Comparison Scool XXlite 18 vs Lexus Trike Icon 4

— Tricycle. Classic children's tricycles: one wheel with pedals in front and two in the back. Such bicycles, unlike two-wheeled ones, do not fall, even while standing still. In addition, it is impossible to accelerate strongly on them, and various special devices can be provided in the design, such as a parent handle (see below) or a protective bumper (see "Complete set"). This makes tricycles perfect for the younger age group — some models can be used from 1 year old. However, there are also more “older” options — for children from 2 to 4 years old. But after 4 years, it hardly makes sense to use a tricycle — at this age, you can already pay attention to two-wheeled cars (see below).

— Two-wheeled. Two-wheeled children's bicycles have the same design as adult bicycles, and are distinguished primarily by their smaller dimensions. In addition, they are often equipped with side wheels (for more details, see "Complete set"), but this is not necessary — models for older ages do not have additional wheels. Anyway, such a bike is more difficult to master than a tricycle, but it perfectly develops coordination and a sense of balance; at the same time, many of these machines belong to the age category “from 2 to 4”, so you can start your acquaintance with bicycles immediately from a two-wheeled vehicle.

— Runbike. A kind of hybrid of a two-wheeled bicycle and a s...cooter. On such an apparatus, the child sits astride, as on a conventional bicycle, but there are no pedals in the design, and for movement you need to push off with your feet from the ground. This allows you to develop the coordination and sense of balance necessary for riding two-wheeled bicycles; at the same time, there is practically no risk of falling, since the child’s legs are constantly in contact with the ground. Accordingly, a balance bike can be useful not only as entertainment, but also as a kind of simulator in front of an “adult” design bike. Such models are produced mainly for children 2-4 years old (see "Age category").

— From 1 to 3 years. The youngest age group. It includes only tricycles (see "Type"), and the design often includes additional features that ensure safety and allow parents to use the bike as a stroller. Such features include, in particular, seat belts, a bumper, a visor(see "Package") and a parent handle (see below).

— From 2 to 4 years. This group may include all 3 types of bicycles (see "Type"). At the same time, three-wheeled models usually look less like pushchairs and are more designed for independent movement of the child than in the previous group; for two-wheeled models, the presence of side wheels is mandatory (see "Package"). And almost all balance bikes are designed for children's aged 2-4 years.

— From 3 to 6 years. For children's of this age, a tricycle is no longer interesting, and their physical development allows them to learn to ride on two wheels. Accordingly, this category mainly includes two-wheeled models (see "Type") with the obligatory presence of side wheels in the delivery set (see "Package").

— From 5 to 8 years. Bicycles for children's of primary school age are very similar to adult models: only two-wheeled machines are included here, and side wheels (see “Equipment”), although they may...be present, are far from mandatory.

— From 6 to 10 years. Models of the older age category provide the opportunity to ride "like an adult". This category includes bikes with 20-inch wheels. Some models for this age already have a hand brake and some additional functions. However, such bikes must be selected taking into account the child's readiness for independent riding.

— From 8 to 10 years. The age group from 8 to 10 years unites under its wing children's's bicycles with truly "adult" equipment. This includes models on 20-inch wheels with multi-speed transmissions, brake handles on the handlebars (including advanced disc brakes) and other attributes of truly adult bikes, but in a smaller format. In fact, bicycles of this age range are a transitional link between children's's and teenage models.

The age group limits are quite arbitrary, but it is still not recommended to violate them too much. It is important to consider not only the age range specified by the manufacturer, but also the overall level of development of the child. Also note that children's of a certain age can have different heights and builds - when choosing, you should pay attention not only to the age group, but also to the maximum load (see below).

— Steel. A fairly common material, widely used in all types of children's bicycles (see "Type"). Although inexpensive, steel is very durable, reliable, and resistant to impacts and shocks. Many consider its main drawback to be its relatively large weight; however, the difference in weight with the same aluminum is usually not that great (especially compared to the weight of the cyclist). It is worth noting that different grades of steel can be used in children's bicycles, and the overall quality of this material often depends on the price category of the machine.

— Aluminum. Aluminum-based alloys are very strong, weigh little, and are also much less susceptible to corrosion than steel. On the other hand, the cost of such materials is significantly higher, and high strength is not always critical (considering the peculiarities of riding children's bicycles, especially three-wheeled ones). Therefore, aluminum is less common, although it can also be used in all types of machines.

