Should I buy a bicycle that my child can "grow into"?
The best way to make sure that your child is safe on the bike that you're going to buy is: number one; he's properly fitted for that bike. You can only do that when the bike is purchased with the child there. So, you have the child sit on the bike. See where his legs hit the pedals. Make sure that his foot is coming in complete contact with the pedal. You don't want to buy a bike, and this is a common mistake parents do, that he'll grow into. You can't grow into a bicycle safely. He'll probably fall off the bike and hurt himself way before he's grown into that bike. So, you buy a bike with your child's present age, weight, and size in mind. You buy it for that day he's going to be riding. You don't buy a bicycle that he's going to grow into it at 11 when he's 7, and for which he won't be ready for several years. Always make sure they are properly fitted for that bike. There are simple ways you can tell. Make sure he can touch the ground easily, get off and on the bike without your help, and that he feels comfortable doing so. Also, make sure that he can get off the bike really quickly. Have him do all those things, take a look, and make sure that he's comfortable with that bike. Then make sure that he can reach the handlebars properly, that he can get to the pedals properly, and that he can squeeze the handbrakes. If you decide to get handbrakes, make sure he has the strength to squeeze those handbrakes. Let him ride around the parking lot. Tell the bicycle people that you'd like to take him out in the parking lot; let him ride the bicycle to see if he's comfortable with it. They want to make the sale. They'll work with you. As a consumer, you have the right to have that test ride.
