The big swiss Children Bike test

We come to the third comparison bike. This time it revolves around a wheel of Royal Baby Buttons. It's about the largest wheel in this category - 16 inches. This children's bike is also very robust. It also has an impact-resistant gloss finish and is equipped with reflectors, training wheels, back pedal and rim brakes at the front. Of the 3 bikes in this category, it is one of the heaviest at 10.2kg. But it is still in the field of light 16-inch wheels. The bike has a bell and, unlike the other two bikes, comes with a matching stand. With the first two bikes you can also buy suitable stands. The 16-inch bike costs about as much as the first bike in comparison and therefore has a very good price-performance ratio. Do you have a larger or older child who would like to gain their first cycling experience? Then you are exactly right with this vehicle. This children's bike is also very suitable for children who have outgrown their first bike.

Children's bikes 20 to 24 inches

Now we would like to introduce the top 3 children's bikes in the second category. Now it's about bigger bikes for children between 9 and 13 years. Here, too, the smaller and younger the child, the fewer inches the bike should have. Since the bikes in this category are for older children and are therefore larger, the prices are also a little higher. For the ones we have mentioned, we are between 500 and 550 francs. The grades in the Kassensturz test are 6 = 100% (very good) and 1 = 0% (very bad).

First we deal with the Children Bike 20 inch from Mustang Trailchecker for you. The robustness of this bike got the mark 5.1 according to the Kassensturz Kinderveol test from March 2014. In the same test the V-brake of this model got a 5.2. The bike also has a 7-speed gear shift from Shimano. Since the bikes in this category are larger, this children's bike, weighing around 12kg, is also one of the light ones. The fully equipped (mudguards, luggage rack, frame lock, stand and LED light system) and solid device has a very good price-performance ratio. It was also the test winner in the Kassensturz test of children's bikes in March 2014. You would make a good choice with this bike.

Children's bike helmets test

For a safe journey, you also need a safe and well-fitting Bike Helmet for your child. In the third category we would like to introduce you to 3 different bicycle helmets for children and compare them. Please note that the helmet size is based on the head circumference of your child. A well-fitting helmet should be the child's head circumference plus 1 cm in diameter.

At the beginning we start with a model of uvex hero in the size 49-55cm. The helmet is light as a feather, robust and very safe thanks to an LED rear light. Thanks to this light, the child can also be seen in good time by drivers and other road users. An IAS size adjustment system was built into it. This enables the helmet to be individually adapted to every head shape, because the same head circumference does not mean that the helmet fits every child equally well. The head shapes are different. In addition to the IAS system, the helmet is also provided with an easily adjustable chin strap. This can be perfectly adapted to the child's chin. The strap can be opened and closed easily with the push of a button. The price-performance ratio of the bike helmet is very good. It is the cheapest helmet in our comparison.

The second helmet ( UVEX i-vo cc) is the most expensive helmet of our presented. So the price-performance ratio is not quite as good as the others. Nevertheless, the lightweight helmet is very robust and very safe. Here, too, the chin strap can be perfectly adjusted and just as easily opened and closed at the push of a button. Like the first helmet, this one is also equipped with the IAS system, which makes it possible to adapt the helmet to any head shape. With a size of 52-57cm, it is also intended for larger children.

The last helmet is from Bern Kids Niña. With a size of 51.5-54.5cm he belongs to the midfield. The price is also in the middle compared to the other two. Thus there is a great ratio between price and performance. The helmet weighs 362g. It is very robust, very safe and it scores with a visor. In addition, the chin strap can be adjusted and easily opened and closed at the push of a button. So it always fits perfectly.

Summary

It is not easy to find the right bike and we hope that we were able to help you further with our bike child seat test. Our featured bikes are all relatively light and very robust. The small bicycles in particular are very similar. They are all equipped with training wheels, reflectors and bells. That offers great security.

There are major differences between the children's bikes in the second category. You have bikes with and without gears here. If it should have a gear shift, then you still have to decide between 7 gears and 24 gears. You should also consider the equipment and use. Should it be more of a bicycle for leisure and off-road tours? Then a mountain bike is a good choice. For trips to school and back, we would recommend a bike with a luggage rack.

The prices in the categories are close to each other. Perhaps you let your child have a say in the decision-making process, because most bikes are available in different colors. The decisive difference is the size of the devices. When buying a children's bike, the size and the stride length of your child are important. You should also offer your child security and buy a suitable helmet. There are different models here. Some are optically more suitable for girls, others for boys and still others can be worn by both sexes. All 3 have an easily adjustable chin strap that can be opened and closed at the push of a button. A helmet should adapt well to the shape of the head. Our helmets are priced between 50 and 100 francs. The size is also the most important aspect of a helmet. The helmet has the perfect size when it is one cm larger than the circumference of your child's head. Maybe the child can help decide here again, because all helmets have a different design.

That was our children's bike test. Have you made your decision? Then you can also order your desired bikes and helmets directly from us.

Children Bike Test by VELOJOURNAL Issue 1/2015 Text by Marius Graber, photos by Marcel Kaufmann

First love - the first Children Bike

A bicycle gives the children wings. The first one in particular. But what should you watch out for when buying your first children's bicycle? Velojournal has tested seven models and shows where the differences are.

