If you're buying a bike for a child this Christmas, then do please take a moment to make sure you're buying from a reputable retailer, and that the bike you're buying will be safe for your child to ride.

Buy wisely and you'll be giving a bike that brings so much joy all year round. Get it wrong, and there could be tears on Boxing Day!

(I'm not kidding - read this post about what can happen if you buy a REALLY cheap kids bike).

This Christmas it's slightly more complicated when it comes to buying a kids bike, as there is not quite a much stock left in the shops after the huge surge in cycling during the first lockdown, coupled with various supply issues.

There's more stock coming available all the time, but do be prepared to shop around to find retailers that have quality kids bikes in stock.

In a hurry? Here's where you can find a kids bike in time for Christmas!

Don't panic - there's still plenty of places to get a kids bike in time for Christmas!

If you've not got time to read our longer article we've pulled together three price bands - Premium, Midrange and Cheap - and listed our pick of the places to find instock bikes.

Remember, here at Cycle Sprog we ONLY recommend PROPER bikes not really badly build toy bikes.

Quality does vary with price, but you can get a great bike for a good price without worrying it's going to break on Boxing Day!

ARTICLE LAST UPDATED: Thursday 16th December 2021

The best places to buy a kid's bike - Christmas 2021

In this post, we will take a look at the pros and cons of each place to buy a kids bike this Christmas so you can decide which option is best for you and your wallet.

Option 1: Proper bike shops with online ordering

Buying online from a reputable bike shop is one of the best ways to ensure you're getting a decent bike, delivered straight to your door.

Online bike shops that sell good quality kids bikes include:

Little Bike Company - stockists of Woom Bikes

The Little Bike Company are a small independent bike shop who sell nothing but kids bikes.  They are one of the only stockists of woom Bikes, which are a really good quality kids bike that we've reviewed and recommend to our readers. 

Tredz - stockists of Forme, Specialized, Frog, Giant, Early Rider, Orbea, Cannondale, Cube, Cuda, Ridgeback, and Scott. 

Tredz are a really reliable online retailer - who get great TrustPilot scores.  They sell a huge variety of quality kids bikes and usually have good stock levels.

They also have a really handy check box that means you can choose to see only in-stock bikes, which really speeds things up!

Buy Now

Chain Reaction Cycles - stockists of Vitus Bikes and other brands

Chain  Reaction  Cycles  are another good place to check, as they too allow you to filter only on in-stock bikes - and they even allow you to see from their main selection pages which colours and sizes are in stock.  When you've been searching for ages only to find that a bike that's listed on a website is out of stock when you get to the checkout, you really appreciate these things!

If you're buying a bike online, here are a few things to think about:

Pros of buying a kids bike through an online bike shop

• Quick and hassle free ordering at a time and place to suit you
• Online bike shops stock a range of brands allowing you a choice of models, sizing, and colours
• The store will do the pre-sale checks on the bike, ensuring it is safe prior to dispatch (note you will probably have to do some minor adjustments when it arrives - see our guide for help)
• You're dealing with a "proper" bike store - they sell nothing but bikes, so they will be able to answer any questions you have - look out for their "pop up chat" facilities, or drop them an email if you have any questions
• Reputable online bike shops will have a decent returns policy, so if the bike isn't right for your child you can return it for one that is (for example, Tredz has a 365 day returns policy for unridden bikes - there is a return fee to pay for collection)

Cons of buying online from a bike shop

• You will have to do some element of assembling the bike - this may involve straightening the handlebars, or adding pedals - if you're not comfortable doing this, take the bike to your local bike shop and pay them to do it
• You'll have to be in to take delivery of the bike
• You can't try before you buy
• You may have to pay to return the bike if it's not correct

Option 2:  Monthly rental via The Bike Club

OK, so you're not actually buying a kids bike outright with The Bike Club, but with things so uncertain financially at the moment they offer a hassle free and cheap way to get your child a great quality new or used bike.  You pay them a monthly subscription fee and choose the size bike your child is riding now.

