This pandemic has been stressful to us all. But there is a silver lining to everything. I have witnessed people going back to hobbies that they didn’t get the time to indulge in before.
I have witnessed people bake, knit, paint, make dalgona coffee, among other things. Hoping on the trend, my uncle took up cycling and, to his surprise, enjoyed it.
The only problem he faced was finding a suitable bike for his 12-year-old son. The local stores did not have the variety my uncle desired. So he asked my help to find one online.
Purchasing a bike is an investment. While researching for the right bike to buy, I gathered many pointers and advice one should consider before settling on a bike for your kid.
Here are few tips to keep in mind while buying a kid’s bike online
- Make a list of all the requirements for your bike.
- Set a budget.
- Be certain of the size and type of bike your kid requires.
- Research and choose a trustworthy website.
- Compare and identify the bikes that fit your needs completely.
- Once shortlisted, study the brand’s reviews and popularity.
- Get in touch with the brand’s representative via social media, chat, or customer care.
- Request for a trial ride if possible.
- Get transparency on the assembly process of your bike.
- Make sure the bike comes with a good warranty and guarantee.
- Be clear about the return policy of the company.
We cannot deny that the e-commerce market is here for the long run. Its best feature is that it cuts the retail business costs. Therefore, marketing the product at a much lesser value.
We can estimate the increase in the number of bikes being sold online in the future.
Make a List of all the Requirements for your Bike
I know this seems obvious, but a lot of people miss out on doing this. The market offers numerous varieties of bikes for kids, which will eventually make you confused.
Researching and preparing a list of requirements will help deduce the brand and bike you might consider buying.
You need to understand that the list is flexible, and its components should change with any new information and experience you gather while searching for the right bike.
Before buying, it is wise to analyze what purpose you are buying a bike for the kid, is it for school commute, learning to ride, or weekend riding programs.
Here are few components that you should look for before buying a bike for your kid.
- Frame: The frame is the most important part of the bike. Your little one should test ride the bike and make sure that it is comfortable. Also, look for a warranty on the frame of the bicycle.
- Suspension: On mountain bikes, the suspension is another most important component. If your kid loves riding a bike on uneven surfaces, the suspension should of the best quality.
- Wheels: Reliability and rotating mass are important.
- Contact points: Tyres, saddle, and handlebars. If these things are good, your kid’s ride will be comfortable.
- The Rest: Brakes, shifters, and front chain wheelsets are high on the list.
Set a Budget
Setting a budget is essential. You need to keep two things in mind before selecting your budget.
- You are buying a bike for a developing kid, and they might outgrow that bike in few years.
- The price range for kid’s bikes is very flexible. Resolve on a price that you are comfortable in investing.
The choice of bike should be suitable for the kids as well as your pocket. It’s a blessing that we can decide on several price points.
Be certain of the Size and Type of Bike your Kid Requires
Finding the correct wheel size for your kid is very crucial. Your kid should be able to balance the weight and ride the bike easily.
There are many ways you can find the right wheel size. The best way would be a trial method but, it might not apply in an online market.
In that case, you can figure it out by your kid’s height, age, and inseam. The chart below will help you choose the right bike through the dimensions mentioned above.
| Child height (Feet) | Child height (cm) | Wheel size |
| 2’9”-3’1″ | 85-90 cm | 10 inches |
| 3’1”-3’3″ | 90-100 cm | 12 inches |
| 3’3″-3’7″ | 100-110 cm | 14 inches |
| 3’7″-3’8″ | 110-115 cm | 16 inches |
| 3’8″-4’0″ | 115-120 cm | 18 inches |
| 4’0″-4’5″ | 120-135 cm | 20 inches |
| 4’5″-4’9″ | 135-145 cm | 24 inches |
| 5 Feet and taller | taller than 145 cm | 26 inches |
Before making a choice, consider the region your kid’s bike will explore.
Will the bike be used as a mode of transportation or as a sport. Will the kids be riding it on rocky or plain terrain.
Different kinds of bikes fulfill other personal requirements. Keep all these dimensions in consideration while deciding on purchasing a bike for your child.
Read the following article to learn about the suitable bike weight for your kids: How much does a Kids’ Bicycle Weigh?
