Why a good bike for your kid?

Children's Bikes - many different types - for many different purposes.

Why get a good bike for your kid?

Well, anything you can do to make cycling fun will pay back 100fold in the future. Your kid won't be featured on Oprah, when he/she is 19 because they require a boat launch to move him/her in and out of bed. Your kid's likelihood of enjoying cycling increase tremendously with every extra penny's worth of value the bike has.

Please avoid the disposable bikes at MalWart and Cajun Triar. Those bikes are so heavy, they'll crush your kid. the brakes are so bad your kids will set land-speed records every time they reach a small hill. Can you tell this is a touchy subject?

Children grow out of bikes - true. A good bike can be passed on or sold many times. A cheap bike will be clogging up the landfill after 6 months of use - and there will have been no enjoyment in that 6 months!

A great option: BMX Bike

BMX stands for bicycle motocross. BMX is not a brand, it is more a style of bike. BMX bikes are rugged bikes with only one speed and they fit a huge size range of riders because they are typically ridden standing up, not sitting on the seat. If your child seems to always be jumping his bike off the curb, dirt piles or home-made jumps, a BMX is great.

Giant GFR FW - SALE $249 20" wheels bmx style kids bike

Giant GFR XL - SALE $299 20" wheels stronger 3pc. crank

For kids 8-13, tough, hand brake only, 3pc. crankset, totally rad.

Give the gift of having positive associations with Cycling

Bikes for future bike addicts

What can I say. This is chance number one to get your child stoked on bikes. Do this right and your child will be hooked on bikes for ever.

Most important for kids bikes - that the kid isn't scared. Buying a bike for a 4 year old that he/she can grow into and ride until they graduate high-school is a sure way to turn your kid off ride. Kids should be able to put a flat foot, make that 2 flat feet, on the ground when seated.

RunBike $109 Skip the training wheels - start with a runner For ages 2 1/2 to 4 standover height (ground to top of seat) 13 inches

Giant Pre Push Bike $139 A high quality, more stable, long lasting run bike with air-filled 12" tires. For ages 2 1/2 to 4 Standover height (ground to top of seat) 13 inches

16" Bikes

Giant Animator - boys Light weight ALUMINUM FRAME! $219 16" wheels, heavy duty training wheels, chainguard + a bell.

Giant Animator - unisex Light ALUMINUM FRAME! $219 16" wheels, heavy duty training wheels, chainguard + a bell.

Giant Pudd'n - Girls NEW LIGHT ALUMINUM FRAME! $219 same spec as Animator + a basket

For kids 5-7, with training wheels and spiffy colors. 16" wheels.

20" Bikes

Giant Moda - boys Lite ALUMINUM FRAME! $259 20" wheels, handbrake & coaster brake great low fuss robust stylish machine

Giant Bella ALUMINUM FRAME! $259 20" wheels, handbrake & coaster brake This'll get little princess excited about bikes!

For kids 6-9, offering both a rear hand brake and pedal (coaster) brake. We also include a kick-stand and bell. Notice the geometry on these bikes. The saddle is a little further back so even with a good pedal stroke the childs feet will be able to reach the ground. Quality!

Giant Areva 20 $339 20" wheels adult quality & toughness easy pulling, child specific v-brakes

Giant XTC JR20 $339 20" wheels adult quality & toughness easy pulling, child specific v-brakes

Giant Brass 20 $349 20" wheels adult quality & toughness easy pulling, child specific v-brakes

Marin Hidden Canyon $399 20" wheels adult quality & toughness easy pulling, child specific v-brakes

Marin Hidden Canyon Girls $399 20" wheels adult quality & toughness easy pulling, child specific v-brakes

24" Bikes

Giant XTC Jr 24 $399 24" wheels light weight, 21 speed Shimano derailleurs and Shimano Revo Twist - the best of the twist shifters.

Giant XTC Areva 24 $399 24" wheels light weight, 21 speed Shimano derailleurs and Shimano Revo Twist - the best of the twist shifters.

Giant Brass 24 $409 24" wheels light weight, 7 speed Shimano Acera derailleur and Shimano Revo Twist. A tougher, simpler bike.

2011 Marin Bayview Trail $469 24" wheels, light, sturdy Why Marin's youth bikes are some of the best!

Sizing a child's bike

Remember, child bike sizing is based on wheel size. This size is printed on the side of the tire and is roughly the size of the overall wheel diameter including the fully inflated tire.

From one brand to the next, there will be differences in the bike's stand-over height and distance between seat and handlebar.

Age .. Inseam .. Size

2-4 yrs .. 14-17 in. .. 12 in.
4-6 yrs .. 16-20 in. .. 14 in.
5-8 yrs .. 18-22 in. .. 16 in.
7-10 ..... 22-25 in. .. 20 in.
8+ yrs .. 24-28 in. .. 24 in.

Avoiding the cheap Junk

Common complaints about cheap bikes are: 1)my kid doesn't have the strength to pull the brake, 2)the bike is so heavy my child struggles with it, and 3)the chain is always falling off.

As a bike shop owner I have chosen to only offer high quality kids bikes. I want my business to stay strong and making sure all the youngsters get hooked on cycling is part of our evil strategy - if you consider a child developing a true joy for cycling to be evil. Whatever my reasons for only carrying the good kids bikes, these bikes all have brakes that are managable for kids, we try to get the lightest bikes possible and we have bike mechanics building the bikes, not the kid who stocks the toilet paper on the shelves.

Sad Choice

Cycling is an activity that can bring freedom, enjoyment, exercise for a lifetime. What I find really sad is when parents say, "it is just a kids bike, he'll grow out of it in 2 years." These parents choose to spend, say $150 for a piece of junk instead of $200 for something with some quality. I can understand if parents are cash-strapped, but when that extra $50 buys a new video game... aaaaaah! The opportunity cost here is so drastic. $50 more on a bike and you lay the foundations for a healthy life and appreciation for nature and outdoor activity. Spend the $50 on a video game and you lay the foundations for a sedentary life of potato chips, flippin' channels and wearing tank-tops.