Choosing the Right Bike

If you ride a bike or want to learn, it’s important to find the right one for you or whoever it is that is that you are buying it for.  Here are some things to consider when choosing the right one the right one for your kids.

What type do you want?

There are lots different bikes out there on the market, from starter bikes, to tricycles, rocker bikes and many more. The type of bike that you buy will depend on what you are going to use it for. When they start out, you may want to try them on a three-wheeled tricycle, and then move them up to a two-wheeled bike with stabilisers. You could also buy a balance bike for young children that do not come with pedals just to get them used to sitting on a bike and learning to steer.

What size should I get?

If you can, let them try a few bikes out first to see which ones fit them most comfortably so they will get the ones that give them the most confident ride. Also try and get them one that will be lightweight enough for them to move easily.

Make sure that they can also reach the handle bars easily without having to stretch too far, that they can touch the floor with their feet flat, and that they have enough clearance between their body and the top tube. Get them one that they can straddle easily enough to still gives them lots of room to grow into it. Maybe look for one with adjustable seating too.

As they cycle try and give them room to make as big a leg movement as possible without their knee locking straight.

Let them be involved

If possible try and let your child be involved in the decision of which bike to buy. While you will need to be the one who worries about the size, how long it will last and the practical things, your child will probably want to choose the colour and look of the bike that you buy so that it reflects their personality and tastes.

Also let them be involved in choosing the safety gear that you buy them and make it something that they will want to wear because they like it, not just because they have to.

In association with Skate Hut