Children's bicycles from 3 to 5 years old: the best models and secrets of choice

Parents try to make their baby's life as comfortable as possible and fill it with everything necessary for his active development. And when the child reaches the age of 3 years, they think about a new purchase - a bicycle. This is a must-have sports attribute that should be in the life of every little person. Of course, for him, he is primarily a toy and a way of entertainment, but for parents it is one of the opportunities to properly develop the baby, improve his physical and emotional state. In this article we will talk about how to choose the right bike for a child who is from 3 to 5 years old.

The choice of a children's bike for parents who are faced with this for the first time turns out to be quite difficult. And this is not at all surprising, because in the modern market of sports equipment there is a large assortment of these goods. And there are also many manufacturers, each of which assures the consumer that his products are the best. But you don't need to succumb to various provocations and advertisements. First of all, you need to know what requirements a child's bike must meet.

Children's bike must be characterized by the following parameters:

• light and simple frame;
• the use of high quality materials for the manufacture of all parts and constituent elements;
• light weight so that the child can independently handle him;
• the ability to adjust the steering wheel and seat height;
• the performance of the braking system.

Today the market is overflowing with all kinds of offers from various manufacturers. And before proceeding with the choice of a children's bicycle, I would like to tell you in detail about the types of this vehicle.

It is this that becomes the first "iron horse" of every child, and everything begins with him. On such a bike, the kid learns to ride - pedal, hold and steer the steering wheel, control the ride and maintain balance. And in the future, the acquired skills will be applied in the process of riding other bicycles.

Often a three-wheeled bike is also called a tricycle. It is a lightweight, high-quality and stable device that has a number of advantages:

• reliability;
• low weight;
• a wide selection of colors;
• stability;
• the ability to use additional attributes - a basket for things, a game module, a parental control handle 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-wheel design, then it is worth noting the following:

• hard and noisy wheels;
• dimensions that limit the number of storage spaces for this device in the apartment, since the bike cannot be disassembled or folded.

This bike is bought for children aged 4 years and older, 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 feels confident behind the wheel and can drive on its own.

The benefits of a four-wheeled kids bike include:

• wide range 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 bike will fall on its side;
• the need to replace the rollers on the safety wheels.

A model designed for older children, but there are times when they are bought for five-year-olds. A two-wheeled children's bicycle 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.

Having figured out the types of bicycles for children, you can proceed to the selection criteria. It is imperative to take them into account, because they are step-by-step instructions and guidance for parents in finding exactly the equipment that is ideal for the child.

Growth is the main aspect. If you are buying a product in a store with your child, then take a moment and put your toddler on a bike. The child's back in a sitting position should be flat, the arms behind the wheel should be straight, and the level of their height should not be higher than the chest. As for the legs, in the process of cranking the pedals, they fully extend at the knee.

If the purchase is carried out in an online store and there is no way to see the product, 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 a height of 115-120 cm;
• if the height of the future owner is within 130-140 cm, a bicycle with a wheel diameter of 18-20 inches will do.

For bike frames, manufacturers use:

• aluminum;
• steel;
• composite materials.

When buying a bike for a kid, it is best to give preference to a model, the frame is made of aluminum or composite material. And for a child aged 4 or 5, you can buy a bike with a steel frame.

Children's bicycle wheels can be made of various materials:

• plastic;
• rubber;
• foam rubber.

The material of the pedals is also important. This could be:

• plastic;
• metal.

Metal pedals are safer and more durable, while plastic ones, on the contrary, do not withstand heavy loads and mechanical stress.

One thing is for sure - there must be brakes. But what type is already a matter of the choice and preferences of the parents. The brakes on a kid's bike can be:

• manual;
• foot;
• mixed.

From the name you can understand exactly how and which part of the body will need to work in order to apply the brake.

When figuring out and determining the level of bike safety, you need to pay attention even to seemingly insignificant and unobtrusive 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 ensure that the child on the bike will be visible to other road users.

A wide selection and assortment makes it possible to choose a bike for both a girl and a boy. The color, design and optional accessories make it easy to recognize the model in this sense.

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 even at the production stage.

Among all manufacturers, the following companies are most popular among consumers:

• Puky;
• Stels;
• S'cool;
• Merida;
• Giant.

How to choose a children's bike from 3 years old, see the video.