Ask the Experts

Q:  "Why should I buy my child's bike from a bike shop?  Won't they just outgrow it in a few months?  Wouldn't it be better to just buy a cheaper bike at a big box store?"

"Experts"

 A:  This is a question we get often, especially this time of year.  As a family bike shop, we sell a lot of kids' bikes and also work on a lot bikes from "big box" stores.  The reasons for sticking with a bicycle from a bike shop are many:

• Professional Assembly - Bikes from a bike shop are assembled by professional mechanics and are fitted to your child.  We explain the features of the bicycle to you and your child before you leave the shop.  This ensures that they are safe and understand the functions of the gears, brakes and components of their particular bike.  Big box stores often have store clerks assemble the bikes, or sell them in a box which leaves the assembly up to you.
• Durability vs. Disposability - Bikes sold specifically in bike shops are durable goods that hold their value over many years.  Bikes sold in big box stores are made from softer metals and plastic and tend to be disposable.  Here's why:  As soon as this cheaper bicycle needs a repair, the price of the repair is likely to surpass the original price of the bike.  If that happens, people are likely going to dispose of that bike and get a new one.  Furthermore, many bike shops either don't work on big box bicycles or don't guarantee the repair due to the poor quality of the components.
• Lower Cost of Ownership - While you pay more up front for a bike shop brand, your total cost of ownership is very little since the bike will likely last longer and need fewer repairs.  At our store, we also offer free lifetime adjustments on all of our bikes.  Bikes from big box stores don't cost as much up front, but have a very high cost of ownership due to poor assemly and cheap parts, which may end up costing you more over the lifetime of the bike.
• Warranty & Service - Bike shop brands have lifetime frame warranties and a one-year warranty on all components.  Most shops also include a service package to allow for minor adjustments as long as you own the bike.  Big box bikes come with no warranty or service plan - as soon as you need work performed on the bicycle you have to bring it to a shop and pay to have it worked on by a mechanic.
• Room for Growth - Bike shop brands make very small frames for a given wheel size which makes sizing easier and allows for more growing room.  Big box bikes have "one size fits all" frames that don't allow for much growing room.
• Longevity - Bike shop brands can be passed down to multiple children.  Big box bikes usually don't last long enough to be enjoyed by all of your children.

Remember when shopping for a kids' bike that the price of the bicycle is only part of the picture.  Bikes are not toys and there is a cost to owning one.  Buying from a bike shop ensures that you are getting a quality product that has been professionally assembled, fits well and is positioned to last for many years.

Our "Ask the Experts" column is a monthly feature that answers questions that we receive in our general e-mail inbox.  Have a question for us?  Send it to us at info@thebicyclewheel.net.  Each month we pick a question that we think is timely and relevant to our readers.