We all remember getting our first bike and it’s a vital moment in life as far as we are concerned. Selecting the right bike for a child is a crucial decision that involves a combination of safety, size, and functionality considerations. At Certini we help parents make informed choices for their little riders to ensure they are safe and have as much fun as possible. In this guide, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when choosing a kids’ bike.
Size
One of the most critical aspects of choosing a kids’ bike is getting the right size. Children’s bikes are typically categorized by wheel size, ranging from 12 inches for the youngest riders to 24 inches for pre-teens. Of course you want to squeeze them on to as big a bike as possible to make it last, but going too big will make them unstable and they’ll loose confidence. Being able to reach all the controls easily, plus touch the floor comfortably will inspire your child to ride as much as they can. Measure your child’s inseam and refer to the manufacturer’s size guide to find the suitable bike size or come in to one of our stores armed with that measurement and we can guide you to the correct size bike.
Components
On the smaller 12 and 16 in bikes they tend to have basic brakes and no gears, this keeps things simple so they can focus on staying upright, but once you get to 20inch, you often have get the option of gears. Although not suitable for all kids, once they become a more competent rider, having gears will broaden the terrain they can tackle and give them the skills they need later in their cycling life. Suspension and disc brakes also become options and again allow more off road competence for your little adventurer.
Brand
Our most popular ranges come Specialized with their Hotwalk, Hotrock and Riprock bikes, which cover from 12inch balance bike all the way up to trail munching 24 inch.
Frog is focused exclusively on kids’ bikes, so you can expect nothing but the best quality and choice for children!
Cube’s Cubie, Acid , Reaction and even an all-out full suspension 24 bring grown up bikes to smaller sizes.
Prevelo Alpha range pride themselves on lightweight and the Zulu’s are aimed at the knarlier little trail rider.
Colour
It doesn’t matter your age, your bike has to look good and be the right colour. We would hope you can find the right colour in the wide range held at Certini. If you can’t find what you are after on our website, please do get in touch as we have more options that we don’t show.
Choosing the perfect kids’ bike involves a thoughtful consideration of all the above. By prioritizing these factors, you can provide your child with a bike that not only aligns with their preferences but also promotes a safe and enjoyable riding experience, setting the foundation for a lifelong love of cycling.