Buying kids bikes
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:16 pm
Buying kids bikes
Postby DL_Ashe » Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:23 pm
I haven't ridden in years, but would like to get my kids into bikes. They've both ridden Razor scooters for a few years, but bikes are something they've never even asked about... something I want to change. The boys are 7 & 9 years old, and from what I can gather from reading a few posts on here and elsewhere, buying from department stores is a massive no-no.
Money is pretty tight however, so we're looking to just buy one bike in the short-term (budget around $150-$200 max), which they can alternate as the other can have the scooter, until we can save up for a second. Byk looks to be the best one around... and given both boys are new to riding, the 450 looks to be about right? I can't see one cheaper than mid $300s at a glance though (I'm in north-western suburbs of Melbourne).
For boys in the 7-9 bracket with no riding experience, is the Byk 450 the right choice? And any Melbourne based recommendations on places to get them from? I appreciate that $200 may limit my options... and possibly even rule out the Byk entirely... but I can't stretch beyond that on the back of Xmas....
Sincerely appreciate anyone's help & feedback.
- AUbicycles
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15583
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:14 am
- Location: Sydney & Frankfurt
- Contact:
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby AUbicycles » Sat Jan 07, 2017 12:20 am
Two other alternatives - ask around among relatives and friends, particularly those that have slightly older kids and on newer bikes - you may be able to get used bikes for free or a lot cheaper that you otherwise need to pay. While new bikes are nice, they are not mandatory, particularly for kids.
Also, look for second hand bikes. Be wary of the second-hand supermarket bikes (get familiar with some of the names - Huffy, Diamond back, Southern star) and look out for known brands.
As your kids are new to bikes, you can go for BMX style bikes - gears are probably not necessary though for your oldest, in tow or three years the next logical step is a MTB style bike with gears.
ebay can be fairly hit and miss - gumtree is an option (though there are still a few jokers on there), otherwise local groups such as on facebook.
Second hand bikes may need a bit of love and cleaning and lubing the chain, youtube videos will provide plenty of guidance.
Cheers
Christopher
-
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:33 pm
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby koshari » Sat Jan 07, 2017 6:14 am
On the 2nd hand market find some links and post here for people to comment.
- MattyK
- Posts: 3252
- Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby MattyK » Sat Jan 07, 2017 1:09 pm
-
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:17 pm
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby stevexg » Sat Jan 07, 2017 2:37 pm
-
- Posts: 12170
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:40 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby jasonc » Sun Jan 08, 2017 10:00 am
-
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:33 pm
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby koshari » Sun Jan 08, 2017 6:15 pm
horses for courses, i would go crmo on a jumper before ally.jasonc wrote:Whatever you do, make sure you get an alloy frame. Steel frames are heavy and turned kids off riding
- MattyK
- Posts: 3252
- Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby MattyK » Sun Jan 08, 2017 6:34 pm
But steel is real! And alloy is harsh! Won't somebody think of the children!jasonc wrote:Whatever you do, make sure you get an alloy frame. Steel frames are heavy and turned kids off riding
-
- Posts: 12170
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:40 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby jasonc » Sun Jan 08, 2017 8:03 pm
Hey op - Mattyk will pay for tiMattyK wrote:But steel is real! And alloy is harsh! Won't somebody think of the children!jasonc wrote:Whatever you do, make sure you get an alloy frame. Steel frames are heavy and turned kids off riding
-
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:33 pm
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby koshari » Mon Jan 09, 2017 12:36 pm
blimey, i used to ride an old hotfoot 2 1020 hi-ten for years, must have had legs like Hercules back then.jasonc wrote:Hey op - Mattyk will pay for tiMattyK wrote:But steel is real! And alloy is harsh! Won't somebody think of the children!jasonc wrote:Whatever you do, make sure you get an alloy frame. Steel frames are heavy and turned kids off riding
- im_no_pro
- Super Mod
- Posts: 6029
- Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:29 pm
- Location: Geelong
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby im_no_pro » Mon Jan 09, 2017 12:52 pm
master6 wrote: Moderators are like Club Handicappers; I often think they are wrong, but I dont want the job.
- queequeg
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:09 am
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby queequeg » Tue Jan 10, 2017 12:06 am
I managed to pick up an as new Byk E-4503i off Gumtree for $250, so if you keep a lookout you should be able to find something in the $200 price range. Before the E-450 I picked up an E-350 off the forums here for $80, which is what my youngest now has (though we're struggling getting him to ride it because he's stubborn). My eldest turns 8 next month and he's been on the E-450 for a year. I reckon he'll get 1 more year out of it at least, maybe two if he doesn't grow too quickly!DL_Ashe wrote:Hi there,
I haven't ridden in years, but would like to get my kids into bikes. They've both ridden Razor scooters for a few years, but bikes are something they've never even asked about... something I want to change. The boys are 7 & 9 years old, and from what I can gather from reading a few posts on here and elsewhere, buying from department stores is a massive no-no.
Money is pretty tight however, so we're looking to just buy one bike in the short-term (budget around $150-$200 max), which they can alternate as the other can have the scooter, until we can save up for a second. Byk looks to be the best one around... and given both boys are new to riding, the 450 looks to be about right? I can't see one cheaper than mid $300s at a glance though (I'm in north-western suburbs of Melbourne).
For boys in the 7-9 bracket with no riding experience, is the Byk 450 the right choice? And any Melbourne based recommendations on places to get them from? I appreciate that $200 may limit my options... and possibly even rule out the Byk entirely... but I can't stretch beyond that on the back of Xmas....
Sincerely appreciate anyone's help & feedback.
- Mububban
- Posts: 3043
- Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:19 pm
Re: Buying kids bikes
Postby Mububban » Tue Jan 10, 2017 2:51 pm
The going rate for really nice ByK on Gumtree seems around $200 realistically. The geared bikes, maybe $250.DL_Ashe wrote:to just buy one bike in the short-term (budget around $150-$200 max), which they can alternate as the other can have the scooter, until we can save up for a second. Byk looks to be the best one around... and given both boys are new to riding, the 450 looks to be about right? I can't see one cheaper than mid $300s at a glance though (I'm in north-western suburbs of Melbourne).
I scored a single gear girls frame E-450 for $50 that had been stored outside and had some mild surface rust and knicks in the paint. The wheels, tyres, brakes and saddle are all flawless (apart from very mild surface rust as mentioned).
I've washed it, sanded off the rust, given it a lube and will give it to a friend's daughter who doesn't have a bike. Some gloss white enamel paint will fill in the dings and scratches. So cheap ones are out there.
Searching Gumtree within 100km of Melbourne shows quite a few to choose from.
Otherwise the Reid Viper bikes look okay but have they had a price jump to be $300?
Just avoid big fat tyres as they will slow down little legs a lot. And maybe 1 x 8 maximum gearing or they'll get confused by two front shifters.
Return to “Buying a bike / parts”
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Cycling Brands
- Cannondale
- Garmin
- Giant
- Shimano
- Trek
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.