Quality 20" Bike for a Boy?

I've bought all my kids bikes at bike shops. You pay more, but you don't have to sweat anything breaking down or being assembled wrong. Bike shop bikes LAST. I'm selling mine on Craigslist now $100 and sadly, nobody wants to buy it. It's a great bike, retails $230 new. So look on Craigslist with eagle eyes because there are good deals there. Especially for a bike he'll outgrow sooner than you think.

Just go to a real bike shop, you'll get better quality and service than you will at a cheap store like Toys R Us or Walmart.

Specialized! My boys have had Specialized bikes since they were two, beginning with the balance bike. They are lightweight, solid and very well made. I get two boys out of each bike, so the higher price tag is a little easier to swallow.

They can be found at any specialty adult bike store. You should easily find one. And if you only have one child, many of these stores will buy the used bike back for a very reasonable amount if you upgrade to the new model once they outgrow it. Good luck!

I recommend getting a 20" from a bike store if you are looking for quality. They usually have better materials, gears, shocks etc. Unfortunately they can be pricey but they will let your child trial them outside and should adjust the brakes etc for you upon purchase. Specialized, Raleigh, jamis, Haro are just a few good brands. Good luck.

We went through this with our daughter. There are a few 20" bikes, but they are hard to find. We found more mountain bikes, then anything. We finally went with a mountain bike, which has held up pretty good. I think the most important thing is to get a bike with good gears and brakes.

We were going to change out her tires from mountain to road tires, but now she wants to try mountain biking. The problem is that mountain bikes are pretty heavy because of the shocks.

We found our daughter's Specialized Hot Rock at REI and I believe they had another 20" bike in Sports Chalet. Those bikes are all over Craig's, used and for sale.

Just take a look at the gear and brake cables. You know cheap when you see it.

Also, I thought bikes were a one for all. It is pretty important that he sit on the bike and feel comfortable with it.

Go to a bicycle shop.

I agree with the bike shop suggestion. We've had Huffy bikes from a store similar to Target/Walmart and bikes from a bike shop. You definitely get what you pay for.

Walmart has bikes and they last and last and last and last.

They have them already put together. .

My friend owns a company that sells bikes. He recommended a Fuji bike and we have been really happy. Several of my son's friends all have the same one and we all agree that it's a great bike. We bought it last January. We all got mountain bikes, but Fuji is a good brand for road bikes too.

The link he originally sent me isn't working anymore, so I can't send you the exact product info.

He said that Performance Bike usually has good prices. I looked on their website and they have two stores in Portland.

If you want a quality bike, go to a couple bike stores near you and take a look at their kid's bikes. This is how we got our son's last 2 bikes and they are very good quality. The bike store people can answer any questions you have.

Performance Bike has excellent quality bikes and will ship them assembled. Great company.

As for brands, Giant is a great, entry level, high quality bike brand. Specialized is excellent as well.

Find a local bike shop. In Portland I know there are tons. Avoid chain stores. Check local reviews and see which is best for service. Don't just buy a bike, take your son in and have him properly fitted to a bike.

One son has a CCM and the other has a Supercycle. We have no complaints about either.

ETA: We purchased both at Canadian Tire.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/sports-rec/bikes-accessorie...