When is an appropriate age to start including kids into bike adventures?
1 year is the recommended age provided by the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) where babies develop the neck strength required to support the weight of a helmet and to keep their head from bobbing when riding over bumps.
Once your kiddo turns 1, there are many child bike gear options we carry at Skirack which are explained below, starting with the most important: a bike helmet.
Helmets
To ensure the helmet fits, and stays in place: measure with a soft tape measure around the kid's head, about an inch above their eyebrows and just over the top part of their ears. Then find a helmet with a range that covers that number, usually in centimeters. Just note that helmet brands will fit a little differently even in the same size.
Specialized Kids’ Bikes
1. Hotwalk 12 inch Push Bike
- For kids 29-32" tall.
- Approximately 18 months to 3 years old.
- No pedals, kids push with their feet.
2. Riprock Coaster 12 inch Bike
- For kids 31-37" tall.
- Approximately 3 to 5 years old.
- Real tires, coaster brakes, and pedals.
- Comes with removable training wheels.
- Single speed.
3. Riprock 16 inch Coaster Bike
- For kids 37-42" tall.
- Approximately 4 to 7 years old.
- Real tires, coaster brakes, and pedals.
- Comes with removable training wheels.
- Single speed.
4. Jett 20 inch Bike
- For kids 40-55" tall.
- Approximately 6 to 9 years old.
- Hand brakes.
- Multi-speed to be ready to bike with adults on bikes.
5. Jett 24 inch Bike
- For kids 44-62" tall.
- Approximately 8-12 years old.
- Just like any adult bike with gears and handbrakes, but smaller.
The Specialized Jett fits better, for longer. With multiple points of adjustability at the cranks, seat post, and handlebars, the Jett will see more than one tick on your kiddo's growth chart.
Thule Rear Mounted Child Seats and Trailers
1. Thule Rear Mounted Seat Attachment
- Fits most bikes, can sometimes be a rack when the seat is removed.
- Very supportive and also holds feet in place.
- Easy to converse with your little one while riding.
- Will change the handling of your bike.
- Use until about 4 years old or around 50 lbs depending on the seat.
2. Thule Trailers
- Some models are strictly bike trailers; others can also be used as strollers, joggers, and cross country ski pulls by adding accessories.
- For smaller riders, there are additional supports you can add to help keep them stabilized.
- Trailers can be smaller solo, or bigger double sized for two kids.
- Trailers attach to almost any bike to be trailed behind you.
- Trailers add weight to pull, but don’t otherwise affect bike handling.
- Kids are less connected with the adult while in a trailer, but are a super safe way to bring kids along.
Additional Options
1. Yuba Kombi / Spicy Curry Electric Cargo Bike
Call us for details and availability.
2. Tag-A-Long Bike Trailers
Typically available as a summer rental at Skirack.
3. Weehoo Bike Trailer
Typically available as a summer rental at Skirack.
