In tough economic times, even parents who are into cycling may be tempted to forego getting their children bikes. After all, they will soon outgrow it or worse still lose interest in the bike. It’s not the first time he/she has lost interest in something that you had sacrifice and spent your hard earned money on.
But be it as it may, let’s take the cup as half full. There is a limited opportunity for you to start your loved ones on cycling. Kids grow up so fast. If you want to at least have fun times and create memories, you must seize the moment while you can. Getting the best bike for kids is the first step to a lifetime of indelible memories. Easy right? Well not quite. Choosing the best in the sea of bikes in the market is a process and it can be tedious if you do not have the right information to go.
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Choosing the best bike for kids is not like choosing a bike for an adult. An adult knows what they want to use the bike for and are able to get the best-suited bike for their needs. Kids aside from having fun, do not have any specific use for bikes. They will most likely use the bike for virtually everything. They will ride their bikes on all terrains without a care in the world. Choosing a versatile bike will as such most definitely work to your advantage. The color is also one big deal, especially with teens. In fact, they tend to be more concerned about the appearance of the bike than the gears or brakes even. But even as you work to get all of these things right, you should ensure you get the weight of the bike just right.
The golden rule of thumb
You might decide to ignore everything else in this article but the one thing that you should follow to the letter is getting the right size for your bike. It is best that your child progresses in stages than leaving him/her to grow into a big bike that they can barely pedal on at the moment. But bikes are expensive, why would I take myself through the hassle of getting a new bike every now and then? Well, sure, times are tough. But despite them being tough, there is a ready market for second-hand bikes. You could choose to sell the outgrown bike or pass it down to younger siblings.
Riding a bike that is bigger than you is the most frustrating thing there is. Not being able to reach the pedals, touch the ground or sit comfortably on the seat is not fun. And not only is it tasking and unnerving, it can be very dangerous. Crashing is frequent and will eventually put you off. Now kids are very resilient, but they too have a threshold which when crossed they give in.
Now, the best bikes for kids are grouped in terms of ages. There are those designed for preschoolers, those between ages 4 and 6 years, ages 6 to 10 years, and 9-12 years. Kids older than this will be put on smaller adult bikes. But regardless of the age group your child falls under, there are still some constant factors that you need to put into consideration if you are to get the best there is in the market. Below are those factors.
Weight
Fun is great. Everyone wants to have the time of their life. To forget everything else and just live in the moment, feeling the ground vibrate under them and the wind blows against their face. But many people are ignorant of the factors that affect the fun they have. When riding, one such determinant for fun is the weight. The weight of the bike you choose for your kid will affect the maneuverability and ultimately the fun that they have. Children are weaker, lighter and definitely smaller than adults. Saving a kilo from a kid’s bike is equivalent to saving 2.5 kilos from an adult’s bike.
Wheels and brakes
Big wheels are not ideal for small riders. While they will roll over curbs and bumps with great ease, they are heavier and s such have greater inertia which makes steering a little bit difficult. When the wheels are large, there are higher chances that the reach to the bars will be longer too since the front axle distance will be larger. Consider all these factors and it will dawn on you that a slightly large bike can be most difficult to control safely.
Brake levers however rarely need any scaling down since there is still the option of two finger levers designed for adults. They, however, must be within comfortable reach. If they are not at the time of purchase, don’t worry, you can always adjust them.
Reach
This measurement does not scale down as you would expect in children’s bikes. Especially very young kids. Most kids are more than happy to ride in an upright position than adults are. As such, the bars need to be higher and closer. For this, BMX bars tend to be perfectly coupled with smaller wheels.
Suspension forks
For kids, the air sprung forks are divine. Not only can they be easily adjusted to fit any kid’s weight, they are very light. How is their weight relevant you might wonder? Well, the weight of the springs will affect their rigidity. Heavy springs are more rigid and tend to transfer the shock directly from the ground absorbing only a little bit of it. But if you are to choose between bad and rigid suspensions, rigid suspensions are better.
Crank size
The recommended crank size for kids’ bikes is a tenth of their entire height. However, as you will soon discover, many manufacturers today design bike with longer cranks which may cause the bicycle to be grounded. So before you commit to the purchase, be sure to check carefully.
Chain guards for safety
Kids are genuinely curious people. So much so that at times they venture into different and dangerous situations as their curiosity leads them. It is not a wonder to see a kid sticking his/her finger in the chain to see what will happen and how it feels. Needless to say, this is a disaster waiting to happen. For older kids who are strong enough to keep their curiosity at bay, this might not be a problem. However, they still are not safe with an exposed chain since their long pants or shoe laces may get caught in the chains causing a thunderous fall. Chain guards are most important and help to prevent the above-mentioned accidents and much more.
