Bike Shop over Catalogues (Advice on buying a first bike - Safety Issues)

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Product:	Advice on buying a first bike - Safety Issues
Date:	17/08/01 (28 review reads)
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Advantages: You have back up if there is a problem, There is normally a "Christmas Club"

Disadvantages: Can take some time, Don't always have the exact Bike that you have seen elsewhere

We have now had to buy two “Real” Bikes for our eldest and there are few things that we found out when we were looking for a first bike for our sons fourth Christmas.

I looked out some bikes that I liked to look of in the catalogues and was going to get one, when a friend informed me that bikes from catalogues do not always meet Safety Standards as they are in need of some construction!!!!!

Well I would never have thought of that.

I now wouldn’t think of getting a bike for my child from a catalogue, as their safety is paramount, and even though I have had to put my bike back together again a fair few times I do not feel that I would trust my kids on one that I had “made.”

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But Catalogues are cheaper

Not always, the bikes we had been looking at in the catalogues were £100+, as was the one we got, but the dealer had knocked 20% off the RRP on most of the bikes in his shop, making the one we got only £86.

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Where should I go?

The simple answer to this is ask around. Ask friends for recommendations. Ask around some local bike shops that don’t cater for young children, there is normally somewhere they recommend.

When you go to a shop where children’s bikes are sold, ask questions. Do they have qualified staff and a workshop where the bikes are “set up?” , can you take the bike “off the shelf?” , do they offer any kind of “back up?” Take a good look around. Do they only sell bikes and basic accessories? Do they have other accessories? Do they sell other things than just “bikes?”

If you can buy a bike and take it straight away, then the chances are that they are not set up 100% unless it is a very small shop, as most bikes are set up for display and the nuts and bolts are not completely tightened, the saddle and handlebars may not be
completely fixed, however if they offer a “back up” service for any teething problems you might have, and they have a workshop, offer repairs and maintenance etc., then the chances are that a bike will not be allowed out of the shop unless it is in a roadworthy condition.

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What do I need to know?

If possible take the child with you, that way, they can try the bike out for size. When sitting on the saddle, they should be able to get one foot flat on the floor or both feet touching the toes on the floor. If you can’t, or don’t want to take the child with you, measure the inside leg, from the crotch to the floor, not the trouser length, and take a note of it with you.

Also measure the child’s head circumference and buy them a good helmet that meets all the safety standards.

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I’ve done all that but I'm not sure...

If you are not sure, then visit the shop on more than one occasion, browse through, see if there are many customers at different times, if there seems to be a steady flow of customers then they must be doing something right.

Keep asking questions. Make sure that all your questions are answered properly, and to your satisfaction, After all your children’s safety depends on you.

Finally, you know your child better than anyone, don’t let an over eager salesman convince you into buying something you are not happy with. The cycle shop we have used for our bikes leaves us as long as we want to look around, someone will normally ask if we are looking for something specific, and then either offer advice, or leave us to carry on browsing, but they are there when we are ready. When we got our son’s last bike, we were asked to come back In an hour, when the bike had been in the workshop and made road worthy, We didn’t mind as we now are sure that the bike is totally safe, w
e were shown how to use the gears, how to tighten the seat, handle bars and brakes, and have a phone number to phone if we have any problems.

You don’t get that with a catalogue bike.
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UPDATE
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I have recently found out that some ToyMaster shops display the prices of their bikes including a Make up fee of £5, but you can request the Flat Pack version if you require it.

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