Revolution Cycle

FITTING A BICYCLE TO YOUR CHILD

Bicycles bought for children need to fit them properly, both for safety reasons and to allow for maximum rider growth.

Because bike shops offer many more wheel AND frame size choices, they can often fit a child to a bike that will last AND fit safely for several years longer than "department store" bikes can.

The longer a bicycle lasts and safely fits, the more economical it is.

For children ages 2 through 5 or 6, bicycle wheel diameter is the primary size differentiating factor, with 12" and 16" wheel sizes the most common size.

For larger 4 to 6 year old children, bike shops have 20" wheel-sized bicycles with steeply sloping top bars. More unisex in appearance, they enable a shorter-legged rider to fit a larger-wheeled bike at an earlier age, and to fit the bike longer.

These bikes also have shorter length crank arms (where the pedals attach). When a bike seat is lowered for a shorter-legged rider, the shorter crank arm enables the child to pedal with full leg rotation without having to rock back and forth sideways on the seat, and to apply the foot brake more easily.

"Department-store" 20" bikes are frequently too big for kids under 7 or 8.

Full-size 20" wheel bikes with higher cross-bars and longer crank arms are usually purchased for riders 6 or 7 years of age or older. Often called dirt bikes or BMX bikes, these are principally designed for frequent, hard, recreational use. Usually the less expensive they are, the heavier they are.

The next size bicycle after the 20" will have 24" diameter wheels.

Some kids, depending upon their leg length, may fit shorter frame size adult bikes with 26" (or greater) diameter wheels.

We carry great alternatives to kid's bikes such as strollers and trailers.

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