Bike under $500

[Anonymous]

We got our son a Guardian and I’m not an expert but it seems pretty heavy. They do have an easy return and exchange program. Our son was borderline on size, we got the bigger size and it was way too big. They sent a new one the day after Christmas and refunded the first bike after we dropped it at a Wider Circle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know enough about bike conditions to buy second hand. We bought the last two bikes from Walmart and Target and they are way too heavy.

I mean, there are millions of kids successfully riding bikes from Walmart and Target, and I imagine their parents love them, even though they didn't get them a Cannondale or Trek bike.

I’m the OP with the hernia. I’m not the pp who made the ridiculous comment about “If you love your child…”

[Anonymous]

A new Walmart bike will cost around $200. For another $150 you can get a decent brand name bike that’s lighter, better made, and has decent parts. It’s not just the weight of the bike but the cheap components that make the bikes unsafe and unenjoyable. Try to adjust or tweak anything on a Walmart bike, it’s impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new Walmart bike will cost around $200. For another $150 you can get a decent brand name bike that’s lighter, better made, and has decent parts. It’s not just the weight of the bike but the cheap components that make the bikes unsafe and unenjoyable. Try to adjust or tweak anything on a Walmart bike, it’s impossible.

If you keep spouting this nonsense, your kid definitely won’t enjoy any bike. I cannot imagine devoting this much brain space to buying your kid a bike. Mine only had Walmart bikes. He’s an adult now and all he remembers are the colors of the bikes. “Remember that orange one?”

[Anonymous]

Watch marketplace for a week or so and you should be able to find a gently used REI or equivalent bike for under $100.

[Anonymous]

If you live somewhere flat, then probably a Walmart bike is fine. I grew up with them in Midwest. Around here we have a lot of hills, and the cheap bikes hurt you on both ways: biking uphill with a heavy steel bike will make your kid hate biking and going downhill the cheap brakes will leave them little control and increase risk of injury.

If they are using the bike to go 4 houses down to play Mario kart, get the huffy but anything beyond that it’s worth getting a better bike — even if you have to have them hold onto it a few more years and live with it being a little small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new Walmart bike will cost around $200. For another $150 you can get a decent brand name bike that’s lighter, better made, and has decent parts. It’s not just the weight of the bike but the cheap components that make the bikes unsafe and unenjoyable. Try to adjust or tweak anything on a Walmart bike, it’s impossible.

Sigh. Walmart bikes are not unsafe and you can adjust and tweak the basics. People on DCUM are SUCH delicate flowers.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it and the bike will be used often, get the better bike. We’ve had good experiences with REI and used specialized. I just got a used specialized rockhopper in an adult small frame for my 12 year old for $400. Your child will have an easier time riding and doing jumps, etc.

We also have multiple kids where the bike gets passed down. A cheaply made Walmart bike is trashed after one child. We learned that early on. When my youngest out grows the hand me down REI she’s on now, I expect to be able to sell it for $100 or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A new Walmart bike will cost around $200. For another $150 you can get a decent brand name bike that’s lighter, better made, and has decent parts. It’s not just the weight of the bike but the cheap components that make the bikes unsafe and unenjoyable. Try to adjust or tweak anything on a Walmart bike, it’s impossible.

Sigh. Walmart bikes are not unsafe and you can adjust and tweak the basics. People on DCUM are SUCH delicate flowers.

I made the suggestion above. For a little more than a new Walmart bike, OP can get a quality used bike from a trusted brand that’s serviceable, safer, and much more enjoyable to ride. As a bonus, when the kid outgrows the bike, it can be sold for a reasonable price. Nothing delicate about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford it and the bike will be used often, get the better bike. We’ve had good experiences with REI and used specialized. I just got a used specialized rockhopper in an adult small frame for my 12 year old for $400. Your child will have an easier time riding and doing jumps, etc.

We also have multiple kids where the bike gets passed down. A cheaply made Walmart bike is trashed after one child. We learned that early on. When my youngest out grows the hand me down REI she’s on now, I expect to be able to sell it for $100 or so.

I have three kids. All of them rode the same Walmart bikes. OP- unless your kids are doing some heavy duty mountain biking, save your money. The only non Walmart bike I ever bought was when my son joined the mountain biking club at school. Then I bought some hand me down mountain bike from another student.

[Anonymous]

Buy a nice bike, take care of it, and sell it when they're done. We've had wooms and sell them for 75% of the value when we're done.

[Anonymous]

My kids are small for their age, so I did find the guardian bike to be helpful in them learning because of its lightness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just get one at Walmart or one someone is giving away. They grow out of them quickly.

Don’t get a Walmart bike if you love your child. Those bikes are heavy, poorly made, and poorly assembled. They are accidents waiting to happen.

Kids do outgrow bikes quickly so it doesn’t make sense to spend a lot of money. Instead, buy high quality used bikes from bike shops or FB marketplace. Leave your name with the bike shops that you’re looking for a used kids bike and they’ll call you if someone needs to trade in a kid’s bike. You can also get good deals on new bikes in the Fall.

Good reliable brands include Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Giant, and REI Co-op brands. Look for an aluminum or alloy frame, it will be lighter. Avoid the gimmicky options like front and rear suspensions or lots of gearing. Your kid is not shifting gears until they get older. These things are non-functional and add weight.

Oh please. No wonder kids are growing up so messed up. I doubt the OP’s kid is going to be entering a triathlon. Unless there’s physically something wrong with the kid, a slightly heavier bike is fine for riding around the neighborhood.

Agree. You are insane if you think your elementary kid needs a $200+ bike. Kids have been riding around on garage sale Huffy’s since the dawn of time. You are WAY overthinking this OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know enough about bike conditions to buy second hand. We bought the last two bikes from Walmart and Target and they are way too heavy.

Too heavy for what? If your kid cannot ride a basic bike comfortably then you should take them to physical therapy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know enough about bike conditions to buy second hand. We bought the last two bikes from Walmart and Target and they are way too heavy.

Too heavy for what? If your kid cannot ride a basic bike comfortably then you should take them to physical therapy.

The OP with the hernia who apparently frequently lifts the bikes onto a car rack gets a pass here. She should get a lighter bike.

Everyone else, your kids should be able to ride a Walmart bike. Maybe don't choose a super heavy BMX bike, they are not all the same, but a regular one is not difficult.