Everything You Need To Know About Buying Kids' Bikes

Are you looking at buying a bicycle for your child but don't know what to look for? Don't worry, as Conor is here to help by sharing his top tips. When learning how to ride a bike, it is important for children to have the right size and type of bicycle to help their balance, coordination and enjoyment of cycling. Here's our easy guide for parents and guardians about purchasing a kid's first bike!

0:00 - Intro
0:44 - Bike Size
3:23 - Balance Bikes
6:12 - First Pedal Bike
9:31 - Moving On & Getting Older

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Do you have any tips for buying kid's bikes? Let us know in the comments! 👇

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[gcn]

Do you have any tips for buying kid's bikes? Let us know in the comments! 👇

[DarenC]

Good advice! I'm a strong advocate for balance bikes rather than "stabilisers". When moving up to a pedal bike, an option I've used is to take the pedals off and let the child get used to the larger size before putting the pedals back on. This summer I took my youngest from balance bike to pedalling unassisted in less than an hour this way. 👍🏽

[tankbirdfinder]

Thanks for taking on a real subject to help people not interested in carbon fiber aero expensium. Really appreciate thinking about the next generation and there well being. Thank you Connor and Jesse.

[lightningll]

Looks like Jesse Watched Si's cross race the way he throws his bike down.

[philipppototschnik]

Absolutely loved this episode. My boy took my lights on his balance bike and doesn’t want to run it without them on anymore. Great deal for both of us!❤

[mec]

Well done for trying different topics that are useful for people in different situations.

[gcntech]

Yellow... Rocket boosters... Hmmmm 🤔 We can work with that! 🙌

[geoffreyhoney]

Wow! As you Brits would say "What an absolutely cracking video! " As a retired Elementary Teacher (mostly 4 to 6 year olds) and 1/2 stay at home dad it absolutely warms my heart to see Dads like Connor and Cillian taking care of business with their young ones whilst being awesome cyclists too! Such a helpful video as our grandchildren are starting biking plus I want to help with local bike programme for kids so the chart particularly is super helpful. What wonderful chemistry between Connor and Jessie, especially in the outtakes!! Sorry Connor, Jessie is bang on about the rocket boosters (I was laughing so hard I was crying! )But be consoled that Ollie is taking down everyone (yes Hank too) and Si's ankles mean he can never be Mercury! I can hardly wait till Jessie takes on Hank! BEST GCN VIDEO EVER!! More!

[yxqkskt]

Titanium frame and xtr groupset for the toddlers.

[andrewmcalister]

Hank's dad, Conor's son. Loving the growing GCN family.

[Cycle]

Wish balace bikes had been in existence 57 years ago. There would have been fewer tears. 😂. Adorable child, btw!

[bryguy]

This is incredibly wholesome. I LOVED the interview at the end, hilarious about Hank beating his dad.

[velamenroots]

We need more content like this. Not only informative, but very entertaining. Thank you!

[Gsyncro]

What a cutie!! My GF's sister has 2 kids, so between them and our 2, we have 4 kids with pretty well staggered sizes. It means we own once and use 4 times before we pass it on or it's been ridden to death and we just get rid of it. Glad you pointed out the used market because with kids that's just a given!!!

[TheWizardOfOsgood]

Great points about the sizing!
From experience with my own kids I see a clear advantage to letting them use bikes that are their size or smaller, rather than sizing up for them to grow into.
My son rode a 16" from age 5-7 and we've only just purchased a 20" for him now at age 7.
Sure it looked comically small this past year with the seat height almost maxed out, but he dominated that bike and I think became a better more confident rider.
Many of his classmates are awkwardly riding 24" bikes and don't appear to have the same level of confidence.

[ktkvs]

Most important tip is to have fun with it. Eg. if a kid wants stabilizers, let them use stabilizers.

Beautiful video, Conor. I hope non-rider parents stumble onto it.

[michaelhughes]

Great video great to see the joy in a child out in the fresh air on their bike. Thanks to Conor and Jesse for working together and certainly looks like they enjoy each other’s company

[wenschobert]

Brake on the balance bike for my kids worked really fine. They didn't use it for quite a while, but when they felt comfortable enough they learned braking with their hands - before they had their feet occupied with pedals... i like balance bikes to have brakes - highly recommend.

[axelschneider]

Dad of twins here...

We got ours new, since we needed two, identical ones at a given time.
But we've chosen to spend the money because we know we can sell them again for good money.

Weight is the most and important thing. Having to schlepp two of those things I'm so happy we got light alu ones. Carrying two is kinda something...

I disagree on the brake bit.

We started ours with about 2¼ years on their balance bike, and now almost 3 years, they still don't care for the brakes, however they see mum and dad use them, we tow them around in a trailer since ever, so they're very used to a bicycle not being a toy but rather than a method of transport, so they now want to stop like their parents.
So the brakes now become a thing, pretty much on their own. But they sort of get the idea: slow down - pull leaver.
Not the worst muscle memory.

[tdog]

Great to see GCN covering this angle. Rides with my son are always a fun experience for us both. It took 3 months for him to master pedals when switching from balance bike. He also use to come out with me in his trailer and I wonder if observing me pedal helped.