How to choose bicycle for Child : Best tips to buy Bicycle

Choosing Bicycle for your Child

One of the things that your child will most definitely remember is riding a bike. If you want your child to enjoy the bike rides for many years, you will need to choose wisely the perfect type of bicycle for him or her. Before purchasing that perfect bike, there are many important things to take into consideration, from size to price. Since there are various models of bicycles to choose from, we have made some guidelines that will help you choose an awesome bicycle for your child and spare you a lot of thinking.

Here are 7 things to know before selecting Bicycle for your child:

1. Size and safety

First of all, focus on the size. In order for the child to be safe and sound, it’s crucial not to get a too large nor too small bike, but the one that fits the child perfectly. The size of a bicycle is measured by the diameter of the tires e.g. from 12″ to 24″ tires are usually sold in stores. Many children starting pedal bikes ride 14″ or even a 16″ pedal bike. Moreover, 20″ and 24″ pedal bikes should provide an inch of space when the child is standing over so the child doesn’t get hurt.

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2. The lighter the better

Many high-quality bike brands shall emphasize the fact that their bike model is extremely light, while others shall avoid this topic. However, this is a proof of a well-designed bike, since the child’s bicycle is supposed to weigh less than forty percent of their weight.

A light step-through frame is a good choice when thinking about the weight. For older kids, check the weight by letting the child lift it and see for themselves if it fits. Avoid buying cheap kids’ bikes in shopping malls, since their light weight is probably due to miniature and low-quality frames.

3. Look for efficient brakes

There are many things that can go wrong on the road, so, in that case, you want your child’s bike to be working properly. Whether you choose to go with handbrakes or a coaster brake, always think about the quality since it guarantees safety. The coaster brakes are less expensive and require less maintenance. However, they can lead to falling while pedaling on hills. On the other hand, handbrakes are more effective than the coaster brakes but need much maintenance. Check the handbrakes’ efficiency by pulling the brake with your little finger. Poorly designed brakes require more effort than this to work.

4. To gear up or not to gear up?

To answer this question, you need to decide if your child really needs gears, since its heavy parts can add weight to the bicycle. Thus, it can be difficult for your child to ride it. Moreover, geared bicycles usually mean more maintenance. If you child‘s bicycle needs to endure big shifts in elevation on the road, then, it would be wise to choose from 20’’ to 24’’ bikes, since most of them are equipped with gears. If the child needs a bike so as to ride it in the neighborhood, in that case, gears are not indispensable.

5. Bicycle width

Another essential part of the bike that you should focus on while purchasing is the Q-factor. In other words, it’s the bicycle’s width between the pedal attachments parts, the thread of the crankset. Make sure when purchasing a new bike that the pedals are not too far-removed, since this may cause discomfort while riding. The narrower the bicycle width, the better, especially when it comes to small children. Many kids’ bicycles often include a larger Q- factor, since they are constructed with adult bike parts. However, the branded manufacturers shall often use kids’ bike parts for its construction.

6. Get the right price

Naturally, you want to get only the best for your child. In most cases, the price is a guarantee of quality and safety. However, your child shall eventually grow out of its two-wheeler, so getting a high quality used bike or looking up affordable kids bikes for sale, is definitely not a waste of your time nor waste of your money.

Getting the right price for the bike doesn’t mean getting the most expensive or the cheapest, but the one that will serve its purpose as well as fulfill all the expectations that your child may have from a bicycle.

7. Before hitting the road

Although these guidelines serve to help you decide on the perfect type of bike, until your child actually tries it, you cannot know if it fits well. For that reason, make sure that the bike is not too big by checking if the child can reach the ground on a bike. The tips of their toes should be touching the ground. If they are standing on both legs with their entire foot, then, the seat is too low and this might make pedaling more difficult. While riding it, they should be in an upward position, with their legs not entirely stretched out.

There’s no better pastime than riding a bike. Make sure that your child is getting the most out of their bike. First of all, think about its size and safety. The lighter the bicycle, the better. Opt for a bicycle with gears only if necessary. Consider the bicycle’s width as well, since the child’s comfort depends on it. Get your money’s worth with the right bike. Before hitting the road, make sure the child tests the bicycle.

Thanks Catherine for this lovely guest post!

Happy Cycling,