 5 later on in the month. Nailed her NEW balance bike and is now ready for her first proper bike.

Money is a bit tight and with her birthday party I didn't want to spend £££s on a brand new bike for her not to get on with it and sell it a loss/have it in the shed forever.

Anyhoo found a decent on on FB MP. Needs new tyres and new saddle and has a couple of age related marks but it's not battered. With the extras it's probably going to come to £70-£80.

Been looking for something decent for a while so was really chuffed to get it. Told friend and she said the above.

I feel really shit now and worried DD will be really disappointed as it won't be brand new and shiny. Realistically I know she won't give a shit and I will just be a bike, but I can't shake the feeling.

Am I tight???!

OP posts:
S0livagant · 12/06/2024 21:37

Howbizarre22 · 12/06/2024 21:18

Not tight at all!

But im baffled about the costs of fixing the bike up you mention- £60-£70 will buy a good brand new bike for a young child of 5-6?

Can you link one? I'd be looking for 16" for a five year old. Halfords £110 and 10kg, Argos £100 and 11kg. I wouldn't call a bike that heavy 'good' personally.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 12/06/2024 21:29

She will be absolutely thrilled, especially if you put a nice shiny bell on it!
All of mine had second hand bikes, probably didn't notice and certainly didn't care
Your friend is a snob!

likepebblesonabeach · 12/06/2024 21:28

I don't think you are being tight at all op.
Your DD will be absolutely delighted with her new bike because it will be new to her.
Strange that your friend would voice that opinion, even if she thought it, saying it was nasty

oobedobe · 12/06/2024 21:26

Bikes are a great item to buy second hand as you can usually get a much better quality one and it's easy to update any parts if needed. The mugs are the ones paying $$ for a crappy paw patrol bike. And like a previous poster said if they are good quality they hold their value really well.

You can always add a basket or some other 'fun' feature

Original poster
McSteamyorMcdreamy · 12/06/2024 21:25

@Howbizarre22 @how

The £70 is the cost of the bike and new tyres/brakepads and new saddle. It's also lightweight. Cheaper ones we have seen weigh an absolute ton!

OP posts:
Sewannoying · 12/06/2024 21:21

The problem with brand new bikes is that the cheaper ones are really heavy. By buying second hand you are able to get better and lighter bikes for the same price (sometimes less). All of DD’s bikes have been second hand, really cheap for their brand and almost as new. In fact we made a profit when we sold them on later.

imnotthatkindofmum · 12/06/2024 21:18

I have 3 kids. Not one of them has ever had a brand new bike. It's just wasteful when they grow out of them so quick. Your friend is rude and a bit stupid.

Howbizarre22 · 12/06/2024 21:18

Not tight at all!

But im baffled about the costs of fixing the bike up you mention- £60-£70 will buy a good brand new bike for a young child of 5-6?

Ginkypig · 12/06/2024 21:18

CelesteCunningham · 12/06/2024 20:25

You're not tight.

Your friend is a dick.

Your DD will LOVE her new bike.

This!

so much this!

CubaWooba · 12/06/2024 21:17

its very normal to buy second hand or use hand me downs.

Londonrach1 · 12/06/2024 21:17

Better for the environment and the wallet .. second hand only way to go.

BooBooButts · 12/06/2024 21:17

Kids that age outgrow their bikes so quickly there is no point in spending more than that.

We got our kids bikes from the local reuse centre which is attached to a recycling centre. Paid £15 for two bikes in great condition 🤷🏻‍♀️ Spend the money you have saved on a good helmet if she doesn't already have one.

Mynaddmawr · 12/06/2024 21:16

Your friend is a rude idiot. Bike sounds amazing! Much better to reuse and love something second hand than buy new just for the sake of it. You've got your DD a brill bike that she will love and you're helping look after the planet for her future 💪

Danikm151 · 12/06/2024 21:15

My son’s bike was £48 on fb marketplace.

It was from guy who services old bikes and sells them on. It’s his retirement hobby. Already planning on getting his next bike from him!
It was in brilliant condition and I knew it was properly functioning rather than putting one together from a box

Why buy brand new- stops a bike going to landfill!

Alicewinn · 12/06/2024 21:13

What a strange thing for your friend to say. I don’t understand. Is she jelous?

EsotericMnemonic · 12/06/2024 21:12

Devilsmommy · 12/06/2024 20:35

Not being funny but surely a new bike could be got cheaper than that or even the same kind of price without all the faffing getting new seat etc. as a pp said. Sometimes new and inferior is better than better second hand

But a new children’s bike that cost £70-80 will probably be poorer quality, meaning it’s more likely to need repairs. It’ll probably also be much heavier, making it more difficult for a child to ride. OP second hand (but good quality) second hand bikes are all my DD has known and she’s loved all of them.

MiddleParking · 12/06/2024 21:11

I’m a bit funny about some second hand stuff and even I know pre-owned bikes are the way forward. My son’s bike came from walking past a neighbour a few doors down (who we didn’t know) and them saying “excuse me, do you want this bike?” 🤣 he absolutely adores it and now reveres their son from afar for being its original owner. It looks like it’ll do another kid or two after him too. Madness to buy new kid bikes just for the sake of newness.

S0livagant · 12/06/2024 21:10

Devilsmommy · 12/06/2024 20:35

Not being funny but surely a new bike could be got cheaper than that or even the same kind of price without all the faffing getting new seat etc. as a pp said. Sometimes new and inferior is better than better second hand

Cheapest 16" at halfords is £110 and it's 10kg! A lighter, better quality, second hand bike would certainly be the better choice.

Blarneytalk · 12/06/2024 21:08

She'll love it! Did the same for my DS.

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/06/2024 21:06

McSteamyorMcdreamy · 12/06/2024 21:03

Just checked and brand new its £329.99 - so think ive got a proper bargain! 🤣

🙀🙀🙀

For a kids bike

Omg

Michellebops · 12/06/2024 21:06

I echo all the others.

Your child will love it. And you're doing your bit for the environment.

Tell your friend not to be a snob

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/06/2024 21:05

Devilsmommy · 12/06/2024 20:35

Not being funny but surely a new bike could be got cheaper than that or even the same kind of price without all the faffing getting new seat etc. as a pp said. Sometimes new and inferior is better than better second hand

I was thinking this

Think mini blondes bike at 4 was £70ish from Halfords new

Original poster
McSteamyorMcdreamy · 12/06/2024 21:03

Just checked and brand new its £329.99 - so think ive got a proper bargain! 🤣

OP posts:
coodawoodashooda · 12/06/2024 21:02

CelesteCunningham · 12/06/2024 20:25

You're not tight.

Your friend is a dick.

Your DD will LOVE her new bike.

This.

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 12/06/2024 21:00

Yanbu.
most of our kids bikes have been second hand, including ones we’ve given for Christmas or birthday.
they don’t get heavy use and they outgrow them pretty quickly. Makes sense to go second hand.

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