| Buying bikes for children requires some amount of | | | | become redundant as the child grows. Even if your |
| awareness. Small children soon outgrow tri-cycles and | | | | child is tall, do not expect him or her to handle hand |
| it is time to hit the road for a proper bike. So, what | | | | brakes if the child is below 6 years. |
| should you keep in mind to buy a children's bike that | | | | Regardless of the size of the bike, remember that |
| is not just a pleasure to ride but is also great value | | | | you ultimately get what you pay for. If you try to |
| for your money? Read on. | | | | buy cheap bikes, you can expect a short life span, |
| Children are ready to ride a bike between the ages | | | | which is alright if that is what you want. |
| of 4 and 8. By this time, they have developed | | | | Another important tip to keep in mind while buying |
| sufficient agility, balance and coordination. However, | | | | children's bike is to avoid fads. This is particularly |
| physical skills alone are not enough. The child also | | | | difficult for parents whose children demand a |
| needs enough emotional motivation and mental | | | | particular model or make. Fads almost always |
| willingness before he or she can master the bike. | | | | disappear from the scene in a short span of time. It |
| Some children are just not ready until they are 8 or | | | | might help o remember that hot pink colors are fitted |
| 10 years old, and even then, they require quite a bit | | | | with matching dolly seats, baskets or bags so as to |
| of persuasion before they are ready to ride! | | | | distract customers from the poor quality of the bike. |
| Along with readiness and confidence, the right choice | | | | When it comes to brands, there are literally hundreds |
| of bike plays an important role. The first decision you | | | | to choose from. But, it always pays to buy from a |
| will have to take is the size of the bicycle. Unlike | | | | reputed dealer. When you buy from dealers you can't |
| bikes for adults where the size of the frame and | | | | trust, you deal with employees who cannot |
| height of the seat decides size, the size of children's | | | | distinguish between coaster brakes and hand brakes. |
| bike is determined by the diameter of the wheel. | | | | The bikes may even be assembled by employees |
| Between 5 and 8 years, a wheel size of 16 inches is | | | | who know next to nothing about bikes. Can you |
| recommended. Between 6 and 9, the wheel size | | | | leave your child's safety in the hands of an |
| required is 18 inches and so on. Expert advice is the | | | | inexperienced mechanic? |
| best way to decide the size of the bike that is | | | | When you buy children's bikes, keep in mind that |
| suitable for your child. | | | | there is no point in doling out too much money |
| Equally important is the kind of brakes used. When | | | | because children soon outgrow their bikes. Besides, |
| children are young, they are not adept at handling | | | | children's bikes are not meant to last as long as |
| hand brakes. Coaster brakes are the best. These | | | | adults' bikes. |