— Plastic. Plastic is relatively light in weight, completely insensitive to moisture and easy to process — it can be given almost any shape and color. At the same time, this material is inexpensive. On the other hand, plastic is not durable; therefore, it is used exclusively in bicycles for the smallest, mainly in three-wheeled models and balance bikes (see "Type").

— ...href="/list/604/pr-9552/">Wood. The general characteristics of wood are such that this material is poorly suited for classic bicycles — both two- and three-wheeled — but is very convenient for balance bikes (see "Type"). Wood, even unpainted, looks good, and this material is quite pleasant to the touch. Its disadvantages include some fragility — while the same plastic is likely to bend from a strong impact, wood can crack. However, it is still difficult to damage a wooden balance bike frame. But such a product does not tolerate moisture well, so it should be stored in a dry place.

— Fiberglass. As a rule, in this case it is not pure fiberglass that is meant, but fiberglass — a composite material made of glass fiber filled with plastic filler. This material is noticeably stronger than regular plastic, but it is also more expensive, and in terms of overall reliability it still does not reach the level of steel and aluminum. Therefore, fiberglass frames are quite rare, and mainly among balance bikes (see "Type").

— Magnesium. Magnesium alloys are similar to the aluminum alloys described above: they are highly durable and lightweight. At the same time, compared to aluminum, this alloy is stronger and more durable, weighs more, but not much, but costs significantly more — and the difference in price rarely outweighs the advantages mentioned. As a result, magnesium frames are not very widespread; they are found only in certain models of two-wheeled bicycles of the older age group.

Bicycle wheel diameter is traditionally indicated in ". The overall height of the bike directly depends on this parameter, so each age category has its own wheel size - in accordance with the height of the young cyclist. However, cars of the same type and age group may differ in wheel diameter; this is especially pronounced among two-wheeled bicycles. In such cases, it is worth considering the following point: larger wheels behave better on rough roads and allow you to coast for a long time, but they are reluctant to accelerate and require more effort on the pedals; small wheels - on the contrary, they spin without much effort, but they hold speed worse and are more sensitive to pits and potholes.

Tricycles predominantly have a wheel diameter of 10 ", balance bikes - 12 ". In two-wheeled models, there are sizes in 14, 16, 18 and 20 ". Larger diameter wheels are no longer used in children's, but in teenage bicycles (they are listed in our catalog in the section with older bikes).

The design of the wheels fitted to a bicycle and the materials used for the tyre/rim.

— Inflatable rubber. Wheels with inflatable rubber tires — the same as those on full-size adult bicycles. Such wheels are quite demanding in terms of maintenance: their condition must be monitored and pumped up if necessary. In addition, even a small puncture in the tire makes it unusable and requires repair. On the other hand, this is the most advanced type of wheel in terms of performance: they perform well even on uneven roads, smooth out vibrations, provide good traction and are suitable for fast, dynamic riding. And servicing inflatable tires can be a good training for a young cyclist before switching to a teenage bike. That is why two-wheeled models for older age groups are mainly equipped with inflatable tires. However, this option can also be found in other varieties, including balance bikes and even three-wheeled ones (see "Type").

— Rubber. Wheels with a solid rubber tire. Unlike the inflatable ones described above, such tires do not need to be inflated, and they are completely resistant to scratches and punctures. On the other hand, solid rubber wheels are less suitable for uneven roads and high loads. Therefore, they are found mainly among bicycles for the smallest, and in the age category from 5 to 8 years, such wheels are not used at all.

— Polyurethane. In design, such wheels...are similar to solid rubber ones (see above), they differ only in the tire material — polyurethane (elastic synthetic material). Polyurethane is noticeably harder than rubber, so it is used mainly in tricycles, not designed for fast driving and uneven roads.

— Plastic. Wheels made entirely of plastic. The main advantage of this material is its low cost; in addition, it can be given almost any color. On the other hand, plastic is hard and not very durable, it is not suitable for uneven roads and high speeds. Therefore, such wheels are used only in tricycles and some balance bikes (see "Type").

