What to Look for When Purchasing Your Kid’s First Bike
Considering a bicycle for your child ages 2-4? Many parents feel the urge to get their child started on a bicycle at an early age, but there can be some pitfalls. Most 12" bikes found in department stores are too heavy for kids this young and the seat height is too high. As an example, the Spiderman 12" bike found at major retailers weighs in at 21 lbs. Can you imagine trying to learn to ride bike for the first time on a bike that weighed half as much as you do? You'd need Spidey strength to be able to ride it. There is an alternative. Balance bikes are designed specifically to teach younger children how to ride in a way that's safe, fun and accelerates the learning process, but there are some things to consider before purchasing.
The single most important element to choosing the right bike for your child is seat height. Meaure your child's inseam and then choose a bike that has a seat height that's about 1 to 1.5 inches lower than the inseam measurement. That will ensure that your boy or girl has some clearance room to mount and exit the bike and make it easier for a child to stop and control the bike.
Balance bikes come in either wood or metal. The bikes made from wood are more popular in Europe than the U.S. and are perceived by kids as "toys." That can be good as it encourages experimentation and reduces fear for some children. For durability, the metal bikes are a better option. The bikes are manufactured using either steel or aluminum alloys and vary in weight. Steel frame bikes tend to be heavier and sturdier and will support more weight. The aluminum bikes are lightweight, but generally won't support children weighing more than 65 lbs. For very young riders in the 18 month to 2-year range, the lighter the bike the better. For older children, consider the weight limit.
Most bikes have either standard air times or puncture-proof tires made out of EVA foam. Puncture-proof may sound great and the fact that they never need air is certainly a draw, but these tires tend to offer less traction than an inflated tire. They're suitable on bikes for smaller kids and extremely durrable, but if your child is older, you may want to look for a bike with tires that inflate for the extra traction they provide.
Brakes might seem like an important feature on a bike, but when it comes to balance bikes most kids will be using their feet to stop. The handbrakes fitted on these bikes are more for show than anything else though they do get kids used to the idea of riding while holding the brake. While the handbrakes do work, we find that most kids don't have the hand strength to operate them.
A bit of controversy surrounds turn limiters, a feature designed to reduce the steering range on the bike. Those that like them believe the limiters can prevent accidents by keeping kids from making overly sharp turns. Others believe the limiters can prevent a child's ability to fully maneuver the bike and may do more harm than good. Valid points from both sides. In our experience, the limiters don't have a dramatic effect and shouldn't be factored much into a parent's buying decision.
There are some balance bikes that feature a footrest. The KaZam bike has a central footrest built into the frame. The Strider preBike has a small area on the frame just to the rear of the seat where kids can plant their feet when coasting. The Mini Glider from Glide Bikes features integated foot pegs for kids to rest their feet. While the foot rest might be advantageous for kids who ride in areas with hills, they are not a major benefit. Most of the time kids will be using their feet to propel themselves on the bike. Younger kids may find that they are a distraction and get in the way of a clean path of motion for their feet. Footrests are not a required feature.
When making your decision about which bike is right for your child put the focus on the essentials first. Make sure that the balance bike you're purchasing is low enough for them to straddle with their feet on the ground. Then think about the weight of the bike and decide which is best for your son or daughter. Kids 3 and under should have a bike under 10 lbs. and preferably around 7 lbs. Older kids may exceed the weight limit for smaller bikes so make sure the bike you select for your school age child will support their weight. Beyond that, the choices are less important and based on what you think your child will enjoy most.
Remember that seat height and bike weight are two important factors when selecting a balance bike. One of the lighter bikes on the market is the Mini Glider balance bike for Glide Bike which weighs just 8 lbs.