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La véloscénie Child, the purchase of a first bike: what to take into account?
Publié le : 11/16/2023 18:01:33
Catégories : Choose and maintain your bike
Learning to ride a bike is often a major step in a child’s life. However, it is crucial to take into account certain criteria when buying the bike so that it fully corresponds to the needs of the child. Here are some tips that we hope will help you in your reflection.
- Child's age :
The bike must be adapted to the child’s age and abilities.
For a 2-year-old, the balance bike will allow him to learn how to balance, develop his motor coordination, understand how the bike works easily and move forward with his feet. There are even 3-wheel bikes that provide more stability and can be used from a year and a half.
From the age of 3, the child can start pedaling with stabilizers with a bike that will be adapted to his morphology, then part of it around 4 to 5 years. Afterwards, depending on the size and age of the child, you can find a bike adapted to his needs and use.
- The child's size :
Sometimes parents buy a bike a little big for their child because being in full growth, they want the bike to serve as long as possible to make their purchase profitable. Be careful though; a bike that is too large and therefore unsuitable, can compromise the child’s control over the bike and will not necessarily give him a sense of security. Learning can then be more complicated because of a bike less pleasant to use.
Therefore, we find it more interesting to opt for a bike with an adjustable saddle and handlebar. The child will need several bikes before accessing an adult model. Conversely, a bike that is too small could discourage the child, because he will feel that he is not progressing.
In any case, the purchase of a bike represents a certain investment, but it can also be easily resold second-hand if necessary, allowing you to change and switch to a model adapted to the current size of the child.
The choice of the size of the bike should be determined according to the size of the child. The latter is calculated according to the size of the wheels in inches and actually corresponds to their diameter.
Bike sizes typically range from 10 to 24 inches :
Child’s age | Child’s height - cm | Corresponding wheel diameter |
1 and a half to 2 years | Between 80- 100 | 10 inch or 12 inch |
From 2 to 4 years | Between 90 - 100 | 12 ou 14 inch |
From 4 to 5 years | Between 105 - 115 | 16 inch |
From 5 to 6 years | Between 115 - 125 | 18 inch |
From 6 to 8 years | Between 125 - 130 | 20 inch |
From 8 to 10 years | Between 130 et 145 | 24 inch |
From 10 years and more | More than 145 | 26 inch |
This table allows you to have indications that can guide you on the size of the bike to choose. The ideal is to make the child try the bike and make sure that he can sit on the saddle, while having both feet flat on the floor. Being able to easily put both feet on the ground will allow him to avoid falls as much as possible and will reassure the child.
If your child cannot be present when buying the bike, we advise you to measure the inside of his leg, from the foot to the upper thigh, and refer to the measurements below to determine the size of the bike you will need.
Child’s age | The size of the child’s leg - cm | Corresponding wheel diameter |
|---|---|---|
1 and a half to 2 years | Between 25 - 35 | 10 inch or 12 inch |
From 2 to 4 years | Between 35 - 43 | 12 inch |
From 4 to 5 years | Between 40 - 50 | 14 inch |
From 5 to 6 years | Between 45- 55 | 16 inch |
From 6 to 8 years | Between 55 - 63 | 20 inch |
From 8 to 10 years | Between 63 - 70 | 24 inch |
From 10 years and more | More than 70 | 26 inch |
- The weight and material of the bike:
The weight of the bike is also one of the criteria to take into account : the lighter the bike, the more the child will manage to handle and control it. Choose a bike that is both strong and light with materials such as aluminum or steel.
- The shape of the bicycle frame:
As seen previously, it is important that the child, once sitting on the saddle of the bike, can put both feet on the floor. For this, the frame must not interfere with its position. Choose a «gooseneck» frame that will allow the child to sit and get off the bike by stepping over the frame easily without falling.
- The brakes:
Make sure the child can reach the brakes easily and has the strength to apply them. This is absolutely essential for their safety. You will find on most children’s bikes skates for a simple and effective braking.
There are also rear-pedalling brakes that allow the bike to be stopped by pedalling backwards. However, it is not necessarily intuitive and can lead to confusion.
You will find in the trade, bikes with colored brakes that will differentiate them. Thus this differentiation can serve as a reference for your child to know which brake allows to have an action on which wheel and thus avoid braking leading to the fall.
- The Gears :
You will find different systems for shifting the bike :
- The indexed leversallow, using two triggers, to change gears and downshift and are easy to handle and do not require force.
- The rotating handles are installed on most children’s bikes. Easier to use since they are more intuitive when you just turn up or down to change gears. Check, however, that the child has the strength to turn the handle easily with one hand.
Regarding accessories, do not forget the helmet, it is mandatory up to 12 years! Choose a helmet to their taste that they will enjoy wearing. Then, you are free to add different accessories on the bike such as a basket, or a luggage rack for example.
In the meantime, if you want to rent a bike in one of our Paulette rental agencies, know that we are located in Nantes, Paris, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyon and Tours! We have 3 different sizes of children’s bikes, as well as trackers, child trailers and baby carriers.
Stay tuned for new adventures with Paulette!
Check us out and share your memories on Facebook and Instagram with the #paulettebike. Do not forget to tag us: @paulettebike!