Redline Conquest 24
Rated as one of the top 10 choices by "Bicycling" magazine, the Redline Conquest 24 is a high-end option for parents looking for a multipurpose, durable bike for children. The aluminum frame, knobby tires and eight-speed design make this model ideal for both mountain trekking and road biking. The lever and brakes are specifically designed for small hands, and the Redline Conquest 24 is recommended for kids with an interest in bike racing. At around $800, as of April 2010, the model is not cheap, but it's a solid investment if you having a budding cyclist.
Redline Conquest 24
redlinebicycles.com/bikes/cyclocross/2010-conquest-24
Strider Sports Prebike
For younger children, the Strider Sports Prebike is a model designed to help kids who are learning to ride a bicycle get used to balancing and steering. There are no pedals on the Strider Sports Prebike, so a child propels himself by running along, then gliding without his feet on the ground. "Bicycling" magazine names this as one of the best models for young children and cites its ability to help children learn to ride a bike without the complication of having to pedal. There's no bike chain, so children's fingers aren't in danger of getting pinched, and the steel frame makes it durable and long-lasting. As of April 2010, the Strider Sports Prebike costs about $110.
Strider Sports Prebike
stridersports.com/running-bikes/
Jamis Starlite
The Jamis Starlite is a solid, midpriced bike for children that is built for comfort and durability, and "Bicycling" magazine rates it as one of the top 10 bikes for children. The retro design includes foam seats made for comfort and sturdiness, and the model has both coaster brakes and a single hand brake, making it a transitional bicycle for your child to get used to using manual controls. The aluminum frame means there is less chance for rust than with a steel model, and it comes in white and pink. The Jamis Starlite retails for around $225, as of April 2010.
Jamis Starlite
jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/youth/09_starlite20.html
Article Written By Ashley Talley
Ashley Talley has been a professional writer for more than 10 years, specializing in travel and health. Her work has been published in "Coastal Living" magazine, "Wrightsville Beach Magazine" and "Choice," an anthology praised by "Vanity Fair" and the "LA Times." She graduated from Brown University with honors and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of North Carolina.
