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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to consider buying this bike for ds (5)?

198 replies

mikado1 · 15/04/2017 17:25

His favourite apparently but his dad thinks it's 'girlish'-only because the halford's man said it's a girl's bike, I believe. And yet I see all the reviews talk about buying it for a girl :/ I feel we should go with whAt he wants, I've always told him that boys and girls can play with/wear/do what they choose and aren't limited to 'boys'/girls'' things. Think dh worried he will be snagged and not want to ride it. I think it's terrible to have to think like that.

OP posts:
Trifleorbust · 15/04/2017 18:08

HelenaWay:

It's the sweet little woodland creatures. They are more commonly seem on girls' clothes. The pastels have the same effect.

Partyfops · 15/04/2017 18:08

Frog bikes are amazing and really keep their value. You can get them to lease for about a tenner a month from bikeclub.co

Original poster
mikado1 · 15/04/2017 18:10

Sorry don't know what went wrong with that link www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=15551&storeId=11101&productId=1266739&langId=-1&categoryId=212442

trifle, I can see why you'd think and I do feel strongly about it and will never tell him girls/boys can't... because of their sex. I'm not pushing here though but do feel sad that it's his 'very favourite', and his first non handed down bike. He cycles daily and I'd love not to have to care about others' views when it comes to choosing.

OP posts:
Dishwashersaurous · 15/04/2017 18:11

Halford bikes are really heavy and thus difficult for young children.

Frog bikes are really great, definitely worth seeing if you can pick one up in a sale or second hand

Aeroflotgirl · 15/04/2017 18:12

mikado I think my friends Raleigh burner I so wanted was her big brothers cast offs. Unfortunately I was an only child, so no cast offs, but parents determined that I should act like a girl. I had all the Masters of the Universe set up 😀

loonieleftie · 15/04/2017 18:13

It is so frustrating that kids can't just enjoy any toy/ bike. I have always wondered why girls have a lower cross bar anyway. Does anyone know? I had a black racer and a red bmx and all the kids wanted a go on my bmx on my street growing up.

Trifleorbust · 15/04/2017 18:13

mikado1:

Of course, I get that. But it would be nice if the moon were made if cheese. If you buy him that bike and he is still riding it in 18 months, he WILL lose face in front of his peers.

Trifleorbust · 15/04/2017 18:13

*of

loonieleftie · 15/04/2017 18:14

My poor friend had a proper shopper with a basket, her DF wouldn't get her a bmx Hmm

Original poster
mikado1 · 15/04/2017 18:14

He's very much his own person and has picked pink wellies and happily asked me to paint his nails recently. Both of these were pointed out by other (boys) and he either ignored/said 'it's not just for girls '. It wasn't mentioned again.

OP posts:
loonieleftie · 15/04/2017 18:16

Good for him, he might always remember that bike that he loved but that you wouldn't get him because it wasn't conforming.

Dothehokeykokey · 15/04/2017 18:16

Having thought about it I think my daughter would also get the mickey taken for riding that, the woodland creatures just make it look like a baby bike.

I get they are only young, but that's what would happen here.

Also agree a second hand frog or Isla bike is a much better buy. Loads lighter and better quality and so much easier to ride, which in turn makes the kids enjoy riding them more.

Trifleorbust · 15/04/2017 18:17

Well, if you think he has broad shoulders, OP, crack on.

Aeroflotgirl · 15/04/2017 18:18

The woodland theme of the bike would be OK for a
Now, but when he's 7/8, he might not want it anymore.

Original poster
mikado1 · 15/04/2017 18:19

I'm going to look at the frog range and keep the price from dh discuss price per use with dh and see if DS likes them. Agree 're weight. It is very frustrating and it must come from parents or where would kids get these ideas? A friend refused to buy her DS a kitchen for his birthday though he adored his cm's one. That's crazy imo.

OP posts:
Original poster
mikado1 · 15/04/2017 18:22

It's the woodland creatures he likes! Loves nature and loves the idea of cycling bmx style through the woods on it! I do see the point 're 5 and 7 though.

OP posts:
Brokejoke · 15/04/2017 18:24

If he likes it and wants it, that's the one I'd get. Although no problem in looking around as bikes are a big purchase so you want to be sure.

The kitchen thing is crazy. Stuff like that drives me mad.

Aeroflotgirl · 15/04/2017 18:24

loonie my second bike was a proper shopper bike with basket and a real grannie look about it, my parents didn't consult me about it, or i would have chosen the BMX.

Flossimodo · 15/04/2017 18:28

It does appear to be a girl's bike, as much as I think it should't be cause for comment. It probably will.

BikeRunSki · 15/04/2017 18:31

I don't think it looks particularly boyish or girlish, but actually looks very babyish. I would buy it for any child up to the age of about 3 or 4, but probably not much older. It's a big bike for such a young design.

asd4ever · 15/04/2017 18:32

Perhaps you could get the one he wants, then paint it blue later on if necessary?

NavyandWhite · 15/04/2017 18:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Honeybee79 · 15/04/2017 18:36

My DS is 6. I wouldn't choose this bike for him myself but if it was the one he really, really wanted then I might go for it. His mates (male and female) don't seem to really care about whether a boy is seen with anything "girly". Maybe they are fortunate in that respect. 5 seems v young for other kids to get hung up on that kind of thing.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 15/04/2017 18:36

As others have said, YABU because it is a shit bike, nowt to do with the colour scheme.

lalaloopyhead · 15/04/2017 18:37

At this age a bike doesn't last more than a year or two size wise anyway, in my experience. I don't think it is particularly 'girly' but may feel a bit young style wise after a time. Saying that you know your son and need to judge whether this will last or not.

I am another that would have loved a Grifter, Chopper or BMX but always ended up with a traditional shopper style bike :(