Kids Bikes - Where do you go?

[plastic_cyclist]

Hi all, I’m looking for a Christmas surprise for my 13 year old - he’s 5’2” and average build to skinny.

He only really punks about on a bike with his mates around the village, nothing long, nothing serious - would you advise a Halfords special ? Small adult in size?

 

[oxoman]

I got my youngest son a boardman small mtb when he was a similar size and age. In fact ive used it occasionally myself and im 5ft 7.

 

[ianrauk]

Ask him what he wants. Show him pictures of bikes in your price range. You dont do that and get him a bike you think he would like then you run the risk of him not riding it. Peer pressure is a powerful thing and the last thing you want is to splash the cash on a bike that won't be used.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I'd certainly start at Halfords, looking at what Voodoo; Carrera; Boardman bikes are in their BF sale.

10% discount using British Cycling, 15% discount using Blue Light Card iirc etc.

 

[CentralCommuter]

Decathlon are decent for kids’ bikes.

 

[Big John]

Despite mixed reviews concerning Halfords staff they do some half decent bikes. The bike charity where I volunteer never have any trouble shifting Carreras, for example, or Boardmans. You may want to go over it yourself prior to your son venturing out on it, just to be on the safe side

 

[Tom B]

A couple of years ago we was looking at Halfords, Decathlon and GoOutdoors (Xcalibre) for my nephews.
We then dropped into an LBS who was able to offer a decent Giant (i think) for around the same price with the benefits of the LBS service and apparently more street cred.

I'd echo a bit what Ianrauk and bigjohn have said, talk to him, show him some stuff. My Nephew was quite dismissive of the better bikes and keener on the Carerra range largely because they have, apparently better kudo with his mates. I have a Carerra /voodoo clunker which often gets oohed and ahhed at, stroked and lusted over by scallys whreas riding the "better bike" barely raises an eyebrow. I sometimes think if i left the Carerra outside a shop it'd be nicked before the better bike.



What I will say is the bike my Nephew got gave him the bug, he spent about £300 upgrading it and by summer birthday he wanted a £2k+ bike. With the benefit of hindsight they have been better getting a better bike at the outset.

 

[Dan Lotus]

Personally, I would be inclined to look at FB Marketplace nearby to you and see what is out there.
I got really lucky with my 12 year old daughter, as a club member was selling one of his daughters Liv mountain bikes for £50!
Not that new, but great condition, and hydraulic discs.

 

[Gillstay]

For my kids I always bought a S/H one of better quality than I could buy new, and then did it up for them, with them, and to their spec.
My son went for a ride with 20 other kids in Guildford so some big money bikes there and his comment with a big smile was, `My bike was the only one that had been built with their Dad.' He learnt a lot about bearing's and systems as well.

 

[BrumJim]

A couple of years ago we was looking at Halfords, Decathlon and GoOutdoors (Xcalibre) for my nephews.
We then dropped into an LBS who was able to offer a decent Giant (i think) for around the same price with the benefits of the LBS service and apparently more street cred.

I'd echo a bit what Ianrauk and bigjohn have said, talk to him, show him some stuff. My Nephew was quite dismissive of the better bikes and keener on the Carerra range largely because they have, apparently better kudo with his mates. I have a Carerra /voodoo clunker which often gets oohed and ahhed at, stroked and lusted over by scallys whreas riding the "better bike" barely raises an eyebrow. I sometimes think if i left the Carerra outside a shop it'd be nicked before the better bike.



What I will say is the bike my Nephew got gave him the bug, he spent about £300 upgrading it and by summer birthday he wanted a £2k+ bike. With the benefit of hindsight they have been better getting a better bike at the outset.

My son said that some kids in his school rate Carrera more highly than Trek.

He keeps out of those conversations!

 

[Tom B]

For my kids I always bought a S/H one of better quality than I could buy new, and then did it up for them, with them, and to their spec.
My son went for a ride with 20 other kids in Guildford so some big money bikes there and his comment with a big smile was, `My bike was the only one that had been built with their Dad.' He learnt a lot about bearing's and systems as well.

I have to say that my kids 7 & 4 have only ever known second hand frog bikes.
Ive probably paid more for second had Frogs than i would for for BSO from supermarkets or 'alf fords

 

[Webbo2]

We bought our grandson a new Frog bike which then got sold on for virtually what we paid for it when he grew out of it. Since then he’s had another 3 bought off eBay you don’t lose much on them when you sell them on.
Which reminds me I need to sell his last one.

 

[Dan Lotus]

We bought our grandson a new Frog bike which then got sold on for virtually what we paid for it when he grew out of it. Since then he’s had another 3 bought off eBay you don’t lose much on them when you sell them on.
Which reminds me I need to sell his last one.

On 1 Isla bike, and 5 frog bikes, I've lost a very small amount of money on 2, and made a modest amount on 4, need a bit of luck of course.
Overall I think we've come out even.