If you’re thinking of getting a new bicycle, as I did recently for my 8-year-old daughter, keep in mind that many brands of kid’s bikes sold in specialty bike stores may also be available online. Trouble is, you’ll have to assemble the bike yourself. This can be a problem!
As I discovered, kid’s bikes, especially those with hand brakes and gears, can be tricky to put together, even if you’re handy like my husband is. We spent two hours over the holidays tinkering with the braking mechanism on my daughter’s new BMX-style bike before throwing in the towel and taking it to a bike shop for assembly.
Online shopping can yield makes, models, and styles of kid’s bikes that you don’t find in stores. Yet had I known how hard (read: impossible) assembly was going to be, I would have saved our sanity and purchased the bike at a local bike store, where they do the dirty work for you—and know what they’re doing. Plus you’re helping a local business!
Check out Consumer Reports bicycle buying guide for advice on how to choose the right bike for your kids. And don’t forget to buy the right helmet.Subscribe to ShopSmart today!
