From balance bike to first descent

This article focuses on transitioning kids from a balance bike around the garage to a pedal bike on the trails.

Australian Mountain Bike 11.07.2021

Words: Leo Cerda 

Photos: Leo Cerda, Free Spirit Photography 


In writing this article, I consulted a ton of friends with kids of different ages, riding abilities and froth levels. Regardless of where their kids were at, the single most common thing I heard was “don’t force them”. I’ve struggled with this myself as it’s been hard to not feel frustrated when they’re just not keen. It’s never worked for me to insist and you may end up putting them off altogether, so best to swallow your pride and try again some other time. Just keep at it.

This is the kind of enthusiasm you want to be seeing!

As your kid grows and they get better, they’re going to need a bigger and better bike much sooner than you think. There are loads of people out there in the same boat, so there is a decent market for 2nd hand kids bikes online. I would hold off on splashing out cash until they are onto a 20” or 24” bike.

 

Getting started in the early days:


Age: ~15 months onward

Bike: 12” Balance bike such as the Cruzee or Strider


  • Hide the scooter. Scooters deliver instant gratification for a fraction of the effort of a bike. If you want your kid riding, keep it out of sight.
  • The right balance bike is key. Get a balance bike that has a very low top tube to allow for a low seat position. That way, you can get them started really early. They should be on their tippy toes when riding, not planting their feet. If their seat is too low, they’re not balancing!
  • Ride with them: both next to them and carry them on a bike seat with you. Start early so they get a feel for bike handling.
  • Look for opportunities to incorporate their rides into your routine like, for example, walking to the shops or to/from school.
  • As soon as you think they’re mastering the balance bike, get them onto a 12” pedal bike

 

Navigating the first wobbles:


Age: Between 2 – 3 years old

Bike: 12” pedal bike without training wheels, such as a Specialized Riprock RRP ~$360


Learning to pedal: 

  • Every kid has their own timeframe to learn how to pedal and a lot depends on the strength and balance developed earlier.
  • Get them to look ahead instead of at their front wheel. Walk along and gently support their shoulders. Progressively transition to being the “crash avoider”.
  • If you can’t handle the sore back from leaning over, consider getting a “push handle” that clamps onto their seatpost so that you can help them from an upright position. Middle age anyone?

Getting the right rig:

  • Avoid training wheels at all costs as they will be a nightmare to get rid of afterwards.
  • A cheap bike with coaster brakes (back pedal) will do, but try and make it alloy if possible
  • Build their confidence over time and alternate between the balance bike and the pedal bike until they’re comfortable.

Find the right place to ride:

  • Let them cycle wherever they want and take them around the neighbourhood to play on random tracks and vacant blocks. It’s way more approachable than a proper trail.
  • Build some basic ramps to ride around the garage where you don’t have to worry about cars.
  • Teach them road rules. “If you see or hear a car coming, stay on your left (where your bell is)”
  • A less obvious one: don’t wear thongs. Neither you nor them. They’re going to fall and you’re going to have to chase after them, so avoid the stubbed toes and busted pluggers.
  • Once you see them easily mounting, dismounting and starting from a standstill; they’re ready to keep progressing onto more difficult terrain.

Build up their confidence slowly
  • The moment to go from a 12” to 16” pedal bike will depend mainly on your kid’s size. Some tall kids will go straight from a balance bike to 16” wheels. I wouldn’t keep them on 12” wheels for too long as it’s difficult to build up speed and the small wheels make it too bumpy on dirt.

Onto the dirt:


Age: Between 3 to 5 years old

Bike: 16” pedal bike such as Trek’s Precaliber 16 RRP $349.99


Confidence is king:

  • Find the right track. Pump tracks and flat, non-technical mountain bike trails are excellent starting points. Always the optimist, I made the mistake of taking my kid on some gravity trails when he had just transitioned onto a 16-inch bike. He loved the descents but smacked his chin on a jump and washed out pretty bad on a berm. All in one run.
  • After a few falls, sometimes they don’t want to ride on the dirt anymore. You can try going for a walk on the trails… and then suggesting how much more fun it is to ride them!
  • Increase the riding frequency, but keep the trips short. 5km rides is about the limit

Uphill battles:

  • A kid’s bike is proportionally much heavier than an adult’s bike: a half-decent kid’s bike weighs about 8kg which is ~50% of the body weight of a four-year-old! It’s the equivalent of riding a ~35kg bike as an adult. As such, kids have a hard time pedalling uphill. Choose a flat course, or be patient and tow them.
  • I carry a tow rope with me all the time. Practice on flat and easy terrain first. Never heard about tow ropes for kids before? Check out our Kids Ride Shotgun Tow Rope Review here.

Sometimes, they’re just not keen and you’ll have to muster up motivation:

  • Get them riding with friends that ride better. A bit of inspiration and competition never hurts.
  • Lead by example and let them see you cycling places (“we don’t use a car to go there”).
  • Pack some goodies. Whenever things go pear shaped mid-ride, I offer a break, some recovery snacks as well as the promise of a “reward” when we get back home.
  • If all else fails, drag them along kicking and screaming. They’re usually OK once they get going.

Revisit their rig:

  • Again, the moment to go from a 16” to 20” bike will depend mainly on your kid’s size. If they look like a ridiculous circus act, it’s probably time.
  • Teach your kid how to use their front brake early; it’ll make it easier for them when they move onto a 20” bike.

The right size bike makes a big difference

Progression:


Age: 5+

Bike: 20” BMX or MTB


Big wheels and brake levers:

  • 20” wheels open up a world of choice and quality that is hard to find in smaller bikes at a reasonable price.
  • Don’t confuse them too early with gears. There is a lot to be learned from a single-speed BMX style bike.
  • Avoid going for anything fancy until they’re moving off 20” wheels. Suspension for 20” bikes isn’t great quality (unless you pay a fortune) and doesn’t work well for such light riders. In my opinion, you’re better off getting beefier 2.2” or 2.4” tyres and letting the pressure down.
  • Spend some time on flat, easy terrain teaching them how to use their brake levers. They’ll be instinctively back pedalling for a bit, so avoid the steep descents. Adjust the reach on their brake levers to match their tiny hands.

Lower pressures and a well setup cockpit can increase their confidence off road
  • Where to next? well if you’ve made it this far, chances are, you’ve got a shredder in the making. From here, joining your local BMX club and watching MTB videos of kids doing cool stuff will stoke the fire.., but more and more time on the trails will eventually leave you wondering when you got so slow.