How to Buy a Child's Bike

If you have a kid, you probably want him (or her) to be able to ride a bike. This is really one of the basic skills, is universal, and almost everyone is able to do it. Learning to ride a bike is also a great confidence booster and gives a kid a feeling of accomplishment. What is the best child's bike to buy?

As with every other kind of bike, there is no one right choice for everyone. Some factors that apply to every bike can help you to make a good choice, size, safety, and price.

Getting the right size is very important and can be tricky. When a child is growing quite fast they can easily outgrow a bike quickly. It may seem like a smart thing to do to choose a bike that he can grow into, but this can compromise safety. A bike that is too big can mean that it is hard to control and reach the pedals for acceleration and braking. A bike that is too small can also be hard to steer and be uncomfortable to pedal, which is likely to be discouraging. So one bike may only get a few years of use before it is too small.

A child's bike size goes by the tire size. Basic tire sizes with ages are: 12 inch for ages 3-5, 16 inch for ages 4-6, 20 inch for ages 5-8, 24 inch for 7 and up. Make sure that your child is able to get on and sit on the seat comfortably. When the bike slows down will they be able to put their feet on the ground easily?

Safety of course is the number one concern. Does the bike have chain guards? If the bike is used, does it have modifications or are parts worn? Be sure that if there is a crach (they do happen), there is nothing can stab or cut, such as the handlebars, exposed bolts, or levers. Coaster brakes are best for new riders until they have better coordination and have the hand strength to operate hand brakes.

How much are you going to have to spend? Used bikes are often just as good as new if they have been taken care of. Children's bikes also tend to be heavier and should take the abuse that they will get. New bikes are nice because they need less maintenance and you can pretty much be assured that everything is going to hang together.