A major contributor to a child's psychomotor development, cycling is a healthy, fun and recreational activity that can be enjoyed from an early age, generally from 2 or 3, depending on the child's abilities and temperament.
But when it's time to take the plunge, you're probably asking yourself a number of questions: what kind of bike will enable your child to learn quickly and well? What size of child's bike to choose? Which bike is right for him? What should you consider when buying a child's bike? Probikeshop gives you the keys to help you make your choice!
Which bike for your child?
The first stage in learning to ride a bike, apart from mastering balance, is pedaling. This requires your child's full attention.
So choose a simple modelwith a single speed and no external braking system. Depending on whether or not your child is already familiar with balancing on a draisienne, you may opt for a bike equipped with stabilizers. Don't focus on this point, however, as universal stabilizers are available separately for around 20 euros, and can be fitted to virtually any bike. try brakingwith more or less complex systems (see below) on a 12 to 14" children's bike and even more so on a 16 to 18" bike.From age 5 or 6, on a 20-inch bike (see a 24-inch bike) fitted with a transmission, you can introduce your child to all the possibilities offered by gear changes. This will enable your child to plan longer outings on more varied routes. This change of bike involves taking into account new criteria, such as the type of routes, safety, accessories and wheel size. We give you the keys to help you find the bike that's right for her.
How to choose the right bike size for your child?
Choosing the right size for a child's bike is not the same as choosing the right size for an adult's bike. For children's bikes, it's the size of the wheels that matters most. It must suit both the child's seat height and arm length. Take a look at our children's bike size chart below to find your ideal size!
The following size correspondences are given as a guide.Some dimensions may vary according to the specific geometry of the frame and the child's morphology.
Do not buy a bike that is too big in the arms or legs. thinking your child will be able to ride it longer! He won't be comfortable and won't be able to control his trajectory well enough. Choose a bike that's perfectly suited to your child's size, with saddle and handlebars that can be adjusted as your child grows. Just like adults, children will enjoy riding a bike that's perfectly adapted to their size!
Which bike to choose?
Type of bike
The type of use your child will make of his or her bike (short outings, family outings, trips to school) will largely determine the choice of bike.
For frequent use on long distanceschoose a dynamic, even sporty bike. On the other hand in the city center can be handled by bikes with a strong urban character.
While its route is made up entirely of paved roadsIf you're looking for a more dynamic ride, road bikes are the way to go. On the other hand, if your trip involves paved roads and a few off-road trails, versatile, hybrid bikes such as VTCwhich are at ease on all types of terrain, are well suited to family outings, country rides, vacations or weekends. What's more, if your route consists solely of off-road trails, the MOUNTAIN BIKES with one or two suspensions for real comfort.
Finally, and more exceptionally, some brands offer electric-assist bicycles, à disc brakes or even carbon brakesto suit your toddler's level of fitness and riding ability.
Braking and safety
Visit braking is an essential factor in enabling your young champion to ride safely. However, as mentioned above, this is not always an easy step for young cyclists to grasp.
Models designed for beginners often have only one brake. back-pedal systemsystem, which is both easy to use and safe. What's more, it's virtually maintenance-free compared to skate systems.
However, it limits the bike's use to rides on relatively flat terrain, as it is designed more for stopping the bike than for braking on descents, for example.
This is why models from 20" upwards most often offer pad brakeswith levers adapted to the smallest riders, which are easy to grip and provide gradual control, especially at the front, to avoid the wheel locking up completely and almost guaranteeing a fall.
Some models combine a front pad brake with a rear coaster brake.or even a front/rear pad brake with back-pedaling.
In addition, if your child will be riding with other road users on a daily basis, in town or out in the open country, it's essential to equip his bike with powerful, reliable safety accessories, to help him signal his presence to others.
Lights, reflectors, bellhazard spreader... All these elements should help your child to ride as safely as possible!
The transmission
This is an important element to take into account, and should be chosen according to your child's learning stage and the difficulty of the terrain. Start with a transmission with just a few gears (between 3 and 8 gears maximum), with a single chainring at the front, so that your child gradually learns to shift gears, but without getting lost.
Then, as he learns, you can opt for a more complex system with several front chainrings, offering up to 27 speeds.
It's worth noting that there are now bikes on the market with integrated gear hubs, well-suited to the flat to slightly hilly routes usually encountered in town. They require little maintenance compared with derailleur systems, which are still preferable for tackling difficult climbs, and offer the added advantage of allowing you to change gears without pedaling, and therefore at a standstill.
Frame material (aluminum or steel)
A steel frame offers great flexibility and incomparable strength, at an affordable price. Its greater elasticity than other metallic materials makes it physically accessible. However, it is excessively heavy and lacks rigidity, even though it is now possible to find top-of-the-range steel frames that are almost as stiff and light as aluminum frames.
Like steel aluminum frames have come a long way. In the past, frames made from this alloy had a reputation for being very stiff but not very comfortable, but thanks to the reduction in tube thickness, they have made great strides in weight reduction.Two main types of aluminum are used: 6061 and 7005, the former reputed to be lighter and the latter stronger.
Accessories
Aimed above all at being useful and fun, children's bikes can be fitted with basic accessories, such as a rear rack, a rear wheel clamp and a front wheel clamp. basketbasket mudguardsa standprotective covers or even removable castors (or stabilizers). Their usefulness is obvious: they make it easy to carry a backpack or small objects, and protect it from water splashes, as well as preventing your pants from getting caught in the chain.
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