Ten Top Tips for Buying a Bike
- Flat pack hell. Get some quality advice at your local bike shop and think twice about buying from a catalogue or toy shop as your bike will probably arrive as a flat-pack. Unless you are sure you know what you’re doing, avoid it. We’ve seen some really dangerous bikes as a result of parents attempts to build cheap flat-pack bikes; with forks on back-to-front, brakes dangerously adjusted and your children left wondering why cycling is such hard work! Instead, ask about the free after-sales service that most quality cycle shops offer.
- Gift Your Time. Make sure that as part of their gift you give your time to teach your child how to use their bike. Balance, gears and safe cycling all need lots of practise. The best encouragement you can give them is to get out as a family on a few crisp winter days, taking a ride and stopping off for a hot chocolate or two on the way.
- Who knows how to fix a puncture? Many of us don’t, so find someone who can to show you and your child, or get ‘the knowledge’ on the sly at http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-fix-a-puncture
- Fit your bike like your trousers. As a cyclist, you know how important it is to get your bike to fit properly, and how much easier a light bike is to ride than a heavy one. Children can struggle with large, heavy or ill fitting machines unless you get them fitted to your child’s height and the length of their inner leg (just like you’d measure their trousers!). A lightweight, well-proportioned bike will instantly make any child a better cyclist. Beware of 1) Heavy, ineffective suspensions, 2) out of reach, stiff brakes 3) Dozens of baffling gears 4) Large, cumbersome tyres 5) Tassles. Try to find: 1) Light-weight aluminium frames, 2) Easy-reach light action brakes for small hands, 3) Wide-ratio simple gearing 4) Light-weight tyres suitable for every purpose
- Choose what to carry with you; a spanner or a long cable lock…why? Quick release wheels are great and they mean you don’t need a spanner to take your wheel off. They make fixing punctures and getting bikes in and out of the car so much easier…but make sure the shop show you how they are used, as many people over-tighten them. They do make it easy for thieves to steal your wheels though, so that’s where the long cable lock comes in… thread it through your wheels if they’re quick release.
- Tool Time! You can get your bike serviced or fixed at any bike shop, but when you’re out and take a puncture repair kit, a spare inner tube, a spanner and Allen keys…there are lightweight multi-tools available and bags that sit out of the way underneath your seat, then you won’t forget them
- Essentials. A lock, lights, a bell and helmet aren’t optional extras, buy them for your child as part of their gift. Buy a long, heavyweight cable lock. Think about it. It needs to be able to reach around your bike (including the wheels and seat if they are quick release) and any manner of stand (lamppost, cycle stand or tree). Helmets must be fitted to your child’s head otherwise they’ll be much less effective, see http://www.bhit.org/fivess.html
- Get sociable. Register as a Cycle Derby member and we’ll keep you up-to-date with family cycling events, rides, races, clubs and films.
- Bling Your Bike! LEDs will have you standing out from the crowd. Wear them everywhere; on your clothes, on your bike frame, even your bike wheels (ask for flashing spokey dokeys or dust caps)
- Look No Hands! For winter cycling; warm, and ideally water-resistent, gloves are essential. Alternately, having no gloves will motivate your child to perfect their cycle balancing skills as they learn to cycle with their hands in their pockets. Not ideal…
- We all remember Cycling Proficiency. We all loved doing our cycle training, so if your child is in year 6, find out when they’ll be able to get some on-road national standards cycle training by contacting Mark Smith in the CycleDerby team on 715146.
- Be Bright, Be Seen. Reflective gear is vital. There are some great things in shops, or try the BrightKidz online shop at http://www.brightkidz.co.uk/. Alternately, some Derby schools have set up Reflector Shops, selling fantastic but affordable reflectors in all kinds of designs. To find out more contact Dianne Elliot, the Road Safety Officer on 716062.
- Teach your child the highway code. Enough said.
- Singing in the Rain! You will be if you get a waterproof jacket with a hood. A brim on your helmet will keep the rain out of your eyes.
- Plan ahead. Get a cycle map and copies of leisure route guides to plan your trips - whether to school, work or for weekend family rides. Contact Andy Roberts, Derby Cycling Officer on 716060.
- Choose a pump that fits. There are two types of valves on tyres; Presta and Schrader. Many pumps will fit both, though you may have to change the ‘widget’ inside it around which can be fiddly, but check before you buy.
- Gizmos and Gadgets. Many kids (and some parents!) are dazzled by all the latest gizmos, but sometimes these can reduce the performance of a child’s bike. Buy your child what you think they need, rather than what they think they want – when they discover they can ride further, faster and with more confidence than their mates they will thank you.
- Dad – give the kids a turn too! If you want a bike solely for fun, rather than for cycling to school or on the roads, then take a look at the recumbent KMX karts’ website.
- A home for your bike? Think about where you’re going to store your new bike ; obviously somewhere safe, but also somewhere easy-access. That will make sure they can cycle as often as they want to. (You might want to buy yourself a gift of a new washable rug for the hallway to protect your carpet from dirt and spills)
