{"id":164468,"date":"2018-05-07T08:15:11","date_gmt":"2018-05-07T08:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=164468"},"modified":"2018-05-07T08:15:11","modified_gmt":"2018-05-07T08:15:11","slug":"best-childrens-bikes-of-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2018\/05\/07\/best-childrens-bikes-of-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Children\u2019s Bikes of 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kids have high cadence, light bodies and energy to burn \u2013 no wonder they fall in love with cycling.\u00a0\u00a0The best way to keep them active?\u00a0\u00a0New bike…<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Nicko Blue Stripe Wooden Balance Bike – \u00a334.99<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The first skill your child needs to learn is balance, so avoid anything that comes with stabilisers \u2013 or remove them yourself.\u00a0\u00a0A balance bike\u00a0needn\u2019t be expensive<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 it doesn\u2019t come with pedals.\u00a0\u00a0At first, your child will simply use it as a walker.<\/p>\n

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But your child\u2019s brain will quickly recalibrate and their walk will become a run, then running turns into coasting.\u00a0\u00a0Great job \u2013 your child now knows how to balance on a bike.\u00a0\u00a0The only thing stopping your child going faster is the lack of pedals and a gear ratio.\u00a0\u00a0What next?\u00a0\u00a0New bike.<\/p>\n

Blank Buddy 16\u201d BMX – \u00a3231.99<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At the time of writing, this bike is\u00a0competitively priced<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 but if you\u2019re hesitating, remember that if you have more than one kid, your second will inherit this bike.\u00a0\u00a0Two for the price of one. The Buddy offers two key features your child will grow into – brakes and pedals.<\/p>\n

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The low BMX gear ratio means quick acceleration but low top speed.\u00a0\u00a0Getting up to speed quickly will help with balance and a low top speed means learning to brake is safer.\u00a0\u00a0The Buddy will give them ample opportunity to explore tarmac and dirt but inevitably they\u2019ll want to keep up with you.<\/p>\n

Canyon Offspring AL 20\u201d – \u00a3429<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is such a\u00a0beautiful bike<\/a>\u00a0to look at you know your kid will fall in love with it and want to be seen on it\u2026 forever.\u00a0\u00a0More importantly, the light aluminium frame and uncomplicated SRAM 9-speed rear cassette will make them want to ride it every day.<\/p>\n

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Other components include SRAM brakes and derailleurs, with Canyon\u2019s own shifters and cranks.\u00a0\u00a0You soon realise that the pricing is very fair especially given the mileage your child will get out of this very well-designed machine.<\/p>\n

Frog Track 70 – \u00a3300<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Those in the know buy Frogs.\u00a0\u00a0Last year we recommended the road equivalent of this bike which comes with gears, but there\u2019s been something of a renaissance in track cycling, and it may be something you consider introducing your child to.<\/p>\n

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In fixie mode, the Track 70 will teach your kid a lot about both starting and stopping power, as well as conservation of energy.\u00a0\u00a0Flip-flop hubs mean you can switch the Track 70 between freewheel and fixie, and Frog design\u00a0bikes with a child\u2019s body geometry in mind<\/a>\u00a0– this is a very light bike.<\/p>\n

WORX JA-700 PRO – \u00a3845<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve included the JA-700 PRO because it\u2019s nice to know there are manufacturers who take young talent seriously.\u00a0\u00a0And if your kid is displaying talent on the road, or wants to try cyclocross, the\u00a0JA-700 PRO<\/a>\u00a0will satisfy their hunger for speed.\u00a0\u00a0With a carbon fork and an option to pay extra for lighter wheels, WORX clearly have no interest in patronising the young rider.<\/p>\n