Additional wheels for a children's bike: features, selection and installation

For every caring parent, the most important is the health and safety of the child. This issue becomes especially relevant at a time when the baby is already more independent and active. It was at this time that the child sits on his first bicycle, and adults need to worry about buying additional wheels for such vehicles. In this article you will find all the necessary information on how to select and install them correctly.

Safety wheels, which are also called optional, are an integral part of a child’s bike if the child is just learning to ride. This attribute performs the following functions:

• maintains balance;
• prevents the bike from getting stuck;
• protects the child from falling and possible injuries.

Speaking about their advantages, I would like to note the following factors:

• there is no need to constantly be near the child when he is riding, and to hold him;
• the presence of this attribute allows the child to ride on almost any surface;
• even at a sharp bend, the bike will not fall;
• riding a bike with side wheels will prepare the child for future movement, but already in two-wheeled vehicles.

It should also be noted that riding on the “iron horse” with such insurance has a good effect on the mood and health of the baby, first of all on posture, coordination is improved, the vestibular apparatus develops.

In the modern market there is a wide selection and assortment of additional wheels for a children's bike. There are many of their various classifications, which are divided into different categories.

• Base material. For the production of wheels for a children's bicycle, plastic and metal are used. They can be solid or with knitting needles. The metal gear is mounted using a bearing or bolt, the presence of which creates a high level of noise when driving.

• Coating material. It can be different. Today they use silicone, rubber, plastic and PVC coating. All these materials differ in functionality, characteristics. It is worth noting that the most high-quality, long-term and reliable is a silicone coating.

• Type of racks. This is a very important element of the entire structure of the side attribute, because it accounts for most of the load, so it should be as stable as possible. Racks can be of several types.
  1. Tough. It is installed on bicycles with a wheel diameter of 12, 14, 16, 20 inches.
  2. Universal tough. They are suitable for absolutely all wheel sizes. Such a resistant comfortable, durable and reliable.
  3. Foldable. According to users, this does not meet the expectations and monetary investments.

• Wheel diameter. This characteristic is of great importance. From the production line of manufacturers there are products, the diameter of which may be different. You can familiarize yourself with the size information in detail by looking at the table:

When choosing side gears for a children's bike, you need to be very careful, take into account many factors that determine not only the comfort of using a bicycle, but also the safety of the child. Should be considered:

• diameter of the main bicycle wheels;
• number of speeds on the bike;
• material of manufacture;
• coating;
• wheel shape;
• rack size (bracket).

Earlier in the article, we described in detail each of the selection criteria and the classification of the additional design. It is on this information and data that you should focus on choosing additional wheels for a children's bike.

After you got acquainted with all the information and technical specifications about this attribute, and even bought it, there is only one thing left - to install.

The process of installing additional wheels is quite simple and does not require a lot of time. Installation consists of several stages.

• Set the bike when the main wheels are on top.
• Using a special wrench, suitable in size, you need to untwist the rear wheel - unscrew the fixing nuts.
• Next, install the bracket and fix it with bolts and nuts. When installing the bracket, do not immediately tighten the locking elements to the stop. First, turn the bike into the correct position and make sure that the side wheels are correctly above the ground.
• If everything is done correctly and the distances correspond to the norms and requirements, you can firmly fix the wheels.

This is necessary in order to make sure that during installation it has not weakened. If this happened, you just need to pull it up.

Now that the extra safety wheels are installed, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the little cyclist! Although it will be quite out of place to acquire additional ammunition: a helmet and knee pads.

How to install the side (additional) wheels on a children's bike is described in the video below.