Help me choose a bike for my son!!

Pia · 22-04-2010, 22:18

My head seriously hurts and i need someone to make my decision for me lol!! I've been to see them in the flesh and i'm none the wiser.

Son is gonna be 7 next week. I'm getting him a bike. We've establish that he needs a 20" wheel. My budget is about £100. I know i'm not gonna get him an amazing bike for that price but let's face it he's too young to care and it'll get a battering anyway.

I'd let him choose it but he loves them ALL!

I know nothing about bikes, i just know that he wants gears (

) so i take it that rules out BMX??

So it's gotta be JJB or Halfords, cos i don't have time for online delivery. (And i don't fancy building it myself

).

Choices look like:

Apollo FS 20 - (they had an ex-display one today for £80 too? Or should i stick with brand spanking??)

Raleigh Skulk - (is Raleigh still one of the best?? This seems quite cheap for that make?)

Raleigh Attitude - bit above budget but is that for a reason, i.e feature/quality?

Apollo XC 20 - didn't see this one in the shop today tho

I await the final decision from you all-knowing people

(buying tomorrow)

Hom3r · 22-04-2010, 22:24

Have a look in Toys r us, Halfords.

They do do themed (Ben 10 etc) bike but they do cost more.

---------- Post added at 22:23 ---------- Previous post was at 22:22 ----------

Raleigh is still one of the best.

Who old is your son?

---------- Post added at 22:24 ---------- Previous post was at 22:23 ----------

I doubt he would worry/know if it was ex display.

danielf · 22-04-2010, 22:25

I'd advise against the Appollo FS 20. It's got dual suspension which is a waste of energy, and shouldn't be on a 100 pound bike anyway.

Also, bear in mind that accessories (mud guards, lock) can add up to quite a bit.

Raleigh is ok, but you are looking at the bottom end of the market (which you should imo, for a young kids bike).

Tony. · 22-04-2010, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hom3r

Have a look in Toys r us, Halfords.

They do do themed (Ben 10 etc) bike but they do cost more.

And 'go out of fasion' very quickly

Had that problem with one of my boys, was mad 'into' spiderman so we got him a themed bike and six months later it was 'too babyish' for him

Pia · 22-04-2010, 22:25

He'll be 7, don't wanna get him a themed bike cos i'm hoping it'll last til he's about 10. He's had his last bike for over 2 years and it's fine just small. (and muddy

)

Toys r us i forgot about them, am scared about whether it'll fit in my car properly though and toys r us involved a motorway lol.

Hom3r · 22-04-2010, 22:26

Halfords will build the bike for you, but don't forget you might not fit it in your car if it isn't walking distance.

danielf · 22-04-2010, 22:27

Just take the front wheel out and it should fit in the car.

Hom3r · 22-04-2010, 22:28

I only mentioned a themed bike because my nephew would kill for a star wars one, then Ben 10, and he's 6 1/2

Pia · 22-04-2010, 22:30

Well if it was walking distance i'm screwed either way cos i have the pushchair.

I can do it while he's at school and put baby in the front (no airbags) and fold the back seats down. It should deffo fit in then i think. But if not then i can tie the boot down for a 5 min journey but not from Stockton i don't reckon.

---------- Post added at 22:30 ---------- Previous post was at 22:29 ----------

Take a wheel off

You mean, use a spanner!!

Nah it should be fine.

What's the dual suspension thing about danielf? It that how much it 'bounces'?? Some reviews i've seen said childs weight isn't enough for it to even work. Can't remember which bike cos i've looked at soooooooo many now

Hom3r · 22-04-2010, 22:31

If you do have to tie the boot down make sure you open the front windows slightly, as with the boot open exhaust gas can be sucked into the car.

Pia · 22-04-2010, 22:32

Why aren't mud guards included?? That's shocking if not!! I have bike locks already. No helmet though, he wants a full face one!! Yeah cos that's practical in the summer!!

Hom3r · 22-04-2010, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pia

Take a wheel off

You mean, use a spanner!!

Some bikes come with a quick release wheel.

Scrubbs · 22-04-2010, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pia

He'll be 7, don't wanna get him a themed bike cos i'm hoping it'll last til he's about 10. He's had his last bike for over 2 years and it's fine just small. (and muddy

)

Toys r us i forgot about them, am scared about whether it'll fit in my car properly though and toys r us involved a motorway lol.

A66 to Teesside park? 20 minutes? I'm sure someone will get it onto the back seat for you. Any quips or puns please send to the usual address

danielf · 22-04-2010, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pia

[/COLOR]Take a wheel off

You mean, use a spanner!!

Nah it should be fine.

What's the dual suspension thing about danielf? It that how much it 'bounces'?? Some reviews i've seen said childs weight isn't enough for it to even work. Can't remember which bike cos i've looked at soooooooo many now

Suspension is the bounce yes. The Apollo SF bounces at the front fork and under the saddle. The bounce under the saddle slows you down, and it adds (un-needed) to the cost to the bike, which will be reflected in the other components. The other bikes only bounce at the front.

Taking the wheel out/putting it back in is very easy. Just two nuts involved.

martyh · 22-04-2010, 22:34

i have bought two bikes from halfords for my two sons the first one was similar to the apollo fs20 i paid £140 for it 2 yrs ago ,i built it myself which wasn't a problem as i used to build bikes as a teenager ,but if they aren't built correctly then these type of bike can be a deathtrap ,i think watchdog did a program a while back in which halfords came out top and asda bottom .the apollo xc20 in your list is single speed (no gears)so i would discount that one .and don't be surprised if halfords can't build the bike tomorrow as you usually have to book it in advance