Best time with my children: Bikes

Choosing the right bike for your child can be a daunting task. With so many options available in the market, it’s important to consider various factors to ensure that you pick the best bike for your child’s needs.

Table of Contents

• Consider the age and size of your child
• Consider the type of bike
• Safety features
• Our bikes
• Get all the gears you need

Consider the Age and Size of Your Child

Balance bikes:

For younger children, balance bikes are a great option. These bikes have no pedals and allow children to learn balance and coordination. They are typically designed for children between the ages of 2 and 5. As your child grows older, you can consider bikes with training wheels or bikes with adjustable seat heights. It’s important to choose a bike that allows your child to comfortably reach the ground while sitting on the saddle.

When I was a kid, I believed there was no such thing as a balance bike. I learned how to ride a bike starting with a bike with training wheels, which was actually very uncomfortable since the training wheels were always imbalanced and it was just hard to ride. Thanks to Balance Bikes, both of my boys learned how to ride bikes very early. For Y, he was still 2 years old! (Well, it was a day before he turned 3 years old, but I can still say he was 2 years old, right?)

We had a balance bike, a Strider 12” Sport Bike. We got the bike for E when he turned 2 years old. He rode it until he was 4 years old. Y started riding the same balance bike when he was 18 months old. We used the bike for both of my boys for 4 years, and we had no complaints at all about the bike. 

After a balance bike and scooter, we were lucky to have some used bikes from our friends. Thanks to the balance bike and another bike from our friend, we were able to get out of the house and go biking to the neighborhood’s horses almost every day during the summer.

After the balance bike, we also got one scooter for Y. Since scooter is very compact and light, it is very convenient to take to anywhere!

We got it from Santa Clause, and we know that Santa Clause always has great taste!

You can also find (fortunately!) our scooter, Maxi Deluxe Foldable LED in the link.

It is very light and foldable, yet very steady and strong. Both E and Y still use it once in a while and still love it!

Consider the Type of Bike

Now my boys are 5 and 8 years old and we did some research which bikes to get.

There are several types of bikes available for children, each designed for different purposes. Here are a few common types:

• BMX Bikes: BMX bikes are designed for off-road riding and stunts. They are built to be durable and lightweight, making them suitable for adventurous children who enjoy riding on dirt tracks or performing tricks.

• Mountain Bikes: If your child enjoys off-road adventures, a mountain bike might be the perfect choice. These bikes are equipped with features like suspension systems and knobby tires, making them suitable for tackling rough terrains.

• Road Bikes: Road bikes are designed for speed and efficiency on paved roads. They have lightweight frames and thin tires, making them suitable for older children who are interested in road cycling or racing.

Safety Features

When choosing a bike for your child, safety should be a top priority. Look for bikes that have the following safety features:

• Sturdy Frame: When it comes to bike frames, sturdiness is a crucial factor that determines the overall durability and performance of a bicycle. Whether you are a casual rider or a professional cyclist, having a sturdy bike frame is essential for a safe and enjoyable riding experience. The choice of material plays a significant role in determining the sturdiness of a bike frame. Each material has its own unique properties and characteristics that affect the frame’s strength, weight, and stiffness

Steel: Steel frames are known for their exceptional strength and durability,

Aluminum: aluminum frames offer a good balance between strength and weight.

Carbon fiber: Carbon fiber frames are lightweight and provide excellent stiffness, but they can be more susceptible to impact damage.

Titanium: Titanium frames offer a high strength-to-weight ratio and are known for their durability.

• Brakes: Ensure that the bike has reliable brakes that are easy for your child to operate. There are several different types of brakes you might want to know before purchasing. There are different types of brakes.

Rim brakes: They are one of the most common types of brakes used in bikes. They work by applying pressure to the rim of the wheel to slow down or stop the bike. There are two main types of rim brakes: caliper brakes and cantilever brakes. Caliper brakes are found on road bikes and are lightweight and aerodynamic. Cantilever brakes are commonly used on mountain bikes and provide more clearance for wider tires and mud.

Disc brakes: They have gained popularity in recent years, especially in mountain bikes. They use a metal rotor attached to the wheel hub and a caliper that clamps down on the rotor to slow down or stop the bike. Disc brakes offer better stopping power and perform well in wet and muddy conditions. They are also less affected by rim wear and can be more reliable in the long run.

Coaster brakes: They are commonly found on cruiser bikes and children’s bikes. They are a type of rear hub brake that is activated by pedaling backward. Coaster brakes are simple and easy to use, making them popular for casual riding. However, they are not as effective at stopping quickly and can be prone to overheating with prolonged use.

Drum brakes: They are another type of hub brake commonly used in bikes. They consist of a drum attached to the wheel hub and brake shoes that press against the inside of the drum to slow down or stop the bike. Drum brakes are known for their durability and low maintenance requirements. They are often found on utility bikes and bikes designed for carrying heavy loads.

