The first consideration a parent should make when buying a new bike for their toddler age son or daughter is what type of bicycle will help them learn to ride easily. Most parents debate whether a tricycle or bicycle with training wheels is best suited for the task. The trike seems like a simple, safe toy but it doesn't train any of the skills needed to ride a bike. Bicycles with training wheels might seem a better option, but it's heavy and difficult to pedal, not to mention wobbly. Most parents don't realize that there is a better option to teach a child 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. You'll find either steel/aluminum or wooden versions of balance bikes. There are children who are comforted by the "toy" appearance of a wood bike. The steel frame bikes are stronger and have better adjustment of the seat and handlebars.
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. What the tires are made of is another part of the decision process. The vast majority of toddler bikes have either air tires or foam tires. Tires pumped up with air boast better grip and traction, but the tires made from EVA foam won't go flat making them very convenient.
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.
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. You'll find either steel/aluminum or wooden versions of balance bikes. There are children who are comforted by the "toy" appearance of a wood bike. The steel frame bikes are stronger and have better adjustment of the seat and handlebars.
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. What the tires are made of is another part of the decision process. The vast majority of toddler bikes have either air tires or foam tires. Tires pumped up with air boast better grip and traction, but the tires made from EVA foam won't go flat making them very convenient.
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.
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For more information on on choosing a balance bike, check out these balance bike reviews. If your child is under the age of three, consider a Strider bike or the Mini Glider from Glide Bike.
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