Cycling is more popular than ever before amongst youngsters. Whether on the trails with their little buddies or hitting the open road, it's importtant that children have the right clothing to maximise their enjoyment. We carry a good range of childrens cycling clothing featuring shorts, tights, jerseys, gloves and jackets.
How can I tell if my child has outgrown their current bike?
Generally speaking, once you have extended the seat-post out as far as the maximum mark, it might be time to consider the next size up. Also if your child is looking ‘hunched up’ or not comfortable when riding, it could be time to move up.
Do I need to get my child each bike through the size / age range?
No, you may well find that there is a decent amount of over-lap between sizes depending on the style of the bike. So a bigger wheeled bike might have a lower top tube on the frame and be easily manageable. It’s also worth considering waiting until spring and better weather, especially if your child had outgrown their bike in autumn and chillier weather is coming – A growth spurt in winter could easily see them skip a bike size.
What's wrong with a cheap supermarket kids bike?
While there is nothing wrong with a cheap supermarket kids bike, it will more than likely be a heavy, steel framed bike, fitted with low cost steel wheels and components. This is important as steel bike parts rust, but they also tend to be significantly heavier than aluminium. This is a big deal because if your 8 year old weighs 25kg and their cheap bike weighs 15kg, it is the equivalent of a 75kg adult riding a 45kg bike - it would be a struggle. Good quality kids bikes hold their value, far better than cheap ones, so the cheap supermarket price heavy bike is a false economy (as well as making bike riding much more difficult).
Are all cycling shoes sized the same?
Unfortunately no! This is a near constant discussion between riders looking at shoes. Just like with cycling clothing, some brand’s shoes are sized smaller and narrower than others. The best way to ensure a good fit is try shoes on, or look at sizing guides and user reviews online – this is especially worthwhile if you have particularly wide / narrow feet and often have difficulty fitting regular footwear.
Is lighter colored cycling clothing better for cooling in summer?
Generally lighter clothing reflects more heat, however some advanced micromesh fabrics can shade while allowing air to cool the skin.
Aside from winter clothing, what do I need to ride in colder months?
Bike riding in winter is more comfortable if you can keep drier. Mudguards can help you stay drier and avoid getting covered in spray from the roads and trails.
Lights are important in darker winter months, both so that other road users can see you, and so that you can see the road / trail ahead, when riding in unlit terrain. Also, riding in daylight with daytime riding lights in winter months makes riders more visable, particularly on gloomy days.
During winter, your bike attracts more filth and dirt than in summer months. Minimise winter's impact on your bike through keeping your bike clean and lubricated.
Will wearing lots of summer clothing layers keep me warm in winter?
Possibly, to some extent, but you will likely be restricted in movement and not feel quite as toasty as wearing clothing designed for winter cycling, utilising winter specific wamer fabrics. Bike riding is very uncomfortable in cold weather with unprotected extremities; hands, toes and the head, really need to be kept warm on cold winter rides..
Is Spring clothing the same as Autumn clothing for road riding?
Yes, pretty much, although this depends on where you live. Spring and autumn share some similarities in that the weather can be very changeable with a wide range of weather possibilities - keeping comfotable can be trickier than in summer or winter.
