The Christmas thread has me thinking

[Kleine Hexe]

I'd like to get a bike for my 7 yr old. He has not had much exposure to bike riding (my fault). He has a balance bike that he is now too big for. He does well with it now but it's just too small. The balance bike will go to my 4 yr old.

So any recommendations for a good bike? Does his height matter? Hand brakes or peddle brakes? :001_huh:

[RenayofRohan]

Here's a link (http://toys.about.com/od/kidsbikesandscooters/a/bikeinfolinks.htm) that'll take you to a variety of articles about choosing the right bike for your child. HTH ;)

Here's one guideline from one of the articles:

"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."

My 2 boys both like the Mongoose brand, but I haven't done any "bike" research for a while.

[Jean in Newcastle]

We liked Trek. We went to a bike shop and had him fitted to the bike. It made the present not a surprise (in one sense) but we didn't tell him where we were going so going to the bike store and everything was included in the present/surprise.

[lynn]

I'd like to get a bike for my 7 yr old. He has not had much exposure to bike riding (my fault). He has a balance bike that he is now too big for. He does well with it now but it's just too small. The balance bike will go to my 4 yr old.

So any recommendations for a good bike? Does his height matter? Hand brakes or peddle brakes? :001_huh:

Because kids grow so fast and not always careful we get their bikes from Walmart or Toysrus. Usually a huffy. We have not paid more than $60 and they lasted pretty much until they outgrew them in about 2 years. Bikes without handbrakes have less to break and adjust. However, handbrakes are fun to have.

[Jane in NC]

Because kids grow so fast and not always careful we get their bikes from Walmart or Toysrus. Usually a huffy. We have not paid more than $60 and they lasted pretty much until they outgrew them in about 2 years.

Because kids grow and are not always careful is precisely the reason to buy a child's bike at a locally owned bike store in my opinion. We always received 50% credit or more when we traded in the old bike. Parts for many of the Walmart bikes are non-existent while a bike shop will always service what it sells. Further, they tune up bikes for free.

Parents often make the mistake of buying a bike that is too large, one that a kid can "grow" into. (My mom did the same with ice skates when I was growing up.) A bike shop will also help with the fitting.

Our bike shop sells used bikes which are not much more expensive than the Walmart bikes, less if you plan on trading it in eventually.

My $0.02 for what its worth.

Jane