kids-toy

Bicycle stroller — useful for a child 1-2 years old. Has pedals, steering wheel, seat belts and a trump card. Most often completely controlled by the parent, since the child can rarely reach the pedals at this age.

tricycle bicycle — Designed for children from 2 to 4 years old. The main advantage of such a bike is stability, so the child does not need any skills to use it. In addition, tricycles with a handle can be used as a bicycle stroller.

There are models in which the handle can be removed when the child grows up to independently control the bike.

Important: the bike must be fitted using a «live fitting». The kid, while in the saddle, should touch the ground with his entire foot.

• Tricycle with parent handle
• Tricycle for self-driving

Seat

The seat of a tricycle can be triangular or rectangular. It is better to opt for a triangular seat, as its elongated edge will prevent the baby from moving forward onto the frame. As a rule, the seat is completed with a back on which the child can lean.

Usually the seat is made of plastic, sometimes a fabric insert or rubber inclusions are used to prevent the baby from slipping. There are seats with a soft insert that provides the child with maximum comfort.

Since the child is constantly growing, it is advisable to purchase bicycles that provide horizontal (to the steering wheel) seat adjustment. This will provide additional comfort to the baby and allow you to use the bike for a long time.

Steering wheel

Initially, the steering wheel serves as an additional point of support for the child, and the parent controls the bike using the parent handle. Then the baby independently controls the bike using the steering wheel.

Steering wheel fixation – allows you to block the front wheel in the “straight” position. In this case, the child will not be able to control the bike. This feature will allow the parent to use the bike as a stroller.

Important: It is recommended to choose bicycles with rubber grips on the handlebars — this will prevent the baby’s handles from slipping off the handlebars.

It is desirable that the handlebars be adjustable in height (lift adjustment) — this will extend the life of the bike for a growing child. It is worth paying attention to the ease of adjusting the steering wheel (without tools).

wheels

Material

Plastic — do not have tires, are diverse in color and are inexpensive. However, they are not resistant to impacts (they can break), transmit strong vibrations to the bike and make a lot of noise.

Rubber one-piece — consist of a rigid solid rim and a solid tire. These tires do not need to be inflated and are not sensitive to punctures. On the other hand, such wheels do not absorb shocks well and dampen vibrations poorly.

Plastic + rubbera — consist of a plastic rim with a thin narrow rubber coating. They have the advantages and disadvantages of plastic wheels, but smooth out vibrations a little better.

Polyurethane — consist of a rigid rim and a solid tire. In their properties, they resemble wheels made of solid rubber.

rubber inflatable — consist of a rigid rim and a tire filled with pressurized air. Advantages: softness of the course, good depreciation, structural strength. The disadvantage is sensitivity to punctures.

Diameter

Wheel size is indicated in inches. The height of the bike depends on this value. It is better to opt for a bike with large and massive rubber wheels. Such a bike will be stable and have better cross-country ability. Bicycles with small or plastic wheels are unstable, especially on muddy or wet surfaces.

Safety

parent pen — allows you to control and direct the movement of the bike. It is a bar with a handle located behind the saddle. With the help of the parent handle, you can push the bike or prevent the baby from going in a dangerous direction, as well as use the bike as a stroller.

Seat belts – prevent the child from falling out of the bike even with a strong push.

Safety bezel — a handrail located around the saddle of a tricycle. Performs the same function as seat belts. Suitable for the smallest children.

Helmet — protects the baby from head injuries when falling, and also performs a decorative function — in such a helmet, the baby will feel like a real «cyclist».

Equipment

Horn — with its help, the child gives a signal announcing the approach of a bicycle. In addition, the horn serves as additional entertainment for the baby.

Wings — plates that protect the cyclist and others from dirt and spray flying from under the wheels while riding. Very useful for riding in wet weather after rain.

Pedal lock – allows you to disconnect the pedals from the wheel. This way they won’t rotate while the bike is in motion. Relevant in the case of using a bicycle as a stroller, as the risk of pedal strikes on the child’s legs is eliminated.

Important: although a one-year-old baby is unlikely to need pedals, over time he will begin to use them. It is better to choose bikes with long and wide (but not heavy) pedals. Small pedals are uncomfortable for the child — the legs will constantly slide off them.

Footrest — a platform on which the child can put his feet, removing them from the pedals. Useful when using the bike as a stroller.

Visor — Protects baby from direct sunlight and rain. It is found in various versions — an umbrella, a canopy, a folding dense hood. For greater convenience, you should purchase a domed awning.

Game panel — provides the child with additional entertainment and is placed on the steering wheel. It is carried out in the form of switches, buttons, dials, toys.

Trunk — used for transporting goods on a bicycle. In a tricycle, it has the shape of a deep tray in which it will be convenient for the baby to carry their toys.

Handlebar basket — used for the same purposes as the trunk. Unlike the trunk, the basket is deeper and may have a lid.

Bag for things — plays the same role as the trunk, is located on the parent handle. The bag, unlike the trunk and basket, is made of soft material and has a fastener.

Council

• When buying a bike stroller, be sure to try it on yourself, it will be an adult who will ride it all. If the model does not fit in height, then it will be difficult to manage it.
• You should pay attention to the weight of the bike: it should be light enough so that the child can move it on their own. In addition, you need to proceed from the physical capabilities of an adult who will take the transport for a walk.
• When purchasing a bicycle, it is worth checking how the pedals, steering wheel, wheels are spinning. They should rotate smoothly and easily, without making extraneous sounds. In addition, check the quality of attachment of components and parts.
• A bicycle with a plastic frame is light in weight, a steel frame is heavier, but also much more reliable.
• From time to time, wheels, footrests, pedals should be cleaned of dirt, and bicycle parts should be lubricated with special oil.

Manufacturer

The group of the cheapest bicycles is made by products of the Orion, Pilsan brands, cheap models of Bambi, Profi Trike, Smart Trike, TechnoK. These are bikes without handles for kids who can already ride on their own. When choosing a model, choose the most durable frame, but most importantly — comfortable for the child. The brand does not play a decisive role.

Good tricycles with a handle and bicycle strollers in the middle price segment are the Alexis, Ardis, Smoby models. A good build and safety can be accompanied by minor flaws, such as the lack of adjustment of the visor, parent handle, safety rim and other parts. With such a budget, it is better to pay attention to Bambi, Geoby bikes, and budget ProfiTrike models. These cycle strollers are often lighter in weight, beautiful in design and execution, and equipped with good inflatable wheels.

Of the more expensive models, it is worth noting the brands Fisher-Price, Injusa, Kettler, Peg Perego and others. It is worth choosing bicycle strollers from specialized manufacturers, because the choice of models and prices is much higher there. Bicycles of well-known «adult» brands, such as Schwinn, can be noticeably overpriced.