When your child is old enough to start cycling, it can be a very exciting time, from buying their first bike, to the proud moment when they upgrade to their ‘big’ bike. However, it can sometimes be confusing trying to find which is best for your child. From the frame style, to wheel size, there’s lots to consider to ensure you buy the perfect bike for your little one. With so many options from BMX bikes, mountain bikes, balance bikes, and more! In this blog, we’ll help you understand the different types of kids’ bikes out there so you can ensure every penny counts when it comes to your family’s cycling journey!

 

Bikes for Toddlers

Balance bikes are a safe step for any 2-3 year old if you’re eager to ease them into cycling. By using their feet to get themselves going, your child will develop their coordination and balance skills,vital for riding bikes as they grow older. You can read more about why your child will love a balance bike here. Below we’ve listed some popular kids’ balance bikes to get started:

Little Town Wooden Balance Bike Grey – WAS £99.99, NOW £39.99 (SALE ENDS SOON) 

Bring your little one’s imagination to life, with a little town wooden balance bike. It’ll take your child on cycling journeys to fantastic, imaginary places! It’s also a great bike to help them get started on balance and coordination skills.

 

 

Kids’ Pedal Bikes and Sizing

In case you aren’t aware, kids’ bikes are actually measured by wheel size, rather than frame size. Children grow very quickly, so this needs to be taken into consideration when buying a kids bike. However, if you buy a bike that is too big for your child, you will compromise your child’s safety, and potentially discourage your child from cycling. Your child should feel comfortable on the saddle, be able to easily get on and off, reach the handles and brakes, and reach the pedals without stretching. We have a handy bike sizing guide to help, or we welcome you to pop in-store where our expert staff will be happy to help  find the perfect bike for all your family members.

We have a large selection of kids pedal bikes, ranging from 12” wheels (suitable for 3 year olds) to 24” wheels (suitable for 8/10 year olds). Pedal bikes come in all sorts of styles, from BMX, mountain bikes, road bikes, single speed and more. Below, we’ve listed a few of the popular types of kids pedal bikes.

Kids’ Single-Speed Pedal Bikes

Single speed bikes are the next step for children that have mastered their balancing and coordination skills, and are ready for a bigger bike, but aren’t quite confident using proper gears yet. Single speed pedal bikes only offer one gear; making them fun and straightforward to use. These are available in different styles, from BMX to mountain bikes, and are even available in up to 24 inch wheel sizes. Here are some of our recommendations:

Salcano Muki 14 inch bike Lilac – WAS £259.99, NOW £129.00 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

The Salcano Multi comes complete with fun pink handlebar tassels, cool doodle graphics, and a dolly seat so they can bring their favourite toy wherever they go. The bike also features anti splash mudguards, and a chain guard to ensure fingers are out of harm’s way.

Kids’ BMX Bikes

A BMX is a good choice for any aspiring daredevil. Although they are single speed bikes, their 20 inch wheels mean that they tend to be more suitable for slightly older children, aged 7+.  BMX bikes are lightweight, allowing your child to perform all sorts of stunts and tricks while also being a great fit for a variety of terrains. See below for our top picks:

Ammaco Freestyler BMX 20 inch kids BMX bike – WAS £299.99, NOW £159 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

Ensure your child is safe and ready for the skatepark with the Ammaco Freestyler. This BMX is equipped with 4 heavy duty trick nuts and a 360 gyro system, allowing the handlebars to complete a 360 degree rotation without the brake cables tangling. The freestyler also features high rise BMX handlebars for a comfortable yet traditional BMX riding position.

Kids multi speed pedal bikes:

As children grow older and become more experienced and confident riders, multi-speed bikes become a great option. These bikes feature multiple gears, allowing its rider to tackle different terrains and adjust their speed accordingly. Multi-speed bikes are available in various styles, including mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrid bikes, meaning that there’s an option for all different riding preferences and skill levels. See some of popualr multi-speed bike styles below.

