If you want to buy a children's bike in 26 inches, you will find that you have a huge choice here. The reason for this is quite simple: bikes with 26-inch tires are at the same time the largest children's bikes and also the smallest adult bikes. There are these bikes therefore "like sand on the sea", in all colors and shapes, as a road bike, mountain bike or city bike, with many gears or practical hub gears, with full equipment or without and in all price ranges. So lots of choice!
When fits a bike with 26 inches?
A bike with 26 inches can also be driven by an adult, it is already "quite big"! Therefore, it may be that your child rides a bike with 26-inch for many years, even as an adult still. Whether this is possible, of course, depends on the final height reached.
A bicycle with 26 inches fits from about 145 or 150cm height. A age statement is particularly difficult to make here, because teens differed in height tremendously! Here it is not just a few centimeters as with smaller children, a twelve year old can be "a whole head" taller or shorter than peers. The surest way to a good fit of the bike is the determination of the inner leg length, the manufacturers give here values from 70 to 77 cm. Just look in the specifications of our bikes, there you will usually find an indication of this. It tells you to which leg length the seat height of the saddle fits.
The geometry of a bike for children or teenagers is usually still very relaxed, in contrast to many adult bikes youth bikes have enough stack, because the legs are naturally longer, and the greater distance between bottom bracket and saddle is needed. Nevertheless, there is less reach here, the distance from the saddle to the handlebars is not too far. Thus, cycling children sit with an upright back, thus they have a good overview. Even if you buy a youth mountain bike or road bike, it won't position the rider quite as low as a regular performance bike.
A 26-inch bike will fit a child 12 years of age or older, with a height of about 145 to 150cm and a leg length of 70cm or more.
How to find the right bike for 10- to 12-year-olds
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26-inch bikes for girls and boys
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Even with the sportier bikes, the distinction between boys' bikes and girls' bikes is hardly made. Even color differences, which are often found on smaller bikes, are omitted here. However, there are numerous models with deep step, they are then considered rather as ladies bikes and are therefore rather equipped and painted for girls.
What do you have to spend?
Youth bikes can be had quite cheaply, but there are also high-priced models. How much you should spend on a 26-inch bike depends on how it will be used. The same rules apply here as for your own bike: the more and the longer it is ridden, the more fun a good bike is, because it is more reliable, durable and comfortable. The workmanship of the frame becomes more robust, the quality of the components increases, thus the ease of use improves. Overall, bikes that cost a little more are significantly lighter. This not only makes riding easier, but also handling.
Even if it is foreseeable that your child no longer grows much, it may well be worth investing in a better 26 inch bike, which can then be driven for many years.
Race bike, fully, hardtail or city bike in 26 inches?
In our children's bikes, we explain to you in more detail when which bike is best suited, and whether training equipment such as road bikes or fullys or rather means of locomotion such as city bikes or hardtails are the right bike for your child. Since 26-inch bikes have the same EIgenschaften, you can just read there if you want to know more.
Particularly often you will find in this size the designation "hybrid bike". Meant is a mix is from hardtail, trekking bike and city bike. These practical all-rounders can do just about anything, something offroad, bike tours or city trips are possible.
At this age, it usually becomes quite clear which bike your offspring really needs.If your daughter is going to MTB riding training camp, she will of course need an MTB with all the chicanes. If the son curves every day with the buddies to the outdoor pool, but no further, a simple hybrid bike is quite sufficient. If the whole family cracks speed records together on the road bike, of course a road bike is needed.
Safe for road use or not?
In order for a bike to be allowed to move on public roads, it must have various safety features. Here, a lighting, brakes and a bell are required by law.
But does your child need this equipment? The distinction isn't hard - Are you buying a sports bike that will be off-road? Then you can buy, for example, a small mountain bike or gravel bike that comes without lights and so on. But it may not then be ridden on public trails unless you retrofit lights, self-illuminators and bells.
If your child moves with the bike in the city or on bike paths , not only trouble threatens if the StVZO-relevant equipment is missing, the safety is significantly reduced. On all public ways and places the bicycle should have absolutely a traffic-safe equipment.
If son or daughter goes to school by bike, a luggage carrier is also highly recommended, because there a heavy school bag can be stowed safely and back-friendly. A bicycle basket with tensioning straps has proven its worth here.
The coolness factor of mudguards isn't exactly high, but if the bike is going to be used in the rain or on wet roads, at least mudguards or mudguard and ace saverare really practical.
Safety first!
At this age, children often ride alone in traffic for the first time when visiting friends, going to soccer practice or school. Especially then it is particularly important that they always have a good grip on their bike and feel absolutely safe on it. This often works best on a bike designed specifically for children. Not only does the geometry fit well with a child's proportions, but the equipment is also robust, smooth-running and uncomplicated to use. In this way, the bike conveys a sense of security, because the youngsters can concentrate entirely on their path.
Why should you buy a youth bike with 26 inches?
If there are also adult bikes in this size, why should you still buy a children's and youth bike? There are a few reasons why.
Juvenile bikes built by a manufacturer that specializes in children's bikes are designed specifically for children's abilities and needs. This means, first, that the bikes are robustly built while still carrying as little weight as possible so that kids can handle them well.
In addition, the bikes are easy to use, so children get along with them particularly well. This aspect is particularly important for the shifting group, which should not take errors in a children's bike when shifting too crooked, throw off the chain or get caught. The operating handles are also particularly smooth.
With a children's bike, manufacturers expect that the owner of the bike is still growing, so some components can be adjusted individually. These are usually the height of the saddle and handlebars. Smaller components can also be adjusted on children's bikes, for example, you can adjust the distance between the brake levers and the handlebars so that small children's hands can reach them safely.
Not least, children's bikes are often a little cheaper than bikes "for adults", they then may not have the latest components and the finest materials that the market gives, but robust and reliable material.
The younger your child is, if they can fit on that size bike, the safer they will be on a dedicated kids and youth bike.
What's in favor of a 26-inch adult bike?
If your child likes to ride a bike a lot and safely, an adult bike may be a better choice. The selection is usually much larger here, there is everything from a simple city bike to a top racing bike with a classy complete group. You should watch your child closely before buying and make sure that he or she can operate the technology. If that's the case, there's nothing to stop you from giving your industrious cycling offspring a bike like this.
Apart from the operation, an adult bike is often less flexible in terms of individual adjustment of fit.
Particularly dirt bikes or even BMX bikes often roll through the skate park on 26 inches, but they should not be confused with children's bikes! Although the wheels are small, the bikes are still intended for adults of different heights. The small wheels make the bikes more maneuverable, but you ride standing up most of the time! If you look at the position of the saddle on a dirtbike, you can imagine that a teenager would not enjoy riding it for long! On a BMX, you sit a little better, but it's still not a bike for long trails.
Can you buy a bike in 26 inches online?
If you have determined the stride length and conclude that a 26-inch bike is suitable for your child, you can choose one that your child likes from the bikes here in the online store. However, you can also store at the adult bikes with 26 inch tires, especially if the future rider is a bit older. You will find on BMO city bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes or hybrid bikes, and thus for every child the right bike!
