The most frequent email We receive is asking what size bike my child needs. Let’s face something! To begin with, children’s bikes are sized differently than adult bicycles. Additionally, even when discussing a bike with certain wheel sizes, manufacturers can notice significant differences in standover length and Seatpost height.
Even though a bike may promote a 5-year-old, some 5-year-olds are little while others are enormous. There is no possibility that the same bike will fulfill those two children’s needs the best.
A child’s age is often not a reliable determinant of size. A 4-year-old could fit on a bike with a 20-inch wheel, whereas a 5-year-old could fit on one with a 16-inch wheel.
Choosing the proper size bike doesn’t need trial and error or tearing out your hair. We have assisted hundreds of parents in determining the size of their children’s bikes. Here are three suggestions to help you purchase the correct size bike the first time.
Know the Correct Wheel Size for Your Child.
The “size” of children’s bikes is determined by the size of the wheels. Wheel sizes range from 12 inches for the smallest pedal cycles to 24 inches for larger bikes. Although several bike makers provide smaller “kid” size 26-inch cycles, when your youngster is old enough for one, they are frequently prepared for an extra-large ride.
Although the majority of balance bikes have 12′′ or 14′′ tyres, some balance bikes can start off with wheels as little as 10′′.
Your child’s height and inseam should be measured
Measure the height and inseam of your child.
Measuring your youngster is the next step. Do not guess or skip this step! You should always be able to request the child’s parents to assess them for you if you’re purchasing the bike as a present. If it needs to be kept a secret, tell a lie and pretend you’re making garments or anything!
Use the child’s inseam and riding capacity to determine the ideal seat height.
It’s important to assess your child’s riding skill now that you realize what size (or sizes) of the bike are probably appropriate for them. Why? A bike’s correct fit depends on how high the seat is about the child’s inseam. However, depending on your child’s skill level, experience level, and if they are using training wheels, most bikes should adjust accordingly.
The seat height, measured from the bottom to the top of the seat, can help you further reduce your options and ensure a perfect fit right away!
Learners should be prepared to sit on the bike’s seat with flat feet. It includes graduates from balancing bikes. A youngster must be able to stop their bike using their feet at this point easily. As a consequence, the seat height of their bike should adjust to match their child’s inseam.
Look into the bike specifications (or bikes) that interest you.
Not every 14-inch bike will fit your child just because you assume they will need one. Standover heights and minimum/maximum Seatpost heights vary amongst motorcycles. Opting for a bike that will offer your child the best fit is recommended.
The breakover angle height is the distance between the top tube of the bicycle frame and the height at which your child will swing with one leg over each edge of the bike. As a result, your youngster’s inseam must be AT Minimum as tall as the standover height. For your youngster to ride the bike properly, a little extra room should be available.
The maximum Seatpost height for any bike you are thinking about is the other statistic that you ought to look up without a doubt. Whether purchasing a balancing bike, a first pedal cycle, or a pedal bike, an experienced pedaler will determine how the minimum Seatpost height relates to your child’s leg length. The minimum Seatpost height for a balancing bike should not exceed the child’s inseam measurement. It enables your youngster to learn how to balance, scoot, and plant their feet firmly on the ground.
You must ensure that your youngster has at least a 12′′ leg length if the bike’s maximum Seatpost height is 12′′. Find a bike with a lower minimum Seatpost height if not.
How to Handle a Child Who Is Between Sizes
When your child comfortably fits at the lower end of a bike’s acceptable height/inseam, choosing a bike isn’t too difficult. It is more difficult when your child is at the top of the ideal height/inseam for a bike.
When this occurs, we frequently hear from parents concerned that the bike won’t last very long and that their kid will rapidly outgrow it. Since neither bikes nor cash grows on trees, this is a legitimate issue.
We usually advise parents to size up if their child is near the following size bike. Even though they will soon outgrow the smaller bike, if your kid isn’t already an expert rider, you might want to let them stay on it. You might wish to seek a secondhand bike in this situation. After they’ve experienced a short period of rapid and prepared for the following size bike, they may get an expensive bike a few months later.
The Sizing of Kids’ BMX Bikes
And now, to put a spanner in the works of what we just said. The bike size guidelines don’t apply if you’re purchasing a kids’ BMX bike. Kids’ BMX bikes come in two varieties: racing BMX bikes and freestyle/street bikes that you’d use in a skateboard. They are each of different sizes.
You should typically select a freestyle/street BMX bike with wheels one size shorter than you would for a conventional kids’ bike. To put it another way, if your youngster wanted to ride a 14-inch BMX bike, they would need a 16-inch bicycle.
Why Dimension Is Not The Only Factor
When choosing a kid’s bike, size is perhaps the most important factor to consider, but it’s by no means the only factor. After determining what size bike your kid needs, you should consider factors like weight (this is a huge one), shape, brakes, tires, whether or not to utilize training wheels, etc.
Training-Wheel Bike for Beginners
The ideal kid’s bike size for starting riders is displayed by a five-year-old rider seated on her bike with her feet touching the pavement. Feet flat or tiptoes work for those who intend to use training wheels, depending on how confident your youngster is. Just adjust the seat so that the youngster is most comfortable, as they won’t have to worry about balancing the bike or falling over as much.
Accordingly, the seat should normally be positioned 0 to 3 inches above the child’s inseam. Lowering the seat so that the child’s feet are flat is frequently chosen for shy children. However, be careful not to elevate the seat too high since many youngsters on training wheels still reflexively stop the bike with their feet. Raising the seat higher provides improved pedal effectiveness with more active riders, allowing them to go faster.
Brisk bike
Check out our guide on balancing bike size if you consider purchasing one. For easy reference, a child’s inseam should be positioned 0.5 to 1.5 inches below the seat of a balancing bike. Youngsters should have their feet flat on the floor and their knees bent back when riding a balancing bike. They can effectively run on the bike because of the little knee flexion.