How do you get the correct bike sizing for my kids?
You will be pleased to know that someone else is thinking about this stuff too. We want your child to enjoy riding this year and for many years to come, so we have some ways to help you.
Norco has a wonderful sizing guide for their kids bikes. Ranging from a 12 inch bike to a 24 inch bike.
You can also look to Norco's bike sizing chart page here. To find Kids Bikes just scroll to the bottom of the page past all the adult bike types.
What kind of Kids Bike should I get?
There are a few different options aside from wheel size you can get for your kids bike.
- Bikes under 20" wheels will have the option for Coaster Brakes or Rim brakes.
- Bikes over 20" wheels get disk brakes or rim brakes.
- Then you get the option of having a single speed or 6 speeds.
- Finally you will get an option to get a suspension fork or a solid fork.
Rim Brakes vs Coaster Brakes
To clarify, coaster brakes are brakes that are used by backpedaling. Rim brakes are used by pulling a lever on the handlebars.
When a kid is first starting to ride their hand strength may not be strong enough to stop a bike quick enough. In this case a coaster brake may be preferable as their legs will be stronger to stop the bike. However some parents want their kids to learn on a bike with brake levers, as reteaching them how to brake a bike may hurt their confidence later on.
Which ever you choose they are both safe. Norco uses kids brake levers on their rim brake bikes. These brakes are angled in a way to allow a kids with lower grip strength to stop a bike just as easily as another.
Rim brakes vs Disk brakes
Rim brakes are brakes that clamp onto the rim of a tire using rubber pads.
Disk brakes have a Metal Disk in the center of the wheel that gets clamped onto by resin or metallic pads.
Which is better?
Rim brakes are easier to learn, cheaper, and are quite forgiving. Disk brakes brake faster, are more consistent in their braking, and are quite maintaince free.
What are the downsides?
Rim brakes are usually harder to maintain, if you get a dent in your wheel then this effects the effectiveness of your braking. A bent wheel could also mean you get no brakes at all or brakes so hard that you cant spin the wheel.
Disk brakes are usually more technical to setup, but are virtually maintaince free until you need new disks and pads. Disk brakes are usually more expensive as well. A new pair of pads and rotors usually go for $80 for front and back, compared to $25 for new rim brake pads.
Single speed Vs 6 Speeds
A single speed bike usually is maintaince free. All you need to do is ensure the chain is clean and oiled. This is an ideal bike for riding around the neighborhood on pavement. However, once you get a hill or a headwind your kid will be struggling to peddle.
A 6 speed bike does take a little more regular maintaince, which we can do for you. However having gears is what you should get if you intend to go mountain biking.
Suspension Fork Vs Non Suspension
A kids mountain bike with shocks on the front will soak up more bumps, be faster, and easier to ride then a bike without shocks. If you want to go on trails then a bike with suspension will be the best bike for you.
If you only want your kids to ride on pavement around your neighborhood, then you can save some money and get a bike with a solid fork.
Which Kids’ Bike is the best value?
Children grow quickly, so it is best to buy a bike for them that will fit for 1-2 years. Always keeping them fit to the correct bike can get pricey. Your dollar stretches further with a quality Norco children’s bike.
- Northern mechanics professionally assemble the bike for you. This is a $70 value.
- Northern takes care of your first annual tune-up. Another $70 value.
- We offer a TRADE-UP program on Norco bikes because your child is going to grow. We’ll give you up to half your purchase price towards the purchase of a new Norco.
With this in mind, for a Norco Kids bike that costs $320 you are realistically only spending $20.
$70 - Tune
$70 - Build
$160 - Trade-up
$300 in value and you don’t have to buy a bike that’s too big.
Why do we do this?
You, smiling on your bike is our goal. The right bike, properly sized and maintained should give you years of happy riding.