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Kids Bikes: Ratings of Sources
Total of 14 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Amazon.com
As of Nov. 2008
Kids' Bikes
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment

The owner-written reviews here are plentiful and helpful. There are many recent reviews, and the bikes are rated according to a five-star system. The drawback is that you won't find reviews here for anything that Amazon.com does not sell. And although there are hundreds of reviews for tricycles, there aren't many for bigger bikes. Kettler tricycles are consistently highly rated. Parents note their durability, stability and safety. And the only complaints are aimed at the difficulty in assembling the bikes. Radio Flyer and Schwinn also receive high ratings. Among bigger kids' bikes, Schwinn, Mongoose and Pacific receive consistent scores. But Huffy bikes are less well rated in general, with some concerns for durability.

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2. Walmart.com
As of Nov. 2008
Kids' Bikes
by Contributors to WalMart.com
Our Assessment

The bike reviews listed at WalMart.com are not as detailed as those found on Amazon.com, but most bikes listed here receive dozens of reviews. Wal-Mart, however, sells a lot of budget-priced bicycles and does not have a large selection of high-end brands. Huffy bikes are reviewed often and receive fairly high ratings, though consumers do comment often about poor quality and difficulties with assembly.

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3. Target.com
As of Nov. 2008
All Kids' Bikes
by Contributors to Target.com
Our Assessment There aren't many bike reviews posted at Target.com, but those posted are helpful. The Radio Flyer Fold 2 Go Trike receives the most reviews, but many consumers posting here are displeased with the trike and give it an overall rating of just 2.5 stars. Schwinn bikes are also reviewed often.
4. MTBR.com
As of Nov. 2008
Kids' Bikes
by Contributors to MTBR.com
Our Assessment

MTBR.com allows users to post reviews of mountain bikes. (The site does not sell anything directly.) There aren't many reviews posted for children's bikes at MTBR.com, but there are reviews for some high-end bicycles, which can be hard to find. Most of the bikes reviewed at this site are mountain bikes, but a few can also be found for Schwinn and Hotrock BMX-style bikes. High ratings are given to the Ibex Alpine 320K, Ibex Alpine 440K and the Trek MT 220.

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5. Epinions.com
As of Nov. 2008
Children's Bikes and Frames
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment Product reviews for children's bikes are hard to find at Epinions, but those we found complement the reviews found at other sites.
6. BikeForums.net
As of Nov. 2008
Pacific Bikes
by Contributors to BikeForums.net
Our Assessment

The postings at BikeForums.net are difficult to navigate, but we were able to find an interesting thread about Pacific bicycles through a Google search. Reviewers posting to the site are of the opinion that it is best to purchase children's bikes at specialty shops rather than department stores. One reviewer, however, claims that having your bike serviced by a professional makes all of the difference, even with a budget model.

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7. IBike.com
Not Dated
Bigger Kids: Which Bike to Choose and Buy As Children Grow
by Editors of IBike.com
Our Assessment

The International Bike Fund is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to "promote bicycle transportation." This site offers a great deal of information on how to buy bicycles and how to use them safely. It points out that the organization does not have the resources to purchase and test all the kids' (and adults') bikes out there but it does offer a comprehensive discussion of what to look for when shopping for a bike.

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8. Parents.com
Not Dated
Get Their Bikes Spinning!
by Michele Herman
Our Assessment

This section on kids' bikes, diced into a four-story package, deals with buying the right bike, taking your child with you and seeing the world on a bike. There's a particularly informative piece on how to take the training wheels off a bike that we didn't see elsewhere. Probably the most helpful part is a primer on how to buy a bike by looking at hand gripping and seat adjustment. Unfortunately, there is no information here on specific bike models.

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9. About.com
Not Dated
Bikes and Scooters
by Dipika Mirpuri
Our Assessment

About.com's Toy Guide covers everything from choosing the right helmet for a child to finding top-selling bikes and scooters for boys and girls. Some of the stories are all too brief though, and don't go into bike construction thoroughly enough, given past recalls over poorly made bikes. (Note that ConsumerSearch and About.com are owned by the same parent company but are not editorially affiliated.)

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Easy Riders
by So-Chung Shinn
Our Assessment This is a run-down of 12 tricycles, and coverage is broken up into six categories: portable tricycles, bigger kids, littler kids, cooperative play, rugged terrain and city sidewalks. Radio Flyer and Kettler receive a few mentions. Notes on ease of assembly are included, which are very helpful. The selection method used for choosing each bike is not revealed, however.
11. eHow.com
Not Dated
How to Buy a Children's Bike As a Gift
by Editors of Ehow.com
Our Assessment This article gives a few pointers on what to look for when buying a bike for a child. Children's bikes are measured by the size of a wheel. 20 inches is the standard size wheel and usually comes with six or seven speeds. Aluminum rims are best for kids' bikes because the metal is stronger, lighter and more abrasive, which allows for quicker stopping.
12. ConsumerReports.org
July 2004
Bicycles: More bike for the buck
by Editors of Consumer Reports
Our Assessment

According to this four-year-old report from Consumer Reports, you get what you pay for. Wal-Mart and Toys 'R' Us sell plenty of bikes that seem like "good deals," but Consumer Reports suggests you buy a higher-quality bike, such as those recommended in their ratings charts, although no children's bikes are listed. Editors suggest that a cheaper bike may be an option for a growing child who will outgrow it quickly, but suggest that you will get more for your money by spending a little more.

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13. HowStuffWorks.com
Not Dated
How Bicycles Work
by Marshall Brain
Our Assessment This article simply describes the various parts of the bikes using illustrations and then explains how the components work together to make a bike move at various speeds. This is a good article for anyone interested in buying a bike for either a child or an adult, or anyone interested in the mechanics of a bike.
14. RoadBikeReview.com
Not Dated
2007 Kids Bikes
by Contributors to RoadBikeReview.com
Our Assessment This consumer review site, like MTBR.com, is part of ConsumerReview.com's network. However, RoadBikeReview.com is disappointing, especially if you want reviews of children's bikes. It lists several bike models, though only a few are actually reviewed. Also, many of the kids' bikes listed aren't reviewed at all (unlike the adult bikes). Searches yield little valuable information.

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