How to choose a bike for children? What must be considered?

Although we know a lot about current mountain bike and road models and components, we may not have a clue where to start when choosing a bike for kids.

What must be taken into account when choosing a bicycle for children?

Age

In the case of bicycles for children, the size of the wheel is essential and will be in relation to the age of the child. As a general rule, bicycles with 12 "wheels are for children from 2 to 4 years old, 14" bicycles for 3 to 5 years, 1 6 "for 4 to 6 years, 18" for 5 to 7 years, those of 20 "from 6 to 10 years old, those of 24" from 9 to 12 years old and those of 26 "from 12 years old onwards.

Size

Directly with the previous point, the size is totally related. In the common imagination there is the idea that when a bicycle is bought for a child, it has to be larger than it should be so that it lasts longer.

This is correct because children tend to grow quickly, but beware, some grow faster than others and this can only be assessed by their parents or close relatives. It is a bad idea to buy a large bicycle for a child and that he is not comfortable until at least two years have passed.

There is so much variety of cheap non-pedal bikes on the market today for kids of all ages that it's not crazy to buy them a new bike every time they outgrow it. You may want to take a look on some images of the bikes through Stead Cycles Instagram.

With pedals or without pedals?

A few years ago, bicycles without pedals became popular, they are designed for children from 2 to 4 years old and allow the child to become familiar with the bike and to acquire the necessary balance without the need to put additional wheels.

Component quality

What differentiates the bicycles that can be bought in toy stores from those that can be purchased in specialized stores is the quality of the components, mainly wheels and bearings.

With toy bikes the child will have a more "clumsy" experience on the bike since sometimes they usually mount plastic wheels without bearings that make it very difficult to roll with them.

Security

Normally the environment in which children have their first experiences on a bike is usually quite safe, but even so, you must try to instill certain recommendations in children.

For example, it will be essential that every time the child gets on the bike they do so with a helmet. Another important passive safety element is the chain cover -if you have it-, since when you put it on we will prevent the child's clothing from getting tangled up with the transmission and causing an accident.You may also like to read the importance of a bike helmet.

In general, we recommend that for children from 2 to 4 years old you choose a bicycle without pedals, the one that the child likes the most. And from 4 years old, if it already handles well, choose bikes with pedals and chain.

At Stead Cycles, we have several brands of children's bikes

Head over to our bike shop in Maitland, or visit our online store, we have the full range of bicycles for children of all ages and types, ready to make the smallest cyclists in the family and enjoy.

If you have any questions or need detailed information about any of the types of bike models for children, do not hesitate to contact us in Facebook or in our site.

In addition, we have financing without interest throughout the year, so there is no excuse!