Bike for my daughter

[limewave]

Ok, I'll be the dissenting opinion. She will grow up SO fast. Wouldn't it be more reasonable to buy a tricycle at WalMart or Target, etc.? You can hold off on the more expensive bike for when she can truly appreciate it. Just my opinion.

Oh you are responsible. I'm a little spend-happy right now because we just decided to not make a major purchase. Even though we didn't have the money to make that major purchase to begin with, I feel like we can afford to buy a bunch of less-expensive stuff because we won't have that payment. I know, it doesn't make sense. You know, I really loved my big wheels when I was a kid and those are only $30. I could check those out too.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have to agree with Li10up. Kids that age grow so FAST. It might be better to buy two cheaper cycles within a few years, and have them each fit her well as she grows, than having one expensive one that she outgrows quickly. She's too little to understand anything about brands anyway. What does she care whether it's a Giant brand or some other brand (as long as it has handlebar streamers, etc) ? I imagine there are plenty of lovely bikes that will work just fine for her at less than half the price. That's my two cents- not worth a heck of a lot but you asked for it.

[bike4ever]

There still is a major difference between the quality of the Lil' Giant trike and any Walmart/Target bike. The Lil' Giant trike will hold together for years and should retain a very decent resale value. The department store bikes have many plastic parts in major locations (headsets, seat collars, and bottom brackets) which can not be repaired without spending more than originally purchased on the bike.

Also please remember that the department store bikes are rarely built correctly which makes them very unsafe to ride. Would you want a child on a bike without a properly installed stem?

[limewave]

lots of good things to think about . . .

[mimitabby]

my kids rode their hot wheels into the ground, and loved them. They made a pleasing racket (to their ears, not mine) although I am of the opinion that your Giant is a cool bike, to your daughter, anything that she can sit on and push around will be just GRAND!

So get her a bike! and have fun... if buying a cheaper bike keeps peace in the family, even better.

[bouncybouncy]

I do not have kids and do not think I am any expert in the field...but considering we had a .89:1 child under 10yrs to adult ratio at our wedding...I have been around my share of wee ones!

with that said...my $0.02 on quality:
You know your child, how rough she is on products. You or your DH are mechanically inclined enough to keep your own machines in working order. So if you do go with a cheaper version of the trike to save some money and you care for the trike with quality control inspections now and again...nothing should be a problem. If you feel you have a little animal on your hands that may require higher quality toys you will make that judgement.

I for a fact remember my brothers big-wheels always falling apart, wheels mysteriously forming holes in them, bikes that never held up to be handed down (lucky me!)...as for me, I am still wearing shoes that i had in high school (uh...that'd be over 20 years ago) and if I were still 4 feet tall I might still be riding my first pink mtbike...not to say I do not ride hard, I am just not hard on my toys.

Good Luck and happy shopping!

[xeney]

Oh, get the Giant tricycle. Those tricycles are fantastic. I swear the only reason my husband came around on the issue of kids was that he wanted an excuse to buy one of those tricycles ... and in fact he's worried that they will discontinue them before we are ready to buy one!

I pushed my niece around on a department store tricycle and it was pretty awful, all off-balance and hard to pedal. The Giants are so much better, and they are not super expensive at all. They are sturdy and are going to have resale value very much like the old red tricycles we had as kids did.

Buy the Giant!

Edited because I left out a crucial "not."

And again for an actual price comparison: this Target trike is $70. At our LBS, the Giant is $80. It's a no-brainer, if you ask me.

[doc]

My daughters, ages 8 and 10 still play with the very sturdy metal tricycle I bought sooo long ago. It's the kind where one kid can stand on the back. They each have a mountain bike with 27 gears, but now and then they just have to pull out the old tricycle and do "tricks"

[lizbids]

I say get the better bike, as long as she will be able to grow into it. Plus, you can always sell it if it's higher quality...so maybe you'll pay $70 for it now, she outgrows it in two years, you sell it for $25 or something. Then you've spent about $50 on a quality machine that you used for two years.

I also don't think she is too young...would DH think she was too young if she was a boy? I only ask b/c I seem to remember my mom wanting to buy me a whittling tool when I was in the 3rd or 4th grade (I liked to work with my hands). The salesperson, when he found out I was a girl, said I was "too young." Nice, right?!! But hopefully DH is more progressive than that! Get your kids into physical fitness early on, by any means neccessary!

[Batbike]

A kid point of view: I still remember my green tricycle ... fond memories! Was it new? I don't know. Was it the best tri around? Probably not. Did I care? No.

Now, a parent point of view: It is cool to buy something "snazzy" for our kids, even if they can't appreciate it ... we as parents love it! So, if you "just have to have it" for your daughter, you can afford it, your DH won't be mad, and it will make you happy, then buy it. However, remember you really aren't buying it for her -- she could care less. If you want to be more practical, your options are limitless -- many used plastic and metal tricycles out there ... remember kids only use them a year or two. Personally, I would try and find one of those plastic Little Tyke bikes that have a push handle in the back -- the child "pedals" as you push -- save the back, create a happy child! Believe me, you will end up pushing or pulling ... it is just part of the process (I use to use a broom handle)!!