Kids Bikes

All experts say the most important consideration in choosing the right bike is size. The main mistake parents make is buying a bike that is too large, thinking that the child can grow into it and that they may be able to buy fewer bikes in the long run. Kids outgrow bikes in a couple of years, so many bikes are not made for the long haul or of the same quality as adult bikes. Still, a better quality bike will stand up to everyday abuse and make a good hand-me-down for younger siblings.

Nearly every expert we found recommends taking your child with you to the store to insure a proper fit. Sizing impacts how well your child can reach the ground, pedals and handlebars. If the bike is too large or too small this can be dangerous, as they will have difficulty steering and braking. The child may forego bicycling out of frustration if he/she cannot learn to ride easily and comfortably. More importantly, if a child cannot control the bike, accidents and injuries are more likely to occur.. (Please also read our report on bicycle helmets .)

The size of a child's bike is determined by the diameter of the wheels, usually from 12 inches to 24 inches. The wheels of adult bikes start at 26 inches. Experts say your child's age is an unreliable indicator because children grow at different rates. Measuring the inseam of the child is the best way to find the right size.

Children's Bike Sizing Guidelines
Bike size (wheel diameter)	Inseam measurement	Approximate age
12-inch	14 to 17 inches	2 to 3 years
16-inch	18 to 21 inches	4 to 6 years
20-inch	22 to 25 inches	7 to 8 years
24-inch	26 inches and longer	9 and up

When the child tests the bike, the balls of both feet should be on the ground while sitting on the bike and holding the handlebars. When straddling the center bar, both feet should be flat on the ground and there should be around one inch between the child and the top bar of a traditionally styled boy's bike.

The hub, spokes and rim of a wheel should all be metal. Some experts say steel rims and chrome-plated rims aren't ideal. That's because when wet, these metals create less friction between the rim and brake pad, which can make it more difficult to stop the bike. For children's bikes, aluminum or alloy rims are better for braking. Aluminum is lighter, stronger and more abrasive than steel. Aluminum rims reduce the amount of slipping in the brake system and make it easier to stop.

Children's bikes either have coaster brakes, handbrakes or both. Coaster brakes are on the back wheel and are engaged by pedaling backwards. Experts say they are much easier for kids to learn to use. Handbrakes, according to the International Bike Fund (www.ibike.com), are "brakes engaged by a grip on the handlebars that pinches brake pads against the rim of the wheel." Bikes with 12- or 16-inch wheels usually have coaster brakes because of the limited hand strength of younger children. Older children can better manage handbrakes. Ibike.com also writes that, "When assessing the braking mechanism you want to make sure that it is stiff enough and strong enough to handle the weight and speed of the rider."

For toddlers, tricycles are the first step to a two-wheel bike. While it's not difficult to find inexpensive trikes, experts say German-made Kettler tricycles are something special. Kettler trikes have bucket seats rather than a traditional bike seat that parents say keep kids from sliding off the seat (you can even buy an optional seat belt). Wide-set rear wheels and a low-to-the-ground frame help provide a stable ride. Parents can also choose to lock the handlebars in place while kids are learning. We found nothing but raves for Kettler trikes from hundreds of parents posting comments to Amazon. Many say Kettler tricycles are well-made and very durable -- the Mercedes-Benz of bikes. Their only complaint is that the tricycles are difficult to assemble and the manuals aren't helpful. Kettler bikes are also expensive. The Kettler Kettrike Air Happy Tricycle (*est. $190) is easily adjustable at multiple frame points. It also comes with a long parent handle to help your toddler "steer." The similar Kettrike Air Navigator (*est. $200) adds air tires. Both have a rear storage bucket.

Although Kettler clearly gets the best reviews for its tricycles, we also found good parent feedback for the Schwinn Roadster tricycle (*est. $80) . Parents say that it's a rugged model with a durable steel frame that can be adjusted as a child grows, and that it's easy to put together. It's also small enough for a very young child to handle. It has a bucket seat and a low center of gravity that makes the bike more stable. This Schwinn bike is made of more rugged components and is easier to assemble than competing models like the Huffy Canopy Trike (*est. $100) .

For kids starting at about two or three years old, 12-inch bikes are the smallest two-wheeled bikes, and all come standard with removable training wheels. 16-inch bikes are for older and taller kids of about five years of age. Huffy makes the Princess in both 12-inch (*est. $65) and 16-inch (*est. $80) sizes. These single-speed bikes have steel frames, coaster brakes, a double chain guard and training wheels. The 12-inch and 16-inch Huffy bikes for girls are decent for the price, and should last until your child outgrows them. If you buy these bikes pre-assembled, many bike techs recommend taking them apart at home, lubricating, re-aligning and re-assembling the bike.

Though Schwinn 12-inch bikes cost more, the Tiger/Tigress (*est. $115) bikes promise better quality. They are rugged, and should last until your child has learned to ride and is ready to move on to bigger bikes. Reviews say the frame and wheels are a good proportional fit. The Tiger (for boys) and Tigress (for girls) come with removable training wheels. They are found only in bike shops, however.

