Bicycle for 9 y.o. - advice wanted on Halford's bikes
Discussion
Mrs SS7 just rang to say she's about to buy a bike for our 1.5m high 9 year old son. She's in Halfords Sale looking at a small hybrid made by Carrera (I think that's their own brand)selling for £160-.
We want a hybrid or at least, a more road orientated machine, as the heavy 'mountain bike' he's got now is a struggle to move along tarmac at any kind of speed. As a consequence he can't keep up on family rides.
A google search threw up this Saracen: www.bikes2udirect.com/B1698.html?id=rxxHC77e
Is that a better bet, or do the Halford's machines offer better value?
thanks
SS7
We want a hybrid or at least, a more road orientated machine, as the heavy 'mountain bike' he's got now is a struggle to move along tarmac at any kind of speed. As a consequence he can't keep up on family rides.
A google search threw up this Saracen: www.bikes2udirect.com/B1698.html?id=rxxHC77e
Is that a better bet, or do the Halford's machines offer better value?
thanks
SS7
My advice would be steer well clear of Halfords and use a specialist bike shop!
When we were looking for bikes we initially went into Halfords as had seen an advert on TV. We soon gave up when all the assistant could do was 'grunt' at us, when we tried to tell him what we wanted and ask some questions.
We ended up using "Cyclopaedia" in Watford, they were highly recommended. They certainly know their stuff and did us a great deal on two bikes + accessories. There are still plenty of these specialist bike shops around the country, have a look in your local Yellow Pages.
Cerby4.5
When we were looking for bikes we initially went into Halfords as had seen an advert on TV. We soon gave up when all the assistant could do was 'grunt' at us, when we tried to tell him what we wanted and ask some questions.
We ended up using "Cyclopaedia" in Watford, they were highly recommended. They certainly know their stuff and did us a great deal on two bikes + accessories. There are still plenty of these specialist bike shops around the country, have a look in your local Yellow Pages.
Cerby4.5
Nothing wrong with Halfords to a point, but you'll get a better deal and more professional advice from a specialist shop - Google one near you if no one can recommend somewhere.
At his height, and age a full size adults 26" wheel mountain bike would be what I would have been after. Something that will last for several years.
A hybrid bike may be more suited to your family rides, but I'd hazard a guess that going for rides with his mates will become a higher priority in the not too distant future.
What's "cool" (or whatever the term might be these days) could be something to consider too. Kids can be a nasty bunch to each other when they want to be.
At his height, and age a full size adults 26" wheel mountain bike would be what I would have been after. Something that will last for several years.
A hybrid bike may be more suited to your family rides, but I'd hazard a guess that going for rides with his mates will become a higher priority in the not too distant future.
What's "cool" (or whatever the term might be these days) could be something to consider too. Kids can be a nasty bunch to each other when they want to be.
mat205125 said:
What's "cool" (or whatever the term might be these days) could be something to consider too. Kids can be a nasty bunch to each other when they want to be.
Back in the late 70's my parents bought me a FOLD up bike when I was 9. It was very practical as they could drop me off places (like piano leasons) and leave me to find my own way home. I 'managed' to get it stolen 3 times, but it always came back to me, but I eventually saved up enough money to trade it in for a new Tour de France (paid for by my paper round) and my parents seemed a bit pissed off for a while.
I was bullied mercilicely so : My kids have completely pointless fashionable bikes, with 18 gears and suspension, obtained off ebay (one from parkers of bolton and one from somewhere else) bought 3 years apart but both almost the same apart from colour and a few detailing and names (one is a boys colour and one a girls) I paid £85 for the last one (for this christmas) including delivery.
Given that Formby is FLAT the gears are really pointless !!!
Used to work in a Halfords Bike Hut, and while the Apollo own brand stuff was absolute 
the Carrara bikes were not bad for the money. I think it varies massively from store to store as to the quality of the staff, so I wouldn't necessarily let peoples comments about the muppets who work there put you off.
Paul.
the Carrara bikes were not bad for the money. I think it varies massively from store to store as to the quality of the staff, so I wouldn't necessarily let peoples comments about the muppets who work there put you off. Paul.
plfrench said:
Used to work in a Halfords Bike Hut, and while the Apollo own brand stuff was absolute the Carrara bikes were not bad for the money. I think it varies massively from store to store as to the quality of the staff, so I wouldn't necessarily let peoples comments about the muppets who work there put you off.
Paul.
the Carrara bikes were not bad for the money. I think it varies massively from store to store as to the quality of the staff, so I wouldn't necessarily let peoples comments about the muppets who work there put you off. Paul.
Thanks Paul.
jacko lah said:
mat205125 said:
What's "cool" (or whatever the term might be these days) could be something to consider too. Kids can be a nasty bunch to each other when they want to be.
