New vs. Second-Hand Bikes: A Dubai Family's Guide

By Florien, Founder of The Adam Store & Mother of Three

"I remember my first bike - it was absolutely second-hand," Florien recalls with a smile. "I think I was three years old, blue with tiny wheels. But I was so proud!" Growing up in Amsterdam, all her bikes were pre-loved. "In the Netherlands, that's completely normal. Your bike was a utility item, so it felt wasteful to buy new - it would get scratches immediately anyway."

It wasn't until she launched The Adam Store that she owned her first brand-new bike. "That was a double celebration - a bike without scratches AND my own product!"

Now, as founder of Dubai's leading Dutch bike store and mother of three, Florien brings unique perspective to a question many families ask: should we buy new or second-hand?

The Real Benefits of Second-Hand Bikes

"I think there are three main reasons," Florien explains. "Price, yes - but also convenience and sustainability. Your choice is actually smaller with second-hand, which makes deciding easier. And in today's world, sustainability is becoming an essential part of how families live."

The advantages: Lower financial risk for growing kids who'll outgrow bikes quickly. Immediate availability without waiting lists. Real-world testing - if it's survived Dubai's climate, it's proven quality. And every bike kept in circulation teaches children about sustainability.

Breaking Down the Quality Myth

"The biggest misconception I hear? That the quality isn't good," Florien says firmly. "But that's absolutely not true. Sure, there might be small scratches, some rust spots, maybe wear in the saddle or grips. But this has absolutely nothing to do with the bike's mechanism. That can last for years!"

She's direct about priorities: "Many people fixate on cosmetic issues. But most of these parts can be replaced, and honestly? In our extreme weather with constant sun exposure, even new bikes get scratches."

Your Online Search: What Actually Matters

The main thing is that the mechanism is good and the bike doesn't get stuck or rub," Florien advises. "The best approach is to visit and try it yourself. Often if a bike sticks, it's solved with a small tap on the fender."

Look for in Listings:

• Clear photos from multiple angles
• Honest descriptions of condition
• Sellers willing to let you test ride
• Recent usage rather than long-term storage

What About Flat Tires?

"I'd personally skip bikes with flat tires," Florien admits, then pauses. "But actually, you could ask them to pump it up and send a photo the next day. Now that I think about it, this might not be a red flag - tires are actually very easy to replace."

The One Thing That Matters for Kids' Bikes

"What's important when buying a kids' bike is that the color matches what your child wants. The child really needs to find the bike beautiful and enjoy riding it - that proud feeling is essential. Color is something you can't change. Though you can always 'pimp' the bike with a fun bell and streamers!"

The 5-Minute In-Person Inspection

Essential Checks:

1. The Pedaling Test
"Especially check if the pedals turn easily and the crank isn't super heavy or rusted." Surface rust is different from structural problems though - "Rust doesn't necessarily mean the mechanism isn't good anymore."

2. Steering & Brakes
"Check if the handlebars turn nicely." Try full left and right. "The brakes are important, but they can also be easily tightened by a bike mechanic."

3. Adjustability (Critical!)
"Check if the saddle and handlebars can still be adjusted and haven't rusted in place. It's a shame for your children or yourself if you can't adjust the height later."

4. Test Ride
"I would always make a test ride to be sure the bike feels good and rides nicely." If buying for a child, let them ride it - their comfort matters most.

The Parts That Matter Most

Expensive to Replace (Be Careful):

Crank and Hub
"These are parts that aren't easy to replace. At least, I wouldn't buy a bike where these are faulty."

Easy and Cheap to Replace (Don't Worry):

Tires, saddle, hand grips, pedals, brake pads, chain. "Even tires are super simple to replace if you're handy," though Florien admits with a laugh, "Here in Dubai it's much more common to have someone else do it for you."

Safety: The Non-Negotiables

Brakes
"The brakes. Besides quality, many young children don't know how to brake well yet. It's really important to practice this the first few times they ride."

Secure Saddle and Handlebars
"Pay attention that the handlebars and saddle can be properly tightened so they don't shoot loose while riding."

Proper Height for Kids
"The saddle needs to go down low enough so children can get their feet firmly on the ground. This is essential to ensure children feel comfortable and therefore enjoy cycling."

Working Gears
"If the gears keep slipping, it's very annoying and can be dangerous, especially if you're standing while cycling and the pedal suddenly 'gives way.'"

Dubai's Climate Reality

"Whatever quality the bike is, extreme conditions aren't good for any product and will definitely affect its lifespan," Florien explains. "That's why I really try to keep bikes inside and dust them off occasionally."

What to Expect:

• Sun damage: "You really see that saddles and hand grips can be affected by the sun." Easily replaced though.
• Coastal rust: "You see a real difference with bikes at the seaside - they rust faster."
• Heat effects: Tires lose pressure quicker, lubricants dry out faster

Storage tip: "If there's no shady spot outside, keep them somewhere inside. Otherwise, cover them with a bike cover."

