Kids Bikes

[b5driver]

My daughter is turning four at the end of the month and my wife and I are going to get her her first two wheeled bike. I keep going back and forth between getting a name brand bike at an LBS or just saving the money and buying a no-name bike for a lot less. The other option, I guess, is to watch Craigslist for decent ones. We do have another daughter who is 14 months so we should be able to get two rounds out of the bike.

My question is what have you done for your kids? Pros and cons for one way vs. the other. Thanks!

[PacMan]

I know Bicycle Warehouse has kids bikes and they aren't much more expensive than the crap at Wal-Mart. More importantly, the bike will be put together correctly so you won't have to worry about that. Plus, when she outgrows it, you could still probbaly sell it for a third of what you paid for it.

[Pain Freak]

I say go with the cheapie, but as Doug pointed out, make sure it's put together right. I prefer to buy the bike unassembled. These bikes weigh a ton so don't try to take your young ones out on an epic. (mistake I made) As they get older, donate the old bike and upgrade accordingly. If they are into biking, buy better, if it's just an occasional interest, then something good, but not to expensive and if they just like it cause it's shiny and looks purdy, stay with the Walmart crap.

[skate]

yep I agree get the cheaper brand stuff. Just make sure you go over it and see if its built correctly. Your daughter is 4 now, and in about a year it will be put away because it won't fit her anymore. I thinks it's better to wait and buy a brand LBS bike when she gets to be around 9 years or so when her growth starts to slow down a bit.

I went down this road already and my daughter has this pretty brand new bike from wal mart that is just sitting here, because at the time it was a tad bit big for her, but now in a blink of an eye she outgrew it. So i'm glad I didn't spend that much on it, just so I can turn around and buy another expensive bike a year later.

Oh and by the way BicycleWarehouse has expensive kid bikes. Heck that whole store is expensive compared to other shops. At least a hundred dollars or more compared to wal mart. Maybe try performance up the road if you want to go the bike shop route.

Besides she doesn't need something extreme being that she is only going to used it on paved roads. So the Wally bike should do for now until she gets older then if she is really into bicycling then you can buy her a real bike.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by b5driver

My daughter is turning four at the end of the month and my wife and I are going to get her her first two wheeled bike. I keep going back and forth between getting a name brand bike at an LBS or just saving the money and buying a no-name bike for a lot less. The other option, I guess, is to watch Craigslist for decent ones. We do have another daughter who is 14 months so we should be able to get two rounds out of the bike.

My question is what have you done for your kids? Pros and cons for one way vs. the other. Thanks!

Kids Bikes

[project_d]

I started my son off with a BMX bike. It was cheap, and that way, he could concentrate more on keeping himself upright and turning, and less on making sure he was in the right gear for something. After he got that down, and he wanted to ride the hills with his old man, I got him a Trek MT220, at least I think that was the model. Trek seems to have a decent selection of bikes for kiddies at reasonable prices.

He's since moved on to bigger and better bikes, but I think this was a good way for him to start riding bikes!

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by skate

Oh and by the way BicycleWarehouse has expensive kid bikes. Heck that whole store is expensive compared to other shops. At least a hundred dollars or more compared to wal mart. Maybe try performance up the road if you want to go the bike shop route.

I paid $75 and $125 for kids' bikes at Bicycle Warehouse. One Raleigh, one Haro. If you can get $100 cheaper than that, then by all means point the way.

[skate]

Originally Posted by PacMan

I paid $75 and $125 for kids' bikes at Bicycle Warehouse. One Raleigh, one Haro. If you can get $100 cheaper than that, then by all means point the way.

performance, amazon, black mountain, just about any place is cheaper than bicycle warehouse.

[sladnas]

Originally Posted by skate

performance, amazon, black mountain, just about any place is cheaper than bicycle warehouse.

Not that shopping at Amazon is a good idea though...

[skate]

Originally Posted by sladnas

Not that shopping at Amazon is a good idea though...

Oh I know, I hate that place.

[Schecky]

I think it's good to go cheap when they are young, and then spend a bit more if they really get into biking.
Even the cheap ones can be good solid bikes.
This was my son's first bike at three. Served him well and even went off road at Peters (including his first OTB).
Seven years later, a new pair of grips and it's good for another three year old.
I never thought I'd say this, but this Mongoose has been a great bike.


Future MTBer.

[DeeZee]

Future MTBer.
[/quote]

love that 2nd pic

[b5driver]

Originally Posted by Schecky

I think it's good to go cheap when they are young, and then spend a bit more if they really get into biking.
Even the cheap ones can be good solid bikes.
This was my son's first bike at three. Served him well and even went off road at Peters (including his first OTB).
Seven years later, a new pair of grips and it's good for another three year old.
I never thought I'd say this, but this Mongoose has been a great bike.

Great pics! Thanks to everyone for their advice.

I think if I can get away with spending under $100 I will go the LBS route. If not, I'll see what I can find at the discount stores. It's a hard decision to make b/c you want to get them a decent bike with the hopes that they will ride it a lot, but I think I've learned that it doesn't always turn out the way you like, and I'd hate to waste money on something that doesn't get used too much. Also, if I can get one that's not a total tank then maybe it will be more enjoyable to ride.