If I can recall correctly, they did a group buy with other family members on a bunch of mountain bikes (the Superia) and they rarely rode theirs. In particular, you should be aware that, even if you change every component on a mountain bike, the frame will still have mountain bike geometry. Geometry has a large effect on your riding position, bike handling and the overall huffy mountain bike “feel”, which seems to have been a factor in your enjoying the bikes on vacation. Regarding the bikes in the garage which needs brakes, seats, tires and possibly gears; those are not very expensive items. Tires are about twenty dollars; used seats in good condition can be had for a few dollars. As you can see, both age and height are important considerations.
But before you lock in the training wheels and strap on their helmet, you need to find them the perfect sized bike. Bikes that are too large or too small can be difficult to control and maneuver. Therefore, understanding what size bike to purchase can be crucial to a child’s experience. Get a handle on the ins and outs of children’s bike sizing with this guide. So, how do you know what size bike to get your child? Unlike adult sizing, where the bike frame determines size, in kids’ bikes the wheels set the proportions.
Bike wheels start small with one-size balance bikes for toddlers. Meanwhile, wheels that are 24 inches in diameter are considered the last step before moving up to adult models. Below is a bike size chart categorized by height, age and wheel size. Whenever I shelved the 1987 Free Spirit Pinnacle bike due to constant tire issues, my uncle was kind enough to give me his Huffy Superia.
Now that you know how to find the right bike size for your child, start shopping for their perfect bike and a kids’ helmet for them to wear each time they ride. Looking for more advice about balance bikes and huffy bikes training wheels? Check out our Pro Tips guide to buying the right bike. To account for small growth spurts, some bikes enable you to raise the seat and the handlebar stem for minor customizations in size.
But even though this was an issue from time to time, this wasn’t even the biggest issue of the Superia. You can put smooth tires (“slicks”) on a mountain bike wheel rim instead of the usual “knobbies”. These slicks can be in the typical 1.95″ mountain bike tire diameter, or you can go narrower down to 1.75″. Use this simple kids’ bike sizing chart to help make the right choice.
Probably, I would guess, these mountain bikes have thread-on freehubs that remove with a FR-1 tool (which should cost under $10, and needs a big wrench to go with it). A new freewheel hub costs about $20 to $30, and gives you an opportunity to increase the gear ratios. While not as pronounced or as severe as other bikes of this price point I’ve owned in the past, the Superia did suffer from minor gear selection mechanism mayhem.