recommendations for a bicycle for a 6th birthday?
06-12-23, 03:04 PM
#1
feros ferio
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recommendations for a bicycle for a 6th birthday?
My younger grandson is turning 6, and family members have appealed to me, as the resident bike expert, to recommend one for him. He is on the small side of average for his age, and his hands are somewhat smallish, so I am thinking coaster brake, perhaps with a front handbrake, maybe a 3-speed hub. Thoughts?
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
06-12-23, 03:06 PM
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ignominious poltroon
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Is he currently able to ride?
Here are some REI options, which are highly dependent on the answer to the above.
I would not recommend anything with training wheels.
Also, does he have a preference for SRAM vs. Shimano or Campy electronic shifting?
Here are some REI options, which are highly dependent on the answer to the above.
I would not recommend anything with training wheels.
Also, does he have a preference for SRAM vs. Shimano or Campy electronic shifting?
Last edited by Polaris OBark; 06-12-23 at 03:11 PM.
06-12-23, 03:13 PM
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At that age, I wouldn't do multi-speed. One less thing to think about is a better choice at that age (IMO). For the same reason, my choice would be just a coaster brake.
For my kids, my choice was whatever was within my budget at the LBS.
For my kids, my choice was whatever was within my budget at the LBS.
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06-12-23, 03:34 PM
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Schwinn Stingray!
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/product...41564850520233
Website says 48" to 60" (height I assume). If you don't go with the Stingray, I too say go with something else that's single speed and coaster brake.
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/product...41564850520233
Website says 48" to 60" (height I assume). If you don't go with the Stingray, I too say go with something else that's single speed and coaster brake.
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06-12-23, 03:36 PM
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I wouldn't go overboard. Just get something inexpensive that you can replace with something a little better when the kid starts to grow or get more serious about cycling.
I was happy on the hand-me-down cruiser I had at 5 yo that just had a coaster brake and a single speed that was generally easy to pedal. 3 speed IGH and rim brake on what back then we called English Racer's was the next bike just a few years later.
I was happy on the hand-me-down cruiser I had at 5 yo that just had a coaster brake and a single speed that was generally easy to pedal. 3 speed IGH and rim brake on what back then we called English Racer's was the next bike just a few years later.
06-12-23, 05:14 PM
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This is the bike I recommended for my neighbor's 6 y/o boy. He absolutely loves it.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/je...ext=92722-3020
&w=1600&h=900&fmt=auto)
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/je...ext=92722-3020
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06-13-23, 07:03 AM
#7
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Schwinn Stingray!
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/product...41564850520233
Website says 48" to 60" (height I assume). If you don't go with the Stingray, I too say go with something else that's single speed and coaster brake.
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/product...41564850520233
Website says 48" to 60" (height I assume). If you don't go with the Stingray, I too say go with something else that's single speed and coaster brake.
The very same bike I got for Christmas when I was 6, except mine was made in America and not China. A few years ago I got a new Schwinn cruiser (Chinese-made), and was appalled at the quality. The paint started getting orange pealed after a month, the chrome began rusting after that (though I kept the bike indoors), the brake pads were incompatible with the cheap aluminum wheels, and galled the braking surfaces.
06-13-23, 10:49 AM
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That Specialized looks nice. I got my grandaughter an REI 20” coaster brake w rear linear brake and when switching stem and handlebars around for a better fitI I was surprised to find the heaviest, thickest hunk of seamed steel tubing for the handlebars. Stupidest place to cut costs. It weighed about 750 grams. She outgrew it fairly quickly then I got her a WoomBikes 5 w 24” wheels which is a very light and worthwhile kids bike.
No “training wheels”.
No caliper brakes.
gears not needed.
Problem is most 20” wheel bikes are bmx oriented with standard components strong enough for 200lb person giving an unnecessarily heavy bike with a high bottom bracket.
The 16” wheel bikes we got just have crappy ergonomics, Woom bike excepted. My grandson struggled with a cheap 16” wheel bike w training wheels but did much better once he got bigger and could ride the 20”REI bike.
No “training wheels”.
No caliper brakes.
gears not needed.
Problem is most 20” wheel bikes are bmx oriented with standard components strong enough for 200lb person giving an unnecessarily heavy bike with a high bottom bracket.
The 16” wheel bikes we got just have crappy ergonomics, Woom bike excepted. My grandson struggled with a cheap 16” wheel bike w training wheels but did much better once he got bigger and could ride the 20”REI bike.
Last edited by LeeG; 06-13-23 at 10:59 AM.
06-13-23, 01:15 PM
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The wheel size is most important when fitting kids.
How long the parents expect the kid to ride it as well.
Any brand will do, color might be an important consideration.
edit: The Trek take on kid bikes =
Kids' bike buyer's guide - Trek Bikes
How long the parents expect the kid to ride it as well.
Any brand will do, color might be an important consideration.
edit: The Trek take on kid bikes =
Kids' bike buyer's guide - Trek Bikes
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Last edited by Wildwood; 06-13-23 at 01:23 PM.
06-13-23, 06:01 PM
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You might find some recommendations at this subforum https://www.bikeforums.net/recreational-family/. It's a common question there.
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06-13-23, 06:32 PM
#11
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I concur with the coaster brake recommendations. Gears/shifting, and how handbrakes work is confusing for that age.
Dan
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06-14-23, 11:07 AM
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06-24-23, 09:39 AM
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I rode an early "Sting Ray" conversion in '62, the summer I'd just turned ten. It was very difficult to control because of the extreme width and height of the handlebar.
All the major brands have excellent kids' bikes with 20" wheels--Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, I can't think of the others right now. For a first bike keep it simple. Coaster brake, maybe an auxiliary hand brake, no derailleurs. At this level suspension forks just break and add weight and cost. Avoid them.
All the major brands have excellent kids' bikes with 20" wheels--Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, I can't think of the others right now. For a first bike keep it simple. Coaster brake, maybe an auxiliary hand brake, no derailleurs. At this level suspension forks just break and add weight and cost. Avoid them.
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06-24-23, 09:54 AM
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1972 Schwinn Pea Picker for me at age 8 y/o.
You'll need a dirt field and a few plywood ramps to gain the most benefit.
Plan on replacing broken saddles.
You'll need a dirt field and a few plywood ramps to gain the most benefit.
Plan on replacing broken saddles.
06-27-23, 12:20 PM
#15
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Go cheap, get the best bike of the correct size that Wal-mart sells. Just like his shoes and clothes, he will grow out of it quickly. For a 6 year old, a brand new bike will be a exciting gift.
07-06-23, 02:52 PM
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We went with the Woom bikes for that age, and they have been great. Relatively expensive, worth it to me particularly since my two grandsons are the right age apart for hand-me-down. IMO, Woom does a really nice job making bikes that work for kids. The older son just outgrew his 2nd Woom and has moved on to a geared bike.
07-07-23, 09:02 AM
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CL. Don't make him grow into it. No hand brakes. Pedal forward to go and pedal backwards to stop. While he learns to ride, get another bike a bit bigger and restore it with him and let him pick the rattle can color.
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