Research and Choose a Trustworthy Website
You would generally come across two types of websites while searching for your bike. It will either be the brand’s official site or a third-party website that will provide many brands at their disposal. E.g., Amazon.
Sites like Amazon are still trustworthy, but many illegitimate third-party sites are scamming their customers with fake products.
They might lure you with a great discount or lesser price than the market value.
Do thorough research on the legitimacy of the website before deciding to place an order. If you come across any website which looks suspicious, please report it to the cybercrime unit.
Compare and Identify the Bikes that Fit your Needs Completely.
If you follow the steps mentioned above, you will have a list of bikes you consider purchasing.
The advantage of going through bikes online is that you can have all the bikes’ information to produce an effective comparison.
Take all your time researching through various sites till you are satisfied with the conclusion.
Once shortlisted, Study the Brand’s Reviews and Popularity
By now, you would have at least 2 to 4 bikes shortlisted.
During this stage, you need to thoroughly investigate the customer’s perception of the brand and the product.
Go through the customer review section of the company’s website. Check other websites like Facebook, Youtube, Reddit for more individual reviews.
Check out as many customer reviews as you can. They will help you understand the bike’s performance and delivery in the most practical manner.
Get in touch with the Brand’s Representative via Social Media, Chat, or Customer Care
Speak to a customer care representative. This step is essential for getting clarity and great service from the brand of your choice.
Generally, the website will provide you with a customer care chat or a toll-free number option.
Use either one of them to get in-depth information about the bike of your choice. Use this service to clear out any questions or queries you might have.
Ask as many questions as you want. Don’t hesitate to be persuasive. It’s the company’s responsibility to deal with you and provide you with answers to all your queries.
Request for a Trial Ride if Possible
The best way to choose a bike for your kid is through the trial method. It’s good if your kids get a chance to ride the bikes and choose the one they are most comfortable using.
I understand that a trial method is not easy to acquire if you plan to buy the bike online.
What you can do is request a trial from the company representative. If you are lucky, you might get a chance for your kid to test the bike before concluding to purchase it.
You can also find a nearby store with the bike on sale and try it there before buying it online.
Get Transparency on the Assembly Process of your Bike
It would be best if you are sure about the bike’s assembly process.
You need to understand that you will receive different parts of your bike and, for the assembly process, you will either need assistance or do it yourself.
Be clear about it with your customer care representative. Although the package will arrive with simple and clear instructions, many people find it difficult to follow it by themselves.
Ask your customer care representative if they can arrange to assemble the bike once it is delivered. A lot of brands provide that service with some minimum cost involved.
In case they don’t provide that service, you might need some help with your local mechanic or someone who knows his/her way around the bike.
Make sure the Bike comes with a Good Warranty and Guarantee
I will repeat myself, “A bike is an investment.” and when you invest in something, you would want to have the safety net of a good warranty and guarantee provided with it.
Make sure you get a warranty on the important parts of your bike.
Most good brands provide you with a great warranty period. Therefore making it a more enjoyable and sustained biking experience for your kid.
Be clear about the Return Policy of the Company
As soon as you receive your package, inspect it for any possible damage and missing parts.
In case you come across these issues, immediately document them by taking photos and videos and contact the company.
The company policy will require them to exchange their product without any added expenses.
Be clear about the return policy; many companies provide a 30-day return policy.
You can take advantage of this by making your kid try the bike for those many days and return it if the experience of it is unsatisfactory for the kid.
Just make sure your kid does not damage the bike, and you have all the paperwork ready to file a successful return.
My Opinion
Buying a bike online has its own pros and cons. Through this post, I have tried to make the process of ordering it online a little more manageable.
It’s tough to ignore the lower pricing of the online market, and it’s also very convenient to get your kid’s bike delivered to your doorsteps.
Many customers also prefer one-to-one assistance for making a decision. Whatever method you may select, the ultimate goal is to buy the perfect bike for your kid.
If you are someone who has never tried online shopping, I would highly recommend it.
This article of mine will probably help you in selecting a suitable bike for your kid: 11 Best Brands for Kids’ Bicycle.
Hopefully, following the steps I have complied with, you will have an amazing and varied online shopping experience.
