Bike shop for kid bikes

[sclitheroe]

Anyone want to recommend a bike shop that would have a decent range of bike styles/models for an 8 year old girl?

I'm not looking for super high end parts and components, but I don't want to spend money on really crappy components from Walmart or wherever either.

The ideal shop would have a range of styles that might appeal to her, so maybe some mountain bike types, BMX, cruisers, etc.

What do you figure a reasonable ballpark budget for this endeavour is going to be? I was looking at Bow Cycle online, but $400 for a simple cruiser bike with 20" wheels seems a tad steep, as does $500+ for a BMX bike. There has to be a middle ground between this and the crap at Walmart.

[photon]

Toys R Us isn't actually that bad in that department, at least we've had a few bikes from there that have held up well (for the short time he's used them anyway).

EDIT: Looks like they're short in the bikes for that size though.

That's the thing with kids that age, it's almost ok to get crap because they'll grow out of it anyway. We went through 3 bikes last year.

For something above that check out Sport Check, we got my kid's latest bike there and it seems to be holding up well.

These guys seemed to have good bikes too, and they're an actual bike shop:

http://www.bpcycle.com

[Rhettzky]

I just bought my 7 year old daughter a bike at Toys R Us. They have a really big selection and lots of different models from the cheap ones to some decent names. Prices range from $80 to $140.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by photon

Toys R Us isn't actually that bad in that department, at least we've had a few bikes from there that have held up well (for the short time he's used them anyway).

That's the thing with kids that age, it's almost ok to get crap because they'll grow out of it anyway. We went through 3 bikes last year.

For something above that check out Sport Check, we got my kid's latest bike there and it seems to be holding up well.

These guys seemed to have good bikes too, and they're an actual bike shop:

http://www.bpcycle.com

The outgrow part, we will probably put one more kid through this bike (they alternate getting new bikes, and I've got three girls, so, I can get a bit of mileage on refurbing with a new bell, basket and spokey-dokes or whatever..haha)

I'll check out Sport Check and BP - BP is the one name I was trying to remember. Quickly checking their website suggests this is the type of store I need, thanks!!! This will make her happy.

[photon]

Ah yeah if there's more than 1 then that's a good reason to get a better quality bike.

Wow 3 girls!

I keep forgetting to take one if my kids' last year bikes to BP to get fixed so I can sell it.

[Titan]

We also recently bought our daughter a bike at Sport Chek. Don't count on a whole bunch of help but the bike seems pretty decent for a reasonable price.

[Redliner]

I bought my son's bike at Sport Chek last year. 18 speed mountain bike with 24" wheels. I think we paid $160 and it's holding up remarkably well, even with the occasional off-road adventure in Fish Creek Park.

[Northendzone]

I would also suggest sport check or can tire for the reasons mentioned above.

If buying a bike from one of these places I recommend going over the bike and making sure the brakes are properly adjusted and all the bolts are tightened.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

If buying a bike from one of these places I recommend going over the bike and making sure the brakes are properly adjusted and all the bolts are tightened.

I wrench my own bike, so that's a given, but good advice definitely.

[simmer2]

I would avoid Sport Chek and Toys 'R' Us for a few reasons:

-you pay for what you get ie) A $90 bike from Toys 'R' Us won't last
-there are a lot of great Independent Bike Stores here in Calgary that offer some solid deals on kids bikes
-if they don't have anything in your price range they will at the very least steer you in the right direction
-you would be supporting a local Calgary store

A place that might be in between WalMart and a Bow Cycle could be Source For Sports Tuxedo...they are likely less expensive but not as pricey as Bow Cycle.

The Bike Shop downtown on 11th Ave has a pretty large selection as well.

Good luck!

[Ironhorse]

We bought both of my older son's bikes at Bow Cycle. Yes, we drove across town for it. Always good knowledge service, and he got the right bike for his size. Good Norco's, with no fancy rear suspensions. I think they were each below $300. Solid, fairly light bikes, his younger brother is now using the first Norco, which with a tune-tup is as good as new. I credit the fact that son #1 enjoys biking (my wife takes them on trips along the pathways) partially due to the right bike at the right time.

[CM ONE]

I have been really happy with the Haro I bought from B&P Cycle. It was my daughters first bike and will be my son's. I intend to buy her another larger model for her second bike. She had the Z12 which was around $180 and I think the Z18 will be next and are around $280 I think. Worth the money and look pretty cool. I can ride the Z12 like a clown bike and it feels solid under me.

[troutman]

$300 to $400 for decent kids bikes at Ridleys (Kensington).