The choice of transport for children is a serious thing, since it should not only be a pleasant surprise for the baby, but also be absolutely safe for him. Choosing an option among a wide range of models, you need to opt for lightweight and convenient designs - you just need to familiarize yourself with the nuances of technology. Surprisingly, even for young drivers, you can easily buy a speed or mountain bike.
What affects weight?
Remember that not in all cases the bicycle can carry the driver, it happens and vice versa. Sometimes your child will carry the vehicle itself: lift it up a small ladder, install it in the required place in the room. Even during the ride, the weight of the child's construction affects the mobility of the rider. If the bike is not heavy, you can develop great speed on it, maneuver.
However, heavier structures are usually stronger and sometimes cheaper.
The weight of a bicycle is affected by several factors.
- Primarily, wheel diameter models and weight of the tires themselves. Usually a lightweight children's bike has a wheel diameter of no more than 18 inches.
- Tires They are made of various materials: plastic, rubber and foam rubber.
- The material of which the frame is made. Steel are the leaders in this situation: although they are heavy, they are the most durable. Less durable aluminum frames. Carbon or carbon fiber types are products made of modern light and high-quality material. The weight of such products is small. Rounding out the list are titanium frames - the lightest and most durable varieties.
- Pedal weight also matter: plastic ones do not particularly affect the mass of the structure, but metal ones add weight.
- The model in which not many additional elements: trunk, brakes and side wheels.
Description of species
All bicycles are divided into the following types:
- mountain;
- racing;
- road;
- Hybrid
- stunt BMX bikes;
- children’s.
Choosing a children's bicycle model, you need to focus on the height and weight of the child, otherwise you risk violating the obvious rules of ergonomics, which will adversely affect the activity of your baby, and even provoke diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
For riders, starting from 6 years old, you can choose mountain or bmx-bikes with significantly smaller dimensions than for adults. Do not buy models "for growth" - this is inconvenient and costly if your child does not cope with the management.
The best option at this age is BMX designs. They will help your boy feel like a professional: different riding styles require not only agility, but also good physical preparation.
First you need to decide what the young man will do, and then choose a bicycle model for this:
- street style - rather difficult occupation: jumping from stairs, tricks on the railing;
- the park - riding on specialized sites with certain equipment: halfpipe, faces, mini-ramps;
- dert - ski jumping.
Choosing your favorite “somersaults”, you can determine the model. Today it is very popular among growing street athletes, for training which does not require a specialized site. True, many boys like tricks harder, that's why The abovementioned BMX bikes are popular.
Bicycles for children 6-7 years old are significantly different from the models for the smallest. Such designs, in addition to wide wheels, have several speeds, as well as 2 brakes: front (v-brake) and rear (foot).
Experts recommend that you carefully consider the length of the upper pipe of the bike.
The bicycle driver should feel comfortable in the saddle, the steering wheel should be in a comfortable position - not close and not far, only then the child will be able to perform the necessary tricks.
If your son is ready for the bark style, then the designs of these bicycles also have their own characteristics: they have particularly short feathers and a certain inclination of the glass, which facilitates the implementation of various tricks.
BMX bikes are mainly made from special steel, chrome and molybdenum.
The last two make the design more durable. The chrome-plated frame is made of heat-treated metal, so it is practically “indestructible”. The connecting rods and forks for the 6-year-old athlete's model can also be chromol or steel. There are no pendants on such models.
If your child is not yet ready for sporting achievements, you can consider the option of a standard bike.
An ordinary aluminum bike can fully meet the needs of a young rider. At 6 years old, a child can quite successfully cope with maneuvering on such a structure. For this age, bikes with a steel frame are also suitable.
There are also lightweight folding bikesthat children can easily tolerate.
Pay attention to the brakes on the vehicle of your child.
Usually, at the age of 6–7 years, the child’s hands are still not sufficiently trained, therefore do not pick up a model with a manual brake, - It is better to purchase the opposite option, with a foot brake. There is a tradeoff: bicycles with a mixed type of brakes. It is desirable that the steering wheel had soft foam inserts, and the pedals were made of rubber.
