Buying a bike for the little one.

[Deserted]

I've decided to buy my child a bicycle as he's 5 now. I won't buy the cheaper models you see in Tesco and Big C and so on as they won't last. I have noticed a store in Fashion Island that sells better bikes for around 5000 baht, slightly more. Is there a shop anywhere in the city that specialises in kids bikes? I'm sure there are many shops that will sell a few but I would like to find a shop with a bit more variety than that, budget is 5-10k. I'd prefer to get something that will last for a few years that he can get his use out of rather than some 2000 baht thing from Big C.

 

thanks.  

 

[StreetCowboy]

Bear in mind that at age five he's going to grow quickly, and he's going to learn quickly, so his biking needs are going to change quickly.

 

He'll grow out of the bike in 2 or 3 years, so unless he's got a little brother / sister, then don't worry too much about the durability.  If your budget is 5,000 and you buy a cheap 2,000 baht bike that only lasts him a year, that's 3,000 towards the next bike already,   Maybe better to have a bike that fits than a sturdy one that lasts until its far too small.

 

The frustrating thing about the cheap bike will be that it is probably all non-standard components and things that you could, on another bike, fix and repair, might be very difficult.  

[Deserted]

Yes you have some points there. I bought a scooter a couple of years back and he didn't get as much use out of it as I had hoped. 

[Deserted]

On 1/2/2018 at 4:55 AM, StreetCowboy said:

Bear in mind that at age five he's going to grow quickly, and he's going to learn quickly, so his biking needs are going to change quickly.

 

He'll grow out of the bike in 2 or 3 years, so unless he's got a little brother / sister, then don't worry too much about the durability.  If your budget is 5,000 and you buy a cheap 2,000 baht bike that only lasts him a year, that's 3,000 towards the next bike already,   Maybe better to have a bike that fits than a sturdy one that lasts until its far too small.

 

The frustrating thing about the cheap bike will be that it is probably all non-standard components and things that you could, on another bike, fix and repair, might be very difficult.  

 

He's 1m 21 cm, so 48 inches, so I think I need an 18 inch or twenty inch wheel base if that is how they measure kids bikes. He's big for his age, so the sort of thing a 7 year old would ride is what I would need to buy. 

[scubascuba3]

I can't tell where you live but if Pattaya there is a bike shop on threpasit, near corner of Soi Kho Pai. Father and son outfit. They usually have smaller bikes. No name i recall on shop but you'll see loads of bikes as you pass

[Deserted]

I am in Bangkok and it would be difficult to get to Pattaya.

[Puwa]

When I was in your shoes several years ago, I bought a small size Haro BMX bike for my son. Sturdy, small wheels, no gears to complicate things, adjustable seat and bars as time goes by, decent brakes. Paid about 5000 new.

[Deserted]

Where did you buy that from may I ask?

[Samuel Smith]

Decathlon?

 

https://www.decathlon.co.th/en/6124-friendly-url-autogeneration-failed

[ttakata]

I suggest a minivelo or folding bike because you can often raise the stem and seatpost to grow with someone.  Only the bar reach will be in question but a shorter stem & riser might cure that.   A Brompton has a short reach, will last a lifetime, but is real money.

 

[StreetCowboy]

22 minutes ago, ttakata said:

I suggest a minivelo or folding bike because you can often raise the stem and seatpost to grow with someone.  Only the bar reach will be in question but a shorter stem & riser might cure that.   A Brompton has a short reach, will last a lifetime, but is real money.

 

Good idea - maybe not for a five-year-old, but for his next bike or the one after that

[Puwa]

On 1/5/2018 at 4:24 PM, Deserted said:

Where did you buy that from may I ask?

At Jacky Bike in Chiang Mai. 

[Deserted]

Thanks. I found a bike shop in Fashion Island and used that. As you go towards the Promenade there is one by the bridge linking it. Nice selection of bikes and reasonably priced. 

[StreetCowboy]

55 minutes ago, Deserted said:

Thanks. I found a bike shop in Fashion Island and used that. As you go towards the Promenade there is one by the bridge linking it. Nice selection of bikes and reasonably priced. 

Pictures? Price? Top speed to date? Go Pro footage? Strava segments?  Any KOM for his age group yet?

[johng]

Tesco/lotus 3800 baht

[StreetCowboy]

Nice looking bike.  His mother will like the mud guards.