Kids Mountain Bikes

Kids mountain bikes are designed to support young riders while still providing the thrill and adventure of off-road cycling. These often feature multiple gear systems, sturdy frames, and strong suspension systems to absorb all those bumps.

Cuda Kinetic 24 inch mountain bike – WAS £375, NOW £249.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

The Cuda Kinetic is a perfect mountain bike for any young rider. Its 24 inch wheels make it suitable for any child aged 8/10+. Equipped with Shimano 18 speed transmission, to give your adventure a wider range of gear ratios. As well as a micro adjust seat post, quick release seat clamp and a front suspension fork. It’s an ideal bike for braving the off-road routes or cycling round the neighbourhood.

Kids cruiser Bikes

Cruiser bikes are everyday bikes designed for leisurely and casual rides. With their comfortable upright riding position, wide handlebars, and cushioned seats, cruiser bikes are perfect for family outings and neighbourhood adventures. These bikes often feature single-speed or multi-speed options, allowing riders to enjoy a relaxed pace whilst exploring.

Sonic Beau 20 inch mountain bike – WAS £250, NOW £149.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

The Beau 20 inch is fit for those who are keen to embark on fun cycling adventures. It features suspension forks to reduce the bumps and V-brakes to provide confidence when stopping. It also boasts a delicate pastel and floral design for a sophisticated look.

Kids bike accessories

Ensuring a fun ride goes beyond just having a bike, and can be enhanced by some exciting accessories. From safety essentials such as snug-fitting helmets, to fun add ons like custom sound bells, accessories not only personalise your little ones bike but also contribute to safety, comfort, style and even confidence. Check out our top picks below to enhance your kids’ bike:

Ammaco Spider kids helmet 52-56cm – WAS £29.99, NOW £24.99

This eye-catching helmet is made with comfort in mind, with its removable pads and easy to adjust dial-fit system. Perfectly sized for toddlers and young children, it’s a fantastic helmet for young cyclists learning to ride a balance bike or their very first pedal bike.

10 LED Light Electric horn red – WAS £39.99, NOW £9.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

This is the perfect kids’ bike accessory to make safety fun! Allow your child to customise the light pattern they want for their bike, as well as choosing from 4 siren sounds including lazer, ray gun, siren and alarm!

There’s many different types of kids bikes available, for all sorts of preferences and riding styles. By understanding the various types of kids’ bikes available, you can select a bike that not only fits your child’s needs but also provides a safe and enjoyable riding experience. Whether it’s a balance bike for a toddler or a BMX bike for a budding daredevil, the world of kids’ bikes offers something for every young rider to explore and enjoy.

Visit your local Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ store where our expert staff can help you find the perfect bike for you child, or use our handy sizing guide to help you shop online today.

In today’s digital world, encouraging children to engage in outdoor activities can be difficult. However, getting out and exercising is a crucial part of our lifestyles. Cycling is a fun way to get your children outdoors. Not only does cycling promote both mental and physical wellbeing, but it also gives children a sense of independence and can boost confidence. In this blog, we explore the reasons why your child should take up cycling and how you can encourage them to do so.

 

What are the benfits of cycling?

• Boosts physical fitness: Cycling is an excellent way for children to engage in exercise, helping them to build strong muscles and bones. It promotes a healthy lifestyle from a young age and can help reduce the risk of any health issues.
• Increased coordination and balance: Riding a bike enhances a child’s coordination and balancing skills, which contribute to the development of key motor skills.
• Confidence building: Mastering the skill of cycling is a huge achievement for many young children, helping to boost their self-esteem and confidence. It’s a great activity to teach them perseverance and to overcome challenges.
• Social Interaction: Cycling can be a social activity, encouraging children to ride with and spend more time with family and friends. It promotes communication and social skills.

 

Tips to encourage kids to cycle

1. Start Early: Introduce your child to cycling at an early age. This could be with a kids’ balance bike, which help children develop balance and coordination before jumping onto a pedal bike.

 

Here are some great kids’ balance bikes:

Hawk Flash Balance Bike Purple – WAS £89.99, NOW £35 (SALE ENDS SOON)

The Hawk flash balance bike is a great way to introduce your child to cycling. Featuring an adjustable saddle and handlebar, and 12-inch tyres to give your child full control of their cycle.

