Kids Bicycles

The Gift of a Bicycle – Tips for Choosing a Children’s Bike

Once they’ve grown out of their balance bike a, kid’s bicycle can be one of the most exciting gifts a child ever receives.

Kids’ Bicycles Sizing Guide

Note: Because children grow at different rates, a sizing guide is not a great substitute for a proper fitting in a bike shop.

The basic bicycle sizing principles apply and comfort and safety are the priorities.

Depending on where you are, the most common sized wheel diameter on kids bikes may differ – ie Some bicycle manufacturers don’t make 14 or 18-inch children’s bikes.

Age	Child’s Height	Inseam	Bike Size (from wheel diameter)
2 – 5 years	26 – 36 inches 66 – 91 cm	14 – 18 inches 35 – 45 cm	12 inch
4 – 8 years	34 – 42 inches 86 – 107 cm	16 – 22 inches 40 – 56 cm	14 inch
6 – 9 years	42 – 48 inches 107 – 122 cm	20 – 24 inches 51 – 61 cm	18 inch
8 – 12 years	48 – 56 inches 122 – 142 cm	22-25 inches 55-63 cm	20 inch
9+ years	50 – 62 inches 127 – 156 cm	24-28 inches 60-72 cm	24 inch

The Gift of a Bicycle

So many people remember their first bicycle as being the best gift they ever received.

This kid will probably never forget the day …

Seriously though, you should know what to look for when buying a bike for your child.

Points to Remember

Even though smaller, it would cost nearly the same to produce a high-end bike for a child as it would in an adult size, so …
Because most people don’t want to spend too much on something that a child will outgrow in a few years, the market dictates that most bicycles for kids are not generally manufactured to last, and are built with lower quality components.
If you are buying a bicycle at a department store or toy store, be aware that it will either need to be assembled by you or that it might have been assembled in the shop by someone without any mechanical training.
Finally – remember that mental preparation for cycling is important as well as correct sizing.
Some kids take longer to develop road awareness, and a for this reason a new bike should not be forced on a child.

Age 2 – 5 Years

Are They Ready for a Kids Bicycle?

Because levels of coordination and balance at this age vary greatly, it’s best to make the decision on an individual basis.

Some kids really take to using a balance bike (kind of like the original hobbyhorse bicycle.)
The advantage of starting with a balance bike is that it can help a child master balancing the bicycle without having to concentrate on pedalling.
When they move up to a bike with pedals, they might be better prepared to remove the training wheels or stabilizers sooner.

Kids who are less co-ordinated may be better off using a three-wheeler or tricycle until they reach about 4.

A lot of kids are ready between age four and five to take the plunge into riding without training wheels.

The smallest kids bicycles have a 12-inch wheel, and usually, have back-pedal or coaster brakes and sometimes even a direct drive (which allows backwards pedalling).
12-inch bikes are generally sold with stabilizers.

Age 4 – 8 Years

Developing Confidence

The 14 or 16-inch wheeled bike will be the right size for most kids in this age bracket.

Beware of bikes with only hand brakes at this age, because most kids have trouble operating them properly, at least until after they’re 5 years old.

Bikes up to 16 inches are usually all single speed bikes, and it is still good to look out for a model with a coaster brake even if it has hand brakes as well.

Unless they’re starting late, by the time they’re ready for a 16-inch bike, children should be ready to get rid of the training wheels.

BMX Riding

They’re Off and Racing!

Children are often ready for the first BMX bike with 20-inch tires at around age 7.

Be aware of the crank length on a BMX, or any 20-inch bicycle for that matter.
Ideally, they should only be about 20 per cent of the length of the inside leg measurement.

If it’s a BMX designed for a larger rider, the cranks will be longer and the bike will be harder to maneuver.

Age 8 – 12 Years

Serious Cycling?

This is the age where, if so inclined, a kid can first enter the world of road bikes.

Many bicycle manufacturers are producing 24-inch kids road bikes, so if the growing sport of triathlon has taken a grip over the family, then no longer do they have to clunk around the course on a mountain bike.

The second-hand market is a good place to start too if you’re looking to budget on a higher end model.

Between 8 and 12 years, most of the kid’s bicycles on offer will look like smaller versions of adult mountain bicycles.

Once again, it’s important to take into account the child’s riding preferences and fit those to the type of kids bicycle.

Over 12 Years

Needing a Cool Bicycle

Most kids at age 12 will fit a 24-inch bike, and those bigger for their age might be able to manage a small framed 26-inch wheel adult bike if they are more experienced riders.

However, it’s always better to buy a bicycle that fits, rather than one to grow into.

There’s also potentially pressure at this age to get a bike that’s cool without regard for proper fitting.

Kids Mountain Bikes vs Single Speed Bicycles

20-inch bikes with gears are now on the market, and they can be a good idea for kids who ride to school in hilly areas.
The most important thing to consider is how the bike is going to be used.
An all-terrain bicycle with gears is suitable for commuting to and from school.
A 20-inch BMX single speed bicycle is much better suited for doing tricks or bunny-hopping over kerbs.
There is less potential for maintenance issues to arise with a single speed bike as well.
Front suspension on 20 inches all-terrain bicycles is notoriously bad, and if the bike is going to be used a lot, it’s better to either invest in a more expensive kids mountain bike or stick with rigid forks.

As a kid
I had a dream … I wanted to own my own bicycle.

When I got the bike I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe the world.

I lived for that bike.

Most kids left their bike in the backyard at night. Not me. I insisted on taking mine indoors and the first night I even kept it in my bed.

– John Lennon