When you're scrolling through Facebook Marketplace or eBay looking for a bike for your child, it can be tempting to focus solely on the purchase price. After all, if you've found a bike for £50, why would you spend another £60 or £70 getting it serviced?
{article written entirely by Microsoft Copilot, when asked what's the point in spending the same amount of money again on a used kids bike to have it serviced. Reviewed, tweaked and approved by me}
The simple answer is that you're not paying for the bike's value. You're paying for your child's safety, reliability and enjoyment.
Many used children's bikes have spent months, or even years, sitting in sheds and garages. Brake cables become stiff, chains rust, brake pads harden, gears stop working properly and moving parts dry out. While the bike may look usable at first glance, it often needs attention before it's truly safe and enjoyable to ride.
At Holbrook Cycleworks, our fixed-price children's bike service is designed specifically to bring these bikes back to safe working condition without parents facing unexpected bills.
Our service includes:
- Replacement chain
- New brake cables (inner and outer)
- New gear cables where fitted (inner and outer)
- New brake pads
- Lubrication and adjustment of components
- Saddle height adjustment
- Brake setup
- Tyre pressure checks and adjustment to suit the rider
Our pricing is straightforward:
- 12" and 14" single-speed bikes: £60
- 16" and 20" geared bikes: £65
- 24" geared bikes: £70
Larger 26" and 27.5" children's bikes are assessed individually, as they often feature more advanced components such as disc brakes, hub gears or higher-specification parts.
When you compare the cost of a serviced used bike with buying a brand-new replacement, the value becomes clear. A £60 bike plus a £60 service still gives you a safe, reliable bike for around £120. In many cases, a new bike of similar quality would cost considerably more.
We also offer competitively priced upgrades and repairs, including Continental tyres, inner tubes, handlebar grips, wheel truing, and full hub, wheel and bottom bracket servicing.
Most importantly, you're dealing with a local specialist who understands children's bikes and wants them set up correctly for the rider.
Thinking of buying a used bike? Holbrook Cycleworks can often provide an initial assessment over the phone before you purchase. Simply send us the Marketplace or eBay listing and we'll give you an honest opinion on whether the bike looks like a good buy and what work it may need.
Sometimes the cheapest bike isn't the best value. A properly serviced bike that stops safely, shifts correctly and fits your child properly almost always is.