Child bike - value vs $$

[pantherlj]

We are getting our soon to be 8 yr old a 20 inch bike for her birthday. Any reason for a $30 -$40 difference in these 2 bikes? Any reason to buy a "real" bike ( ie $150 Mongoose) Instead of a $50 - $80 bike?

http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...le&fbc=1&categoryId=2256608&parentPage=search


http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...-7168929?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B00006JIE9

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Well, you can see differences in the quality, but if your DD will likely grow out of it in a couple years and you don't have others to pass it down to I wouldn't justify the expense. We bought our kids bikes for Easter last year. We got our oldest two ten speeds, we got our DD an expensive one because we plan on it being the last bike we buy her. We spent less on one for DS because he isn't as responsible as she is and he's hard on his outdoor things.

 

[DawnM]

I don't know about the particular bikes you are looking at, although I would check ratings.

We have gotten our kids cheap bikes before ($60 or under) and they just don't hold up long term.

The best bikes we have gotten are at yard sales where we see that the bike they purchased has lasted through their kids and held up well. I have gotten $100 plus bikes for $20.

I have no problem buying a used item for a b-day present. Our first garage sale bike has now lasted through FOUR kids and is still running well.

Dawn

 

[princesspwrhr]

We went through this last year when we bought my 8yo a new bike. She was long overdue for one, but for a while we lived somewhere she couldn't ride. We went with the cheaper bike this time becuase of my daughters height. By the end of this summer, winter at the latest, she will be tall enough for a 24in that will last her quite a while, so we'll spend the money on it then. She'll ride this one and it won't be trashed when she outgrows it, so we'll save it for her little sister.

We ended up with that same Murray Dazzle bike in your TRU link. She loves it and it's holding up really well considering she's queen of the 'flying leap toss the bike' dismounts if she feels she's going to fall and can't keep it upright.

I would suggest first going to a bike shop or sporting good store and having yoru daughter sit on a few 20 in and 24 in so you can get a good guess at how long she'll be on the 20 in, then check yard sales, second hand and thrift stores if you have time. If you're lucky you can find a good bike for less or equal to what the cheaper new one will cost.

 

[KHubbs94]

For Christmas when my DS was 22 months old my DH insisted we go to the bike shop, we spent $130 on a 12" GIANT for him! My DD3 rides it now, she calls it her "fire bike" (it's red and black with yellow flames). We are a bit over the top sometimes, but I have to admit that was pretty rediculous. We bought my DS, now 6 a 16" Schwinn from Target and it's really a pretty nice bike for the money. We live on 3 acres on a fairly busy road, so the kids don't ride their bikes a ton. If the bike will be riden for several hours on a weekly basis, go for the quality and something she'll be happy with and proud to ride.

 

[We4mickey]

When they get to the point where it will be their last bike you buy, definately spend the money to get a good one. We used to buy the cheap ones at Target. My oldest DS got a job at a bike shop. I spent $300 on a Trek and don't regret it one bit. It is some of the best money I have spent.

 

[Along4theRide]

When they get to the point where it will be their last bike you buy, definately spend the money to get a good one. We used to buy the cheap ones at Target. My oldest DS got a job at a bike shop. I spent $300 on a Trek and don't regret it one bit. It is some of the best money I have spent.

I totally agree! Trek make some of the best bikes. To me, they have the best quality for the $$. However, if your child isn't going to ride the bike much or unable to pass it on, wait until they are older to get them a good quality bike! BTW, I'm in the same boat...bike buying. Mine is for my (going to be) 4 yrs old. A little easier though for me, find a Spidyman or Hotwheels 12" and he's happy!!

 

[kathi29]

When my DD8 needed a new bike, I made sure to take her shopping with me. Every 20" bike seemed to fit her a bit differently, and we ended up buying one that style-wise I would have least expected. But it was the one she was most comfortable on, and that makes a huge difference.

 

[goofyforlife]

Any reason to buy a "real" bike ( ie $150 Mongoose) Instead of a $50 - $80 bike?

Depends....

