Your child is now riding a 16-inch bike. In a year, it will be too small. Then comes the 20-inch, followed by the 24-inch. It’s only natural to wonder: buy or rent? We lay out the costs, hassle, pros, and cons. That way, you’ll know within five minutes what’s right for your family.
Why a children’s bike becomes too small so quickly
Children grow fast. Between the ages of 3 and 12, your child will quickly need four or five different sizes: from a balance bike or 12-inch bike to a 24-inch bike.
A bike that fits is safer and more enjoyable to ride. A bike that “will be big enough soon” is not. See which size corresponds to which age in our children’s bike size chart.
Buying a children’s bike: pros and cons
Pros
- The bike is yours, and you can pass it on to a brother or sister
- You choose the color, brand, and model.
Cons
- You pay a significant amount every time you need a different size. New children’s bikes often cost several hundred euros.
- Maintenance and repairs are your responsibility, and your time.
- Reselling takes effort and often brings in less than you hope.
Buying second-hand: cheaper, but not without risk
A second-hand children’s bike is cheaper to buy. But you often buy without a warranty, without a test ride, and without knowing how well the bike has been maintained. Brakes, chains, and tires are the classic weak points.
When buying second-hand, check:
- Do the brakes work properly?
- Is the seat at the right height, and can the child almost touch the ground with both feet?
- Is there rust on the chain or frame?
- Does the bike match the photos and description?
Read more about this choice on our page about second-hand children’s bikes.
Renting a children’s bike (subscription): how does it work?
With a children’s bike subscription, you pay a fixed monthly fee. Is the bike too small? Then you exchange it for a larger size.
How it works at BikeFlip:
- Choose a bike from over 400 children’s bikes, starting at €5.00 per month.
- We deliver the bike ready to ride and free of charge to your home.
- Outgrown it? Grow = flip. Exchange it for a larger size free of charge.
- Broken? At-home repairs are included.
Read everything about the subscription on our page how it works:
How much does it cost? Buying versus renting at a glance
Indicative cost per size:
- 12-inch: approximately €5.00 to €8 per month
- 16-inch: approximately €8.00 to €12.50 per month
- 20-inch: approximately €10.00 to €15 per month
- 24-inch: approximately €13 to €18 per month
If you calculate that, you’ll end up paying around €100 to €120 per year for a 16- or 20-inch bike, including service and exchanges.
When buying, you pay the full price of a bike every time. Then there’s maintenance, a new tire or brake, and reselling.
When is renting smarter than buying?
Renting is smart if:
- you don’t want to deal with searching, maintenance, and reselling
- your child grows quickly and you regularly need a different size
- you want the bike to always be safe and properly adjusted
- you’d rather have a fixed monthly payment than a large one-off expense
Buying might be smarter if:
- you have several children in quick succession and pass the bikes on
- you are handy and like to do the maintenance yourself
Even then, it’s worth comparing the total costs, including your time.
How to choose the right size
Not sure about the size? Then a test ride is the best solution. Use our size guide.
Or visit us in Utrecht, Amsterdam, or Rotterdam and schedule a test ride.
And the old bike?
Have you outgrown the bike? Pass it on. BikeFlip refurbishes over 3,000 donated bikes every year for social projects. That way, the bike gets a second life. You can donate your bike here.
Frequently asked questions
Is renting a children’s bike cheaper than buying one?
Often, yes, especially during a growth spurt. You pay a low monthly fee instead of the purchase price every time, and service and exchanges are included. Use the calculator to see how it works for your situation.
What happens if the bike breaks?
At-home repairs are included. You can easily schedule an appointment yourself.
Can I change sizes along the way?
Yes. Is the bike too small? Then you can exchange it for a larger size free of charge.
Which children’s bike size is right for my child?
That depends on their height and age. Use our size chart or size guide to find the right size immediately.
Can I take a test ride first?
Yes, in our stores in Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam.
Ready to get started?
View all children’s bikes and choose the bike that’s right for you.
Or schedule a test ride and simply try it out.
