How To Build A Child's Bike
Before they start their pedalling adventures, you'll need to build the bike. Learn how in our guide that covers how to build a child's bike safely.
What you'll need
Before you get started, make sure you've got all the right tools (all of which you can buy at Halfords). You will need:
- Hex key set
- Socket Set
- Torque wrench (12-60Nm range)
- Grease
- Safety gloves
- Pump
- Spanners
- Pedal Spanner
You might find a bike stand useful, but don't worry if you don't have one, you'll still be able to do the job correctly. Before you start building, lay all the parts out on the floor. You'll be able to see if anything is missing, and will be able to reach everything you need. Opening plastic bags while wearing safety gloves isn't always easy, trust us!
Fit the seatpost
Start by greasing the seat post and slide it into place in the seat tube. Don't worry about getting the height for your little one just right just yet; you can set it later. At this stage, you just need to have it fitted.
Fit the front wheel
Check the direction of the tyres and slide the wheel into place, ensuring that the safety washers are seated correctly. Tighten the wheel until it's safe and secure. Give it a shake to make sure it's on securely.
Fit the handlebars & stem
Slide the handlebars into the fork tube, and tighten it up. Make sure the handlebars are centred correctly by standing over them and looking down on the front wheel. You want to ensure that everything is straight, as any misalignment could be dangerous. Turn the handlebars both ways to ensure they move freely.
Inflate the tyres
Use the pump to inflate the tyres. Check the sidewall of the tyre for a guideline on the right air pressure. It's important not to under- or over-inflate the tyres.
Fit the pedals
The left and right pedals should be marked. It's crucial that you carefully select the right pedal for each crank, as the threads could become damaged if you try to fit the wrong one. Once you're happy, grease the threads and use a pedal spanner to tighten the pedals. Checks they're tight with your hands and you're good to go.
Safety checks
Press and release the brake levers to check they're working. Ensure that front-wheel turn freely by lifting it off the ground and giving it a few spins. Check the back wheel by rotating the crank. At the same time, you can check that the bottom bracket is smooth and that the chain is in good condition.
Fit accessories
Once the mechanicals are done, it's time to fit the bling! Add any accessories like stabilisers, carriers, reflectors and bags. Tighten up the bell, give it a ding and you're ready to go!
Building a children's bike isn't a particularly difficult task, but it does take some time, some planning and the right tools. If you need some help assembling your new child's bike, drop into your nearest Halfords store, where someone will be able to help for a small fee. And remember, buy a child's bike from Halfords and we'll build it for free (Free build on bikes (£350 and over) by our expert bike technicians. Learn more).