— Plastic with rubber. A slightly improved version of the plastic wheels described above. In this case, the hard plastic is supplemented with a kind of tire analogue — a narrow rubber strip around the rim, where the wheel touches the ground while driving. This helps to soften the vibrations that inevitably occur even when driving on smooth asphalt, but this is essentially where these wheels differ from purely plastic ones — plastic with rubber is also used only in tricycles, where the wheels are not designed for significant loads.

In the context of children's bicycles, alloy wheels refer to monolithic wheels made by injection molding. This is where they differ from traditional wheels, where the rim and hub are connected by spokes. Alloy wheels are typically stronger and more resistant to damage, and with fewer moving parts, they are easier to maintain.

The type of front brake provided on the bike — if such a brake is available at all (it is mainly equipped with two-wheeled models of the older age group).

— Rim mechanical. Such a brake works by pressing the pads against the wheel rim, and the force on the pads is transmitted from the handle through mechanical traction in the form of a cable. This is the most simple, inexpensive and at the same time quite effective type of brakes.

— Disk. Disc brakes also use mechanical traction (see above), but the pads in them are not pressed against the rim, but against a special brake disc. They are much more powerful than rims, and they work even with a curved rim, but they are more complex and expensive. Therefore, this option is found mainly in the most advanced two-wheeled bicycles of the older age group.

— Pedal. A variant used mainly in two-wheeled models (see "Type"). To brake, you need to press the pedals in the opposite direction; the braking itself is provided by the pads inside the rear hub. Pedal brakes are simple, inexpensive, do not require maintenance and are quite reliable, which is why they are extremely popular in children's bicycles. Their main disadvantage is that if the chain falls off, the bicycle loses the rear brake; however, the probability of this is not so high that this moment is critical.

— Rim mechanical. A brake in the form of a pair of pads, which are pressed against the wheel rim by pressing the handle ( manual type of brake); the force from the handle is transmitted by mechanical traction in the form of a cable (hence the name). Such brakes, unlike the pedal brakes described above, work even with a chain that has come off. At the same time, they are more complex, more expensive and require periodic maintenance, which is why they are rare, mainly in fairly advanced models of the older age category.

— Disc. A brake in the form of a pair of pads, which, when pressed on the handle, are pressed against a special disk fixed on the wheel hub. The force from the handle to the pads is transmitted through mechanical traction, as in rim mechanical ones. However, disc brakes are considered more advanced — they are more powerful, more e...fficient, and less sensitive to dirt and rim curvature. On the other hand, such systems are more complex and more expensive than rim ones, which is why they are used extremely rarely — mainly in high-end two-wheeled bicycles of the older age category.

— Trigger sleeve. A type of brake that combines the features of the two types described above: the pads are located inside the drum in the rear sleeve (like in pedal brakes), but the braking force is transmitted to them not from the pedals via a chain, but from the handle on the steering wheel via a cable (like in rim mechanical brakes). Due to this, such brakes can be installed on balance bikes (see "Type"), where pedals are absent by definition; in fact, trigger sleeve systems were created specifically for balance bikes.

— Pedal and rim. Bicycles equipped with both a pedal and rim rear brake. For more information on each of these types, see above; and their combination is used to increase the efficiency and safety of braking. Thus, a bicycle with such equipment is not afraid of a chain falling off: the pedal brake will fail, but the rim brake will remain functional. And the simultaneous use of two brakes can be useful for an emergency stop. On the other hand, such a combination significantly affects the price of the bicycle, despite the fact that in practice it is not needed so often. Therefore, this option has not become very widespread.

— Handbrake. A type of brake used exclusively on tricycles. It looks like a lever, usually mounted to the side of the seat; when this lever is raised, special stoppers are lowered onto the rear wheels. Note that tricycles are not designed for high speeds, and to brake, it is often enough to slow down the movement of the feet on the pedals. In light of this, the handbrake is provided more for “just in case” than for regular use; in some models, it can be used as a parking brake.

— Parental. A variant used in the youngest age group of tricycles, equipped with a parental handle (see below). As the name suggests, in such models the brake is controlled by the parent leading the bicycle — for example, by pressing a special lever on the parental handle.

A long handle mounted on tricycles (see "Type") behind the back of a child so that an adult can comfortably hold on to it while standing next to it. Thus, the parent can to a certain extent control the movement of the child, stop him at the right time or vice versa, push, or even carry the baby, like in a stroller. And in many models, the parent handles are also connected to the steering wheel with special rods, so you can also easily turn the car where you want.