It is impossible to imagine childhood without a bicycle. It's the same as soy chocolate or a pie without filling! Something is clearly missing! A bicycle for young children is not only a tool for physical development, because healthy kids will not be able to sit still. It is also a means of socialization - one of the ways to interact with peers. Children are not familiar with socializing - they play, and always in earnest!
There are hundreds of brands and thousands of varieties of bicycles. How to choose a children's vehicle? How much does a bike cost? What characteristics should it meet? Learn from this article!
Why do I need a children's bike?
A 3-wheeled bicycle is always a welcome gift for any kid, because on it you can go around all sorts of obstacles, brake and steer. And how fast you can accelerate! Skating in the park, in the country or in the yard is exciting, fun and interesting, and also contributes to the development of a sense of balance and dexterity. Bicycles from 3 years old (with a handle, of course) will teach your baby to steer independently. In addition, a children's vehicle can be equipped with a toy basket, wings and side wheels.
Bicycle models for children: how to choose?
The bike grows with the baby. The younger the child, the lighter and smaller his vehicle will be. For example, children's bicycles from 3 years old have wheels with a diameter of 16 inches or more. As a baby grows up, his vehicle also becomes larger, faster and more beautiful. So, the bike for teenagers will already be with 24-inch wheels.
Bike classification
Children's vehicles are classified by the growth of their rider. The best bikes for children are those that suit their riders in height and physical condition. The vehicle for children from one and a half to three years has a wheel diameter of 12 inches and is designed to grow up to 98 centimeters. Children's bicycles from 3 years to 5 are vehicles with 16-inch wheels, and it is suitable for children whose height does not exceed 115 cm. In addition, they can be equipped with many additional accessories. The 3-wheeled bicycle with fixed wheels is designed for children under 5 years old.
Vehicles for riders 5-9 years old with a height of not more than 130 cm have a wheel diameter of 20 inches. For children whose height has exceeded the mark of 130 centimeters, bicycles with wheels 24 inches in diameter are provided. If the child is higher than 135 cm, then it is already quite possible to purchase a vehicle with wheels with a diameter of 26 inches for him.
Criteria for choosing a children's bike
The main criterion for choosing a children's vehicle is compliance with the child’s height and physical characteristics at the moment, taking into account various adjustments to the bicycle mechanism, for example, steering wheel height, saddle and other things. Bicycles for children from 3 years old are not purchased for growth! Kids simply will not be able to ride them comfortably.
The kid, riding a bicycle, should feel comfortable. That is, it’s easy to get off and climb onto your vehicle. This is especially important - at the initial stage of teaching a child to keep balance in the process of movement.
The following is a list of tips and tricks for choosing a bike.
Vehicle height
Children's bicycles for children from 3 years and older are selected as follows. For the correct selection of a children's vehicle, it is necessary to put the child on a flat surface. Place the bike between the legs of the baby. Between the frame of the transport and the crotch should remain free space - about 5-10 centimeters. This characteristic of a children's bike will allow the baby to jump from it if an emergency occurs.
Pay attention to the presence or absence of adjustments
As already mentioned, children's bicycles from 3 years old should correspond to the growth of the baby. And if the vehicle is adjustable?
When choosing a children's bike, pay attention to the presence or absence of the ability to adjust the height of the seat and handlebars. It may happen that the baby grows up, and the transport, purchased recently, will become too small for him. And adjustments will make children's bicycles from 3 years old as comfortable and safe as possible.
The seat should be adjustable in height: so, during the ride, the baby should calmly reach the pedal with his foot, even if it is in the lower position. In this case, one leg of the rider should be in a fully straightened position. If this does not happen, then the saddle must be raised or lowered. In the event that the seat does not lower further, and the seatpost rises above the clip, it must be shortened. This is quickly and easily done in any bicycle workshop.
Also pay attention to the ability to adjust the steering wheel. It is necessary to raise it higher if you see that the rider is sitting on a bicycle, bending strongly. It is also necessary to adjust the height of the steering wheel and the seat if the baby hits the steering wheel with his knees.
Steering wheel limiter
The steering wheel of a children's vehicle must be equipped with a special limiter, which will not allow it to rotate around its axis. Otherwise, during a sharp turn, the baby may pinch his foot with a frame or wheel. Why does he need extra injuries?
Circuit protection
Children's bike should be as safe as possible. Therefore, the chain on the vehicle of the baby should be closed with special protection. If it is, then the trouser leg or other part of the clothing will no longer fall into the chain.
Brake
Each bike for children under 7 years old must be equipped with a high-quality foot brake. It works when pedaling in the opposite direction.
Hand brakes are not recommended for this age category, because if you need to urgently stop, the baby, confused, will not be able to properly apply the hand brake.
Weight and convenience
Not you have to carry a bike, but your child. Therefore, a children's vehicle should be comfortable and light.
The weight of the bike is summed up from the weight of each part and additional accessories that are installed on it. The material of the frame plays an important role in this matter: it can be made of aluminum or steel. Aluminum is much lighter than steel. The steering wheel, wheels and pedals also affect weight.
Children's vehicle shape
There are three most common forms of frames: classic, u-shaped and a bicycle with a "half frame" (or "frame for girls"). Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Bike brand
How much does a bike cost? From a quality manufacturer, they cost from 5000 rubles.
Of course, a well-known brand bike will cost more, but you will get not only a bright design, but also reliable wheels, hubs and other details. The quality of transport directly depends on such characteristics as the severity of pedaling, durability and weight. Choose bikes of brands that have proven themselves in the market: Trek, Giant, Jamis, Rock Machine, Author, GT, Gary Fisher, Norco, Kona, Merida.
Buy a child’s vehicle only in a socialized store
Bicycles that are sold in the market or on the street, in most cases do not meet any, even the lowest standards. Whereas the transport purchased in the store will have a guarantee that it will not break in a couple of days, and will also provide itself with the right to warranty repairs and maintenance.
Security
Make sure that while riding a bicycle, the child is protected. Get at least a bicycle helmet for a child’s vehicle . And if possible, elbow pieces and knee pads.
Accessories
For a children's vehicle, you can purchase additional accessories. For example, wings will protect clothing and shoes from dirt that flies from under the wheels. Given the weather of the northwestern region, all bicycles should be equipped with wings. In addition to them, be sure to buy reflectors and headlights.
If the baby is going to walk for a long time, then he may need a basket in which you can put a toy or a bottle of water. A water stand can also be purchased separately.
Consult a child
Remember that you get a bike for your baby, so it would not be superfluous to be guided by his opinion. This child will ride it, so it is extremely important that the vehicle is to his taste not only in terms of characteristics, but also from an aesthetic point of view.
Try to find a compromise between your choice and the opinion of the baby - then the purchase will succeed! Remember that bicycles for children are divided into “for girls” and “for boys”. But in children's models, the differences remain only in the color scheme.
Teach your child to fall correctly!
The ability to fall correctly for a novice racer is simply necessary. Consider all possible situations in order to demonstrate to the baby how to group correctly during a fall on a stationary children's vehicle. To prevent serious injuries, it is better to purchase protective equipment: a helmet, elbow pieces and knee pads. In addition, if the child is not yet able to balance on a two-wheeled bicycle, then additional wheels should be purchased for him.