Hi all,
I am looking to buy my son his first bike as well as getting one for myself.
It will be for riding around the neighborhood.
I have looked in Kmart and Target but wasn't sure if I should look into specialised bikes shops.
Looking to buy in the next four weeks. Budget: max $500 for both but happy to stretch it for the right deal.
Is there anything I should look for? Any recommendation would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Thanks you. I will check both.
Might help if you specify the type of bike and terrain? e.g. Road, MTB, BMX, Commuter etc.
I don't really have a preference. As long as it is a good starting bike.
We will mostly use it on footpaths and around parks.
The kid's bike needs to have training wheels as my son is new to this.
Don't get a kids bike intending to have training wheels. If he can't ride independently yet then get a balance bike. Pedalling is the easy bit, balance is harder. By having training wheels the child doesn't learn to balance or steer (steering because leaning the bike while moving, and countersteering, is a much bigger part of steering than simply turning the handlebars in the direction you wish to go), and it's really hard to progress to no training wheels (they basically have to learn to ride all over again). But using a balance bike first, they learn to balance and steer well and then when the pedals are added it's no biggie. You see kids as young as 2 or 3 riding a pedalled bike with no training wheels after having started with a balance bike. There's also a much lower risk of injury on a balance bike as the kid simply puts their feet down to stop (as well as using brakes on the handlebar if any), and they are lower to the ground (on a balance bike your feet need to be able to be flat on the ground, on a pedalled bike you only want to be able to reach the ground with the tips of your toes).
As a 5 year old he is on the upper end of learning to ride, so you'll want to find the largest balance bike you can so it can stay with him until he is ready for pedals (could be as little as 2 months or as much as 2 years, though many children still like to ride their balance bikes sometimes even when they can ride pedals and own a pedalled bike, since they can go over rougher terrain and are a bit more adaptable).
No personal experience with this bike but just as an example here is one that suits children 4-7 which is the sort of thing you'd be looking for: https://www.amazon.com/2018-Scoot-Balance-Bike-Blue/dp/B00PG…
Thank you for your input. I have never considered the balance bike. I will have a look and see.
He already has a scooter which he rides very well so maybe I don't even need to get him training wheels in the first place.
Recommend you talk to your local LBS.
Ivanhoe Cycles Megastore have a lot of bikes on display, Ivanhoe, Hallam & Hoppers Crosssing locations.
Stick with Kmart, you'll be able to buy a bike each and two helmets for less than $200
I bought BigW bicycle (16"/18") for my 4 year old and after using for 3 years, now shifted to new 24" Trek bike. I never had any issues with BigW Bike except few tube replacements. I also used on footpaths driving to parks. Children grow and bike needs replacement soon. So consider your finances as well.
Check out Gumtree, for $500 you will get a better bike than a Kmart/Target bike which will probably weigh 300kgs and break in 6 months
Or if going into a shop, somewhere like Reid Cycles will get you something pretty cheap.