When Is My Child Old Enough To Ride?

Ask any bike shop and they will most likely tell you it’s never too soon. The sooner a child starts to learn how to balance, the better. I have heard parents tell stories of helping their children begin to learn balance by using small scooters, such as this one. Other alternatives include using a pedal-less push-along bike such as this bike – known as the Skuut Bike.

In this case, my niece is 2 years old and had yet to ride or try to balance on anything with two wheels. We considered buying something like the Skuut bike, but at half the cost of a pedal bike, and with the ability to “skuut along” using a pedal bike with training wheels, we decided the real bike would last longer and be something she could grow into. For toddler bikes with working pedals and a drive train, tires start at 12″ in size and are fully pneumatic.

Specialized Hot Rock – The Nitty Gritty

Tire Size: Available in 12″ – 24″ Tires (12″ pictured)
12″ Frame Size: 338″ Stand-over Height
Material: Aluminum
12″ Price Point: $169.00 – $219.00
Paint Schemes: Lots to Choose From

My Over-All Impression

This bike is solid. It’s built with the same craftsmanship any serious rider would expect from an adult’s mountain bike. That said, this machine is truly overbuilt. I’m 185 lbs and 6′ feet tall. I got on the bike and rode it around – lots – with no problems. Not even the slightest creaking sound. The welds are bold, big and nicely stacked. The chain is chunky and solid as are the front and rear hubs. Even the head set is beefy. Best of all, this bike has a nice long seat post allowing the child to grow into the bike thereby making much more sense in the investment as this bike can last for a child from 2 to maybe 5 years old. All said, this bike is expensive considering who’s going to be using it. It is certainly geared more toward parents that ride who are looking to get what they know is a “decent” bike to start their child riding. If it’s any importance to you, the paint schemes and details on these bikes are stellar and would inspire girls and boys alike to get excited for the bike as well as the ride. As for my niece, she was stoked to see this bike and made us push her around on it for quite a while.

Some Up-Sides To The Cost

If you are going to drop this kind of coin on a starter bike, you may be able to get the shop you buy the bike from to throw in a kid’s helmet at no cost. We did. In fact, it came with the bike and the shop proactively told us. They’ve got some great helmet designs to choose from that match the bikes and the helmets are serious duty – just like you’re used to on the trail (see pics at very bottom). Also, your kid is gonna look like a rock star on this bike. The paint is just that cool.

Check Out Some Pictures