Buying Your Childs First Bike

A child new to two-wheels will be working hard to develop basic bicycle skills such as balance, starting, stopping, and steering.  Purchasing a 1^st bike that a child can "grow into" is dangerous because your child needs to learn control. 

Depending on their age a 3 yrs + child will probably start on a 12” wheeled bike while an older child might start on a 14” wheel bike with stabilisers. A child's first bicycle will be fitted with front and rear brakes.  Look for a bike with a fixed rear cog so when your child stops pedalling the bike will stop. Look out for adjustable handlebar so you can refine the riding position specifically for your child.

Don’t buy your childs first bike without also buying a helmet to wear when riding. 

Getting Ready for Spring Cycling

Regular checks will help avoid the most common mechanical failures and ensure your safety each time you go out on your bike.

1.   Tyres and wheels - before you get on your bike check your tyres to make sure they are correctly inflated within the tyre manufacturers’ pressure guidelines, normally shown on the tyre sidewall.

2.   Brakes - squeeze your brake levers to make sure that they apply enough pressure to stop your bike and that you don’t have any problems with fraying or stretched cables. Brake blocks must not be touching the tyre as this cause damage and will wear to the tyre.  Adjust the block position to avoid the tyre sidewall, so it runs aligned to the rim braking surface. Spin the wheels and you can check the brakes and wheels run freely without contact when not required.  

3.   Seat post and handlebar stem - check to make sure that your handlebar and saddle are set at the right height and fastened tightly.

4.   Chain and gears - check that your chain turns cleanly through the front and rear sprockets and doesn't rub against the derailleurs.