Kids Bikes??

[shmoov69]

Ok, my dad wants to get my boys bikes for Christmas, but I don't know what would be the best to get? Their limit is around $100 each. My boys are 6 and 3.

Any ideas or advice? Any bmx'rs here?

[spacepirate]

At that age, it really doesn't matter what they get. I would check Craigslist for some good deals.

[prosuperstar]

Get them one of these
http://www.impaktbicycles.com/
They are super fun

[dadto2jays]

check out your local bike store they usually have better quality bikes than the big box stores like walmart, sports authority, target etc...

[dropped72ss]

Costco had the huffy green machine big wheels looked like it would be a blast for younger kids.

[novaderrik]

at that age, you just need something that will last a year or two.. WalMart has 12" and 16" bikes for around $50 each that are perfectly designed to be outgrown.. once they get up to about 8 or 9 years old, you can get them into some decent 20" bikes that they can live with for the rest of their bike riding years.

[prosuperstar]

"At that age" They still deserve to have a nice bike especially if you think they'll enjoy bmx freestyle of racing in the near future.
Check out websites like danscomp.com and albes.com for deals on 16" and 18" bikes

[toxik iroc]

I'VE found that danscomp is a good site( spent waaaay to much there )
Do you want your kids to get into bmxing? if so you always can find good cheap ones on craigs list, alot of guys sell em once they get their license.

[Iamtheonlyreal1]

I still have my BMX Mongoose (SuperGoose) from when I was 12 years old, been dragging it with me everywhere for the last 29 years.. LOL That is when they were still American Made in Chatsworth California, and yes you can see the decrease in quality between then and now... It saddens me when I go to the local retail store, and find they are now made in China under the same name..

[NOT A TA]

I owned a bike shop for 25 years. Dept store stuff is junk assembled by the same guys that put wheel barrels and BBQs together because they can't get a better job, think about it and your kids safety. I saw the horror stories and knew kids who died by getting run over by their neighbors cars because the brakes wouldn't stop them at the bottom of their driveway and other similar scenarios. Someone has to move when one neighbor kills another's kid, you can't both stay there comfortably. Think about it, you bought the "best" car seat to bring the lil ankle biters home from the hospital when they were born. Now you'd send them out on a piece of crap bike just to save a few bucks? Buy the kids a real bike that works well at a bike shop that caters to the family market where it's assembled by a real bike mechanic and the kids will enjoy riding them more and actually use them. A properly assembled little guys bike built with quality components will operate easier, more safely, and the little ones don't have a lot of power. I can't tell you how many dept store bikes I saw that couldn't even skid the rear wheel when they were BRAND NEW!. The liability of working on those pieces of garbage was so high we wouldn't even perform repairs on them.

During the time I was in the biz I knew 3 kids well who were killed because of cheap bikes. One was best friends with my stepson, the other 2 were customers kids who figured it'd be "OK" to buy dept store bikes for their kids because well, "There just kids" and will outgrow them quick. Those kids never got a chance to outgrow them....... just to save a few bucks. Whenever there was a bike involved in an accident with injuries the police would bring the bike to my shop to have us look at it and if possible determine if the bike was in proper working condition. It was a horrible job to have to do because we'd often find that the brakes had never functioned properly or the handlebar wasn't tightened or some other problem and then the police would tell us the story of the accident as given by the vehicle driver.

[shmoov69]

Thanks guys.

That is crazy John!! 3 kids you knew because of a junk bike?!? Not doubting you, just crazy for sure! I've never heard of it, or at least always thought it was just a kid not paying attention!

[Happyfunballs]

Because of John's post, I'll be spending no less than $20,000 on a bike for my 4 year old.

[novaderrik]

Because of John's post, I'll be spending no less than $20,000 on a bike for my 4 year old.

don't forget the Kevlar body armor and fireproof bubble wrap..

if kids are riding in the street and the people driving the cars are driving like idiots and not paying attention, a $500 bike isn't going to protect them any more than a $50 bike..

[ProBell]

Because of John's post, I'll be spending no less than $20,000 on a bike for my 4 year old.

Rick. You are in luck. I have one bike left that will work out for you. It is on sale this week only $19,990.oo. I will cover shipping and tax as well.

My kids have good bikes and tag sale junkers, They go back and forth between the two.

