first new bike for 6 year old son
 

My 6 year old son has just began to ride his bike without training wheels! He was promised(bribery) a new bike. However I am not sure if I should start out right away with a geared bike or stick with a regular(back brakes)bike for him. As you can see I don not know a great deal about all of the options. Please help. I will also be happy to read suggestions about bike size. He just turned 6, is 50 pounds and about 48" tall.
thanks

Go to a good bike store, such as those stocking Trek, Cannondale, Specialized and Giant. Have them fit him for a bike. Based on my own experiences, I'd suggest a one-speed bike with a coaster brake, ESPECIALLY if the bike will ever be used on a public street.

Kids from six to nine often get "tunnel vision" where they are thinking only about ONE thing...such as going faster. Thinking about the cars coming toward them, the cars behind them, the left hand brake, the right hand brake, and changing gears...that is about four things too many to think about.

And, a "name brand" one speed bike is "bullet proof". Just keep air in the tires. Nothing to adjust or tune. Nothing that will need fixing. A "point and go" bike.

Actually, I've been riding a single speed bike a lot recently myself. It is nice to have a bike that you just pedal and steer. A simple and relaxing riding experience.

DO NOT buy a bike from Wal-Mart, K-Mart, a sporting goods chain, or a toy store. Your kid's health and safety is worth far more than the $100 price difference between a Krap-Mart pretend bike and a REAL bike from a REAL bike store.

Thank you! We have definetly decided to go with a one speed. However, when we went to the bike stores we found BMX bikes with only a handlebar back brake and one other store had a bike with a coaster brake and a handlebar back brake. They were both 20" and he had a hard time touching the ground comfortably. So I think we will have him keep practicing on his little bike(a bit to small for him) and then go with the coaster and back brake bike.
You helped alot thanks!

Sorry but I have to disagree - My kids are going through a bike every 24 months. I alternate between new bike and used bike as the move up through the sizes. I keep a close eye on how my kids ride and what condition their bikes are in. When I buy them at Wal-mart I check the assembly - I talk to the guy who builds the bike at my local store. Just like at your LBS.

Like most kids (under 10) they ride no more than 2-3 miles away from the house, they don't abuse their bikes. The Wal-mart/Target bikes are just fine.

My kids do 4 sports per year - no way I can afford to shell out LBS prices for bike. When my kids show an interest in cycling as a sport I will be more than happy to upgrade to a quality bike. Please don't compare Wal-Mart bikes to LBS bikes - that's like comparing ford Taurus to a Mercedes. Of course we all want Mercedes - that does not mean the the Taurus is $%^.

Are there specific health/safety issues that you are aware of with Wal-Mart bikes or is this just a general comment?

I take it all back. Just got back from a week on Tybee Island (Savannah) My kids decided to ride their discount store bikes on the beach - everything that was steel is now rusted. booo! I warned them - but they are only kids.

Take him to Walmart... sit on the bikes... might even get him to ride around the Store ha ha ha...

The Bikes from Walmart...etc.. are safe.. Have a 10 year girl and 8 year old boy here... they ride the crap out of those bikes, and they look good and are sound. They will out grow them fast, so if you wanna watch your $$$ until they are of size to KNOW what they want...
Just got a Schwinn Chopper for the 8 year old, he out grew his Walmart bike... but we bought it at a cheaper store then Walmart, Shopko.
SAFETY is getting them to wear a HELMET!!!!
Good Luck to you!