I have a $300 mongoose bike for myself..... It is far better quality than my dd's TRU bike. (gears/brakes/seat) etc...

However, i see my dd throw her bike on the ground/leave it unlocked at the pool/etc and refuse to buy her a more expensive bike when she clearly isn't all that responsible yet.

I'd maybe go for the cheaper bike for the 8yo....

 

[hsmamato2]

I don't think it makes a difference for most kids,they're just going to outgrow it soon anyway... we bought ds1 the $34 huffy bike at Walmart
when he was about 8,he used it for years,till he was almost 12, then we gave it to ds2 last year when he was 7,it's still in great shape-
now ds1 has a better,teen bike,which we found on clearance at TRU a year or so ago-it should last for many many years....
Our rule is bikes live in the garage,we never leave them out- I can't see spending big$$$ for a kids bike, all they do is zip up and down the street,not exactly off road trekking

 

[fakereadhed]

When DD was 8 we bought her a pricey schwinn for bike camp. It's a great bike, but she outgrew it by the next summer. We tried to sell it for $25 in our yard sale with no takers(like new condition). My advice is to check the paper and yard sales to get an expensive one for less, or buy a cheapo. They are growing to fast at 8 to get much use out of it.

 

[corie161]

We bought both my DD8 and DS6 20"Schwinns from Target. DD got hers when she was 5 and is still going strong. She turns 9 next month so it will be 4 years old. I plan on upgrading to the next size when she turns 10. While shopping for them, the schwinns compared to the other brands Target carried, seemed to sit a little lower to the ground and she could reach the ground better.

DD6 has had his going on 2 years and the only issue we've had is that the kickstand won't stay in the up position. He's definately rougher on his so I'm not sure it will last as long.

I never even considered going to a more expensive bike, knowing they wouldn't be in them too long.

 

[floridafam]

DS10 has a Mongoose. DD8 has a Trek.

I think the answer to your question depends on a lot of things. The only reason DD has a Trek is because we got a great deal on it when DH was buying his Trek. DD is also going to pass that bike on to our youngest DD so we will definately get our money's worth. The Trek still looks great and is holding up really well.

DS10 loves his Mongoose and will probably have it for at least a few years.

It our kids were younger or less responsible we would probably have gone with cheaper bikes.

I started laughing while reading this thread. DH has a $5500 Trek, DS has a Mongoose, DD has a Trek, DD2 has a little Trek tricyle and I have a peice of crud that DH rode home from a trash pile down the street one night. He didn't think I would mind riding it around the neighborhood. Yah, that's fair.

Expensive doesn't always meen you'll be happy. We had a Specialized mountain bike in Michigan. DH "bought it for me." It was so darn uncomfortable. I would have been happy with a $90 comfort bike from Target. We ended up selling it at our moving sale before we moved to Florida. It did hold it's value. We paid around $380 and sold it for almost $300.

I agree with the poster that mentioned looking at garage sales. You never know what you might find.

 

[heartsy77]

I agree you get what you pay for. Personally we have had mongoose and they last forever! We also have bought bikes at Walmart and they just don't hold up. In my Sunday paper Toys r us is having a 20% sale on bikes this week. Also if you buy a mongoose and other higher end brand you get a 2o dollar gift card. I plan looking this weekend.

 

[perdidochas]

We are getting our soon to be 8 yr old a 20 inch bike for her birthday. Any reason for a $30 -$40 difference in these 2 bikes? Any reason to buy a "real" bike ( ie $150 Mongoose) Instead of a $50 - $80 bike?

http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...le&fbc=1&categoryId=2256608&parentPage=search


http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...-7168929?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B00006JIE9

We've had good luck with el-cheapos, but then again, we live in a coastal area, and with rusting, I doubt that a good brand would last much longer than an el-cheapo. Also, my kids are young, so they only can ride a bike for about two years before they outgrow them.

 

[zoodoyle]

Think I'll check out TRU too. Thinking about getting a bike for my dd's bday this summer - she has not been able to master the art yet, as she has a huge fear of falling over!! Not sure if I want to spend a lot on something that may end up collecting dust until her younger sister can ride it!!!!!