A children’s bicycle is designed for children. There are models for boys and girls. You can choose for any age. They differ in price, weight, manufacturing material, attachments. In general, everything as in adults.
Much more difficult is a child’s choice of bicycle on the growth and other criteria, consider this point in detail. It is necessary to consider many aspects and carefully examine the characteristics of your favorite model.
Buying a bicycle for a child, it should be borne in mind that experts recommend to start choosing from the wheels. There is even an official table, according to which each child’s age corresponds to a certain number of inches of bicycle wheel diameter:
up to 3 years old (when the baby is 90-100 cm tall) – 12;
from 3 to 5 years old (height up to 115 cm) – 14, 16;
5 to 9 years (height up to 130 cm) – 18, 20;
9 to 12 years old (up to 155 cm) – 24;
14 years and older – 26.
But before you buy your favorite model with the right wheels, the child should sit down in the saddle. In a comfortable position for themselves baby should be an extended leg (and the central part of the foot) can easily reach the pedal, which is in its lowest position. Then the bicycle can be considered suitable, but only if it also meets a number of other requirements.
The frame, for example, should be at least 10 cm lower from the crotch of a child in a standing position. Then the girl or boy can easily jump off the vehicle, avoiding a fall, and will not have any difficulty landing.
It is more practical to choose a baby bike with an adjustable seat height. This means that for some time the model will “grow” together with his little master, and the cost of acquiring a new “iron friend” can wait a little. The same can be said about the option of adjusting the height and tilt of the bicycle handlebars.
But adults need to constantly monitor how their child rides. If he hunches over, and his knees “polish” the handlebars, it’s time to go to the store for a new model of children’s bike.
What is the difference between children’s bikes?
In general, boys bikes from girls differ only in design and color gamut (and very conventionally, because everyone has different tastes). There are practically no design differences. This between the adult models is a fundamental difference – for example, in the structure of the frame or the location of the support units. But with models for children, everything is much easier.
Teenage models of bicycles
Children’s bicycles for different ages differ significantly from each other. That’s why you should not buy a model “for growing up” – the kid will not be able to manage it. It will be difficult even just to keep the balance, and this is fraught with injury, sometimes very serious.
All children’s bikes can be divided into several categories:
Three-wheeled, for the youngest riders. These bikes usually have no cameras or tires, or transmission chains and many other elements. Yes, and these “toy” models can be considered only nominally.
Bicycles for children from 1 year and up to 3 years. There are already cameras and tires on 12-inch wheels. In addition, there is a foot brake, quite light and comfortable. The fact that the models are designed for very young cyclists is evidenced by a couple of additional, symmetrically located wheels for the stability of the vehicle, and the special geometry of the greatly undervalued frame. Such a frame minimizes the possibility of children’s injuries in case of a fall. The safety of kids is also ensured by protective guards on the handlebars, chain and sprockets.
Models for bicycle riders ages 3 to 5 years. These bikes have a wheel diameter of 14 or 16 inches, a rear (foot) and / or front (hand) brake.
The fourth category includes bikes for children from 5 to 9 years. This is very similar to the “adult” children’s bicycles models. They are equipped with wheels with a diameter of 18 or even 20 inches. They have a few speeds and two brakes – rear foot and front handbrake type V-brake. A maximum comfort during the trip guarantee special shock-absorbing forks.
Bicycles for children 9-12 years. It’s also almost “adult” models. Only the diameter of the wheel is smaller – 24 inches. And frames are inferior in size. Everything else is like on the “real” bikes. There are even special – girls – models, with lowered female frame.
Tips for choosing a children’s bike
Experts give potential buyers simple, but very sensible advice on buying a bicycle for a child:
