Your child tells you they want a bike for Christmas but how do you know which bike best suits your child.
Cycle SuperStore’s gives you some useful tips on how to identify the correct size bike for your child
- The size of your child’s bike shouldn’t be purely based on their age. Even though this can help in the decision making process is shouldn’t be the deciding factor . First thing you should do is measure the height of your
child and also the child’s inseam (inside leg). Bike manufactures will have sizing charts which will help you identify a bike using your child’s height and inseam - Children’ s bikes will be categorised using their wheel size. Children’s bikes typically come in the following sizes 12″, 16″, 20″ and 24″. We also have a small range of small and x-small frames in 26″. Even though children’s bikes use wheel size to categories them, some manufactures have different frame sizes for the same wheels
- A 12″ wheel bike is a balance bikes. A balance bike or training bike does not have pedals. In the past children’s bikes were sold with stabilisers. As the child grew up, the stabiliers were removed and a child
tried to keep themselves up right. A balance bike (training bike) focuses just on balance and steering- the two hardest cycling skills to master. A 16″ may or may not come with stabiliers . The only problem with stabiliers, is that children may become too dependent on them so when they are removed they have to learn how to balance and steer all over again. A 20″ and 24″ wheel bikes are typically aimed at children from 6 or 7 years and up and will usually come with a rear mech (gears) - When your child is sitting on the bike, make sure that they are sitting on the saddle, with one foot on on the floor and one foot on the pedal at the bottom of the down stroke. Their knee should be slightly bent, exactly the same in fact as you would get on an adult bike.
- When the child is on your bike, you should also pay particular attention to the brakes so that they can reach them and pull the leavers. Also make sure that the diameter of the handle bars are correct. It will make them more confident on the bike.
Our Christmas club is now open, details of which can be found here
New for 2019, is Cycle SuperStore’s Xmas Kids Bike warehouse. For more information click here
Cycle SuperStore has Ireland’s largest selection of children’s bikes. All our children’s bikes can be viewed here. We are open seven days a week, and we are open until 9pm, Wednesday and Thursday. Our expert sales team are always on hand to answer any questions.
