Tips for buying a bike for your child / a young person

For those of you who aren't ants:

1. A simple bike frame is great – You don’t need a lot of features (such as suspension or too many gears) when starting off. They make the bike heavy and have limited benefits.
   
2. Buy from a bike shop which specialises in selling bikes – not toys. They’ll know how to fix a bike and a free servicing should be part of the purchase. For second-hand yet good quality bikes look out for local recycling projects such as Recycles in Redbridge http://recycles-ilford.co.uk/ and London Bike Hub http://www.londonbikehub.com. Buying from the internet is tricky as you can’t size the bike and there’s no after service. If you are buying a new bike that’s very cheap you are probably just buying a ‘bicycle shaped object’.
   
3. Getting your balance- For younger children try taking the pedals off a regular bike so it can be used as a balance bike. Put the pedals back on when they’ve got the hang of scooting. Avoid stabilisers as it’s harder for children to balance when they are removed.
   
4. What size of bike? – Rather relying on age for bike sizing, measure your child’s inside leg (when they are wearing shoes). The bike frame should be about 3cm lower to give clearance. You want to buy a bike that is a comfortable fit but also gives a bit of room for growing.
   
5. Invest in brakes–Metal brake levers are generally better than plastic ones (which have a tendency to snap) and can be adjusted to short fingers. Ensure that children can pull on the brake levers.
   
6. Bling!– You are paying extra for the branded ‘pink-princess-fairy-ninja-warrior’ bike. Buy a simple frame and bling it yourself.
   
7. Gloves – You don’t need lots of fancy clothes to cycle but do wear gloves. That nice new bike with metal brake levers is going to feel really cold in winter.
   
8. Security – A lovely bike needs more than a lock that looks like liquorice to secure it. Spend a bit more money and get a decent lock.
   
9. Buy a long seat post -(at least 150mm) so when your child grows the saddle can be raised.
   
10. Training - Get training on your own or as a family and know how to ride properly . It will make riding a whole lot more fun. Contact your local authority as they may offer free or subsidised training.