buying a bike

[Qd]

We want to buy our 3 and a half year old son a bike. Does anyone have any advice, I feel I've made a few dud choices re toys recently and I don't want to make an expensive mistake. Can anyone help, please?

My mum bought one for our 3 year old son. She just went to a local bike shop and asked for advice. A bike for a child of this age obviously does not have a very long life span. She managed to get one that was reduced from 79.95 to 29.95 because it had a 'scratch' (which was so miniscule that you could barely see it) and much smaller than anything I'm sure he'll do to it. Have a look in your local paper, as children grow out of these things so quickly you may be able to get a decent one in there. One thought though, my son cannot operate the brakes on his bike (which are the standard handle bar brakes) so it may be an idea to look around for one of those bikes where you pedal backwards to apply the brake. It is exhausting running along at the side of him to act as his brake!!

Our 3 1/2 year old son got a little bike last Christmas. He loves it. It's a Puky two wheeler, type Z 2, for 3-5 year olds. There is a hand brake as well as a foot brake. All of the gear thingies are enclosed, so there's no chance of his trousers or foot getting caught in them. It has training wheels and should last him until he's about 5 or so. It's definitely sturdy, too. We got it from Mosquito Bikes in Islington who recommended it highly.

hi got a bike for my son hi is six i got it in halfords they could not have been more helpful and they do a free cheak after three months to make sure every thing is still in good order i do agree as well with paula 1 my friend got her child bike in a small local shop and they give great service there was no pressure i do recommond that you do let your child ride it around the shop a good few times if they complain go some were else in halfords they encourage the child to ride it to see if it the right hight and such well they dont think you are going to buy it before trying it