 

 

2. Lead by example: Children will often follow in their parents’ footsteps. So, if they see you enjoying cycling, they are more likely to develop an interest. Plan family bike rides or use your bike for short trips around the neighbourhood. Sooner or later, they’ll be asking to join you for a cycling adventure!

3. Show your support: Celebrate all achievements, even the small ones! This is particularly useful if your child isn’t very confident on bike. Whether your child is starting to ride with stabilisers, or is cycling down a steep hill for the first time, make sure you celebrate this with them. Positive reinforcement will make the learning process much more enjoyable for everyone.

4. Create challenges: Make cycling even more fun by creating small challenges for your little ones to take part in. Get your children to try spotting as many animals on their cycles as they can, or to count how many flowers they see. All these help to keep them entertained and motivated to keep up the hobby.

5. Get them fun accessories: Accessories are the cherry on top of any new bike! They make a bike more personalised and encourage the owner to take pride in their belonging. Whether it’s a cool new helmet, a funky bell, or even a fancy water bottle – these small additions could really help to encourage your child to look forward to cycling. As part of the January Sale, you can get an extra 20% off spares and accessories when you spend £25 or over (Use code ‘SPARES20’).

Browse some of our fun kids’ bike accessories:

Ventura Kids Mitts Green Turtle XS – £6.99

Why not get your child some funky gloves for some added protection whilst riding their bike? Available in blue penguin, orange elephant, and pink puppy. They’re washable and feature a non-slip palm surface and Velcro fastener.

Ammaco Blue Green Spokey Dokeys 25 – WAS £4.99, NOW £2.99

Add some style to your bike these with spokey dokey’s. They’re easy to fit, and will look super cool on your child’s ride!

6. Select the correct bike: This is the most crucial part of encouraging your child to take up cycling. Making sure your child’s bike fits them correctly will hugely impact how comfortable and confident they feel whilst cycling. You may not be aware that childrens’ bikes are measured by wheel size, rather than by frame size. Your child should feel comfortable on the saddle. Ensure they can easily get on and off, can reach the handles and brakes, and can reach the pedals without stretching. Check out our handy guide on kids’ bikes sizing. We also have a large selection of kids’ bikes, with prices starting at £64.99 for 14-inch wheel. If you’re stuck for ideas, here are some of our top picks.

 

Top Picks – Boys’ Bikes:

Salcano Bad Boy 14-Inch Wheel kids bike Black and Green – WAS £259.99, NOW £139 (SALE ENDS SOON)

This is the perfect choice for any young adventurous child. With a tough steel frame, it’s built to last. The bike features a full enclosed chain guard for added safety. As well as, powerful front and rear V-type brakes for rapid stopping power. It also has cool ‘Bad boy’ themed wheel covers for added style.

 

Top Picks – Girls’ Bikes:

Flite Screamer 20 Inch Wheel kids BMX bike white and pink – WAS £220, NOW £119 (SALE ENDS SOON)

Let your child ride in style, with the Flite Screamer! Its freestyle frame, BMX fork and stunt pegs make this bike ideal for pulling off those crowd pleasing moves. It has front and rear steel V brakes, to give precise control over speed. Your child will never want to get off this bike!

You can browse our large selection of kids bikes online, or you can pop into your local Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ store, where our friendly expert staff will be on hand to help you find the perfect bike for your child (and yourself!). We even have an in-store height chart to ensure you get it right first time.

To make the transition as smooth as possible, we recommend reading our blog on ‘5 tips for keeping your child safe on their first bike’ for more kids’ bikes safety tips.

Remember, cycling is all about getting outdoors and having fun! Encouraging your children to cycle will benefit them in all aspects of their lives, whether that’s socialising with their friends or improving their independence as they move through school and beyond. It can take a bit of patience at first, but it’ll be so worth it. So, grab those helmets, inflate those tyres, and embark on an outdoors family adventure!