When they grow you send it back, and either cancel your subscription or upgrade to the next size bike.

It's cheaper and more environmentally friendly than buying a bike and has become a really popular way for parents to keep their Sprogs in quality bikes since they launched several years ago.

They only rent great quality bikes which have been through their workshop before being sent out.

We've reviewed all the brands they lease including Forme, Frog, Squish, which is why we are happy to recommend them all to our readers.

XMAS Deal from Bike Club - 15% discount on your monthly payment for 12 months! Offer ends 23:59 on 24th December 2023. 

Pros of renting a kids bike through The Bike Club

• No upfront costs - you pay a small monthly subscription fee
• You can choose a bike that fits your child now without worrying they will grow out of it by the time the nice weather arrives
• Environmentally friendly method of bike ownership - each bike is serviced and used many times
• Easy upgrades when your child outgrows the bike
• All their bikes are really good quality brands - decision making is much easier
• At the time of writing, they had stock in every wheel size - not many other places had this!
• They will even buy your old kids bike from you - in a really hassle free way.

Cons of renting a kids bike through The Bike Club

• You need to pass their credit checks
• Unless you choose the option to buy the bike at the end of the lease period there is nothing to hand down to younger siblings.
• You need to send the bike back in a reasonable condition, so must look after it during the rental period
• They may not have the bike you want when the time comes to upgrade to the next size (but you can just cancel your subscription)

Hire

Option 3: Direct from the bike brand

Some quality kids bike brands are only available to buy online direct from the manufacturer. Some are struggling with supply - others have plenty of stock

These include:

Hornit Bikes - great quality lightweight balance and 14" and 16" pedal bikes - the latter of which have a belt drive rather than chain to keep maintenance at a minimum - IN STOCK!

Puky Bikes - well made kids bikes with German engineering (i.e. built to last) - more suited to urban cycling than hitting the mountain bike trails - PLENTY OF STOCK!

Black Mountain Bikes - innovative new "growing bikes" that mean you don't need to buy a new bike as frequently.  OUT OF STOCK UNTIL 2022

Islabikes - the original quality bike manufacturers - MOST SIZES OUT OF STOCK UNTIL 2022

Pros of buying direct from the manufacturer

• It's the only way to get a new bike from the brand
• They're experts in kids bikes and selling online so you should get excellent service

Cons of buying direct from the manufacturer

• You can't try the bike before you buy
• These brands rarely have any Black Friday or Christmas discounts - they know they sell as premium products and keep their prices steady all year round

Option 4: Your local bike shop

The other end of the scale to the large online bike shops is your local bike shop (if you're lucky enough to still have one).

Every local bike shop is different, with different specialisms so try and choose one with a good range of kids bikes on display.

Brands popular in local bike shops include Frog Bikes, Squish, Cuda, Giant, and Cube.

Bike shops were deemed an essential service under lockdown rules, so don't forget that you need to use them to avoid losing them.

Pros of buying a kids bike at your local bike shop

• You get to try before you buy and see exactly what you're buying
• They can fully assemble the bike for you ready for your child to ride
• If you have any after sales issues they're close by and you can resolve in person
• You're supporting your local bike shop - use them or lose them

Cons of buying from your local bike shop

• You will be limited to the brand(s) that the shop stocks - most independent bike shops stock just one or two brands
• Some people feel intimidated going into a bike shop - you shouldn't and, hopefully, the staff have been trained in how to sell kids bikes. Don't feel embarrassed to ask questions, to ensure that you're getting the right bike for you.  Download our free bike buying guide and you'll be prepared.
• Local bike shops aren't always able to offer the same discounts that the online shops can

IT IS A DIFFICULT TIME FOR INDEPENDENT BIKE SHOPS - PLEASE DON'T GO AND USE UP THEIR TIME TESTING LOTS OF BIKES AND THEN GO AND BUY FOR £5 CHEAPER ONLINE. 

Option 5: Large "warehouse" type retailers

Traditionally the large warehouses only sold very heavy kids bikes, and we never used to recommend buying a bike from them.

