riding with your kids

[cinnamon_toast]

Just last night my almost 6 year old asked me "mom, when can I get a bike as cool as yours?" So that got me thinking - when is a child ready for a decent road bike? I would love for her to ride with me - we have a great rails to trails system here. And where do you get a nice kids' bike - from the LBS? How small do they come? When is it safe for them to use toe cages? I know we have many years yet, but it just got me thinking...

[uk elephant]

I don't have kids....nor did I get a road bike when I was a kid....but on my commute in to work every morning I see this little girl on her way to school. She is on a really nice small roadbike, with a huge grin on her face and looking really excited to be flying along the bike path to school. Her dad is on a bike following close behind keeping an eye on things. She just looks so excited to be pedalling along on that super speedy road bike every morning. Not sure how old she is, but she looks to be around 8 or 9 maybe? I'm not very good at judging kids ages, but definitely elementary school age.

[limewave]

Can you even find a road bike for a 6 year old? Let me know if you do. DH is already talking about getting a road-bike trike for DD who is going to be 2 in october. We haven't found one yet.

Anyways, you know you're kid best and if you think they are ready for a road bike, I say go for it. Have 'em take a test ride and see how they do.

[ehirsch83]

You might not be able to find one for a 6 year old, but Orbea does make a kid frame(it is a steel bike at that!) and Redline makes some really good kids bikes also.

I'm thinking you will probably need to wait a couple more years for your child to fit into these bikes, but once kids turn about 8 or 9 there are road bike options out there!

[cinnamon_toast]

I was thinking more down the road... Based on everyone's comments, I wouldn't be surprised if we could find a decent bike to fit her right now, she's uber tall - like the size of an average 8 year old. But I worry she's not quite ready skill-wise despite being on 2 wheels for several years now. Those wheels are awfully skinny!! And I just now thought of the shifting - it'll be a while before that concept clicks in. But I'll be sure to put Orbea and Redline on the shopping list (maybe I'll have to start budgeting now, LOL).

Thanks everyone for your thoughts thus far. It will be a wonderful day when I can share this sport with her.

[ehirsch83]

Just a little FYI the orbea kids bike retails I think for arond 400, so yes more then your average kids bike- but not extremely out there for a solid steel frame made from one of the top bike companies,hehe. And how cool would it be tos ay your kid has an orbea

[stacie]

We put slicks on my son's mtn bike and i ride my mtn bike. works out well. he's done a 35 mile ride every year for the past several. stacie

[Jo-n-NY]

Both Specialized and Trek make childrens road bikes also, however, I think they may be for kids a little older than 6.

At that age I would ride with my kids after dinner or I would pack a sandwich dinner in the summer time and ride in the park. We rode on devolpement streets. I rode a hybrid at the time and they rode 20in bikes.

~ JoAnn