Serafin, Lukas and Arno did not wait long, took off gloves and caps, put on the Bike Helmet , packed a bike and conquered the exhibition hall that was available for the Children Bike test. You are one of the eight children who put the models for the little ones through their paces for Velojournal. It went on and on. The more cautious walked their lanes quietly, the wakeful circled the pylons, the high-spirited made fun of driving them around like cones. Parents and editors accompanied the young crowd and observed closely: Can the child brake well with it? Are your fingers reaching the brake lever? Can the bike be steered easily, can it simply be carried over an obstacle? Before this, every model was weighed and measured in the technology department. Seven children's bikes with 12- to 16-inch wheels were tested. These are often bought as the first bike for three to five year old children. They were all tested without training wheels, although most of them were supplied with them: The test children all got along well without them. There were bicycles from the traditional manufacturers Puky and Mustang , the sporty newcomer Early Rider , the Kokua, the «Nunu» from Simpel and the Leopard from Coop Bau & Hobby.

The size of the bike is tied to the wheel diameter, but the adjustment range of the saddle is actually more important. Measurements show that the 16-inch Puky fits children of the same size as the 14-inch Leopard bike. To find the right size, it is Children Bike than to fixate on the wheel size. It is clear that a large adjustment range is very important Children Bike The German children's bicycle specialist Puky is exemplary: the saddle and handlebars can be adjusted over a large area. With the Early Rider , on the other hand, the handlebars can only be adjusted to a very modest degree and at different heights is a little laborious. It wasn't much better with the Simpel and Mustang : They have an easily adjustable stem, but only over 2.5 centimeters.

Upright or athletic

While the “Like to Bike” and the “ Belter ” let the children sit slightly bent forward, the children sat upright on the other models. To start with and for more cautious children or those who are not as skilled in their motor skills, an upright sitting position is a little better. Children who already ride their bikes well move in a more sporty posture but more dynamically. It seemed as if they would ride a little easier and steer the bike more precisely. So it's good if the seat position can be adapted to needs and abilities by adjusting the handlebars and saddle, but the boys and girls get used to a riding position very quickly.

Flyweights and lead feet

At 5.9 kilos, Early Rider manages to break the 6 kilo mark on a Children Bike The success shows in use: the bike is agile, the children can easily carry it up a few steps and maneuver it well. The makers went to great lengths to achieve this weight, which resulted in spartan equipment, which the parents didn't like. They all agreed that at least fenders and a stand were needed. But despite all the joy about the light weight: Even with its 5.9 kilos, the Early Rider still as heavy for children as a bicycle with 24 kilos for an average adult. The leopard with its 10.2 kilos would correspond to a 45 kilo vehicle in adults. But the Early Rider not just about weight.

innovative. On the " Belter " model, the chain has been replaced by a toothed belt. As a result, the children can no longer get their hands and clothes dirty. A standard industrial timing belt from Gates is used, which also keeps the price of the bike within a reasonable range. A chain guard is installed on the other bikes. Like to Bike has packed the chain in a plastic tube.

Braking well is half the risk

The parents watched with interest how well the children can brake with the different bikes. The good news: All models were equipped with brake levers that the children could grip easily. This was not always the case in previous tests. And: the children were able to bring the bikes to a stop. However, the brakes were set correctly on all test bikes beforehand. With some models, the children would not have been able to brake so well without this intervention because the brake lever was not well adjusted or the spring force of the brake was too high. Of the eight children, only Serafin used the coaster brakes. These require a lot of coordination when operating. Two rim brakes are - well adjusted - the better solution.

Children's favor

And what is the perfect Children Bike ? We didn't find it. The Early Rider with its low weight and toothed belt drive is close by. The frame with the high bar looks smart, but is not practical for the children. They were annoyed about it when getting on, getting off and when stopping. In addition, it would have to be possible to mount fenders and stands. The frame is not designed for that. The Puky is also close to the ideal bike: the equipment is child-friendly, the frame offers easy entry, handlebars and saddle can be adjusted over large areas. But it should be a little easier. And what do the children say: Max liked the Simpel because it had a great, loud bell, Mateo didn't want to give up the leopard anymore, maybe because it looks so classy with the green rims. The Mustang with the boys who didn't want to sit on a purple-colored bike. Noticeably often the children had argued about the Puky, whether because of the colors or the relaxed sitting position, it was not clear. Serafin had already been won as a potential customer: "I would buy that."

Tips on buying Children Bike

Don't buy too big: When buying a new bike, the child should be able to touch the ground with their flat feet from the saddle. If the children are a little older and have a little more motor skills, the balls of the feet should touch the ground. If the bike has a good adjustment range, it can be ridden for a long time. Let it go for a long time: Don't change your bike too early. Even when the saddle and handlebars are raised, the children usually ride well. Often the next bigger bike is too big for the children, and riding it isn't fun. Passing on: Good quality pays off, because a good model can easily last three to four generations of children. This puts the higher purchase price into perspective, and several generations of children can benefit from a good bike. Neutral is good: restrained colors and decals make it easier to pass on the bike. Adjust well, adapt well: How well the children ride the bikes essentially depends on how well the bikes fit. Fine tuning is worthwhile here: adjust the brake lever to hand size, make the brake operating force as low as possible, adjust the saddle and handlebar position. If you can do this yourself, you should take your time. If you don't feel like it, buy the bike ready to ride and discuss the settings with the bike mechanic. Caution, training wheels: Children who have already Balance Bike Children Bike do not need training wheels. These are even a hindrance because the child can no longer steer as it is used to. Most children learn to pedal and start off with the Children Bike time if their parents take some time, accompany them on their first journeys and help out a little.

Source: VELOJOURNAL text by Marius Graber, photos by Marcel Kaufmann: Test First Love: Das Children Bike , issue 1/2015 from 02/09/2015