Review of the best models
Among the abundance of bicycle models, you must choose (according to the recommendations of specialists), of course, the highest quality.Analyzing the technical characteristics of bikes, many consumers came to the conclusion that the bike rating for 6-year-old athletes is rightfully led by a model from a Korean manufacturer Merida Dino J20, and this is if your child is already confidently "in the saddle." This beautiful model is designed to ride on urban paved streets. Reliable assembly coupled with an efficient braking system guarantees your child a first-class ride.
The rear derailleur allows the driver to change driving parameters and maneuver at his own pleasure. The weight of such a bicycle is 12 kg. This is not the cheapest pleasure - the cost of a bicycle reaches 15 thousand rubles.
Second place can rightfully be given to the Russian manufacturer, offering an excellent model for girls from 6 years old.
STELS Pilot 230 Lady 20 V010 weighing just over 13 kilograms is very popular among cycle lovers. Six speeds change easily thanks to a novelty - a rotary handle on the steering wheel. Wheel width - 20 inches, ideal V-Brake brakes, tires with a double-walled device and horizontal jumpers. Bright colors, a lightweight aluminum frame also belong to the clear advantages of this design.
The lightest bikes for your younger kids include a model Autor energy from the Czech manufacturer. Its weight is about 8 kilograms, its appearance is impeccable and attractive, the landing is ideal for any rider. Thanks to the steel frame, your child can easily overcome bulges and pits on the roads.
The Shimano Tourney gearshift system is easy to use, which is important for inexperienced athletes.
Girls from 6 years old can recommend another model - TREK Mystic 20. The model is made in soft pastel colors. An aluminum frame makes the bike easy to handle, and welds allow the structure to compete with peers in terms of strength. The steering wheel and saddle can be adjusted for the growth of the girl, for the convenience of users there is a special footrest.
For guys who love speed and cinema heroes, the model is ideal Navigator Batman (BH20172) from the Russian manufacturer. The bright color of the design will not leave a single young rider indifferent, and a very reasonable price (up to 6 thousand rubles) will pleasantly surprise parents. "Batman" design and ease of management will be the best friend of the young raider. The steel frame reliably protects the bike from damage even during fast riding.
The seat is made of special foam, softening various tremors, on the steering wheel there are also protective pads.
Another model from a domestic manufacturer - ALTAIR Kids 20 Compact (2018). A practical, convenient and inexpensive bike has long been in high demand in the bike market. Feature and design advantage is the ability to fold, which makes it easy to transport the bike. Therefore, it is easy to store even in a small apartment.
In addition to 20-inch wheels, the model is equipped with the necessary trunk for comfortable riding, a special pad so as not to hit the steering wheel, iridescent bell.
The next model from a Russian manufacturer is called Tanuki, followed by a number indicating the diameter of the wheel. In our case, you should pay attention to the budget lightweight models Tanuki 12-14 with steel frame and the cost of 4000 rubles.
How to choose?
Choosing the right bike model for your child, First of all, we focus on his age and ability to ride two-wheeled vehicles.
- The smallest - from 3 to 5 years - It is better to pick up three-wheeled vehicles. This is an additional insurance against falls and injuries. The size of the wheels is important: in this case, they should not exceed 14 inches.
- For older children - 6–7 years old - the wheels can be larger, and the bike - more maneuverable. With regard to the height of the structure, remember that the child’s foot should easily reach the pedal.
- For young athletes, you need to look for lightweight designs, since children still have to periodically carry them on their hands. Therefore, it is better to choose models with an aluminum frame.
- For older children - from 8 to 10 years - keep an eye on steel models: they are more stable and wear-resistant.
- For ski insurance You can choose a model with an additional hand brake. Another point responsible for the safety of the child’s movement is reflectors, which are mounted directly on the bicycle structure.
- When buying a bike in a store ask sellers for quality certificates from the manufacturer, Then you will be sure of the strength and quality of the bike.
A bicycle for children is not only joyful moments of riding and contemplating the world, but also an opportunity to develop physically, become purposeful and not be afraid of difficulties.
The following video provides an overview of the Beagle 120 lightweight children's bike.
