What size bikes
Discussion
Never really been into bikes myself so don't think I've ridden one for about 20 years
However my boys (11 and 7) have now shown an interest and are asking for bikes.
I'm not sure where to start so hoping the PH cycling community can help please
Seems bikes some in all different shapes and sizes, how do I know where to start please ?
However my boys (11 and 7) have now shown an interest and are asking for bikes.
I'm not sure where to start so hoping the PH cycling community can help please
Seems bikes some in all different shapes and sizes, how do I know where to start please ?
Taking it back a step. If they are 7 and 11 and you don't ride, where and with whom are they going to ride? Can they ride already or are they total newbies?
Might be worth research your local clubs and summer schemes to see if there are any activities nearby. Some might be able to supply bikes.
Presumably the 11 year old is on the cusp of a growth spurt so will probably outgrow whatever you buy him pretty quickly. That could be held on to for the 7 year old
Mountain bikes best for kids. Tend to be more available and more flexible being adjustable for height but not for length. Probably best to avoid bikes with suspension - usually pointless and rubbish. Paradoxically, bikes without suspension may be more expensive as they are more likely to be from a manufacturer that understands bikes and not just selling toys. Specialist kids manufacturer like the now defunct Islabikes have gears and brake levers that are set up for ease of use.
Wheel sizing is probably the way to think about a mountain bike size. Your 11 year old should be OK on a 26" wheel bike but 7 year old may still need 24". An 11 year old might fit and adult XS or S mens mountain bike.
Depending on their wants/needs BMX might not be a bad shout. Some areas are very active, have clubs and bike parks. The bikes are much more forgiving in regard to sizing and relatively cheap and simple compared with a mountain bike.
I had a series of Islabike for my kids. We passed them on to cousins and friends or ebayed them for a decent proportion of what we paid for them. Frog cycles seem to have filled the gap left by Islabikes but I'd probably consider this Decathlon bike if I was buying today. It's expensive for just a kids bike but see it as a template of what you might be looking for second hand
Don't forget helmets and gloves.
Might be worth research your local clubs and summer schemes to see if there are any activities nearby. Some might be able to supply bikes.
Presumably the 11 year old is on the cusp of a growth spurt so will probably outgrow whatever you buy him pretty quickly. That could be held on to for the 7 year old
Mountain bikes best for kids. Tend to be more available and more flexible being adjustable for height but not for length. Probably best to avoid bikes with suspension - usually pointless and rubbish. Paradoxically, bikes without suspension may be more expensive as they are more likely to be from a manufacturer that understands bikes and not just selling toys. Specialist kids manufacturer like the now defunct Islabikes have gears and brake levers that are set up for ease of use.
Wheel sizing is probably the way to think about a mountain bike size. Your 11 year old should be OK on a 26" wheel bike but 7 year old may still need 24". An 11 year old might fit and adult XS or S mens mountain bike.
Depending on their wants/needs BMX might not be a bad shout. Some areas are very active, have clubs and bike parks. The bikes are much more forgiving in regard to sizing and relatively cheap and simple compared with a mountain bike.
I had a series of Islabike for my kids. We passed them on to cousins and friends or ebayed them for a decent proportion of what we paid for them. Frog cycles seem to have filled the gap left by Islabikes but I'd probably consider this Decathlon bike if I was buying today. It's expensive for just a kids bike but see it as a template of what you might be looking for second hand
Don't forget helmets and gloves.
Thank you
So the 11 year old learnt to ride through school a few years back to whilst he's no recent experience he did at one stage know how to do it.
The youngest has tootled around on an old (too small) bike with stabilisers but that's the limit of his experience
BMX might be a good shout as there are a few skate parks around here
So the 11 year old learnt to ride through school a few years back to whilst he's no recent experience he did at one stage know how to do it.
The youngest has tootled around on an old (too small) bike with stabilisers but that's the limit of his experience
BMX might be a good shout as there are a few skate parks around here
Roboticarm said:
Thank you
So the 11 year old learnt to ride through school a few years back to whilst he's no recent experience he did at one stage know how to do it.
The youngest has tootled around on an old (too small) bike with stabilisers but that's the limit of his experience
BMX might be a good shout as there are a few skate parks around here
The problem with BMX bikes is that they are not designed to be ridden whilst sat down so the geometry is all wrong and they only have one gear.So the 11 year old learnt to ride through school a few years back to whilst he's no recent experience he did at one stage know how to do it.
The youngest has tootled around on an old (too small) bike with stabilisers but that's the limit of his experience
BMX might be a good shout as there are a few skate parks around here
The advice given above to look for used bike from the likes of Frog and Islabikes is good advice. Also worth looking into other brands such as Orange, Whyte, Specialized etc as they all offer good children's bikes.
Another option is from the component manufacture Hope who have the Hope Academy where you rent bikes. No set contract so if they dont like it you can give them back.
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