Well, we started off trying out a Trek something like this
Compare Models of Trek Bicycles | Trek Bikes although they only had a purple flowery one in stock, which meant he strongly preferred the plain red 20" model until he got the message that we just wanted to try it for size
It fitted him comfortably, he could lift it easily and he liked it. They do 2 free services in the first year. Lady in the shop commented that they hold their value reasonably well for resale. They'd have the 2010 one in from around the end of the month.
Then we went to another shop, and tried one of these
http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/index.php?seriesID=44&show_bike=TRUE which he didn't like as much as the next door bike, a Scott with go faster stripes and bling paint job, but the guy in the shop said that he wouldn't recommend the Scott as you were basically paying extra for the paint and not a lot else. The ridgeback was about the right size - bit of a stretch but manageable, and has the advantage that they have them in stock now. Would also include the first year's servicing free...
We didn't get cake from the cafe in the park. But we did get cooked breakfasts for a late lunch
Then we took the old one to the recycling spot and handed it over with the warning that it was jiggered. They played with the front forks for about a nano-second and agreed. They had a virtually new 45 quid 20" wheel job (6 speed, no suspension, can't remember the make) there that he rather fancied, but I pointed out that it was just the same size as the old one and he agreed that would be daft. He did take a couple of refurbished 24" ones for a spin round the car park - but they were a bit on the big side and both were fairly hefty steel frames. We're going to go back and see what they have next week - I like the idea of spending a hundred or so on a nice second hand one, but unfortunately a lot of what they get are the supermarket specials and halfords hand-me-downs that I'd really rather avoid. On the plus side, I can sign up as a volunteer and they'll teach me some basic maintenance and general fettling which is a plan I like a lot. They can't take him as a volunteer until he's 11 though - he did ask
Finally, we went and tried out a Giant. The guy in the shop was convinced that the 24" would be too big, and it did look somewhat giant, so he had a go on the 20" model. Which looked teeny once he was on it and pedalling! So, after somewhat lengthy repeat of the "I know it's purple, I'm not going to buy it we just want to try it for size" conversation he tried out one of there
Giant Bicycles - TAFFY 225 (2009) As the chap in the shop said, you'd have to take the seat right down (and mount the reflector elsewhere, and possibly lose the seat-post mounted rear mudguard!) but he said it felt alright. With all the gubbins still on the seat post he could pedal it OK although he was obviously overextending his leg at full stretch. They won't even know what colour it's available in for 2010 until next week, and it would probably be available at the end of September. I like the fact that it was available without suspension forks, unlike the other new bikes we tried. And that the first year's servicing is included.
Or, of course, there's still the Islabikes option, which is really tempting. I think it looks like we'd get a better quality and simpler bike from them, but it would be more expensive than any of the local offerings and it wouldn't include any servicing - which feels important to me, because I don't know how to do it myself.
Decisions, decisions. Nice decisions though
