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Kids Bike Sizes

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Kids Bike Sizes

One size does not fit all when it comes to kids bikes. An expert at BikeRadar.com urges parents to choose the right kids bike size; don't settle for a bicycle that's bigger than the child can comfortably ride just to save money -- it's not safe.
You're better off buying a second-hand bike or selling the child's outgrown bicycle and using the proceeds for the next kids bike size. As mentioned on the first page of this buying guide, the International Bicycle Fund website (IBike.org) offers a helpful sizing chart that associates a child's inseam measurements with the diameter of the wheels, the latter being the official way to determine the right kids bike size for the child. If you go into a store, have the child sit on the seat and make sure feet touch the floor, hands reach the handlebars (and brakes, if applicable), and knees don't knock the handlebars.

Good, inexpensive starter bikes like the Huffy Rock-It and Disney Princess sport 12-inch wheels and feature a low stand-over height that lets beginning riders (ages 2-5, or a 14-18-inch inseam) hop on and off quickly. As the child grows and moves into larger kids bike sizes, it's convenient and economical to have an adjustable seat. For example, seats on the 16-inch Avigo Dirt Wave, Avigo Waikiki, and Disney Toy Story can be raised or lowered, and the 20-inch Girls Pretty in Pink and 24-inch NEXT Power Climber both feature a flip lever that enables an adult or child to quickly adjust the seat as needed.

Kids' Bicycles Build/Weight.

Discount children's bicycles should be light enough for easy maneuverability yet strong enough to withstand careless tossing around. Watch out for extra features that may dazzle the child but add unnecessary weight, like rear shock set-ups created to absorb the impact of a jarring ride on rough terrain, which really aren't necessary for beginning riders. Experts at CycleFit.com explain that the frame on cheap bikes is usually made of heavy, lower-grade steel rather than the lighter and higher quality metals found on pricier models. (Important note: if you buy a steel-frame bicycle, safeguards against early rusting include wiping off any moisture after use and keeping the bike out of the rain.) A few kids bikes, including the NEXT Chaos Freestyle and Pacific Exploit, are built with high-tensile steel, which is more durable, stronger, and lighter than the usual steel used in cheap kids bike frames.

Kids bike size is another factor affecting the weight of the bicycle. Not surprisingly, smaller cheap bikes usually weigh less than larger cheap bikes. The 12-inch Huffy Rock-It and Disney Princess weigh 18 and 21 pounds, respectively; the 16-inch Avigo Dirt Wave and Waikiki weigh about 28 pounds each, which is the approximate weight of the 20-inch NEXT Chaos with its high-tensile steel frame; the 20-inch Pretty in Pink weighs about 32 pounds; and the 24-inch Cranbrook Cruisers tips the scale at about 39 pounds; the 24-inch NEXT Power Climber is a bit heavier, still. One dad, commenting on Amazon, says the 24-inch Pacific Exploit for boys, which weighs about 37 pounds, is certainly solid but quite heavy for a young child.

by Gina Briles (Google+ Profile)

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