Premium bikes? "Even the Ferraris among bikes will struggle in full sun. Taking care of your products with love is the most important thing. That applies to everything!"

Realistic Dubai Pricing

"The prices really vary extremely," Florien explains. "There are definitely bikes available for free, though there won't be any service beforehand."

• Free - AED 200: Basic bikes, as-is condition, expect repairs
• AED 200-500: Decent used bikes, the sweet spot for many families
• AED 500-1000: Well-maintained quality bikes, less work needed
• AED 1000+: Nearly-new or premium models, often professionally serviced

"Some bike brands take back their own sold bikes, completely refurbish them, and resell them as second-hand. These prices will be higher, but you can expect around 30% off the full price. But this all depends on the product's condition."

When to Choose New Instead

"You could say that for the first child you buy a new bike, and if more children follow, that bike can be passed down. But do think about a unisex color!"

Choose new when: It's the first child's first bike, you need specific sizing, want warranty coverage, or establishing family cycling with bikes lasting through multiple children.

Choose second-hand when: Your child is between sizes, you're trying cycling for the first time, have one child, prefer sustainable choices, or budget is primary concern.

After You Find the Right Bike

"Try the bike! Check if the saddle and handlebars can be set to the right height. And especially take a few laps to see how it feels."

Immediate Maintenance

"This totally depends on the bike's condition. But to be safe, you can always have a or our bike mechanic check it or have someone come to your home. A good cleaning is already half the job."

If you're handy: "Let's take a no-nonsense Dutch person as an example. Then patching or replacing a tire should be possible. Hand grips and saddle should be a piece of cake, but this all comes with the right tools."

Basic tools needed: Allen keys for adjustments, adjustable wrench, tire levers, pump, chain lubricant.

Florien laughs about Dubai culture: "We get so many requests just to pump tires. Now I've got Adam-branded pump stations that are given away. You don't want to give a discount, but you say okay, here's a pump and water bottle - replace the discount with merchandise."

The Adam Store's Pre-Loved Approach

Unlike buying from strangers, some shops now offer serviced second-hand bikes.

"We only take back our own bikes, so we know the foundation is high quality," Florien explains. "We have the bike completely checked and replace spare parts where necessary. The bike can be tried, and we'll adjust everything to the right size. If you don't have time to come to our store, we're happy to come to you."

How it works: People trade in bikes when leaving Dubai, kids outgrow them, or switching to electric. "We ask for photos and video to assess condition. Sometimes a mechanic visits to check and determine trade-in value. Often bikes are picked up immediately and refurbished right away. Once ready, they go on our pre-loved page."

Florien laughs: "It happens regularly that my husband wonders where his cargo bike went, and I have to admit it's been sold... Even all my bikes go on pre-loved. Someone wanted a discount on an electric bike, and I had two at home with a new batch coming to test, so hop - all my bikes went on sale. Everything sold, everyone happy."

Making Your Decision

"Go second-hand!" Florien says immediately, then laughs. "But maybe that's because I'm a real Dutch person. But definitely also from a sustainability perspective. It's the least I can do. Even for my own children, I think it's important that everything doesn't have to be brand new."

She's practical: "My oldest daughter is the lucky one and gets to try the 'newest' stuff. But as soon as she outgrows it or gets to try something new, those bikes don't sit in a corner - they go straight on the pre-loved page so someone else can enjoy them."

Your Decision Framework:

About usage: How long will it be used? How often ridden? First child or third?

About values: How important is sustainability? Teaching children about reuse?

About practical matters: Your comfort with repairs? Protected storage? Can you inspect in person?

About budget: What's the price difference? Would used allow better quality? Okay with cosmetic imperfections?

Final Thoughts

"I think sustainability really is an important part of household life. The price and ease matter, yes - your choice is smaller so it's easier to choose. But knowing you're giving a bike a second life? That feels good."

She's practical: "Not everything needs to be brand new. And honestly, with how quickly kids grow and how our climate affects everything, sometimes second-hand is simply the smarter choice."

"Don't overthink it. Try the bike, make sure it's mechanically sound, and if it feels good - go for it. You can always upgrade later, pass it to a sibling, or sell it on pre-loved."

"The most important thing? That your children get that proud feeling when they're on their bikes. Whether it's new or pre-loved doesn't matter nearly as much as whether they love riding it."

Quick Decision Used Bike Checklist

□ Tried the bike in person
□ Pedals turn smoothly
□ Steering moves freely
□ Saddle/handlebar adjusts
□ Brakes work properly
□ Took a test ride
□ No frame cracks or severe rust
□ Fair price for condition
□ Have basic tools ready
□ Child approves (if applicable)

Ready to explore? Visit The Adam Store's pre-loved bike collection for quality-checked bikes, or browse Dubai's market with confidence using these insights. Either way, you're making a choice that's good for your family, budget, and planet.