To think there's nothing wrong with second hand bikes

[cadburyegg]

My exh and I have been discussing bikes. Ds1 has outgrown his and ds2 is getting big for his too, although his still fits for now. For context, both bikes they are on currently were second hand and ds1 also used ds2's current bike before he outgrew it.

I have said to exh that ds2 can use ds1's bike when outgrown and I will get a second hand bike for ds1 probably - the one he tried for size in Halfords was over £300. I simply can't afford that with Christmas approaching and their birthdays soon after. Exh said he "feels sorry" for the kids getting second hand bikes all the time and especially ds2 who "may never know what getting a new bike is like".

I'm fuming tbh. For context, exh pays no regular maintenance as his income is too low according to CMS. I work nearly full time and provide the majority of care plus fund the majority of the kids expenses. I think he's got a bloody cheek commenting on me buying second hand bikes, but now I feel guilty too so I wonder if there's any truth in what he said.

Ds2 by no means gets everything handed down from ds1 btw - a few clothes maybe, and the bikes like I said, but almost everything else he gets new as needed. Same for ds1. But I don't see the harm in passing down some things when they don't mind? They are 9 and 6, not teenagers.

So AIBU?

Point 1) There's nothing wrong with a second (or third/more) hand bike! If you look carefully, you'll get a better quality bike second hand than if you buy new.

Point 2) Never buy a bike from Halfords! They're not a bike shop and staff lack bike knowledge and experience. If you really want to buy new, find a local independent retailer who knows what they're talking about.

We bought a Frog bike for DGS for Christmas 2021. He needs a bigger one so we bought it from Frog Bikes outlet. His dad sold the old one for 2/3rd the cost of the new one. It was snapped up; they keep their value very well.