In this article I’ll take you through a few options. These are things you have to know: What the intended use is, the size or age of the person and your budget.

Buying for children
The largest volume of bikes to be sold are children’s bikes between the 12” to the 20” sizes, however they vary greatly in terms of price, models and quality. If you have small budget and you just want something for them to just rider around the yard, I recommend something with a single gear with back pedal breaks. The cheaper the bike, the harder it is to pull the breaks and they might not even hold for long. Buying a cheep bike with gears is not a good idea. The more cheep parts you have on the bike are the more problems you have, especially if you have to replace anything. The BMX, which stands for bicycle motor cross, is one of the more popular choices. There are also lots of cute colourful options that are gender specific. The age to size ranges are, 12” two to four years old, 16” four to six and 20” six and up depending on the style. If you are looking at the cheaper bike because the child may grow out of it in two years consider this cost per month equation. Bike A (low quality) last average five months= $400. Bike B (High Quality) lasts longer than the two years with the same type of normal use= $800
Bike A cost = 80 per month. While Bike B cost average =$ 33 and less. So the moral of the story is,, if you can afford it, buy quality and let the child have the bike for the two years as opposed to a few months.

Buying for teenagers

At this age you are looking at freestyle (stunt bikes) or mountain bikes mostly. The freestyle bikes are more popular with the boys, while the mountain bikes can go either way. The same rules apply when it comes to price. If you are looking into the freestyle the most popular brands are Mongoose Pro, Redline and GT. In the mountain bike group, the brands previously mentioned also carry a good range in this category. Added to that list you have Giant, Specialized, Fuji, Felt and Trek all offered locally. There are few things you should know, for example all of the bikes are made in the same place “Taiwan” and they mostly carry the different ranges of the Shimano group sets. Ask the store dealer to help you with sizing and information on the level of the bike. There are all types of colours and designs and you can spend a lot of time just trying to figure them out. This is where customer service comes into play.

Finding the right bike for you

The mountain bike has been the most popular choice for adults in the last ten years or so. The lower cost as opposed to a conventional road bike is one of the reasons. Another is the versatility of the bike. The off road experience can be both challenging and fun while being a form of stress relief that I have found no equals as yet. The individual that wants to go for longer distance with a group may consider the road bike. They have a low rolling resistance and are more aerodynamic in setting for the rider. The Tour de France has had a big influence on the marketing of the bikes as people mostly purchase them based on the fact that a Tour Team uses the equipment. And for the big kid in all of us there are the cruiser bikes. Lots of fun and they do grab a lot of attention. I have a couple that look like something out of “Pimp my ride”. I use them mostly for beating traffic to and from work or going to the gym. With all of the options here are some questions you need to ask store attendant.

1. Do you service your bikes?

2. What do you offer that is different?

3. Is there a warrantee and what are the terms?

4. Do you provide setting services and riding tips?

5. Are there any groups that you are affiliated with that my kids or I can be a part of. (Value added service)

You should also ask people that have bought bikes about the customer experience in dealing with the store.

These are just a few of the things to look out for. Finally, a helmet is a must when you buy a bike.


If you need additional help give me a call at 624-MIKE (6453) Michael Phillips