Comparison Apollo Neo Jr 2018 vs Strider Classic 12

— 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.

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.

A special stand on which the child can put his feet while sitting on a bicycle. It is found exclusively in three-wheeled models (see "Type") equipped with a parent handle (see above), and is another "pram" function: when the parent pushes the car, it is inconvenient and sometimes unsafe for the baby to keep his feet on the pedals. do not confuse this feature with a bicycle footrest, which allows you to put the bike on your own without a stop.