Choosing a Child's Bike - With Christmas just around the corner, we know how difficult it is to correctly size a bike for a child. We also know how quickly children grow, which is why we have written this handy guide to Choosing a child's bike. We hope you find it useful.
Why should I buy my child a bike?
Bikes are one of the best gifts that money can buy. Giving kids a whole new level of independence, bikes are a great way to get them away from the TV or games console and out exploring the world. They’ll even stay fit and healthy while they're at it! Cycling is also a great way for families to bond, whether it's on a Sunday afternoon bike ride or a car-free commute to school.
What size kids' bike do I need?
Getting the right size bike is important for both the comfort and safety of your child. Some kids grow faster than others and some just want to be comfortable as they ride, with recommended high saddles or low handlebars the opposite of what they prefer.
The best way to get the right size bike for your child is to get them to ride it. Just pop into your CycleRecycle store and ask for some help from one of our bike experts – we'll happily set your kid up with a short test ride to make sure they're happy. If the bike’s going to be a present that you want to keep secret, then you'll need to measure your child’s height and match it up to the correct wheel size (unlike with adult bikes, where the frame dictates the size, the sizing for kids’ bikes is done by wheel diameter). The easiest way to get the right wheel size if you're buying online is to see the Chart below..
It has all the information you'll need, plus you can simply match up your child's height to the right bike wheel size. (Just bear in mind that every child is different and so this is only intended as a guide.) We’ve included our size chart below for your convenience.
Kids’ bike types: which one should I choose?
Balance bike (First bike)
First-time riders may struggle to ride a 'traditional' bike with pedals and gears, so a balance bike may be a better option. With nothing getting in the way, kids can push themselves along using their feet and practice taking their feet off the ground when they're going fast enough, teaching them all about balance and maintaining speed. 12” wheels (Age 3-5)
Bikes with 12” wheels are an alternative first bike for children who are starting to ride. Here your child will experience pedals for the first time and get used to the motion that they’ll need to sustain to keep their bike moving. Many 12” wheels bikes also come with stabilisers. These are a great way of giving kids the confidence to keep riding without having to worry about falling on their side when they lose momentum! These small wheels are fitted to each side of the back wheel and do the hard work while little ones focus on steering and pedalling. The big benefit to stabilisers is that they can be removed once the art of balancing has been mastered.
14” wheels (Age 4-6)
As your child gets a little older and a little taller, it’ll be time for a 14” wheel bike. Similar to the 12” wheel bikes, there are some great eye-catching designs available with equally great accessories. Many 14” wheel bikes also come with stabilisers to help your kids to find their balance.
16–18” wheels (Age 5-7)
As your child's confidence grows, they can move to larger 16–18'' wheel bikes. These bikes begin to look and feel more like adult bikes, which is perfect if your kids are itching to get on a big boy or girl's bike, but still need something that’s manageable.
20” wheels (Age 6-9)
As kids get older (and potentially more adventurous), you'll start to see the word 'junior' appear. Junior bikes are designed specifically for kids who are a bit too big for typical children's bikes, but not quite ready for adult bikes.
24” wheels (Age 8-11)
The next size up is the 24” wheel bikes. Again, these bikes are beginning to look and feel much more like adult models, which is ideal if your kids are wanting to move onto something a bit more ‘grown up’.
26” wheels (Age 9-12)
For older kids and young teens, 26'' wheel bikes are definitely the answer. At this stage, you may want to start looking at a bike they can 'grow into', which may make financial sense, but take care not to start jumping to adult bikes too soon. A bike that’s too big can lead to uncomfortable riding positions and a greater risk of losing control or even falling off. Instead, buy a bike that matches their measurements or have them test ride different sizes to see what they're comfortable with.
Remember, we always take used bicycles as Part exchange, so once they have grown out of their bike, we can part exchange for the next size.
