How do you raise the handlebars on a child’s bike? This is a question that many parents ask themselves when they are trying to figure out how to help their children ride a bicycle. If your child has been asking for this modification, then it may be time to make some adjustments! In this article, we will provide six (6) steps (plus pictures!) that explain how to adjust the height of your handlebar so your child can have more control over his or her bike and learn faster.
But before I tell you the steps to follow, here’s my story on how I found out my son’s bike needs adjusting and why you should pay attention!
Look:
Just a few months ago, I was mad at myself, even as an experienced cycling enthusiast.
I should have been more attentive to my son’s needs, but now it seemed too late. He hated his bike and didn’t want to ride anymore, all because of a misadjustment on the handlebars.
Watching him had me on the verge of tears as he wobbled. Then it dawned on me; I had completely forgotten about adjusting the handlebar to match his height, which left him in a precarious position with far less control over his ride.
It took me less than 10 minutes to loosen some bolts, move them up in order to get it just right for him, and then tighten everything back up again. He looked so happy when we were done! It’s like he immediately became a pro cyclist, and all I needed to do was a simple adjustment.
I’m telling you this so you know that it is important to properly raise the handlebar on your child’s bike!
What Is the Correct Handlebar Height on a Child’s Bike?
When you raise the handlebar on your child’s bike, there are two things that are important: comfort and posture. If the child’s posture is not correct while riding a bike, it can have some negative consequences. For example, if your child slouches over when they ride their bikes and do not use good riding form when pedaling at all times, then this could lead to back problems or neck pain! Furthermore, bad posture will greatly reduce the comfort of riding their bike.
The correct handlebar height on a kid’s bike can be found by first ensuring that the seat is set up properly where their feet touch the ground while sitting on it. Then, following the proper seat setup, you will adjust the handlebar to align with the seat.
How To Raise The Handlebars On A Child’s Bike
These steps may differ based on the bike manufacturer’s design. But the general principle will remain the same.
Here are the steps to raise a bike handlebar:
Step 1: Gather the Right Tools
The first thing you’ll need to do is find a wrench and an Allen key to turn the handlebar nut. In most cases, you would’ve been provided the correct tools needed when you purchased the bike. If not, simply get one from your garage or hardware store.
Step 2: Loosening the nut
Slowly loosen the handlebars nut or bolt on the stem cap. However, be sure not to take this off completely because you could remove the stem completely, which is hard to put back together.
Step 3: Raise the Handlebar Up
Once the bolt or nut is loose at the top of the stem, slowly and carefully raise the handlebar until you find the height you want. When raising the handlebars, straddle the front wheel and then use your thighs to support it and lift. Doing this will make it much easier to raise the handle incrementally.
PS. All handlebars have a minimum insertion line that is marked on them. Always ensure that that mark is still inside the stem after your adjustment.
Step 4: Make Sure the Handle is aligned with the Seat Height
In general, the handlebar should be parallel with the seat, and if it’s too low or too high, you must readjust. Depending on your child’s height and preference, you can raise the handlebars above the saddle or at least on the same level but never below.
Step 5: Recenter the handlebar
After going through the first four (4) steps, you may have twisted the handlebar. As such, you need to verify that it is completely centered before moving on to the next step.
Step 6: Tighten the Handlebars
Tighten the bolt or nut you loosened in step one using the Allen key or adjustable wrench to fasten the handlebar tightly.
Step 7: Test
Once you have gone through all six (6) steps, it’s time to test the bike. First, make sure that everything is aligned, then check and ensure that your kid is comfortable and is riding with the correct posture.
Conclusion
Bike riding is a fun activity for kids and adults alike. But that can be frustrating if your handlebars are not adjusted right, so kids might not want to ride their bikes. A poorly adjusted handlebar will cause pain in different parts of the body, including the neck, shoulder blade, lower back, or wrist joints. Please don’t wait until your child complains about discomfort before you adjust the bar so that he/she can enjoy biking for longer periods without any complaints! Follow the steps listed above, and you should be able to increase the height of the handlebars without any issues at all!
Last Updated on October 14, 2023 by Daniel White