Some childhood milestones don’t really change. A grandchild may know how to work a tablet before we can figure out what they changed in our settings, but put that same child on their first set of wheels and suddenly everything feels wonderfully familiar.
Learning to ride a bike has been part of childhood for generations. Huffy has been there for many of them. Founded in 1892, the brand has spent more than 130 years helping children experience that first taste of independence, while giving parents and grandparents plenty of reasons to stand nearby cheering them on.
Today’s Huffy lineup stretches well beyond the traditional first bicycle. There are mountain bikes for older grandchildren, folding electric bikes for adults and even a Spidey ride-on for the littlest member of the family. That means outdoor family time can include everyone from preschoolers to grandparents.
12V Spidey and His Amazing Friends Ride-On Car
My three-year-old grandson loves Spidey and His Amazing Friends and watches it on repeat over and over again, so I knew the moment I saw this Ride-On Car by Huffy that it would be the perfect gift for his 3rd birthday. With bold red-and-blue Spidey graphics, working headlights, and authentic Spidey sounds, this ride-on was an instant hit. But the feature that made me fall in love with it is something he didn’t even realize it has…a parent-controlled remote control that makes it so much safer to use in our neighborhood. My grandson has a heavy foot and some very creative steering skills. With his previous electric car, we had to put it in the back of our SUV and take him to an empty basketball court because I was too nervous to let him drive around the neighborhood. With this Huffy ride-on, an adult can steer, guide, or stop the car at any time. He still feels like he is driving, but I can take control before his superhero adventure heads in the wrong direction. Powered by a 12-volt battery, it reaches an age-appropriate top speed of 2.8 MPH and has simple forward-and-reverse foot-pedal controls. It seats one child, ages 3 to 5, and supports up to 65 pounds.
He loves it because he gets to drive like Spidey. I love it because Nana can secretly be the one behind the wheel.
● Available at Huffy, Amazon, and other retailers for $279.99
● Ages: 3-5
Granite Mountain Bike, 26-Inch, Blue
Fast-forward a few years and suddenly that tiny child in the ride-on is asking if everyone can go farther.
Huffy’s 26-inch Granite Mountain Bike is designed for riders ages 13 and older and generally fits those 60 inches and taller. The sturdy steel frame, wide tires and stable mountain-bike construction allow older kids and teens to explore paths and casual trails as well as ride around the neighborhood.
Five-speed shifting is controlled through an easy twist shifter, giving riders flexibility for hills and flatter terrain. Front and rear hand brakes provide dependable stopping control as young riders become more independent.
A bike like this also creates an entirely different kind of family time. Grandparents don’t have to simply watch from the driveway anymore. Plan a trail ride, pack lunch, and make an afternoon of it. One of the lovely things about grandchildren getting older is discovering all the new experiences you can begin sharing with them.
Centuric Class 2 Folding E-Bike
Excluded from coupons and promotions. Currently out of stock.
The grandchildren shouldn’t get all the good toys.
The Centuric Class 2 Folding E-Bike gives adults a comfortable way to stay part of family riding adventures. Its 350W rear hub motor provides electric assistance that can make hills and longer distances considerably more inviting.
A Shimano Tourney six-speed drivetrain allows for smooth gear changes, while front and rear disc brakes provide consistent stopping control. Fat tires add stability, and integrated lights and a rear rack make the bike practical enough for everyday use.
The 20-inch folding design may be especially appealing to grandparents who travel. It takes up less storage space and is easier to transport than a traditional full-size bicycle. Whether you’re bringing bikes on a family getaway or simply trying to reclaim some room in the garage, folding capability is a feature you may appreciate more than you expect.
A new generation learns to ride
Huffy is also revisiting the experience that started it all with its Grow Ride Move, or GRM, children’s bike collection.
The GRM line was developed to help children feel more secure when learning to ride. The bikes feature an extended wheelbase, lower standover height, smaller cranks and wider tires, along with handlebar positioning designed to encourage a comfortable, upright riding posture.
The collection includes 12-, 16-, 20- and 24-inch models. The smallest two sizes have training wheels and an integrated Parent Assist handle beneath the saddle, giving an adult a comfortable place to help guide a beginning rider.
There’s also a clever approach to teaching children how to stop. The 12- and 16-inch GRM bikes feature Huffy’s Triple Braking System, combining front and rear caliper hand brakes with a coaster brake. Color-coded levers correspond with the braking components to help children begin understanding what the controls actually do.
As confidence grows, so do the bikes. The GRM 20-inch model, priced at $199.99 MSRP, removes the training wheels and adds front and rear alloy V-brakes. The $229.99 24-inch model includes a seven-speed twist shifter for riders ready to venture farther.
Perhaps one of the most parent-and-grandparent-friendly features has nothing to do with the bike itself. Huffy’s Move-Up Program provides families with 25% off the next GRM size when a child outgrows the bike within one year. The smaller bike can then be passed along to a younger sibling or grandchild or donated for another child to enjoy.
There is something wonderfully full-circle about watching a grandchild learn to ride. You remember teaching your own children, and perhaps even remember someone running behind your bicycle decades earlier, promising they weren’t going to let go.
The bikes have changed. There are electric motors, better geometry, color-coded brakes and even superhero cars now. But that look on a child’s face when they realize they’re moving on their own hasn’t changed very much at all.
And that’s a family tradition worth keeping.
