I second local shop, in my local one my daughter got to cycle round outside for a trial, and the shopkeeper really knew his stuff. My daughter is on her third year on this bike, and in terms of value for money /cost per use the bike is fantastic.
Incidently, it is worth asking what they will throw in for 'free', helmet, basket, pump, light etc.
+1 for the local store.
We have bought all family (6, so far) bikes locally. A neighbour bought one for his daughter from a well-known UK shop and arranged for it to be delivered the day before her birthday. It arrived in a box - assembly required. Suffice is to say that is not how he had planned to spend his evening and ended up calling me and one othe neighbour to help.
The local shop adjust everything to suit the child, and provide a 'drop in if there's a problem' promise.
Thanks, have bought previous bikes from local guy alright but thought we might save by going the Smyths route this time. I'd thought if we bought bikes from him he might let us off on the occasional puncture or other minor repair but maybe thats too cheeky of me and he didn't anyway!
Having said that I got bikes fixed myself by this same man 15 years ago and would like to help keep a local business going but at the same time money is tight!
Will ask about what extras he'll throw in.
Smyths say they assemble for €10 btw which would still be quite a savings.
Anyone have an opinion on whether its worth paying €50 more for aluminium frame instead of steel?
Steel framed bikes weigh a lot more than an aluminium framed one, they will also rust. The bikes sold in Smyths are cheap for a reason, the one you linked to in your first post has pointless suspension that adds weight and WILL break in a very short period of time. It may seem more expensive to buy a better quality bike but it will last longer and you can pass it down to younger kids or sell it later, you will not sell the ones from Smyths secondhand easily. Ideally you should buy [broken link removed] from Islabikes in the UK, best kids bikes you can get but they are expensive. If you think its likely to be well used and well looked after then I'd get one, but if you think the bike will be thrown around and ignored after a while then a disposable one from Smyths might be the answer.
You'll get lots of proper advice over on the [broken link removed].
I'm all for supporting your local bike shop if they have anything suitable and aren't overpriced.
...
Anyone have an opinion on whether its worth paying €50 more for aluminium frame instead of steel?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?