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How To Choose a Bike for Your Child

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How To Choose a Bike for Your Child

Wednesday, 12th October 2022

The time has come, your child is in need of a new bike and a quick search makes you realise, that finding the right one for their next stage, may not be as easy as you hoped.

You want to ensure that the next bike you pick will work for a while and is the right fit for your child and their adventures.

With that in mind, we’re putting together a guide to help you choose a bike for your child. With our expert advice, you’re sure to be able to find the perfect wheels for your little one.

What Are the Different Options for Children’s Bikes?

As you may be aware, bike fit is based on wheel diameter for childrens bikes and generally goes up 26”. Wheels larger than this, such as 27.5” and 29” start to come in different frame sizes. Bikes with these larger sized wheels are often adult sized, but some do go down to an XS size which often suit children from around 10 years old.

Children’s bikes start at 12” and then they go up in size to 14”, 16”, 20” and 24” however some manufacturers make 18” but it's not a size we see often here.

How to Measure Your Child for a Bike

Many brands suggest age ranges that the size bike will suit, however its better to measure your child’s height or inseam to determine the right size.

By doing this you are sure to get the right fit for your child to ride properly, which is essential in the early days of learning to ride.

Height is the best method for finding the right size bike for your child. Simply measure the height of your child when they are barefoot, then match that and their age to the wheel size.

What Kind of Bike Should I Buy for My Child?

There are a multitude of children’s bikes out there suitable for all ages and heights. So where do you begin?

Many parents start early and opt for a balance bike for their child when they are young. Balance bikes offer children freedom, whilst helping them develop their balance and coordination. If you want to start your child’s bike riding journey early these are a great option.

After balance bikes you get small wheelers, these are usually 12 inch models that are designed to allow your child to stop with their feet using a pedal back brake rather than pulling a brake lever which often is too difficult for small hands. Many of these models come with stabilisers to help your child grasp their balance as they learn to ride but can easily be removed if your child has grasped a balance bike.

Middle wheelers are 16” models that again offer more stability with stabilisers, but offer the chance for children to get used to the proper functionality of bikes with brakes.

If you are buying a bike for an older or taller child to learn on though, you can opt for a bigger bike that fits and remove the pedals to convert the bike into a balance bike.

What Size Bike is Right for My Child?

Once you have your child’s measurements, you can use this and their age, to find the right size bike for your child.

As a guide you want to follow the chart below:

Height	Age	Wheel Size
85 - 100cm	2 - 4 years	Balance Bike
95 - 110cm	3 - 4 years	12”
110 – 120cm	4 - 5 years	16”
115 - 130cm	5 - 8 years	20”
130 - 145cm	7 - 11 years	24”

Once your child is over 10, or taller than 145cm, you will want to look at small adult bikes for them.

When Should You Buy Your Child’s First Bike?

There’s no rule that a child needs a bike from 2 or 3 years old. If your child is 9 and you are looking for their first bike, all you have to do is make sure that its right for them. Take into account their height first, then look at the options for the weight of the bike. A lighter bike may help them in their learning journey, especially if they don’t want to rely on stabilisers.

In addition, when you look at 12 or 16 inch bikes there’s no rule saying you must use the stabilisers provided with them. Some people prefer to teach their children to learn without using stabilisers as they can hinder the process of balancing.

If you’re looking for children’s bikes in Manchester or beyond, Cookson Cycles can help. We have a range of bikes that you can view at our bike shop in Manchester and will be more than happy to help you pick one that suits your child’s needs and style.