BUYING GUIDE CHECKLIST

Our quick-!ire buying guide to kids’ bikes

What to look for when buying a kids’ bike

When buying a bike for your child, it’s highly tempting to go for the cheapest option possible. Especially when you think they’re only going to grow out of it in a year or so’s time.

Well maybe, but consider the impact you can have on your child’s first experience on a bike. You don’t get long to get them hooked on cycling, so if you’re really keen to see them flourish on two wheels, your son or daughter will benefit from a bike that fits them properly and is light enough for them to move around easily.

Consider the following key areas to help you make the best investment possible…

Versatility

Most children ride one bike for everything, so, with 20in and 24in-wheeled machines in particular, it pays to look for versatility. Can it go o -road and still be ridden to school or friends’ houses easily? The colour and look is a big deal for children of any age – much more so than the make of the brakes or gears. Price

Prices don’t scale down with size, so expect to pay a similar price for a new kids’ bike as you would for an entry-level adult bike – £350 plus. Higher-end bikes may cost more, but they are often a better investment. A good brand may cost around £350, but you should be able to sell it in a couple of years for £200 to £250, especially if you encourage your child to take care of it. A cheaper bike, under £100, will devalue more quickly, and not provide as good a riding experience.

Sizing

If you do nothing else when buying a kids’ bike, make sure it’s the right size. This is one place where you don’t want your kids to ‘grow into’ it. Riding a bike that you can’t control because your feet don’t touch the ground and your hands can’t reach the brakes properly is no fun. It’s also dangerous. Crashing puts people o – even kids, eventually. So a bike that you can hand down or sell on makes most sense.