However things are changing, and places like Decathlon and Go Outdoors are starting to stock more and more lightweight kids bikes at a very decent place.

Decathlon are starting to upgrade their very heavy BTwin range with aluminium framed bikes - read the descriptions carefully.  They're also now stocking other reputable brands, such as Puky and Cuda Trace and have a 30% discount on some makes and models.

Buy Now

Go Outdoors stock their own brand kids bikes, the lightweight "Wild Bikes", which get rave reviews from Cycle Sprog readers.

Buy Now

Pros of buying from a warehouse

• Price - due to the quantities shifted, the prices are very keen

Cons of buying from a warehouse

• Staff don't all have the same depth of knowledge about bikes as in a bike shop so you need to know what you're looking for
• Variety of bikes varies - they do tend to sell heavier bikes
• Can be issues with ordering process and can be difficult to sort any problems out.  We recommend you check Trust Pilot for the current position on their customer service and order times before making a purchase online.

Option 6: eBay or other second hand sites

If you're looking for a great bike at a low price, buying second hand may be the best option given the low stock in shops and the difficulties in getting to them. There are now so many decent quality kids bikes around from names such as Islabikes, Frog, and Hoy that there's usually plenty of options available second hand, as children are growing out of the bike long before it comes to the end of its natural life.

Buy Used

Pros of buying second hand

• You can often get a decent expensive bike for the price of a cheaper, lower specification model
• You're helping the environment

Cons of buying second hand

• You need to make sure you're not buying a dud - check out our guide on buying a second hand kids bike before you start looking
• You may not find the bike you want in the timescales you need it

Option 7: Halfords

Halfords are one of the most popular places in the UK to buy a kids bike, but do be careful that you're picking a decent, lightweight bike that you're child is going to enjoy riding for several years to come.

They have unfortunately just discontinued their Wiggins brand, but their Carrera bikes are good value.

Beware that Halfords also sell some very heavy, cheap bikes that your child will not enjoy riding anywhere near as much.

You're much better off buying a quality second hand bike a the same price. They have limited stock at the moment, but have  a handy  green  banner across  the  top  of each  bike that says whether or it it can be delivered in time for Christmas. Pros of buying from Halfords

• Halfords sell some very reasonably priced, aluminum framed kids bikes such as the Carrerra range.
• You can buy online or in store, and have home or instore delivery

Cons of buying from Halfords

• They sell some very heavy kids bikes so don't get tempted by the cartoon characters or handlebar tassels if you want a quality bike your child is going to love riding for years to come whatever the weather, whatever the terrain

Option 8:  Catalogue stores

We don't recommend you buy a bike from a catalogue store. Not on Black Friday, and not any time of the year.

If you want to know why, select a kids bike on their website and sort the reviews from the lowest to the highest. Read the reviews with the lowest reviews and you'll understand why.

Alternatively, read our blog which has done this for you.

Pros of buying a bike from a catalogue store

• You'll get a cheap item (usually under £100)

Cons of buying a bike from a catalogue store

• There's a chance it won't make it to Boxing Day - some of the "bikes" on sale via catalogue stores are incredibly poorly made and we often hear tales of children disappointed when their bike breaks during the first ride
• You need to have peace of mind that the brakes will work properly on any bike you buy. Many very cheap "bikes" have issues with brakes snapping, and won't have brake levers designed for children's hands.
• Many people report bikes being broken on arrival, or impossible to assemble

Option 9: Toy Shop

In general, we don't recommend you buy a kids bike from a toy shop. A bike isn't a toy, it's a bike.

Usually, bikes from toy shops are cheap, heavy, and gimmicky. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, so if your local toy shop stocks a well made, reputable brand that we recommend on this website, then go ahead and support them.

We hope we've helped you make up your mind on the best place to buy a kids bike.  Now all you need to do is choose which bike will suit them best, and make sure you get your order in before they all sell out!  Do drop us a comment below and let us know where you ended up spending your money, and what you thought of the experience.