Parents try to make their baby's life as comfortable as possible and fill it with everything necessary for its active development. And when the child reaches the age of 3 years, they think about a new acquisition - a bicycle. This is a mandatory sporting attribute that should be in the life of every little man. Of course, for him, he is primarily a toy and a way of entertainment, but for parents - one of the opportunities to properly develop the baby, improve his physical and emotional state. In the article, we will talk about how to choose the right bike for a child who is 3 to 5 years old.
Primary requirements
Choosing a children's bike for parents who are faced with this for the first time is quite difficult. And this is not at all surprising, because in the modern market for sports equipment there is a large assortment of this product. And there are also many manufacturers, each of which assures the consumer that his products are the best. But you do not have to give in to various provocations and be advertised. First of all, you need to know what requirements a children's bike should meet.
Children's bike should be characterized by the following parameters:
- light and simple frame;
- the use of high quality materials for the manufacture of all parts and components;
- light weight so that the child can independently manage it;
- the ability to adjust the steering wheel and seat height;
- the performance of the brake system.
These are the basic requirements that a children's bike designed for for a child from 3 to 5 years old must meet. In addition, it is important that the transport is safe.
Description of species
Today, the market is filled with all kinds of offers from various manufacturers. And before proceeding with the selection of a children's bicycle, I would like to separately tell in detail about the types of this vehicle.
Tricycle
It is this that becomes the first “iron horse” of every child, it all starts with it. On such a bike, the kid learns to ride - to pedal, hold and steer the wheel, control the ride and maintain balance. And already in the future, the acquired skills will be applied in the process of riding on other bicycles.
Often a three-wheeled bike is also called a tricycle. This is an easy, high-quality and stable device, which has several advantages:
- reliability;
- low weight;
- a wide selection of colors;
- sustainability;
- the possibility of using additional attributes - a basket for things, a game module, a parental control knob and other practical additions.
The benefits also include affordable cost. Of course, it all depends on the manufacturer and model, but if necessary, you can find a budget option.
If we talk about the shortcomings of the three-wheeled design, then it is worth noting the following:
- hard and noisy wheels;
- dimensions that limit the number of places to store this device in the apartment, since the bike does not disassemble or fold.
Four wheel
This bike is bought for children from 4 years old, whose growth is from 105 to 130 centimeters. It is a lightweight version equipped with additional safety wheels. They can be removed when the baby will feel confident behind the wheel and will be able to ride on their own.
The benefits of a four-wheeled children's bike include:
- a wide selection of colors and designs;
- the ability to adjust the height of the seat and steering wheel;
- the presence of auxiliary wheels;
- many models are equipped with a parental control handle that can be removed.
Disadvantages:
- poor stability - if the baby turns sharply, there is a danger that the bicycle will fall to one side;
- the need to replace rollers on the safety wheels.
Two wheeled
A model designed for older children, but there are times when they are bought for five years. A two-wheeled children's bike can be mountain, sports or just walking. The latter is considered the best option for a child of this age.
The advantages of this type of bike are:
- huge selection;
- great functionality;
- great appearance.
If we talk about the shortcomings, it should be noted that he is able to develop a sufficiently high speed, and this is fraught with consequences. Therefore, a child who drives a two-wheeled vehicle must be an experienced rider.
Selection tips
Having understood the types of bicycles for children, you can proceed to the selection criteria. They must be taken into account, because they are step-by-step instructions and guidance for parents in finding exactly the equipment that is ideal for the child.
When choosing a bike for your child, you need to take into account the following criteria.
Age and height of the child
Growth is a major aspect. If you buy a product in a store with a child, then take a moment and put the baby on a bicycle. The back of the child in a sitting position should be straight, arms behind the wheel straight, and the level of their height - not higher than the chest. As for the legs, in the process of turning the pedals they are fully unbent at the knee.
If the purchase is made in the online store and there is no way to see the goods, you need to focus on the diameter of the wheels:
- 12 inch suitable for a child whose height does not exceed 100 cm;
- 14-16 inches - This is an ideal option for growth of 115-120 cm;
- if the growth of the future owner is within 130-140 cm, a bike with a wheel diameter of 18–20 inches will do.
Production material
For a bicycle frame, manufacturers use:
- aluminum;
- steel;
- composite materials.
When buying a bike for the kid, it is best to give preference to the model, whose frame is made of aluminum or composite material. And for a child aged 4 or 5 years, you can buy a bike with a steel frame.
Wheels of a children's bicycle can be made of various materials:
- plastic;
- rubber;
- foam rubber.
Plastic is used in the production process of tricycles, but rubber and foam rubber are used to make four-wheeled and two-wheeled devices.
The material from which the pedals are made is also important. It could be:
- plastic;
- metal.
Metal pedals are safer and more durable, while plastic pedals, on the contrary, do not withstand heavy loads and mechanical stress.
The quality and appearance of the brake system
One thing is certain - the brakes must be. But what type is the matter of choice and preferences of parents. Brakes on a children's bike can be:
- tame;
- foot;
- mixed.
From the name you can understand exactly how and what part of the body will need to work in order to apply the brake.
Experts say that the mixed braking system is an ideal option - the child can choose how and with what to slow down.
Security level
When figuring out and determining the level of bicycle safety, you need to pay attention even to seemingly insignificant and inconspicuous details. For example, for the presence of the following elements:
- soft inserts on the steering wheel;
- rubber pedals;
- protective shield on the front sprocket and chain;
- light reflectors, which are a guarantee that the child on the bike will be noticeable to other road users.
There are models of bicycles that are equipped with additional protective functionality: seat belt, lateral stops and recessed seats.
Design
A wide selection and assortment makes it possible to choose a bike for both girls and boys. Color, design and optional accessories provide easy recognition of model belonging in this sense.
Manufacturers
It is also worth noting that the manufacturer is an important selection criterion. It is he who gives a guarantee and controls the safety of his products at the production stage.
Among all manufacturers, the following companies are most popular among consumers:
- Puky;
- Stels
- S´cool;
- Merida;
- Giant
Each of the listed brands makes its goods in accordance with all the rules and requirements, using exclusively high-quality and safe methods and materials.
On how to choose a children's bike from 3 years, see the video.