Budget
Truth be told, you will always get what you pay for. The most expensive bike sin the market will most often than not be better in performance than cheap bikes. But given the tough financial times, so long as a bike is safe and meets the needs of your child, it is great for purchase. Affordable bikes are available everywhere you look. You just have to be patient enough in your search. Consider the features and determine what you can forgo and what you cannot compromise on. However, when it comes to safety, go for the very best.
Four Great Kids Bikes We Reviewed
USA Woom 3 Bicycle
This is one bike that has a lot going on for it. Among its selling points is the fact that it is a quality bike, sturdy and lightweight. All qualities that you want your kid’s bike to have. You probably are wondering how in the world it is able to achieve these qualities right? Well, its sturdiness is as a result of the aluminum frame that has been used to design it. Aluminum is one of the lightest metals there is. It is not only strong but also light. It is able to provide great support without weighing heavily on the child. Pushing the bike uphill is an easy task for a child whose muscles are not well defined yet.
It features 26-inch wheels that provide a smooth for a smooth ride even when on a bumpy road. They are much better than the 24 inch wheeled bikes in their category. Its design is great and very appealing. It’s perfect for off road use. Speaking of wheels, the rims are made from aluminum while the spokes are made from steel. What a perfect combination.
Its engineering is in such a way that the steering and balancing are perfectly simple and easy for kids that are aged between ages 4 and 6 years. The ahead bearing and the handlebar is made from a heavy alloy to provide a lower center of gravity, adjustability, and flexibility.
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Schwinn girls jasmine bike
When it comes to safety, Schwinn bikes are at the top of the list leading the pack. The Jasmine bike features a very secure and efficient braking system consisting of a front, rear and coaster brakes. Speaking of which, in the event you ever need to replace the brake pads, they are readily available and inexpensive. They are also low which makes them perfect for young kids starting their journey in riding.
It is a bike designed for girls and has the color and design to go with it. The color on the rims and the overall frame color blend in perfectly and scream girl. And the best part is that they come in varying colors to meet your child’s preference.
Its wheels are wide providing perfect stability when starting and when learning how to balance. To compliment these, the bike features heavy-duty training wheels. With these, your child will not topple over as they are learning how to balance. They also will be able to learn how to ride a bike on his/her own.
On its chain, it features a chain guard. Schwinn developers realize that kids are curious and since their curiosity is their best way of learning, they allow their curiosity to occur in a safe environment. With the chain guard, your child will not be able to stick fingers between the gears and the chain – direct contact is barred.
Many of those who have purchased this product in the past have nothing but praises for it – especially when it comes to durability and assembly. Speaking of which, you do not need to be an expert in bikes to put it together. All you need is to be good with your hands – great hand-eye coordination (which you have) is all that is needed. The manual provided will guide you through the entire assembly process.
It is durable since its frame is made from a heavy metal.
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Roadmaster Granite Peak Boys Mountain bike
For your 12-year-old, this could make the perfect gift for that special occasion. It is a great yet affordable model, a very rare combination to find. It features a 24-inch frame and is made of durable components. It is rugged and perfect for boys looking go up mountain sides. Its suspension forks are out of this world. They work extra hard to provide a smooth ride on a very rough and rock-filled terrain.
For speed, they feature 18 speeds Equipment from the all mighty Shimano. The SRAM drive shifters complement the suspension forks in providing a smooth ride. The brakes, both rear, and front, are linear, solid and efficient in bringing the bike to a halt.
The mountain tires are thick and knobby and mounted on strong alloy wheels. The seat is padded and easily adjustable to the perfect height. Seating on it, your kid could ride for long hours without getting sore.
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Razor High roller BMX
Razor is one of the bike companies in the market that has a reputation that precedes itself. Ask anyone of it, even those who do not know much about bikes and they will surely know about it. They have been in the business for quite some time and have honed their skill over time. Razor is one of those companies that you could very well choose a bike, any bike, blindfolded and you are sure you will get the one of the best in the market. But this is not to say that you should pick it out blindly. Here is why it is so popular.
The High Roller BMX is inexpensive and comes with a solkd frame made from steel. It’s carved into a design that is appealing to the eye and that every kid will fall for. Its breaks are reliable and it features a quick release seat. Since it is a BMX, this is an important feature to have. The wheels measure 20 inches. The front wheel features pegs to help in stunts. It can handle intense pressure and usage courtesy of its steel frame and alloy rims. Before you go back to the shop for another bike, this one will have taken a beating and served its master (your kid) faithfully.
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Conclusion
When you are out making a purchase, ensure that you get a bike that is well within your budget. In your search, and even as you follow the above guide, you will notice that there are very few bikes that will meet the criteria of perfect, as a matter of fact, there is no such thing as perfect bikes. All you need to do is get one that best suits the needs of your child. With, this guide and inquiry from your young one, you will be able to make this decision.
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