How to choose a bike for a child

Children's bikes should be selected for the child's height and age. When buying, also consider the material from which the frame is made, the number of wheels, features of the braking system and depreciation. And to be sure of your choice, give preference to bicycles of famous brands.

Which bike manufacturers are better

The bicycle is the most real vehicle for the child. Therefore, it must be of high quality: with a strong case and secure fastenings, a comfortable seat and steering wheel. The child should pedal easily and maneuver on the road. These requirements correspond to the bikes of the following manufacturers:

1. Merida - the world's leading bicycle manufacturer. The company's products are of excellent build quality, thoughtful design, reliable fasteners, durable housing and durability. Merida sponsors cycling competitions, providing its products to professional cyclists.

2. Royal baby. Bicycles of this brand are in great demand among our compatriots. They pass safety tests (crash tests) before entering the market. Bicycles are strong, stable and reliable; you can safely buy them for small children.

3. Puky - a famous German brand that produces children's bikes, runbikes and scooters. Safety and reliability of products is checked in research laboratories, and Puky’s own quality standards are stricter than international ones.

4. Giant - the main competitor Merida. In the production uses its own patented technology, thanks to which bicycles become more reliable, durable and light. Giant sponsors professional cyclists and provides them with their own products.

5. Stels - Russian bicycle manufacturer. It is inferior in quality to previous brands, but is very popular in our country. Stels manufacturing facilities comply with the international quality standard system ISO 9001: 2011.

Tricycles

This is the ideal type of transport for kids from 1 to 3 years. Some models can be used for children, recently learned to sit, and for young riders who have already turned 4 years old.

Tricycles have a solid and simple design and most importantly - increased stability. On such a transport, the baby is unlikely to turn over or fall. With it, the baby will be easier to grasp the basics of cycling: he learns how 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 when the baby does not want to pedal), a luggage basket, etc. When the crumb grows up, unnecessary structural elements are removed, and the usual tricycle is obtained.

What to look for when choosing a tricycle

Seat.

If the seat is plastic, it should be rubberized insert. They are needed so that the child does not slip off its transport. Also look for springs under the seat. If you buy a bike equipped with a spring seat, 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 budget option - plastic wheels. But they go badly 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 resistance to abrasion. Wheels from PU are erased faster, but they do not emit noise and reduce shaking when rolling on asphalt. The best option for a bike are rubber inflatable wheels. They provide good cushioning and are suitable for off-road. They also have a negative side - they can be pierced.

The diameter of the wheels also affects driving comfort. The larger the rear wheels, the easier it is for the child to ride on uneven asphalt, tile, etc.

Steering wheel

Tricycles are equipped with a direct wheel and a wheel with curved handles. The straight wheel is usually installed on low-cost models, but it is not very convenient. Therefore, it is better to choose a steering wheel with a lift - with its help, the baby will be easier to handle his vehicle.

Frame

The frame on a tricycle can be plastic, aluminum and steel. Aluminum and steel constructions are considered the most reliable, but at the same time steel models are much heavier than aluminum ones. Plastic frames are the lightest, but have low strength. Therefore, it is best to choose the design of aluminum.

Runbike

Runbike - This is a bike without pedals. Therefore, the child has to ride on it, pushing off the feet from the ground. It can be used for babies 2-5 years. It is quite easy to manage, accelerates well and is suitable for driving on uneven surfaces.

Riding a telescope teaches a 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.

What to look for when choosing a fucking belt

Steering wheel and saddle

Runs come with adjustable and unregulated height of the saddle and / or steering. Models with an unregulated saddle are only suitable for babies, but when the child is growing up, he cannot use his favorite vehicle. The limited height of the steering wheel also reduces the life of the model. Therefore, choose a runbike with adjustable saddle and steering, which will grow with the baby.

Frame

As in the case of tricycles, the best option is an aluminum frame. For the smallest fit and plastic models that can be easily lifted and transported. Premium class runners can have a carbon-fiber (carbon) frame. This material has high strength and reliability, it is light and durable.

Weight

When choosing a runbike, you need to take into account its weight, since the child will carry it himself over the curbs, lift them up the stairs, carry them along.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-old kids.

Four wheel bikes

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 drive confidently, the balancing wheels are dismantled.

Such models are equipped with comfortable pedals, so a child can ride such a bike for a long time and not get tired.

Bicycles

Two-wheeled models are a small copy of adult bikes. They are designed for children of school age (from 6–8 years old) who already know how to keep balance. They have a wide range of models, good cushioning and several speeds.

Tips for choosing children's bikes

1. When buying a vehicle for a child, pay attention to the diameter of the wheels. From it will depend on the patency of the model. The bigger the wheel, the better the bike rides on uneven surfaces.

2. Wheels should also be consistent with the growth of the young rider. For example, babies below 98 cm are suitable for models whose wheel diameter is 12 inches or 30 cm, and for children of 98–115 cm - 16 inches or 40 cm. For children under 9 years old, whose height is 115–130 cm, choose 20 inches or 50 cm, and for schoolchildren over 10 years and above 130 cm - 24 inches or 61 cm.

3. For little babies, choose models with a foot brake. A child under 6 years old is unlikely to be able to use the handbrake, as his hands are still too weak.

4. Choose models equipped with a bell and reflective elements. If they do not come with the bike, buy them separately.

5. Make sure that the bicycle (two-wheeled and four-wheeled) was equipped with a protective lining on the steering wheel. It will protect the child during heavy braking and will not allow injury to the hard steering.

6. Choose durable bikes made from materials such as steel (for schoolchildren) or aluminum (for kids of all ages). Plastic models are suitable only for the smallest riders.

---

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.