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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask wheres the best place to buy a kids bike?

15 replies

Mossop17 · 02/10/2017 22:15

DD is almost 11 and has never had a new bike. I want to get her one for xmas.
She will be riding to secondary next yr so we need something not too childish or too expensive/flashy/ eyecatching to thieves just in case it gets pinched.
Im looking for quality but not over the top prices! I thought my budget was about £150.00 but looking through web page after web page i'm not sure i can get what i want for that budget, hence posting here.

Argh its a minefield. Ideally would like to see the actual model in a shop as opposed to buying online only.

Recommendations please/ or what brands to avoid.

OP posts:
geekone · 02/10/2017 22:26

Go to local cycling shops, small ones and look at their reconditioned bikes you will get a good bike for a better deal. You will need her measured though.

geekone · 02/10/2017 22:27

By small I mean independent

greendale17 · 02/10/2017 22:28

Your local independent bike shop- guaranteed you will get a far better customer service experience ans they will have a good range of bikes to choose from

Lucked · 02/10/2017 22:30

For a budget but good quality bike I think decathlon is best. You will get a good bike for £150 there.

Fuzzynavel101 · 02/10/2017 22:30

For that sort of budget and if specifically wanting new, then I'd suggest Decathlon would be the best bet (providing one near you...). Halfords can be hit and miss really, and they do sell some crap in there. Avoid stuff like Apollo. Don't get anything with suspension as will be very heavy and no good. The more simple the better really.

Fuzzynavel101 · 02/10/2017 22:39

Just had a look on Halfords website and they are doing the Pendleton Littleton bike for £160 at the moment, which is a nice bike for that price. Single speed so very little to go wrong, and no cheap gears to mess with. Practical to as chain guard and mudguards, so not going to get mucky either. Pretty too!

Original poster
Mossop17 · 02/10/2017 22:39

thanks guys especially the tip re suspension. I agree halfords is very hit and miss. Decathlon ones looked good when we were in france dont think there is a store near us (but ill check now) Avoid appollo - noted

OP posts:
SheepyFun · 02/10/2017 22:43

Would very strongly suggest you get DD to try the bike before you buy it - when I've bought my (not very expensive!) adult bikes, I've been allowed to try them on the road before buying them. I realise that means it won't be a surprise, but surely better to get her something that fits her and she wants to ride.

lougle · 02/10/2017 22:57

Can I suggest you look at the Bike Club? It's a rental/hire purchase scheme. You can get a brand new Frog Bike, worth £300 ish depending on frame size, for approx £11-13 per month. As your child grows, they will exchange the bike for a bigger model. If you've paid 2 years of payments for the same size bike, you can buy it out for about £30 and keep it. We've had 3 of their bikes for about a year now and they are fantastic. Customer service is brilliant. You also get two sets of tyres (a road set and a knobbly set for off-road/hybrid cycling).

We've just exchanged a Frog 55 for a Frog 62 absolutely painlessly. They delivered the new bike 3-4 weeks ago. We've had that time to check that the new bike suits DD3, then today, Parcel Force came to collect the Frog 55, totally at The Bike Club's expense.

NotMeNoNo · 02/10/2017 23:18

How tall is she? An extra-small ladies hybrid bike might fit her. The 24" kids bikes tend to go up to about age 11/12 so would soon be outgrown.

We found a really good secondhand bike shop near us (university town) and consequently have managed to get much better quality bikes than we'd have afforded new - Giant, Trek etc. Might be something to think about particularly if there are any hills, she won't want a clunky heavy bike.

Original poster
Mossop17 · 03/10/2017 20:34

thanks all, im only short at 5 foot 2 so i dont worry she will outgrow the bike quickly. Ive not heard of the frog rental thing so will talk to DH about that :)

Luckily no hills to go up or down for school so regular tyres should be fine.
I think shes figured out we are bike shopping so may well get her to try a few first.

OP posts:
stopfuckingshoutingatme · 03/10/2017 20:48

Honestly I would get a battered second hand that's safe

If it's stolen she will be gutted and so will you

Consider starting with a cheaper bike and see how you go

I have a £15 car boot and I know it won't get stolen

rightsaidfrederickII · 03/10/2017 21:22

Not effing Halfraud's Halford's

Go to your local independent bike shop and see what advice they can offer.

Isla Bikes have some excellent options - lightweight and designed for children www.islabikes.co.uk/

Ojoj1974 · 03/10/2017 21:31

I second Frog bikes. They are light weight, well built and offer great service.

Bazinga1234 · 03/10/2017 22:50

I'm buying from Halfords this year... doing the Christmas payment plan - they keep it until the end of November!

But my children are 4 and 5, so it's not going to be used as heavily as an older child.

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