What to buy teen DD a bike - is there anywhere open to try before we buy?

[SecondaryBurnzzz]

Hi there,
I know this is an odd question for MN but thought I would ask as my googling isn't working.
I need to buy gangly DD a bike, but need to try it before we buy it. She is gangly but not particularly strong, so would need a lightish big bike. This is her first proper bike, so she has not idea what style of bike she wants either, or what they feel like to ride.

Halford and Evans say to buy online, but it seems a bit of a risk to buy one without trying it for size. Any thoughts or recommendations? We got her last kids bike from Decathlon, but they aren't open. We're in London. Thanks for your help?

Hi OP
If the budget stretches I would always recommend an Islabike. They’re super lightweight, excellent quality, and come in sizes from diddy to adult so there will be one to fit. Measure her inside leg and get the most appropriate size.
Should they be too £££ we have actually just bought DSS a bike from Decathlon online. We went for the Rockrider 27.5”, it was around £250, and while not as light as the Islabike is actually pretty good! They have very limited delivery slots so we had to wait until midnight to order it; and it took a week or so to arrive but if you’re in London they did click and collect at Surrey Quays which may help you. Happy bike shopping!

Have you got a Cycles UK near you? I just bought a bike for myself through them and they were so helpful. You can make an appointment to go into the store.

Islabikes and frog are good for lightweight bikes. They have sizing charts on their websites and there's a couple of good secondhand Facebook selling groups. They hold their value really well so can resell once outgrown.

Quite a lot of independent bike shops are still trading. I'm in a completely different part of the country but round here most of the bike shops are open abeit on reduced hours and some only by appointment. The problem is that most shops only carry a limited stock, so the chances of anywhere having a wide range available for you to try is not great, especially if you are looking for a less common size.
I would start by trying to narrow things down a bit online and then ringing round your local shops to see if they have anything in stock. I would start by thinking about kind of riding she is likely to be doing, and on what terrain, and what your approximate price range is. That should narrow things down a bit, plus you can get a rough idea of size from her height and inside leg measurement.

Thanks everyone!
I would ideally nip into Decathlon and ride a few around, but reality dictates that I will do as you suggest MrsAvocet. She only wants a bike for running around town so I would quite like to spend under £200. I have 'messenger'ed a few of our local shops to ask if we can make an appt to go in and I'll see what they say.
zgaze we do have a cycles UK near us in Greenwich, but the bikes look a bit too expensive for our budget.
JC12345 and MissSusanStoHelit (love that name!) the bikes you recommended look great, but I don't want to invest too much in case DD goes off the whole idea. I think we'll have a look in an independent and if we can to find the right style and go from there.
Thanks all!

One final question - if you buy a bike online - sight unseen - can you actually take it back?

thanks :D

You'd need to check individual shops' policies for details, but as a general rule you usual can. I think Evans give you 30 days.

SIL recently bought a bike for her DS from in independent. The staff wouldn't let them try the bike and wouldn't even adjust the seat once the child had sat on it.