As my boys grow up, sturdy frames and good brakes now matter so much because they go on rough roads, they go very fast, and they just want to challenge themselves all the time.

Our bikes

By considering all the factors above, we got the bikes below:

This is a bike for Y (5 years old, height: 3′ 11″, size 20)

2022 Giant STP 20 FS, TREKKING

Sturdy Frame: It has a very sturdy frame. E rode it for 2 years, and Y is not riding it. It is still in great condition (even with a lot of falls).
Brakes: It has a disc brake. We chose a bike with disc brakes because of its stopping power especially in wet condition due to its climate.

Both of my boys love this bike. It can go fast on the road, surely, and it can go on rough, bumpy roads as well.

This is a bike for E (8 years old, height: 4′ 5″, size 26)

Giant STP 26

Sturdy Frame: It has a very sturdy frame.
Brakes: It has a disc brake. We chose a bike with disc brakes because of its stopping power especially in wet condition due to its climate.

Pedals were sold separately so we got black ones. The only complain he had is his butt hurts so we got a pad for him. Besides that, E loves his new bike.

This is a bike for my husband.

Giant Fathom 29 1

Sturdy Frame: It has a very sturdy frame (Material: aluminum). My husband actually had a huge crush on this bike one time, but the frame was completely fine! (I hope he does not have another crush, though.)
Brakes: It has a disc brake. We chose a bike with disc brakes because of its stopping power especially in wet condition due to its climate.

Pedals were sold separately for this bike we well. He got black ones.

This is a bike for me!

Cannondale ADVENTURE 2 LAVENDER

Sturdy Frame: It has a very sturdy frame (Material: aluminum).
Brakes: It has a disc brake. We chose a bike with disc brakes because of its stopping power especially in wet condition due to its climate.

I got a hybrid bike so that I can ride it in an upright position. The bike saddle has a nice cushion, so I can ride on it for a long time without a saddle pad. I can just say it is so pretty for such a high-quality bike that has all the functions you need. 

Before making a final decision, it’s a good idea to have your child test the bike. They should be able to sit on the saddle with their feet on the ground and comfortably reach the handlebars. The bike should also be easy for them to maneuver and control. Encourage your child to take a short test ride to ensure that they feel comfortable and confident on the bike. Pay attention to their posture and how they handle the bike. If they seem hesitant or uncomfortable, it may be a sign that the bike is not the right fit for them.

Get all the gears you need

Along with the bikes, it’s important to invest in proper safety gear for your children, a helmet. This will help protect them in case of any falls or accidents.

The first helmets we got for the boys were JBM Skateboard Bike Helmets with Removable Liners Ventilation Multi-Sports Helmet for Beginner to Advanced.

We got a blue one for E and a pink one for Y.

There is a nice cushion inside, and it also has great ventilation.

As the helmet has gotten smaller for E, we got a Giro Tremor MIPS Bike Helmet from Kid’s.

It is a very comfortable helmet. It definitely has great ventilation as well.

In addition, bellows are helmets for my husband and myself.

I got Giro Vasona MIPS Cycling Helmet – Women’s for myself.
My husband got Giro Fixture II MIPS Mountain Bike Helmet for Men, Women, Kids, and Adults.

At this point, we do not have knee or elbow pads yet, but I will definitely update if we get ones.

What is next? Well, you need a bike rack to go to places with your bikes!

We got Kuat NV Base 2.0 Hitch Bike Rack for our bike rack.

Based on our research, it has tons of good reviews for its sturdiness, quality, ease of use, stability, and performance. We decided to get one, and yes, we love it! It is just so strong, and it can hold all the bikes, even heavy ones. (mine is the heaviest). It does not shake when driving, either. It also has a cable that can lock the bikes for safety. It is definitely a big investment, but it is worth it to protect all of my bikes for a long time. 

Even after putting all the bikes on the rack, you can still open the trunk by tilting the rack down (picture). However, with all four bikes, it gets super heavy, so you might not want to do that to protect your back. It really feels like you are deadlifting. Please do not hurt your back! (You may want to see deadlifts for technique!)

Since we got four bikes, we needed to get the extension for the bike rack. We got Kuat NV Base 2.0 – ADD ON

It is actually nice that we have the option to attach the bike rack to just two bikes. I may go out with one of the boys, and then we do not need the rack for all four bikes. 

Going biking with your family can be a wonderful way to spend quality time together and enjoy the great outdoors.

going biking with your family offers a wide range of benefits, including improved physical fitness, quality bonding time, exploration and adventure, environmental consciousness, and stress relief. So, grab your bikes and helmets, and start creating unforgettable memories with your loved ones!