Sports Realm

The first consideration a parent should make when selecting a bicycle for their youngster is what bicycle is best suited for learning to ride a bike. Most parents a bike with training wheels or maybe a tricycle. A trike seems safe, but a child won’t learn to balance on it and it’s actually prone to tipping over. The bike with training wheels may seem like a better option, but it’s nearly impossible for a little guy or girl to control them. There are options for parents who want to give their child the best opportunity to learn to ride a bike early.

Moms and dads looking for a bike for their toddler need to look into a relatively new concept known as a balance bike. These neat little bikes don’t have pedals, chains or sprockets. A child will push them with their feet. While they are the best option for a toddler, the bikes are not one size fits all. So mom and dad ought to factor in the following considerations before the purchase of a balance bike.

[V: 0] 1. The seat height of a bike in relation to the child’s inseam is important factors in selecting the right bike for your child. Consult a balance bike sizing chart online to check the bike’s seat height. A proper seat height is one inch lower than your child’s inseam measurement.

2. Materials and the benefits of each are considerations as well. Balance bikes come in wooden versions and metal/aluminum framed models. Some children may enjoy the fact that a wooden bike looks like a toy. Bikes made from steel will be stronger and have a greater range of adjustment available as a child grows.

3. A balance bike’s weight is also a very important aspect to match the right bike to a child. It’s good news that wide selections of balance bikes are less than half the weight of a standard 12″ bicycle. Despite this major difference, there are still balance bikes that weigh less than their counterparts.

4. Tire material is another important factor. Toddler bikes either come with foam tires or traditional air tires with an inner tube. An air tires provide improved traction and grip, but the EVA foam tires are puncture-proof.

5. The final consideration is cost. You will pay more for a balance bike then a bike at Wal-Mart. Balance bikes retail for between $100 and $150. Some high-end models can be as much as $300. Some parents hesitate in making such a large investment, but there are advantages to the balance bike. Your son or daughter will most likely learn to balance and steer instinctively without you ever having to do anything except put the bike in their vicinity.

Some criticize balance bikes because they argue that kids learn to balance so quickly, the bike without pedals becomes obsolete too fast. Despite the fact that balance bike riders are ready for pedal bikes earlier than many children, the majority of kids who ride balance bikes don’t abandon the balance bike quickly. Kids appreciate these specially designed bikes that are easier to maneuver than a pedal bike and continue to enjoy them much as they do a scooter or skateboard they ride around after they have learned to ride a bike.

For more information on on choosing a balance bike, check out these balance bike reviews. Once you’ve settled on the right bike for your child, head on over to this site for a huge selection of balance bikes.