Christmas bike for 4 year old

I want to get my son a bike for Christmas. He's just turned 4, and I sat him on a 16" one at the trek store and it seemed to fit. I'd like it to last a couple of years if possible, but there is nobody it will be passed down to- when he outgrows it, it would have to be sold or donated.
My question is, I've looked at trek, specialized, jamis at the bike stores. They are all around $150.00. Is it really necessary to spend that on a bike for a little guy? I don't care for the little spiderman etc bikes in big box stores, they are just too much, and what if he's not into spiderman 6 months from now. I'd like a sturdy, safe little bike with a bell and a little water bottle. I will spend the money if there's good reason to, but I don't know the difference in quality at this level between say a trek and one of the $30-$60 ones at big box stores (other than looks- liked the trek, the "cars" or "spiderman" bikes at xmart, not so much). I looked at a couple on craig's list and goodwill, but it would be nice to have it at least look new and shiny under the tree, and these did not! I'd like adjustable seat and some adjustment to the handlbars (the trek did have adjustable handlebars).
The specialized was aluminum, not sure about the others. All came with training wheels.
Any ideas on quality differences in 16" little kid's bikes?
vickie

We got our son (for his 5th bday) a very nice Fuji at a True Value hardware store locally which has a decent selection of kids and adult bikes. Iirc we paid $80. He's had it for going on two years, beats the crap out of it and its holding up very well.

thanks, we've got true value around here, and I also remember looking at some fuji bikes at one of the bike shops I visited- if I could just remember which one it was. I think KB toys had some kent bikes also.
vickie

JB has a Raleigh 16" that's held up amazingly well. It's 12 years old and this is its 3rd kid. It's steel, which tends to be cheaper. Our local shop has one now for $114.

When I've looked at Walmart and like the things I've noticed was lack of component quality in general, bearings, brakes, wheels, things of that sort. They also tend to weigh more. Probably not a big deal for a kid bike he'll only be on for a few years. We got ours from the lbs more for our peace of mind than the kid's.

I don't know about your 4 year old, but mine could care less about whether a toy is used or not, if you can find one that's not too bad off. JB is fond of the water bottle (handlebar mounted), blue and white cool helmet (of course) and bike gloves for those long rides to the park. The biggest thing I have to remember is keeping the tires aired up, especially with training wheels.

There was a thread on another bike forum a while ago about Walmart, etc., bikes having some really terrible assembly problems -- like stems installed backward so you can't steer, that kind of thing. And components that are beyond cheap and into "crappy" territory -- cranks that bend or break if you stand up to pedal, etc.

I think a used kids' bike is ideal, but the good ones don't come up often on Craigslist, I notice. Which at least means that a good one probably has decent resale value.

The Fuji sounds like a fine compromise.

When we got our eldest a bike, we purchased him a Specialized 16" with training wheels. That bike went through all three of our boys - two were quite tough on it. We then passed it down to two girl cousins. It came back to me when they were finished and I was able to resale it.

Our True Value currently is selling Huffy bikes. I glanced at them quickly last week only to find multiple things obviously wrong with the build. Please remember, True Value sells hardware products. They aren't in the bike selling business. What warranty will you get from True Value if the bike is assembled incorrectly? Will they replace the stem because they forgot to use grease and it has seized? Will they have the one piece bottom bracket tightened correctly?

I would suggest you continue looking at Craigslist for a quality bike. LBS bikes have replaceable/repairable parts. Walmart/Target/True Value are throw away bikes.

Being the manager in a bike shop, I regularly see department store crap. It is very sad to tell a family that the bike they just purchased was not assembled correctly causing the bike to prematurely fall apart.

We bought my daughter her 12" from REI and it has held up really well and about to get used/abused by my younger daughter. It was on sale, the last years model.

I found a nice 16" Trek Jet on Craigslist for a friend of mine's son and it looked barely ridden. It was at his Mom's house and only got 50% ride time...she sold if for $50!!!
You can find decent stuff on craigslist you just have to jump on it fast. With some simple green, sponge and some lube you can really do amazing things to a used bike.

As far as buying a good bike...you like bikes so that probably means your son is starting to like bikes. Start it off on a comfortable note and go with a bike from the LBS. If you can afford to spend an extra $50-$75 dollars go for it I don't think you will be disaponited.
Good luck and make sure you take lots of pictures of him on it under the tree!

I'm going to stop by the fuji bike shop and alpine shop on the way home, and continue looking on craig's list. I'd love to find one of those trek jets on craig's list! I liked the LBS bikes because they were much more adjustable, almost everything adjusted so I think they'd last longer.
Anyway, I love shopping for bikes.
vickie

Vickie, do you have an LBS that does trade-ins? I lucked into April's 16" Specialized for $80 instead of $150 because it was a 2004 or 2005 that someone had traded back to the store. Aside from some dirt in the tire treads, it was like brand new - preschoolers aren't that hard on their bikes. I just happened to stop by the LBS the day after it came in, but maybe if you let them know you're in the market they can call you if anything turns up.

vickie - Are you in St. Louis? If so, post on www.stlbiking.com that you are looking for a bike. This is a terrific local site for bike information.