Buying children's bikes Dublin

ellee

Ok, so have a 4yo and a 6yo looking for their first bikes.

Am tempted by the ones in Halfords which look nice if basic and are around the €100 (I do have 2 to buy after all)

But comments say they are a bit heavy for learners? But then aluminium bikes seem to be well over the €200 mark which I think is just too much. We are not a serious biking family or anything. These will be used down the park, on holidays, etc.

What standard of bike should I look for as a minimum? What should I look out for? Anything essential?

Also, where in Dublin is best for a good range of bikes?

Many thanks!

crosstownk

When both my children (similar ages to yours) started cycling I got their bikes in Smyths. I saw no point in spending big money on something that they would grow out of quickly. The bikes did the job and were passed on when they got too small for pair.

Matt Bianco

Islabikes, Cuda and Frog bikes are at the premium level in kids bikes with other manufacturers like Specialized, Kona and Ridgeback there or thereabouts as well.

I was in a similar situation and dilemma but held out and waited for some to appear on Adverts and pulled the trigger, my reasoning being that if they are lighter and more enjoyable to cycle, they were more likely to take to it, which ended up being the case. If going new, another option may be looking at buying family bikes through the BTW scheme which will obviously make the out of budget more affordable.

flatface

Matt Bianco wrote: »

Islabikes, Cuda and Frog bikes are at the premium level in kids bikes with other manufacturers like Specialized, Kona and Ridgeback there or thereabouts as well.

We have a Frog and a Ridgeback and would recommend the Ridgeback as a good first bike option as its cheaper but sturdy and brakes and single speed work well. The Frog is great but would wait until they are a bit more experience and can get value out of gears.

flatface

Some Ridgeback here - and if you are in Dublin - Hollingsworth kilmacud.

check_six

I got a Carrera bike in Halfords (Halford's brand bike, maybe a step up from the Apollo branded ones) a good few years back. It's still going strong with its second rider. The bike would be used every day pretty much. These kind of bikes are fine for kids if you keep an eye on them and keep them maintained. We replaced the brake levers for the second lad, but apart from that everything else has kept working well.

While we're talking about brake levers, you should make sure that your kids can reach the brake levers on any bike you look at. I've seen weird setups on one or two kids bikes from big name manufacturers that have brake levers that are too big for kids to easily work with. Also, you should avoid plastic levers. Lots of the small inexpensive bikes have them, but I don't like them.

Other equipment for your bikes can add up quite quickly so bear that in mind when doing your budget. Lots of cheap locks are cable based and aren't worth buying. A good basic chain lock could cost €40. Chains can be easier to work with than a U-Lock when you have smaller bikes. You will probably need some lights too. Stabilisers are expensive to buy on their own (€30).

The older child's bike will probably be passed down to the younger one, so bear that in mind when picking it out.

letape

Matt Bianco wrote: »

Islabikes, Cuda and Frog bikes are at the premium level in kids bikes with other manufacturers like Specialized, Kona and Ridgeback there or thereabouts as well.

I was in a similar situation and dilemma but held out and waited for some to appear on Adverts and pulled the trigger, my reasoning being that if they are lighter and more enjoyable to cycle, they were more likely to take to it, which ended up being the case. If going new, another option may be looking at buying family bikes through the BTW scheme which will obviously make the out of budget more affordable.

Didn't know you can buy family bikes on the BTW scheme?

ted1

check_six wrote: »

Stabilisers are expensive to buy on their own (€30).

The older child's bike will probably be passed down to the younger one, so bear that in mind when picking it out.

Avoid Srabilisers they only slow down the learning process. Use a balance bike, they can be got for 20 euro in some shops and online in sports direct

flatface

ted1 wrote: »

Use a balance bike

+1
They are a great investment. 6 months on a balance bike and then they ride a pedal bike is just a few goes.

beauf

Avoid bike with suspension. They only add weight.

Steel is heavy aluminium is light. But if going for steel (its much cheaper) get one that has no suspension.

+1 on the balance bikes.

ellee

God, this is totally selfish but I don't want to buy balance bikes and then real bikes! I think they are too old for them now anyway? They are tall kids too, I'm thinking the older one will need the 18" and maybe the younger one too... they'll have to try and learn with stabilizers I guess, hopefully it won't be too hard.

I didn't realise we could use the bike scheme I thought that was just for work.

I would have thought suspension would make a bike more comfortable? But I suppose every kilo counts for a kid.

The carerra bikes look better alright, and I could stretch for those I think. And that shop in Kilmacud looks great.

Thanks a mil for all the links, incredibly helpful.

Eamonnator

letape wrote: »

Didn't know you can buy family bikes on the BTW scheme?

I didn't know you could send children out to work.

ellee

:D:D:D

Hunterbiker

You don't have to get a balance bike. Instead you can just take the cranks off the bikes you get them and it becomes a balance bike.
This is what we've done and it's working out well.