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Do you remember your first bike? Chances are, you do. A bike can be a child's most treasured possession, providing hours upon hours of entertainment, enjoyment and exercise. When you know what to look for, buying a pint-sized bike isn't all that difficult. Read on for some tips from Netmarket!
It takes more than a coat of blue or pink paint to define a bike as a boy's or a girl's. A boy's bike has a closed frame, with a horizontal top bar reaching from below the seat to the handlebars, whereas a girl's bike has an open "step through" frame with sloping top bar.
Boy or girl, kids are tough on bikes! For durability, look for a frame and fork construction of heavy duty (or "high-tensile") steel.
Youth bikes are differentiated by wheel size (unlike adult bikes, which rely more on frame size). As a general rule of thumb, the following guidelines may be helpful:
- 12" wheel size: for young children who are about 36-40" tall (2-4 years old)
- 16" or 18" wheel size: for children who are 41-49" tall (about 4-6 years old)
- 20" wheel size: for children who are 50-56" tall (about 6-12 years old)
- 24" wheel size: for kids who are more than 57" tall (pre-teens and teenagers)
There is always an exception to the rule, however. Different styles of bikes--with the same wheel size-may have very different fits! For example, a 20" mountain bike is more or less fitted to the rider, so it will require a smaller child. However, older children or even adults could use a 20" BMX bike, because with these "trick" bikes, the rider is rarely seated.
Ask a child what kind of bike he or she wants, and you're likely to get something like "a purple one" as an answer. While there are not quite as many styles of bikes for children as there are for adults, there are several to choose from.
City cruisers are a standard choice, perfect for the neighborhood bike path!
All-terrain bikes (ATB) are a great all-purpose choice for kids. Suitable for riding on just about any surface, they have substantial tires and a sturdy ride.
Mountain bikes (MTB) are ideal for all-terrain use, too. But they also provide the versatility of extra gears for more advanced riders. They are perfect for older kids who will spend hours at a time on their bikes!
BMX bikes are very easy to ride. They are most often used for trick riding and racing. BMX bikes are not outgrown as quickly as other styles because their smaller wheels and upright handlebars of BMX bikes allow kids to stand while riding.
As with adult bikes, children's models may have as many as 15 speeds, depending on needs and degree of complexity! As for ease-of-use, grip shifts are simpler to operate than thumb shifts.
Gears are helpful for steep hills and riding on a variety of surfaces, but may be difficult for a young child to master. For the gear-shy beginner, it's easy to find uncomplicated bikes with fewer (or no) gears to shift.
Coaster brakes are quite common on children's bikes, and are very easy to use. A simple backpedaling motion controls the brake power, making it easy to slow down or stop smoothly. Many bikes offer hand brakes (front and/or rear), and some even offer both coaster and hand brakes.
Cantilever brakes, which are made with alloy, are lighter and will allow for better braking than side-pull brakes, which are made with steel. Plus, cantilever brakes provide better braking power and performance with larger brake pads and alloy rims.
You may be tempted to buy a cheap model because kids outgrow things quickly. In fact, slightly more expensive models may offer you more flexibility in size adjustment and provide for more years of use! In addition to rugged construction, be sure to look for comfortable, adjustable seats and handlebars.
Never let a child ride without a helmet! On a bike trail, sidewalk, or even in the driveway, you can never be too careful when it comes to a child's safety.
The youngest riders will require the help of confidence-boosting training wheels. If not included with the bike, they can be added on easily. Once the art of riding has been mastered, the training wheels are quick and easy to remove!
Other helpful extras include water bottles, reflectors, padding (for top tube and cross bar on handlebars), kickstands, and nylon packs (for behind seat or wedge in frame). Of course, bells, horns, streamers and baskets don't hurt either!
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