With young children it’s much easier buying a bike for them but for older children, it can be a bit trickier to choose. So when you are planning on keeping your new children’s bike a surprise at Christmas, here’s a simple guide to the types of bike options available to you.
Some types of Children’s Bikes
BMX Bikes
BMX bikes are great for general cycling about, and are built specifically for building on bike skills and performing stunts. There are a couple different variations in the kind of BMX bike, each built for a slightly different purpose. In all, BMX bikes are typically characterised with special additions, such as pegs, and rugged tyres to help with stunt riding.
There are three main types of BMX bike, a true BMX a good all rounder, the freestyle, made for tricks and stunts and the "Jump" bike, for rugged trail riding and jumping.
Mountain Bikes & Cruisers
Children’s mountain bikes are often just a smaller version of the adult mountain bike. They often have many of the same features found on adult mountain bikes, such as suspension and a wide choice of gears, but as you’d expect they are just a smaller frame size, and have smaller wheels.
Cruisers are characterised by their low, relaxed seating position, and typically have one speed. Cruisers often have wide handlebars and are designed for comfortable riding. They are great for general cycling on paved areas.
Think about how your child will spend time with their bike, will it be for general commuting around, perhaps to and from school? A cruiser would be good there, or are they adventurous too? Then a mountain bike would be more suitable.
Buying Tips
It’s always recommend that you purchase your children’s bike from a specialist bicycle retailer. They will stock the quality makes and models of children’s bikes and are on hand to give you professional advice, on bike fitting and safety.
They’ll typically also offer a free assembly of your children’s bike, and a free 30-day service check so that after the new mechanical parts have settled in over the first couple of weeks of riding, can be tuned-up if necessary. These retailers will also offer policies on returns too, in case the new bike wasn’t quite what you child was hoping for.
More information on choosing a children's bike can also be found here.
