For most kids, getting a new bike qualifies as the best day ever.
However, if the bike is the wrong size your child may experience discomfort or injury, both of which may discourage them from further riding. To give your child the best chance to succeed make sure they are riding the correct size bike!
Some quick tips for sizing:
- Don’t guess your kiddo’s height – growth spurts mean you should take a quick measurement.
Use the size guide to choose the right size bike for your child’s height. There will be some overlap so pick the size that gives them the most range to grow. Most kids’ bikes are measured by wheel size.
- You may be tempted to bump them up a size to “grow into”– don’t, it’s better to keep them safe and comfortable than get another few months of growing time on a bike.
- Make sure your child has the motor skills to operate the bike. Some bikes have only hand brakes and shifters that need more developed skills to use. Stick with coaster brakes (back pedal brakes) until your child is older and more experienced.
Most brake levers have adjustable reach. Find the small adjustment screw on the back of the hand brake and turn in until the lever is reachable. (You may have to loosen the cable tension as well, so the brakes don’t rub.)
- Follow all instructions to assemble, giving each bolt a double check before your kid goes on their first ride.
- Set the seat height so that your kid can place the balls of both their feet on the ground. For new riders you can go as low as feet flat on the ground.
- Make sure helmets are comfortably tight and worn just above the eyebrows. Adjust the chin strap around the ears, just tight enough to allow a couple of fingers under the strap.
Make sure training wheels are just a little higher off the ground, but no so much that the bike tips. This allows full traction when a rider stands up and pedals.
Then stand back and let them rip!