{"id":162678,"date":"2017-12-13T15:15:04","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T15:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=162678"},"modified":"2017-12-13T15:15:04","modified_gmt":"2017-12-13T15:15:04","slug":"ground-rules-choosing-bicycle-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2017\/12\/13\/ground-rules-choosing-bicycle-child\/","title":{"rendered":"Ground Rules of Choosing a Bicycle for Your Child"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are so many variables for all ages of bike buying. In the following paragraphs, we\u2019re going to look at how to get your kids into cycling and how to maintain the buzz into adulthood.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Their first bike should be a balance bike<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Watching my older brother and sister learning to ride, I couldn\u2019t wait to get on a bike of my own. My first bike had stabilizers. I remember my dad taking them off and, suddenly, I had to learn how to balance a bike. Today, the professional advice is that kids learn cycling quicker on balance bikes.<\/p>\n<\/lite-youtube>\n

You only need to see the amazing race<\/a>\u00a0above to realise that balance bikes also teach kids a lot about momentum, conservation of energy, and even aerodynamics. Balance bikes<\/a> are also a bucket load of fun, as this video clearly demonstrates.<\/p>\n

The 2nd bike is about cadence and comfort<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s alarming to see how fast your child zips off on their first pedal bike. If they\u2019re upgrading from a balance bike, you\u2019re going to considerably increase their speed. Choose safety and comfort<\/a> first \u2013 an upright position, flat handlebars, low frame, and slick tyres.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The lighter the better \u2013 avoid overbuilt frames that make a bike look \u201ctechy\u201d and remember that a difference of just 1 kg, for a 10kg child, is 10 % of their bodyweight. Now think of how much you pay to save 100 g in weight. Spend a little extra to be kind to your kid!<\/p>\n

Make sure the bike fits<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Get your kid the bike that fits them right now. Riding oversized bikes is dangerous for any number of reasons \u2013 but the greater sin is you\u2019ll make it difficult to ride and your kid won\u2019t enjoy it. If you want your kid to catch the bug, make sure they get an immediate reward every time they ride.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got younger kids, they\u2019ll eventually grow into that bike, and you\u2019ll only have to buy one new bike when your eldest grows out of it. Pro-tip \u2013 buy androgynous bikes that will be just as loved by your kids, regardless of their gender. Your local bike shop will help fit the right bike<\/a> for your kid.<\/p>\n

MTB, Roadie or BMX?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

My dad loved road bikes<\/a> and I couldn\u2019t wait to graduate from my BMX to my first Peugeot racer at the age of 11. But if he\u2019d loved downhill, I\u2019m pretty sure my passion would be full suspension MTBs.\u00a0 Maybe your kid is expressing an extreme passion for a bike outside your comfort zone?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The most important thing about buying a new bike is investing in something they\u2019ll want to use every day. Encourage your kid to join you on rides, on or off the tarmac, and share your passion and experience. Remember, grease is grease, whether you prefer BMX parks or forest wilderness<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are so many variables for all ages of bike buying. In the following paragraphs, we\u2019re going to look at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":162680,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[333],"tags":[1582,1581],"global-categories":[],"class_list":["post-162678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family","tag-children-bike","tag-choosing-a-bicycle-for-your-child"],"yoast_head":"\nGround Rules of Choosing a Bicycle for Your Child - \u0160koda We Love Cycling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are so many variables for all ages of bike buying. 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