Bradley Wiggins unveils range of children's bikes with Halfords

Bradley Wiggins has teamed up with Halfords to unveil a range of Wiggins-branded children's bikes, which he hopes will help kids take their first steps in following in his illustrious footsteps.

“I wanted to develop a range of bikes for kids of all ages and all abilities to jump on and feel like a Tour de France winner,” said Wiggins of the collaboration.

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“You don’t have to be super fit or kitted out in lycra – these bikes are aimed at everyone, girls and boys, to help more kids get into cycling.”

Watch: how to teach your child to ride a bike

The range consists of seven different models, each named after a stage town from the 2012 Tour de France which Wiggins won, aimed at different age groups and with prices of between £99 and £450.

The starter model is the Pau balance bike with 12" wheels and pneumatic tyres, while pedals are introduced on the Macon 16" hybrid, and 7-speed Shimano gears on the Chartres 20" hybrid.

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At the top of the range is the Wiggins Rouen 700c Road, which could well make a good first proper road bike for the aspiring racer, with Shimano Claris shifting, an aluminium frame and carbon fork, and a red, white, and blue paintjob that takes inspiration from the bike Wiggins rode to the Hour Record last June.

Wiggins isn't the first Olympic gold medalist to have released a bike range with Halfords, with both Chris Boardman and Victoria Pendleton both collaborating with the retailer in the past.

The full range will be available from July, just in time to capitalise in the spike of interest around the Tour de France.