BMX bikes have a lower frame and fat wheels, along with sportier styling that appeals to kids. The lower top bar means it's easier to stand over the frame, which may help prevent some spills. The 16-inch Mongoose Amplifier for boys (*est. $90) and the Lilac for girls (*est. $90) both share this BMX styling. The Amplifier and Lilac are sturdily made with mag-style wheels that are puncture-proof and a low frame that's close to the ground. In addition to coaster brakes, there are front and rear handbrakes. Both models also come with training wheels. If the Lilac isn't available, the Schwinn Jasmine (*est. $80) 16-inch bike for girls has similar features. The Jasmine gets nearly perfect scores from parents who rave about its solid build. Both coaster brakes and hand brakes are included. For older and bigger kids who have an inseam of at least 21 inches, experts recommend the 20-inch Schwinn Aerostar (Stardust for girls) (*est. $150). Children who would be happy with this model are those who are content with a single gear and want BMX styling. Reviewers like this model's lower seat and dual braking system, which improve the bike's safety and make it more comfortable and controllable.

In the 20-inch category, we found positive parent-written reviews at Amazon.com for the Mongoose Freestyle bike (*est. $150) . This bike, like BMX bikes, has a low-riding frame. The frame is lightweight aluminum along with 48-spoke wheels and aluminum rims. The pedals are also alloy, which are better for braking. If your nine year old wants to learn freestyle tricks, About.com guide Dipika Mirpurir says this is the bike to check out. Parents note that this Mongoose bike is better made than others like the Mongoose Crush (*est. $120) , which has plastic pedals.

Mountain bikes have fat tires and horizontal handlebars for better stability during off-road riding. In fact, almost all kid's bikes have flat handlebars and fat tires. The key difference between mountain bikes and other kids' bikes, though, is that they usually have at least six gears. So, they're best for kids who already know how to ride a bike. In the 20-inch size, parents like the Pacific Chromium for boys (*est. $80) and the Pacific Horizon for girls (*est. $90) . The Chromium/Horizon have rugged, lightweight frames that parents say are durable. They also have front and rear handbrakes and shock suspension for smoother rides over rough ground. There's a six-gear twist-controlled shifter. The girl's version is similarly constructed, and parents posting reviews on Amazon.com say that the bike is durable and easy to assemble.

Important Features: Kid's bikes

The following is what specialists say to look for in a children's bike:

• Size. Note that "size" and "fit" are not necessarily the same thing. On the books, kid's bike sizes are recorded based on wheel size, but frame design plays a big part in the fit of a bike. BMX frames, for example, can fit different size kids than traditional frames, since the top bar of a BMX frame sits lower.

• Gears. Kids seem to be happy with fewer gears than adults. Although some advanced mountain bikes with twenty-one gears are marketed to children, the typical kid's mountain bike has six gears. BMX models have no gears.

• Shifters. Grip shifters are best, for two reasons: first, they require much less dexterity to shift from one gear to another; and second, they're harder to break when a child (who is usually much more prone to falls) crashes a bike.

• Graphics and colors. This seemingly frivolous consideration is actually so important that it's sometimes the defining element, at least as far as kids are concerned. The only difference between Schwinn's Aerostar and Stardust models is the gender-specific coloring, and kids may demand a Princess bike only because they like the character. There is absolutely no technical reason why a girl could not ride a "boys" bike or vice versa.

• Training wheels. Most 12-inch and 16-inch models come standard with training wheels. Make sure that the wheels are removable, so a child can have a good two-wheeler once he's mastered the balance required for biking.

Experts say it's best to purchase a bike from a bike shop, which has more knowledgeable staff that can offer advice and suggestions. Experts agree that it is worth the extra money for the services provided by specialty shops. Bikes from "big-box stores," as Consumer Reports calls Wal-Mart and Toys 'R' Us, are usually cheaper, but you'll be on your own when trying to choose the best size and fit. Also, bike-store mechanics are trained in how to properly assemble a bike, a task you'll be performing on your own if you buy from a discounter. Bike-shop employees also know how to adjust the various components of the bike such as the seat or handlebars to insure a great fit. There's also usually a better selection of assembled bikes for a child to try out whereas there are a limited number of assembled bikes at large stores. Mr. Bike notes that big bike manufacturers generally sell their lower-quality bikes to big-box stores.

All that said, if you know your way around a bike and are comfortable with a pair of pliers, there's no reason why you can't competently assemble it on your own. It's a task probably not to be attempted at 11:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, however. For your child's first bike, the simpler the better. Handbrakes and many speeds may complicate the learning process.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
2	Schwinn Aerostar/Stardust (*est. $150)	-
2	Schwinn Tiger/Tigress (*est. $115)	-
2	Mongoose Ace (Discontinued)	-
2	Kettler Tricycle (*est. $190)	details
2	Schwinn Roadster Trike (*est. $80)	details
2	Mongoose Freestyle (*est. $150)	details
1 each	Radio Flyer Classic Red 10" Tricycle , Radio Flyer Classic Red 12" Bike , Pacific Chromium/Horizon , Huffy Princess , Mongoose Amplifier/Lilac

Many of these kid's bikes in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers correspond closely with the favorites of parents posting reviews at Amazon.com, the most reliable and comprehensive source that we found. The bikes represented here merit first consideration, but few reviews are thorough enough to be completely conclusive.

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