How to Perform a Bike Fit Check
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Mirum, but opinions expressed are 100% my own.
Do you know how to properly fit your child for a bike? Even with 5 children and countless bikes over the years, I’m not sure I’ve ever been taught how to properly fit my child for a bike!
Schwinn SmartStart
Thankfully, Schwinn SmartStart bicycles, available at Academy Sports, have a feature that can help. The bike is designed to “grow” with them. When the saddle of a Schwinn SmartStart bicycle is raised, the angle, as well as the distance from the seat to the handlebars and seat and to the pedals, also increases. This means that as your child grows the bike fit them for a longer period of time.
But how do you ensure a proper fit?
How to perform a bike fit check:
As a starting point, you can use the rider height in the chart featured below as a guide to determine the correct wheel size for your child. The front wheel size of a child’s bicycle directly correlates with the frame size of the bicycle. Wheel size is a good starting point but bicycles vary.
Next, ensure your child can safely reach the handlebars while still bending the elbows at least 10 degrees. When standing over the bicycle, in front of the seat, straddling the top tube of the bicycle, there should be a minimum of 1-3 inches of clearance.
The seat height is determined by the leg position when the foot is on the pedal. The leg should be almost completely straight when the pedals in the down most position with a slight bend in the knee. With beginning riders the seat can be adjusted lower, so their feet have more contact with the ground. As they gain confidence the seat can be raised.
Personally, we’ve always bought bikes based on whether or not the child could reach the ground well while sitting on the back – and sort of stopped there. We never thought to check the other features of the bike. But, I have always advocated for helmet safety. My kids may not always be happy about it, but they wear their bike helmets. In fact, we do our best to lead by example, even when it comes to wearing a bike helmet.
In addition to bike safety, don’t forget to just have fun while riding with your family too! We love taking our bikes out and riding our local trails. It’s a great way to get the whole family outside and to take in our surroundings. In fact, one of our favorite parts of our community is the riding trails!
Want to win a Schwinn?
Enter the Schwinn SmartStart “Family Fun Ahead” Sweepstakes through the widget below for the chance to win a prize pack including a Schwinn bike (worth up to $400) and bike accessories, including:
- One (1) $50 Gift Card to winner’s choice of Academy Sports + Outdoor, Amazon.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohls.com or Target (ARV $50)
- One (1) Schwinn Backpack (ARV $24.99)
- One (1) Schwinn Tire Pump (ARV $16.99)
- One (1) Schwinn Combo Light (ARV $9.99)
- One (1) Schwinn Lighted Cable Lock (ARV $17.99)
Upload your “Family Helmet Selfie” with the #schwinnfamilysweepstakes hashtag to Instagram to enter. More entries below. Good luck!