Randy

[GrabberGT]

Im a cyclist and believe in getting good equipment based on my needs as well as the horror stories of bargain store build quality. But in the end I chose the bargain bike for my son. (4 years old) It is a basic model with a coaster brake. I bought it already built but didnt spare any time in making sure it was built properly. He's now 5 and has dropped the training wheels, leaving skid marks on the neighbors driveways, and jumping every stick he can find. His next bike will be a bike shop quality piece but for now, I have complete faith in what he is currently using. The absolute best thing I bought for my son though was a proper helmet. Those bargain helmets do not fit the way a helmet should. Go to your local bike shop and buy something thats going to fit properly. The helmet I ended up with cost me just as much as the bike he is riding. Ironically though, his 40.00 bike helmet uses the same technology my 250.00 helmet uses.

[shmoov69]

Ok, school me here...(I'm being serious also) I never had a helmet growing up and whoknows how many hundreds (or thousands!) of miles I rode as a kid! I never knew anyone that got "really" hurt riding a bike growing up either. Where does (or should) it end? Helmets? Knee pads? Elbow pads? Chest protectors? Cups? Bubble wrap?
His bike he's been riding the last 2 years has never had a helmet used with it. Am I neglecting him?

I'm not being a smart ass either, I just don't understand where the "line" is.

[Drew2672]

Ok, school me here...(I'm being serious also) I never had a helmet growing up and whoknows how many hundreds (or thousands!) of miles I rode as a kid! I never knew anyone that got "really" hurt riding a bike growing up either. Where does (or should) it end? Helmets? Knee pads? Elbow pads? Chest protectors? Cups? Bubble wrap?
His bike he's been riding the last 2 years has never had a helmet used with it. Am I neglecting him?

I'm not being a smart ass either, I just don't understand where the "line" is.

I know I didn't wear a helmet as a kid except when BMX racing either. Think of it this way, I also didn't have a car seat either. I don't know where you would draw the line, but my son doesn't get near his bike without his helmet. I had a friend when I was a kid that was jumping the curb in front of his house. His foot came off the pedal an he went straight into a tree. He spent two days in the hospital with a concussion. You can't catch be too safe when it comes to your head.

[SlowProgress]

Good discussion to get everyone thinking. I am also an older guy and we didn't wear helmets, seat belts or worry about any of that stuff growing up. But now the technology exists to be safer, so take advantage of it. Get kids started early with a good helmet and make sure your bike is well assembled as suggested above, no matter where you buy it. Also take the time to ride with your kids and teach them the rules. Time spent together now will be cherished forever. They will outgrow their first bikes fast and they will end up in a garage sale for $15. When they get older, and really know what's going on, take them to the local bike shop and show them the difference between a good bike that will last for years and a poor quality bike with poor components. Just my opinion.

[GrabberGT]

Ok, school me here...(I'm being serious also) I never had a helmet growing up and whoknows how many hundreds (or thousands!) of miles I rode as a kid! I never knew anyone that got "really" hurt riding a bike growing up either. Where does (or should) it end? Helmets? Knee pads? Elbow pads? Chest protectors? Cups? Bubble wrap?
His bike he's been riding the last 2 years has never had a helmet used with it. Am I neglecting him?

I'm not being a smart ass either, I just don't understand where the "line" is.

I understand and to an extent I feel the same way. But... When's the last time you had your bell wrung pretty good? For me it was 2 years ago. We were only riding 15 mph but when you turn into a corner and the guy you are riding with doesnt, things happen. It felt like it was in slow motion but I could envision my body going to the ground with the motion and speed of a bull whip with my head being the end that goes "POP!". Even with my top-of-the-line, pro level helmet, my head ached for 2 days and my neck was stiff for a week. It reminded me of the few times I fell when I was young doing stupid things like War Frisbee, football, and what-not. I remember it not being too much fun then either. Soo... to save him the unnecessary pain and quite possibly a serious injury, why not get a helmet? I put one on every time I throw my leg over the bike, why not him as well. It wont be long before he's out on training rides with me and others and helmets are a requirement. He might as well get used to it now. And I'm glad I did. It was a week later, I watched him fall off and luckily his helmet was there to keep his skull off the sidewalk. I no longer have to remind him about putting on his helmet.

Also... In bike racing, I've been unfortunate enough to witness some pretty nasty wrecks involving team mates and acquaintances. Its not unusual for the EMT to take the helmet with you when they carry you to the hospital. Its examined to help pinpoint the area of impact from an accident. On one occasion a team mate was airlifted and remained in a coma for over a weak before it was safe enough to wake him. He still talks with a slur to this day. He was only 15.