Comparison Royal Baby Space Shuttle 16 vs Rastar RSZ1401

— Steel. A fairly common material, widely used in all types of children's bicycles (see "Type"). Having a low cost, steel is at the same time very strong, reliable and resistant to shock and shock. Its main disadvantage is considered by many to be relatively large weight; however, the difference in weight with the same aluminium is usually not that big (especially when compared to the weight of the cyclist itself). 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.

— Aluminium. Aluminium-based alloys are very strong, light in weight, and 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 (taking into account the peculiarities of riding children's bicycles, especially tricycles). Therefore, aluminium is less common, although it can also be used in all types of machines.

— Plastic. Plastic is relatively lightweight, absolutely insensitive to moisture and easy to process - it can be given almost any shape and color. With all this, 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")....

- Tree. The general characteristics of wood are such that this material is not well suited for classic bicycles - both two-wheelers and three-wheelers - but it is very convenient for balance bikes (see "Type"). Wood, even unpainted, looks good, and this material is quite pleasant to the touch. Of its shortcomings, some fragility can be mentioned - if the same plastic is likely to bend from a strong impact, then the tree may crack. However, it is still not easy to damage the wooden frame of the balance bike. But such a product does not tolerate moisture well, so you need to store it in a dry place.

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

— Magnesium. Magnesium alloys are similar to the aluminium alloys described above: they are characterized by high strength and at the same time low weight. At the same time, compared to aluminium, such an alloy is stronger and more durable, weighs more, but not much, but it costs much more - and the difference in price rarely outweighs the mentioned advantages. As a result, magnesium frames have not received much distribution, 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).

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 mainly used in two-wheeled models (see "Type"). In order to slow down, you need to press the pedals in the opposite direction; braking itself is provided by pads inside the rear hub. Pedal brakes are simple, inexpensive, maintenance free, and reliable enough to make them extremely popular on kids bikes. Their main disadvantage is that when the chain falls off, the bike loses the rear brake; however, the likelihood of this is not so high that this moment is critical.

— Rim mechanical. Brake in the form of a pair of pads, which, by pressing the handle ( manual brake type), are pressed against the wheel rim; 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 broken chain. 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.

— Disk. The brake is in the form of a pair of pads, which, by pressing the handle, are pressed against a special disc mounted on the wheel hub. At the same time, the force from the handle to the pads is transmitted through mechanical traction, as in mechanical rims. However, disc brakes are considered more advanced — they are more powerful, more efficient, less sensitive...to dirt and rim curvature. On the other hand, such systems are more complicated and more expensive than rim systems, which is why they are used extremely rarely — mainly in high-end two-wheeled bicycles of the older age category.

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

— Pedal and rim. Bicycles equipped with both pedal and rim rear brakes. See above for details on each of these varieties; and their combination is used in order to increase the efficiency and safety of braking. So, a bicycle with such equipment is not afraid of a broken chain: the pedal brake will fail, but the rim brake will remain operational. And the simultaneous application of two brakes can be useful for an emergency stop. On the other hand, such a combination significantly affects the price of a bicycle, despite the fact that in fact it is not needed so often. Therefore, this option has not received much distribution.

— Handbook. A type of brake used exclusively on tricycles. It looks like a lever, usually installed on the side of the seat; when this lever is lifted, special stoppers are lowered onto the rear wheels. Note that tricycles are not designed for high speeds, and for braking in them it is enough to slow down the movement of the legs on the pedals. Thus, the handbrake is provided for "just in case" rather than for regular use; in some models, it can be used as a parking.

— Parental. A variant used in the youngest tricycles equipped with a parent handle (see below). In accordance with the name, in such models, the brake is controlled by the parent leading the bike — for example, by pressing a special lever on the parent handle.

— Side wheels. Additional remote wheels mounted on both sides of the bike, usually in the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear axle. They are found exclusively in two-wheeled models (see "Type"). Their main purpose is to insure beginner cyclists who are not yet able to keep their balance: the bike does not fall on its side, even when it is stationary, and you can practice riding without fear of “accidents” and bruises. At the same time, the side wheels are usually made removable, so that when the child acquires the necessary skills to ride in the classic way, they can be removed.

— Wings. Protective devices in the form of curved plates over the wheels of a bicycle; the name "shields" is also used. The main purpose of the wings is to protect the cyclist and the people around them from spray and dirt flying from the wheels while riding. This can be very useful, for example, in wet weather after rain.

— Boot. A device for carrying various loads on a bicycle, located behind the saddle. In three-wheeled models (see "Type"), the boot is most often a plastic tray in which you can carry, for example, your baby's favorite toys. Two-wheelers usually use a platform with a clamp to secure the cargo being transported (although there are exceptions, up to a closed boot). It is worth noting that it is not recommended to use the boot for transporting passengers: it is unsafe and...fraught with breakdowns.

— Basket on the steering wheel. Like the boot (see above), the handlebar basket is designed to carry various loads. It differs, in addition to placement, also in design: it is a rather deep container and can be equipped with a lid. It is found among both two- and three-wheeled vehicles (see "Type"); in some models, the baskets are made removable.

— Cup holder A stand that allows you to securely fasten a glass or a bottle with a drink — for example, milk for a baby or water for the parent himself. Naturally, such equipment is relevant for tricycles-wheelchairs.

— Bag for things. The presence in the design of the bicycle of its own handbag for transporting small items. The main difference from the boot and the basket on the steering wheel (see above) is the design: the bag is made of soft fabric and has a fastener. On two-wheeled models (see "Type") it is usually located on the handlebars, and on three-wheeled models it is on the parent handle (see above).

— Protective bumper. Safety bar around the saddle: the child can hold on to the bumper with his hands, in addition, this feature significantly reduces the risk of falling off the bike. It is installed exclusively on three-wheeled vehicles (see "Type").

— Seat belts. This item of equipment is installed on tricycles (see "Type"), designed for the smallest: seat belts securely fix the baby on the seat, preventing him from falling off the bike — which is especially important if an adult carries the car by the parent's handle (see above). ).

— Protective visor. A device placed above the baby's head and designed to protect from direct sunlight (to avoid heat strokes), and in some models also from rain. Fits exclusively on tricycles (see "Type"). The design of the protective visor can be different: a canopy, an umbrella, or even a folding hood like those found in strollers.

— Mirrors. Special mirrors mounted on the steering wheel and allowing the child to see what is happening behind him without turning his head. There can be one or two such mirrors (one mirror is standardly installed on the left). This feature provides additional driving safety and teaches the baby to constantly look “in mirrors” — this skill can be very useful in the future, when learning to ride an “adult” vehicle like a car or motorcycle.

— Signal / call. The presence of a bell or other sound signal supplied with the bike. It is found in all types of machines (see above), however, the specific purpose in some cases varies. So, in two-wheeled models, the signal is often made in the form of a bell and is intended to warn others who may otherwise not notice the cyclist in time. But in tricycles, a horn is usually installed, which can also play the role of additional entertainment for the child. Anyway, buying a model with a bell / signal will save you the hassle of finding and installing it yourself.

— Footboard. Additional support in the form of a folding "leg", used in two-wheeled bicycles. By opening such a support, you can put the bike upright, without leaning on surrounding objects such as a pole, fence, etc. And while riding, the footboard folds compactly and does not interfere with movement.

— Game panel. Used in tricycles (see "Type"). The main purpose of the game panel is to provide the baby with additional entertainment. But its execution is different: it can be toys placed directly on the steering wheel, buttons and switches with sound signals, arrows imitating the dashboard of a motorcycle, etc.