Making the Right Choice for Your Child’s First Bike
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011The first consideration a parent should make when selecting a bicycle for their youngster is what bicycle is best suited for learning to ride a bike. Most parents a bike with training wheels or maybe a tricycle. A trike seems safe, but a child won’t learn to balance on it and it’s actually prone to tipping over. The bike with training wheels may seem like a better option, but it’s nearly impossible for a little guy or girl to control them. There are options for parents who want to give their child the best opportunity to learn to ride a bike early.
Mothers and fathers looking for a bike for their toddler need to look into a revolutionary product known as a toddler bike or balance bike. These bicycles don’t have pedals, chains or sprockets. The riders operate the balance bike with their feet. While they are designed for small riders these bikes still differ in size, so parents need to consider the following things before they make their final decision.
1. The most important measurement to make when sizing a bike is the child’s inseam. Most sites that sell bikes online have a sizing chart. The right size bike will have a seat height that can be set to 1″ lower than the child’s inseam.Find another article here: Garden Furniture Is Important For All Gardens
2. Its good to factor in the material from which the bike is made. Balance bikes come in wooden versions and metal/aluminum framed models. Some children may enjoy the fact that a wooden bike looks like a toy. The metal and aluminum alloy bikes are stronger and have a greater range of adjustment available as a child grows.
3. A balance bike’s weight is another important aspect to match the right bike to a child. Thankfully, most balance bikes are 10 lbs lighter than the weight of a standard 12″ bicycle. Still, some balance bikes are in a class of ultra-light bikes and even easier to maneuver. Think ultra-light for very young riders two and under.
4. What the tires are made of is another part of the decision process. The vast majority of toddler bikes have either air tires or foam tires. Tires pumped up with air boast better grip and traction, but the tires made from EVA foam won’t go flat making them very convenient.
5. Cost is certainly another factor to guide your decision. A toddler bike is a well-engineered product that will cost a little more than a bike from a department store or sports outlet. Many retail for between $100 and $150. Those prices may come as a surprise to some, but it really is an investment in your child’s future. A child who learns on a balance bike picks up the skills needed naturally in a way that’s fun and safer than training wheels.
Some criticize balance bikes because they argue that kids learn to balance so quickly, the bike without pedals becomes obsolete. Despite the fact that toddler bike riders are ready for a bike with pedals earlier than most children, the majority of riders don’t abandon the balance bike quickly. They love these bikes designed to go on road or off and continue to use them even after the pedal bike has become part of their lives.
For more information on on choosing a balance bike, check out these balance bike reviews. If your child is under the age of three, consider a strider balance bike or the Mini Glider from Glide Bike.
