Should I buy my child a bike for Christmas … and what to look out for

Costway Kids Bikerange is a good starting point … with lots of sizes and styles, you’re sure to find one that suits.

The bike team Costway – the Home of Delights/More than just furniture – has put together this buying guide.

Is Christmas a good time to buy a bike?

We say it’s almost synonymous with Christmas! A bike tree and a shiny bike parked in front of it on Christmas morning is a favourite festive memory for many of us. But there are a few things to bear in mind.

· One, order early! You don’t want Santa’s bike delivery to be caught up in Christmas parcel post chaos, so if it is a big statement gift, buy early.

· Make sure you pick the right size – happy faces soon turn to disappointment if the new bike is too big or too small for comfort.

· Build it in advance – Costway bikes come 95 per cent assembled, which takes a lot of the pain away, but make sure the finishing touches are all completed and that it is unboxed for the day itself.

· Check out the weather – If December or January are looking particularly snowy and icy where you are it’s worth considering whether your child will get much use from their first bike for the first few months.

How do I know what size to pick?

If there’s one thing we know about kids it’s how quickly they grow! Choose a bike that covers a decent spectrum of ages, like the Costway kids bike for 4-8 years old, which comes in a range of frame sizes to suit your child. Consider their leg length and arm reach – the perfect sized bike should allow feet to touch pedals with comfort, and toes to graze the ground when the seat is at its lowest height. This allows room to go, and for bikes like the Costway where the seat can be raised, allows growing room. Hands should be able to reach the handlebars with ease, for safety in steering and braking. Across the Costway Kids Bike range you will find a size and style to suit your child.

Is my child ready for a bike?

To some degree you won’t know till you try, and patience is the key – don’t put too much pressure on them to ‘get it’ right away. Expect a few false starts and tumbles, so make sure Santa also has a good helmet and knee and elbow protectors added to the gift list.

In general terms, a balance bike is a good entry point for littler toddlers, but for those three up, a bike is likely to be the better investment. Make sure you choose a bike with stabilisers, to help them build their confidence and spatial awareness skills.

What do other parents say?

People sometimes say that buying online is buying blind, but when it comes to bikes there are few bricks and mortar shops with dozens of styles to choose from.

Read feedback from other parents at the Costway reviews section on each model, to find out how they and their child found the bikes. Like Suchi, who described her pick as the perfect bike, adding: “My son loves this high quality bike! Easy to put together and adjust for size of kids. Completely comfortable riding it, great tires, performs and looks perfect.”

And dad Lucas said: “This bike is perfect for any kid that wants to learn or ride a bike. It’s very easy to put together and only takes one person. The bike comes with a basket which is useful for putting things they like. It also comes with training wheels, which is perfect if your kid doesn’t know how to ride a bike. Overall this bicycle is amazing and I would recommend it to any kid that would love a bicycle!”

Costway top tips

· Choose the right size: Costway have a range of kids bikes for sale, including sizes12"/14"/16"/18".

· Make sure you choose stabilisers/training wheels.

· Don’t forget the safety equipment

· Read up on reviews to make the right choice.

With Costway – the Home of Delights/More than just furniture, there’s fast delivery, great customer services, and a 30-day return guarantee. Find out more at Costway Kids Bike