To the appropriate age for a 20-inch bike you learn more below, but usually bikes of this size are driven at six or seven years, so about the beginning of elementary school age. After that age, it also becomes a little harder for many families to settle on a child's bike. Smaller children are usually happy with any bike, school children, on the other hand, often already know exactly what they want - and what they don't want. Mountain bikes are then very high in the course with many kids, here it is then to find a compromise of child-friendly equipment, suitable frame shape and an affordable price. It is often not only particularly favorable, but also particularly stress-free to buy the children's bike online. You can simply choose two or three bikes here in the online store, your child then makes the final decision. So it is not overwhelmed by the large selection, it still drives a bike that it has chosen itself.
1. What age are children's 20 inch bikes suitable for?
Many children switch to a 20-inch bicycle when the end of kindergarten is reached, others are then already in elementary school. It depends here entirely on the body size of the child, also the step length is an important point in the selection of the appropriate bike. With about 120cm height and an inside leg length of 55cm fits a 20-inch children's bike, many children are then 6 to 8 years old.
The equipment can vary greatly in this bike size, more on this below. As a rule, a bike in 20 inches is not the first bike on which a child rides. Pedaling and braking the children can therefore, now a gear comes into play. However, it is important to make sure that your child can get along with the bike and operate it intuitively, only then can he devote his full attention to what is happening in front of him.
A children's bike in 20 inches is suitable for children aged 6 to 8 years, a height from 120 cm and an inner leg length of about 55 cm.
2. things to know about the 20-inch children's bike
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Although one speaks with bicycles always of the frame size, with children's bicycles this is actually wrong. Here the size of the frame does not matter, it depends on the diameter of the wheels. And that has a 20-inch bicycle just 20 inches (or English inch). As with smaller bikes, girls and boys at this age get along best with the lightest possible bike, but the bikes often make a huge leap here in terms of weight. The more equipment is to blame for this; gears, disc brakes, mudguards and so on let the pointer of the scale shoot up to 8 to 10 kg.
20-inch children's bikes usually already have a gear shift. Here it depends on the model, from simple 3-speed hub gears to 1x11 derailleurs, there are various choices. Even with the gearshifts you can choose between easy-to-use twist grips and gearshifts. Here you can play it safe and with hub gears and twist grip rely on a system with which actually every child quickly and easily gets along. Another advantage of this combination is the maintenance-free, hub gears need little attention and are extremely robust - and therefore perfectly suitable for children. But you can also buy a sportier bike, most children quickly learn to handle shift levers and chain gears. The gearshifts must be particularly smooth so that children can operate them.
Also the selection with the brakes becomes more versatile. Many children's bikes have rim brakes, but there are also already models with disc brakes. Before children are on the road for the first time with disc brakes, they should definitely test the braking force carefully, because disc brakes are much stronger than they may be used to. On the other hand, rim brakes are cheaper and weigh less.
Some models also have a suspension fork, they are thus suitable for uneven terrain, even on cobblestones such a bike is more comfortable.
If you look at the children's bikes here in the store more closely, you will certainly notice the different frame shapes. There are typical all-rounders like city bikes but also versatile hybrid bikes and hardtails with suspension fork, and thus for every child the right bike.
It is quite possible that your child on a bike in 20 inches completes the first trips on public roads or bike paths. Then the bike should definitely have a StVZO-compliant equipment. The prescribes a good bicycle lighting, various reflectors, two brakes and a bicycle bell.
A good 20-inch children's bike
- That usually has a gear shift
- brings rim brakes or disc brakes with
- has grips that can be operated with little hand force
- may have a suspension fork
- should be as light
as possible.
- can have a wave frame with a low step-in or a diamond frame
- may need StVZO-compliant equipment
- must not overtax a child with its equipment
3.How to buy the right children's bike
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Which bike is the best? Actually, it is quite simple: still the most important criterion is the safety of the child! And the safest bike is the one that your child can handle without any problems. Step one here is the selection of the appropriate type of bike. If it rides safely with a mini mountain bike with a high top tube and also the mounting and dismounting works without much wobble, there is nothing against buying such a bike. If you want to go off-road biking together, an off-road bike with wide tires, lots of gears and a suspension fork is a good purchase. If it's going through the city to school in wind and weather, a child's bike needs mudguards and StVZO equipment. If you watch your child and consider in advance where you will mainly be out and about, it is usually quite easy to find the right bike. For an overview of the different types of bikes, check out our children's bikes, and we'll introduce them in a little more detail at bicycles.
Clearly, every child would like to have a mega-cool bike, but especially at this size, the coolest bike may not be the best, but the one on which your child feelssafe and which he can control well in any situation. With the wide selection here in the online store, however, you're sure to find a good compromise between cool and safe.
If you then still know the stride length and height, you can in the second step to choose the bike in the right size. In the article description of our children's bicycles is usually written when a bike fits.
4. 20 inch bicycles for girls and boys
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Children's bikes are often not designed specifically for boys or girls, frame and equipment are the same, at most the color is adjusted accordingly. Therefore, you will find many unisex models here in the store, so they please boys and girls.
Some bikes are mainly meant for girls, you can buy city bikes in the form of typical ladies bikes already for little girls. In addition, the manufacturer Liv, which focuses entirely on the production of bicycles for women, builds bicycles from the size of 20 inches.
5. How to properly adjust a children's bike
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The bikes are becoming more sporty, the children more skillful, so on a children's bike in 20-inch, the saddle may be a little higher. The children no longer need to be able to place both feet flat on the ground, it is enough if they can support themselves on the left and right with the tips of their toes. In case of doubt, however, your offspring will ride more safely if the saddle sits a little lower!
The handlebar should still be adjusted so that the child sits as upright as possible. Only then it has a good all-round view!
6. useful accessories to a children's bike
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A children's bike in 20 inches can bring any amount of equipment. However, it does not have to. Many parents buy a first a bike with fewer components and then retrofit what is really needed. This ensures that no unnecessary ballast weighs down the bike. Fenders or side stands can be added as needed. On the subject of side stand, by the way, there are two different approaches. Some bicycle experts are of the opinion that a side stand educates children to always park their bike properly. Others think that a bike without a kickstand must always be leaned against, thus getting kids used to looking for a place to lean and plug in their bike from the start. Whatever seems more plausible to you, one thing is certain: a children's bike also includes a bicycle lock. Often there are also already the mounting points for bottle holder. Especially for longer tours, a cage with drinking bottle is very popular. Since there may already be racks on the 20-inch bike, your child can carry his or her own luggage in panniers, front panniers are smaller and usually fit best. For long tours, it may also be worth equipping your offspring with "proper" children's cycling clothes, so it's much more comfortable and therefore stress-free for everyone! A children's helmet must of course never be missing!
If you need more information, you can simply stop by our children's bikes, there are many more tips on buying.
