How much does a used kids bike cost?
Direct answer · Cyclesite
Used kids bikes in the UK divide by brand far more than by age or condition. Specialist children's brands hold their value, so expect roughly £120 to £220 for a used Frog, Islabikes, Squish or Woom, with balance bikes at the lower end and 24 inch geared bikes at the top. Supermarket and unbranded children's bikes are a different market, often changing hands for £20 to £50 because there is very little second-hand demand for them. That gap matters more than any other factor, because it decides what the bike is worth when your child outgrows it in eighteen months.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-01
Why brand matters more than condition
Children grow out of bikes long before they wear them out, so almost every used kids bike is in reasonable mechanical shape. That removes condition as the main price lever and leaves brand doing the work. Frog, Islabikes, Squish and Woom build bikes specifically around children, with lighter frames, shorter cranks and smaller brake levers, and parents actively search for those names second-hand. Supermarket bikes are heavy, often poorly assembled, and almost nobody searches for them used, which is why they are cheap to buy and close to worthless to sell.
What you pay by wheel size
Within a specialist brand, wheel size is the main price driver. Balance bikes and 14 inch first pedal bikes sit at the bottom of the range. 16 inch and 20 inch bikes, which cover most primary school years, sit in the middle. 24 inch geared bikes are the most expensive because they are closest to a small adult bike in parts and complexity. A bike one size up from what your child needs today is not a bargain, since an oversized bike is harder and less safe to control.
What to check before you pay
Squeeze both brake levers and check a small hand can reach them comfortably, as reach adjustment is one of the things specialist brands do better. Spin the wheels and listen for rough bearings. Check the tyres for perished sidewalls, which is common on a bike that has sat in a shed between children. Look at the headset for play by holding the front brake and rocking the bike. None of these are expensive to put right, but each one is worth a small reduction on the asking price.
Buying used against subscribing
Kids bike subscription services rent a bike for a monthly fee and swap it as your child grows, which removes the resale step entirely. Across a balance bike, a first pedal bike and a geared bike, a subscription comes to a little over £550 over four years. Buying the same three bikes used and selling each one on lands closer to £185 with servicing included. Subscription costs more but buys convenience, and it is the better answer if the outgrown bike would otherwise sit in your loft unsold.
| Feature | Supermarket / unbranded | Specialist kids brands |
|---|---|---|
| Typical used price | £20 to £50 | £120 to £220 |
| Resale demand | Very limited | Parents search by brand name |
| Weight | Heavy for the child | Built light for children |
| What it is worth when outgrown | Close to nothing | A large share of what you paid |
Average used bike prices by category (UK)
| Category | Average price | Sample size |
|---|---|---|
| road | £1,445 | 25 |
| ebike | £2,043 | 13 |
| mtb | £1,160 | 12 |
| gravel | , | 4 |
| bmx | , | 3 |
| hybrid | , | 3 |
| folding | , | 1 |
| cargo | , | 1 |
Last updated: 2026-09-01
Related Questions
How much is a used Frog bike worth?
Most used Frog bikes sell in the region of £120 to £220 depending on wheel size and condition, with the smaller first pedal bikes at the lower end and 24 inch geared models at the top. Frog is one of the strongest names in the UK second-hand kids market, so a clean example tends to sell quickly.
Are Islabikes worth buying second-hand?
Yes. Islabikes stopped direct retail sales, which has made good used examples sought after rather than cheap. They are light, well proportioned for children, and hold their value, so a used one is often the only practical way to buy the brand now.
Why are supermarket kids bikes so cheap used?
Because there is almost no second-hand demand for them. They are heavy, frequently sold poorly assembled, and parents searching the used market look for specialist brands by name. A cheap new bike can therefore cost more overall than a good used one once resale is taken into account.
What size kids bike should I buy?
Kids bikes are sized by wheel diameter rather than frame size, and inside leg matters more than age. As a rough guide, 12 inch suits ages 2 to 3, 14 inch suits 3 to 4, 16 inch suits 4 to 6, 20 inch suits 6 to 8 and 24 inch suits 8 to 11. Check your child can stand over the frame with both feet flat.
How can I check what a specific kids bike is worth?
Compare it against current listings for the same brand and wheel size, and use the Cyclesite bike valuation tool for a data-led estimate based on brand, model, age and condition.
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