Back in the late 70's my parents bought me a FOLD up bike when I was 9. It was very practical as they could drop me off places (like piano leasons) and leave me to find my own way home. I 'managed' to get it stolen 3 times, but it always came back to me, but I eventually saved up enough money to trade it in for a new Tour de France (paid for by my paper round) and my parents seemed a bit pissed off for a while.
I was bullied mercilicely so : My kids have completely pointless fashionable bikes, with 18 gears and suspension, obtained off ebay (one from parkers of bolton and one from somewhere else) bought 3 years apart but both almost the same apart from colour and a few detailing and names (one is a boys colour and one a girls) I paid £85 for the last one (for this christmas) including delivery.
Given that Formby is FLAT the gears are really pointless !!!
I think everyone must have at least one story like that from their childhood, but a fold up bike is really taking the biscuit. Did your parents not like you?
I have lots of memories of the trainers that I used to have bought for me (Tescos was one of my dad's favourite places to shoe shop). Same as you, as soon as the million papers a week gave sufficient funds, a pair of Nike Air Max were bought.
My parents bought me a racing bike when i was 12, nowt wrong with that, I liked racing bikes and still do....................
Shame they didn't think that vivid pink was not the most suitable colour for a lad about to go through puberty!
When i say pink by the way i mean bright F off pink lol! Yet it was a blokes bike? I reckon it was misbuild my dad got cheap, would be very like him lol!
Still made me stronger!
Shame they didn't think that vivid pink was not the most suitable colour for a lad about to go through puberty!
When i say pink by the way i mean bright F off pink lol! Yet it was a blokes bike? I reckon it was misbuild my dad got cheap, would be very like him lol!
Still made me stronger!
This is where I'll be heading for my youngests new bike.Our eldest,we bought her a Gary Fisher 24 inch wheel bike.It is as heavy as an anchor the wife can't lift it off the wall hooks.Have a looky here www.islabikes.co.uk/
Justin S said:
This is where I'll be heading for my youngests new bike.Our eldest,we bought her a Gary Fisher 24 inch wheel bike.It is as heavy as an anchor the wife can't lift it off the wall hooks.Have a looky here www.islabikes.co.uk/
Great find Justin, thanks. Shame we didn't know about that earlier, although £250 for a kids bike is a bit rich - maybe if they really get into it.
I phoned the local Berkshire indy shop we've used in the past. Their best advice was to try the boy on the bike. Mrs SS7 did (with some reluctance) and it was just as well - the 18" Carrera was far too big. She then took him to a small local specialist (we've just moved to w. Sussex so are still finding our feet for this sort of thing)and they tried a Raleigh M-Trax X1 like this:
www.raleighbikes.com/cyclesproductdetails.aspx?ID=5
The price they quoted was as competitive as the interwebby, and in a 15" frame fitted him fine with growing room. Its also a very cool bit of kit & he can't wait.
So at least we're not f*cking him up by buying a pink folding job like the other posters!!
SS7
Edited by shoestring7 on Friday 5th January 11:35
shoestring7 said:
Justin S said:
This is where I'll be heading for my youngests new bike.Our eldest,we bought her a Gary Fisher 24 inch wheel bike.It is as heavy as an anchor the wife can't lift it off the wall hooks.Have a looky here www.islabikes.co.uk/
Great find Justin, thanks. Shame we didn't know about that earlier, although £250 for a kids bike is a bit rich - maybe if they really get into it.
I phoned the local Berkshire indy shop we've used in the past. Their best advice was to try the boy on the bike. Mrs SS7 did (with some reluctance) and it was just as well - the 18" Carrera was far too big. She then took him to a small local specialist (we've just moved to w. Sussex so are still finding our feet for this sort of thing)and they tried a Raleigh M-Trax X1 like this:
www.raleighbikes.com/cyclesproductdetails.aspx?ID=5
The price they quoted was as competitive as the interwebby, and in a 15" frame fitted him fine with growing room. Its also a very cool bit of kit & he can't wait.
So at least we're f*cking him up by buying a pink folding job like the other posters!!
SS7
Glad to see you are supporting your local bike shop - they are slowly becoming a dying breed. You know (touch wood) you will get the right bit of kit.
Remember to buy him a helmet if he hasn't already got one!!!
You might want to have a look at Islabikes as they do some pretty good quality kids bikes (www.islabikes.co.uk).
Editted to add "whoops, missed earlier stuff on islabikes, we are very pleased with our cnoc16 for our 4 year old..."
Chris
Editted to add "whoops, missed earlier stuff on islabikes, we are very pleased with our cnoc16 for our 4 year old..."
Chris
Edited by chris_chim on Friday 5th January 12:45
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff