Kids Grow Fast. Their Bikes Shouldn't Cost a Fortune.
Here's a stat that every Canadian parent already knows instinctively: a child will use a bike for about 18 months before they've outgrown it. That $350 new bike from Canadian Tire? It's going to end up in someone's garage by next summer.
That's exactly why used kids' bikes and scooters are one of the smartest secondhand purchases you can make. Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and Karrot are flooded with them right now, especially in May when families are clearing out last year's gear for the new riding season.
But not every listing is a winner. Here's how to separate the gems from the garbage.
Know What Size You Actually Need
This is where most parents go wrong. They buy a bike that's "close enough" or intentionally too big so their kid can "grow into it." Both are mistakes.
- Measure your child's inseam, not their height. That's what determines the right wheel size.
- 12-inch wheels are typically for ages 2 to 4. 16-inch for ages 4 to 6. 20-inch for ages 5 to 9. 24-inch for ages 8 to 12.
- A properly sized bike means your child can stand over the top tube with both feet flat on the ground.
Knowing the exact size you need also gives you negotiating power. You can walk away from a deal that doesn't fit instead of talking yourself into a bad purchase.
What to Inspect Before You Buy
Used kids' bikes look rough sometimes, but cosmetic wear is rarely the problem. Here's what actually matters:
- Brakes: Squeeze both levers. Coaster brakes (pedal backward to stop) should engage firmly. Hand brakes should have good pad contact with the rim.
- Wheels: Spin them. They should rotate freely without wobbling side to side. A slight wobble is fixable. A dramatic one means a bent rim.
- Chain and drivetrain: If the bike has gears, shift through all of them. Listen for grinding or skipping. A rusty chain is a $15 fix, but a worn cassette is more expensive.
- Frame: Look for cracks near the welds, especially around the head tube and seat tube junction. Scratched paint is fine. Cracked metal is not.
- Tires: Flat tires aren't a dealbreaker since new inner tubes cost $8. But check the sidewalls for dry rot or cracking. Old rubber means the bike has been sitting in a garage for years.
For scooters, focus on the folding mechanism (it should lock firmly), the deck for cracks, and the wheels for flat spots.
The Pickup Problem
You've found the perfect 20-inch bike in Tecumseh, the price is right, and the photos look great. Now you need to actually see it, test it, and get it home. This is the part of marketplace buying that nobody talks about enough.
If the seller is across town or you don't have a vehicle that fits a bike easily, the logistics become a real barrier. This is where a service like aerrand can save you time and headaches. You can send a verified Aerrander to inspect the bike in person, confirm it matches the listing, and deliver it to your door. Payment stays in escrow until you're satisfied, so there's zero risk of sending money for something that turns out to be junk.
Pricing: What's Fair in 2026?
Here's a rough guide for used kids' bikes in good condition on Canadian marketplaces right now:
- Basic 16-inch bike (no-name brand): $30 to $60
- Brand name 20-inch (Norco, Giant, Trek): $80 to $150
- Quality 24-inch with gears: $100 to $200
- Kids' scooters (Micro, Razor): $20 to $50
Anything priced above these ranges should come with a compelling reason. Anything well below them deserves extra scrutiny.
The Bottom Line
Buying used kids' bikes is one of the most practical moves a Canadian family can make. The savings are real, the environmental impact matters, and the quality of secondhand options right now is genuinely excellent. Just do your homework on sizing, inspect the things that actually matter, and don't let logistics stop you from grabbing a great deal.
Your kid doesn't care if the bike is new. They care if it's fast.