Children's bicycles should be chosen according to the child's height and age. When buying, also consider the material from which the frame is made, the number of wheels, the characteristics of the braking system and shock absorption. And to be sure of your choice, give preference to bicycles of famous brands.
content
- Which bike manufacturers are better
- Tricycles
- What to look for when choosing a tricycle
- Run bike
- What to look for when choosing a balance bike
- Four-wheeled bicycles
- Bicycles
- Tips for choosing children's bicycles
Which bike manufacturers are better
A bicycle is a real vehicle for a child. Therefore, it must be of high quality: with a sturdy body and reliable mountings, a comfortable seat and steering wheel. The child should easily pedal and maneuver on the road. Bicycles from the following manufacturers meet these requirements:
-
Merida is the world's leading bicycle manufacturer. The company's products are distinguished by excellent build quality, thoughtful design, reliable mounts, a solid body and durability. Merida sponsors cycling competitions, providing its products to professional cyclists.
-
Royal baby. Bicycles of this brand are in great demand among our compatriots. They undergo safety tests (crash tests) before entering the market. Bicycles are strong, stable and reliable, they can be safely bought for small children.
-
Puky is a well-known German brand that produces bicycles for children, balance bikes and scooters. The safety and reliability of products is checked in research laboratories, and Puky's own quality standards are stricter than international ones.
-
Giant is Merida's main competitor. In production it uses its own patented technologies, thanks to which the bicycles become more reliable, durable and lightweight. Giant sponsors professional cyclists and provides them with its own products.
-
Stels is a Russian bicycle manufacturer. It is inferior in quality to previous brands, but is very popular in our country. Stels production facilities comply with the international quality standard ISO 9001: 2011.
Tricycles
This is the ideal type of transport for babies from 1 to 3 years old. Some models can be used for children who have recently learned to sit and for young riders who are already 4 years old.
Tricycles are robust and simple in design and, above all, have increased stability. On such transport, the baby is unlikely to roll over or fall. With its help, it will be easier for a baby to comprehend the basics of cycling: he will learn to pedal, maneuver and brake.
Such vehicles, as a rule, are equipped with a parental handle and have seat belts, a rain and sun visor, a comfortable backrest, footrests (needed in cases where the baby does not want to pedal), a luggage basket, etc. When the crumb grows up, unnecessary structural elements are removed, and you get an ordinary tricycle.
Advantages
-
Reliability and sustainability.
-
Additional bonuses: parental handle, sun protection, footrest, etc.
disadvantages
-
Inconvenient position of the pedals (on the front wheel). Because of this, the legs of the child quickly get tired.
-
Take up a lot of indoor space.
What to look for when choosing a tricycle
Seat.
If the seat is plastic, it should have rubberized inserts. They are needed so that the child does not slip out of his vehicle. Also look for springs under the seat. If you buy a bike that has a seat with springs, it will make it easier to ride on uneven surfaces and reduce shaking.
Wheels
Wheels are most often made of plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU) and rubber. The most budgetary option is plastic wheels. But they do not drive well even on asphalt, rumble loudly and are not suitable for rolling on grass, sand and other uneven surfaces. PVC provides a more comfortable, quiet ride and increased abrasion resistance. PU wheels wear out faster, but they do not make noise and reduce shaking when rolling on asphalt. The best option for a bike is rubber inflatable wheels. They provide good shock absorption and are suitable for off-road use. They also have a negative side – they can be punctured.
Wheel diameter also affects ride comfort. The larger the rear wheels, the easier it is for the child to ride on uneven asphalt, tiles, etc.
Steering wheel
Tricycles are equipped with straight handlebars and curved handlebars. A straight bar is usually found on inexpensive models, but it is not very comfortable. Therefore, it is better to choose a steering wheel with a rise – with its help, it will be easier for the child to cope with his vehicle.
Frame
The frame on a tricycle can be made of plastic, aluminum and steel. The most reliable structures are considered aluminum and steel, but steel models are much heavier than aluminum ones. Plastic frames are the lightest, but have the lowest strength. Therefore, it is best to choose aluminum structures.
