Children's bicycles from 3 years: descriptions of models, selection rules

It is impossible to imagine a childhood without a bicycle. It's like soy chocolate or a patty without stuffing! Something is clearly not enough! A bicycle for small children is not only a tool for physical development, because healthy babies and so will not be able to sit still. This is also a means of socialization - one way to interact with peers. Children do not know secular communication - they play, and always seriously!

There are hundreds of brands and thousands of varieties of bicycles. How to choose a children's vehicle? How much does a bicycle cost? What characteristics should it meet? Learn from this article!

Why do I need a children's bicycle?

A 3-wheeled bicycle is always a welcome gift for any kid, because you can go around all kinds of obstacles, brake and steer. And how quickly you can accelerate! Skating in the park, at the dacha or in the courtyard is exciting, fun and interesting, and also contributes to the development of a sense of balance and dexterity. Bicycles from 3 years (with a pen, of course) will teach your baby to steer. In addition, a children's vehicle can be equipped with a basket for toys, wings and side wheels.

Bicycle models for children: how to choose?

The bicycle grows with the baby. The younger the child, the easier and less will be his vehicle. For example, children's bicycles from 3 years old have wheels with a diameter of 16 inches. As a child grows up, his vehicle also becomes bigger, faster and more beautiful. So, the bike for teens will already be with 24-inch wheels.

Classification of bicycles

Children's vehicles are classified according to the growth of their rider. The best bikes for children are those that fit their riders for growth and physical parameters. The vehicle for children from one and a half to three years has a wheel diameter of 12 inches and is designed to grow to 98 centimeters. Children's bicycles from 3 years to 5 - this is a transport with 16-inch wheels, and it is suitable for children whose growth does not exceed 115 cm. In addition, they can be equipped with many additional accessories. 3-wheeled bicycle with non-removable wheels is designed for children under 5 years.

Vehicles for riders of 5-9 years with a height of not more than 130 cm have a wheel diameter of 20 inches. For children, whose growth has passed the mark of 130 centimeters, provided bicycles with wheels, the diameter of which is 24 inches. If the child is above 135 cm, then it is quite possible to buy for him transport with wheels with a diameter of 26 inches.

Criteria for choosing a children's bicycle

The main criterion for choosing a child's vehicle is the conformity with the growth and physical characteristics of the child at the moment, taking into account the various adjustments of the bicycle mechanism, for example, the height of the rudder, the saddle and the like. Bicycles for children from 3 years old are not purchased for growth! Kids simply can not comfortably ride on them.

A kid, riding a bicycle, should feel comfortable. That is, without difficulty get off and climb on your vehicle. This is especially important - at the initial stage of training the child to keep balance in the process of movement.

Following is a list of tips and recommendations for choosing a bicycle.

Height of vehicle

Children's bicycles for children from 3 years old and older are chosen this way. For the correct selection of a child's vehicle, you must put the child on a flat surface. Place the bike between the legs of the baby. Between the frame of transport and the crotch should be free space - about 5-10 centimeters. This characteristic of a child's bicycle will allow a child to jump off of it if an emergency situation occurs.

Pay attention to the presence or absence of adjustments

As already mentioned, children's bicycles from 3 years old must correspond to the growth of the baby. And if the vehicle is adjustable?

When choosing a children's bicycle, pay attention to whether or not you can adjust the height of the seat and steering wheel. It may turn out that the baby will grow up, and the transport bought recently will become too small for him. And adjustments will make children's bicycles from 3 years as comfortable and safe as possible.

The seat must be adjusted in height: so, during the ride, the toddler should calmly reach out to the pedal, even if it is in the bottom position. In this case, one leg of the rider should be in a fully straightened position. If this does not happen, then it is necessary to raise or lower the saddle. In the event that the seat does not lower further, and the seat post rises above the clamp, it must be shortened. It's fast enough and easy to do in any bicycle shop.

Also pay attention to the possibility of steering wheel adjustment. It is necessary to raise it higher if you see that the rider sits on a bicycle, heavily bent. Adjust the height of the steering wheel and seat is also necessary if the baby hits his knees on the steering wheel.

The limiter of a wheel

The rudder of a child's vehicle must be equipped with a special limiter, which will not allow it to rotate around its axis. Otherwise, during a sharp turn the kid can pinch his leg with a frame or a rudder. Why would he need extra injuries?

Chain protection

Children's bicycle should be as safe as possible. Therefore, the chain on the vehicle of the baby should be closed with special protection. If it is available, then the trouser leg or another piece of clothing will not fall into the chain.

Brake

Each bicycle for children under 7 years of age must be equipped with a quality foot brake. It works with torsion of the pedals in the opposite direction.

Hand brakes are not recommended for this age category, because if you need to stop immediately, the baby, confused, will not be able to press the manual brake with sufficient force.

Weight and Convenience

Do not you have to carry a bicycle, and your child. Therefore, the child's vehicle must be comfortable and light.

The weight of the bike is summed from the weight of each of its parts and additional accessories that are installed on it. The frame material plays an important role in this matter: it can be made of aluminum or steel. Aluminum is much lighter than steel. The weight is also affected by the steering fork, wheels and pedals.

The form of a child vehicle

There are three most common forms of the frame: classical, y-shaped and a bicycle with a "half-frame" (or "frame for girls"). Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.

Bike brand

How much does a bicycle cost? From a quality manufacturer they cost from 5000 rubles.

Of course, the bicycle of the famous brand will cost more, but you will get not only a bright design, but also reliable wheels, bushings and other details. The quality of the transport depends directly on characteristics such as the severity of cranking, durability and weight. Choose bikes brands that have proven themselves in the market: Trek, Giant, Jamis, Rock Machine, Author, GT, Gary Fisher, Norco, Kona, Merida.

Acquire a child's vehicle only in a socialized store

Bicycles that sell on the market or on the street, in most cases do not meet any, even the lowest standards. While the transport purchased in the store will have a guarantee that it will not break down in a couple of days, and will also provide itself with the right to warranty repair and maintenance.

Security

Take care that, while riding a bicycle, the child is protected. Get at least a bicycle helmet for a child's vehicle . And if possible, even elbow pads and knee pads.

Accessories

Additional accessories are available for the child's vehicle. For example, wings will protect clothing and shoes from dirt that flies from under the wheels. Given the weather of the north-western region, all bicycles should be fitted with wings. In addition to them, you should definitely buy light reflectors and headlights.

If the baby is going to walk for a long time, then he may need a basket in which you can put a toy or a bottle of water. Stand for water can be purchased separately.

Consult your child

Remember that you get a bicycle, so it would not be superfluous to be guided by his opinion. This child will ride it, so it is extremely important that the vehicle is to his liking not only on the characteristics, but also from an aesthetic point of view.

Try to find a compromise solution between your choice and the opinion of the baby - then the purchase will succeed! Remember that bikes for children are divided into "for girls" and "for boys." But in children's models the differences remain only in the colors.

Teach your child to fall right!

The ability to fall correctly to a novice rider is simply necessary. Consider all possible situations to demonstrate on a stationary child's vehicle the baby how to properly group during the fall. To prevent serious injuries, it is better to purchase protective equipment: helmet, elbow pads and knee pads. In addition, if the child does not yet know how to balance a two-wheeled bicycle, then additional wheels should be purchased.