How to Choose the Right Size Bike for Your Child

The most important factors to consider when choosing a bike for your child are height and ability. The weight of the bike will also affect its handling, and bikes at the very low end of the price spectrum tend to be the heaviest which can lead to frustration at being unable to cycle.

Why it's important to get the right size

Kids grow remarkably fast, and no one knows that better than their parents!

While it might be tempting to buy a bike that’s slightly too large for your child for them to ‘grow into’, this can hamper the learning process and make it much more difficult for them. Riding a bike that’s too big can not only make it more difficult to manoeuvre, but it can also really take the fun out of the process. If you want your child’s first memories of cycling to be positive and enjoyable, then making sure you find a bike that’s the perfect size for them at their current measurements is key.

How bikes differ in size

There are two ways in which children’s bikes differ in size: the wheels and the frame. These two major elements increase in size as the child grows. However, unlike adult bikes, kids’ bikes are generally measured and sold by wheel size.

The smallest wheels you're likely to find are tiny 12-inch wheels on balance bikes, and they then go up to 26 inches for some bikes designed for teenagers. Sizes typically increase in two-inch increments. The frames are designed with geometry to accommodate the increasing wheel size as children grow. On smaller frames, you'll find correspondingly reduced-size components too, from smaller, adjustable-reach brake levers to shorter cranks.

How to find the right size

You can pretty much disregard the age of your child when it comes to choosing the right size bike: height and inseam length are much more important, as kids grow at such varying rates. When it comes to sitting your child on the bike that you’re looking to buy, you need to make sure that they can reach both feet on the ground while sitting on the saddle. This is not only important for giving a good pedalling position, but also allows the child to stop and put their feet down when they want to.

The second element of the fit is the reach. You need to make sure that they can not only comfortably reach the handlebars with both hands, but also the brake levers – and be able to operate these easily. Some bikes will be built with adjustable-reach brake levers, so check for these.

If you require any assistance in finding the right size bike for your child, we at ACS Prestwick are here to help.