United Kingdom - Best makes of kids bikes?

Hi all ,

Just moved here from the US and need to get a 20" boys bike, so was wondering if there were any makes of bike that people would recommend and similarly, avoid?

I want to get a bike with gears, probably no more than 6 though.

Thanks

No idea what the best is (other than avoid argos/wally-mart/catalog store bikes) but you could try taking child into one of the following and talking to the sales guys there

Condor Cycles (quite possibly the best bike shop in London) - http://www.condorcycles.com/contactus.html

Brixton cycles (has a very good reputation) - http://www.brixtoncycles.co.uk/find_us.html

Do NOT go near Evans cycles.

edit: working on the assumption your username is where you've settled for the interim, i.e., greater London area.

Thanks markhr.

Yeah south west London area, but I'll go where I need to go to get it. I used to live round the corner from Brixton Cycles 10+ years ago, glad to see they're still doing well.

Condor doesn't have kids bikes on its website ans the bikes it does have a little more expensive than I had planned on spending - don't really want to spend more on his bike than I did on my Bianchi hybrid, but I appreciate the advice.

Anyone have any opinion on FreeSpirit bikes?

Cool, it was a lucky guess then.

Be aware that Condor has MANY more bikes (makes, models and prices) in stock than on their website.

If anything, both LBS' websites kind of suck when compared to some of the larger chains.

However what they lack in whiz-bang websites they make up for in knowledge, skill/expertise and good, old fashioned, service; something the larger chains definitely don't offer.

One suggestion for the larger chains is using them as a dressing/fitting room before going to a real bike shop to make the order/purchase.

Thanks markhr. I might pay one of the a visit tomorrow.

What is wrong with evans cycles?
From past experience its been very good to me..


No idea what the best is (other than avoid argos/wally-mart/catalog store bikes) but you could try taking child into one of the following and talking to the sales guys there

Condor Cycles (quite possibly the best bike shop in London) - http://www.condorcycles.com/contactus.html

Brixton cycles (has a very good reputation) - http://www.brixtoncycles.co.uk/find_us.html

Do NOT go near Evans cycles.

edit: working on the assumption your username is where you've settled for the interim, i.e., greater London area.

What is wrong with evans cycles?
From past experience its been very good to me..

Expensive, staff are not always that knowledgable, etc.

However, you're right, if you need something, chances are they'll have it and they stock some good stuff. My girlfriend got her bike from there (work's cycle to work scheme required it to be purchased from Evans) and they spent plenty of time with fitting etc. so I guess it's a bit pot luck.

What is wrong with evans cycles?
From past experience its been very good to me..


Expensive, staff are not always that knowledgable, etc.

However, you're right, if you need something, chances are they'll have it and they stock some good stuff. My girlfriend got her bike from there (work's cycle to work scheme required it to be purchased from Evans) and they spent plenty of time with fitting etc. so I guess it's a bit pot luck.

Unfortunately my experience and the majority of consumer reviews I've read rate the service/knowledge/skill as, at best, abysmal. As with any generalisation there are exceptions though.

Unfortunately my experience and the majority of consumer reviews I've read rate the service/knowledge/skill as, at best, abysmal. As with any generalisation there are exceptions though.

Yeah, I would second that the reviews you read and the majority of experiences I've had where a discussion of anything technical has ensued are not good. :(