A bike for kids is as good as having wings. When buying your kid a cycle for summer, you must have thought about what size bike I should get for my child before coming to a conclusion. However, many parents still make a mistake while buying a cycle for their kids. Most of the mistakes revolve around the sizing of the bike.
When buying a bike, more than the make or the model you need to impress upon the size of the bike, we know that you aren’t a professional, and it’s not easy to measure something that might never have bought before, but that’s what we are here for. The guide below covers the measurements, the benefits as well as the many questions you may encounter while choosing a bike for your kid.
Know that you are giving your kid the best gift ever so you should make sure that there are no mistakes whole buying the right bike for your kid,
Why Size Matters – Kids Bike Sizing Guide
A size is just a number, not when it comes to buying the right bike. This small detail can make or break your kid’s first biking experience. There are many nitty-gritty details regarding the model and make as well as upgrades that will come after you have selected the right size, so make sure the first thing you need to think about is the size of the bike.
Most parents go just by age to buy their kid’s bike, but that’s not how it’s done. If you consider the height and weight of your kid, you will make a better deal than going by the age of your kid.
The age of kids may be the same, but every child has a unique body shape, weight as well as height, i.e., no child has the same physique. That’s why buying for size rather than age is so much smarter. Line up ten 6-year boys; you will notice that all have different physique, height, and body weight. Some may have a bulkier build, while others may be slim, some may be tall, and some may be short. Now they are all the same age, but as per the difference between their physiques, you can’t get them the same size bike.
While riding a bike, your kid engages his legs, torso, and arms. These body parts work together to make the bike move with ease. Now, if the bike isn’t according to the size of the kid, this fun activity will soon become arduous. You won’t want your kid to hate riding because of one simple mistake, and no parent will like that. So it’s highly important that you make sure that the bike your select is appropriate for your child’s size and physique.
Now for the million-dollar question, “What size bike should I get for my child.”
What Size Bike Should I Get For My Child
Most of the parents, when buying a bike, get stuck at this point, i.e., What size bike should I get for my child? And when they aren’t sure, they by the bike according to the age of their kid. This is a grave mistake. Because if the size doesn’t pan out, this leisure and fun will activity soon become a dreaded one.
Another big mistake that the parents make is that they ask their kids about the kind of bike they want. Kids mostly go for the flashy ones. Our suggestion for parents who aren’t sure about the size guide for buying best kids bikes is to rely on the inseam or height if the kid.
Bike Sizes
The most common mistake that parents make while buying a bike is that they think a big size is determined by the frame of the bike. However, this isn’t the case; a bike size depends on the diameter of the wheel. This is strictly about a child’s bike. Adult bikes can be adjusted by adjusting the frame, whereas, for a child’s bike, you should concentrate on the wheel rather than the frame of the bike.
So when you change the wheels of a child’s bike and replace the smaller ones with a size larger, you automatically increase the size of the bike too. The following are the wheel sizes available for kid’s bikes.
Wheel Sizes
- 12”
- 14”
- 16”
- 20”
- 24”
- 26”
After 26 inches, you get options for adult bikes. For kids 13 or older, you select sizes between 12” and 24”. Many teen bikes also sport a 26” wheel but aren’t as common as 24” wheels.
Choosing As Per The Height Of Your Child
Let’s consider the following chart to understand the size in terms of height.
|
Height |
Approximate Age (years) | Recommended Wheel Size |
|
2’10”-3’4″ |
2-3 | 12” |
|
3’1″-3’7″ |
3-4 | 14” |
| 3’7″-4’0″ | 4-5 |
16” |
| 4’0″-4’5″ | 5-8 |
20” |
| 4’5″-4’9″ | 8-11 |
24” |
|
4’9″+ |
11+ |
26” |
If you are choosing a bike as per the height of your kid, you will need to think of the future as well. Teens grow at an alarming rate; they add inches to their height every 6 or 12 months. So, make sure that you take this into account while choosing a bike as per the height of your kid. If you want your bike to last longer, choose one size larger.
The above-mentioned chart will most definitely help you choose the right size for your baby’s bike. The age and height can vary from one child to another; we only added the age to help you understand the chart better. There is a high probability that your child might be shorter or taller than the given average height.
Choosing As Per The Inseam
| Inseam | Approximate Age (years) | Recommended Wheel Size |
| 14-17” | 2-3 | 12” |
| 16-20” | 3-4 | 14” |
| 18-22” | 4-5 | 16” |
| 22-25” | 5-8 | 20” |
| 24-28” | 8-11 | 24” |
| 26”+ | 11+ | 26” |
The above-mentioned chart is the best guide if you are looking to choose your kid’s bike according to the inseam.
The inseam is more accurate than the age and height factor. It’s one of the best methods to choose the appropriate size of bike for your kid. So, the next time someone asks you, What size bike should I get for my child, you make sure they understand how to buy a bike according to the inseam of their child.
Measuring the inseam is pretty straightforward, as well. Use a measuring tape and measure from the inside of the leg to the ankle. The height of the inseam indicates how far the child can peddle. This indication is the best way to select the bike size.
Adjusting the bike for a Better Fit
Most advanced bikes come adjustable parts. So if you are panicking that you bought the wrong size and it can’t be exchanged, try adjusting the handle or the seat that might help. There are other bikes whose parts you can exchange for good to make it one size larger. Most of the bikes have the following parts that can be adjusted to change the bike’s size and make it fit according to your preference.
- Handlebars
- Seat height
- Seat angle
- Pedal position
The above-mentioned parts are easy to adjust as well as replace to make the big fit your kid’s size as well as your preference. This way, you don’t have to change the whole thing and also make your child comfortable. If you can’t change the bike, that’s okay. Make a better choice in the next one, and it will last you longer.
Conclusion
Your kid’s bike is his one favorite asset. He or she will spend most of his summer riding around the neighborhood and flaunting his riding skills. Many kids even take their bikes to school, so make sure that the bike you buy fits your kid perfectly. With the help of our detailed guide, you are now a professional at answering the million-dollar question, “what size bike should I get for my child.”