Run bike
A runbike is a bicycle without pedals. Therefore, the child has to ride it, pushing off the ground with his feet. It can be used for children 2-5 years old. It is easy enough to operate, accelerates well and is suitable for driving on uneven surfaces.
Riding a balance bike teaches the child to keep balance and not to fall, so children who have successfully mastered this vehicle can change to a two-wheeled bicycle, 'bypassing' three-wheeled and four-wheeled models.
Advantages
-
Little weight.
-
The child quickly learns to balance.
-
Easy to transport by public transport.
-
High cross-country ability.
disadvantages
-
Instability. The child may fall.
-
Parents cannot control the driving speed.
What to look for when choosing a balance bike
Handlebar and saddle
Balance bikes are available with an adjustable and non-adjustable saddle and / or handlebar. Models with a non-adjustable saddle are only suitable for toddlers, but when the child grows up, he cannot use his favorite transport. The limited handlebar height also shortens the lifespan of the model. So choose balance bikes with saddle and handlebar adjustments that will grow with your baby.
Frame
Just as with tricycles, an aluminum frame is the best choice. For the smallest, plastic models are also suitable, which can be easily lifted and transported. Premium run bikes can be fitted with a carbon fiber frame. This material has high strength and reliability, it is lightweight and durable.
Weight
When choosing a balance bike, you need to take into account its weight, since the child himself will carry it over the curbs, climb the stairs, and carry it with him. Therefore, do not buy models heavier than 3 kilograms for children under 2 years old, and models heavier than 4 kilograms for 2-3 year olds.
Four-wheeled bicycles
These models are designed for children 3-7 years old. They represent a design as close as possible to two-wheeled vehicles. Bicycles have two main and two additional wheels, the latter help the child to keep balance. When the baby starts to ride confidently, the balance wheels are removed.
Such models are equipped with comfortable pedals, so a child can ride such a bike for a long time and not get tired.
Advantages
-
The kid easily learns to control the bike and keeps balance.
-
Some bikes have a removable parent handle.
-
You can adjust the height of the saddle and handlebars as your child grows up.
disadvantages
-
Big sizes. Takes up a lot of indoor space, not suitable for transportation by public transport and car.
-
Not designed for rough terrain.
Bicycles
Two-wheeled models are small replicas of adult bicycles. They are designed for schoolchildren (from 6-8 years old) who already know how to keep balance. They have a wide range of models, good shock absorption and several speeds.
Advantages
-
Good cross-country ability and maneuverability.
-
Wide range of prices.
-
Large selection of models.
disadvantages
- It is difficult for a child to learn how to ride a two-wheeled bicycle if he did not have a balance bike or four-wheel / three-wheel models before.
Tips for choosing children's bicycles
-
When buying a vehicle for a child, pay attention to the diameter of the wheels. The passability of the model will depend on it. The larger the wheel, the better the bike rides on uneven surfaces.
-
The wheels must also match the height of the young rider. For example, for babies below 98 cm, models with a wheel diameter of 12 inches or 30 cm are suitable, and for children 98-115 cm – 16 inches or 40 cm. For children under 9 years old, whose height is 115-130 cm, you should choose a diameter of 20 inches or 50 cm, and for students over 10 years old and above 130 cm – 24 inches or 61 cm.
-
For small children, choose models with a foot brake. A child under 6 years of age is unlikely to be able to use the handbrake, as its handles are still too weak.
-
Choose models equipped with a bell and reflective elements. If they don't come with your bike, buy them separately.
-
Make sure your bike (two-wheeled and four-wheeled) is equipped with a handlebar protector. It protects the child during hard braking and prevents injury from the hard steering section.
-
Choose sturdy bikes made from materials such as steel (for kids) or aluminum (for kids of all ages). Plastic models are only suitable for the smallest riders.
!
In the next article, our experts will tell you how to choose the right scooter for your child.
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
