What are child bike sizes? And what size bike for my child should I get?
Riding a bicycle can be a healthy activity for kids. Through regular bicycling, kids can develop their balance, strength, and overall fitness. They can also burn up more calories, strengthen their cardiovascular system, and develop muscles surrounding their knees. A bike is an excellent investment because it encourages your kid to spend more time outdoors with the family.
With the number of bikes available in the market today, do you know how to buy one for your kid? Do you have any idea what to consider when buying a bike for them? Do you know how to size a bike for a child based on their age?
How To Choose The Right Child Bike Sizes For Their Age
Answering these questions is extremely important. Purchasing a bike that’s too small or too big for your kid can lead to injuries. Thus, instead of enhancing your kid’s development, you’ll end up hurting them.
Make sure to spend some time using reputable websites such as https://www.twowheelingtots.com/kids-bike-sizes-guide-a-new-trick-to-finding-the-best-fit. After which, you can use the following tips to help you choose the correct child bike sizes. If you still have questions, you can head over in-person to this great Seattle bike shop for help picking out the perfect bike for your little one!
1. Understand Your Kid’s Age
As mentioned, there are many bikes available in the market today. These options allow you to pick one that suits your kid’s age perfectly. However, shortlisting too many options can be a struggle. The number of options can be overwhelming and lead to stress. This is especially true if you don’t have any experience buying a bike for your kid.
One of the easiest ways to find the correct child bike sizes by age. Today, you can now buy bikes appropriate for your kid’s age. If you’re leaning toward this direction, the following age guidelines can come in handy:
Early starters (aged 2 to 4):
Contrary to popular belief, the first bikes parents should give their kids aren’t those with a balancer. So your child can learn how to bike safely and as effectively as possible, look for balance, or run a bike. These bikes do not have any chains or pedals. This means your child has to use their feet to move using the bike.
Kids from two to four shouldn’t think about how they can get from one point to another using their bikes. Instead, they should concentrate more on getting their balance using the bike.
Two-wheel bikes usually have 12-inch wheels and are perfect for kids about three to five feet tall. When buying a 12 inch bike you should also look into its frame materials, turning limiters, brakes, and footrests. These can impact your kid’s ability to balance and maintain their safety while riding their bikes.
child bike sizes
Ready to freewheel (ages 4 to 7):
If your kid has already mastered balancing a bike, it’s time to give them a proper bike. During this time, you must know which bike to buy. Buying one that’s too big can usually cause frustration among your kids. This is especially true if they cannot easily ride or control the bike.
A bike with a wheel size of 7 to 16 inches for kids aged four to seven works best. This diameter is suitable for kids who are about three feet in height.
Aside from making sure that the height is proportionate to the age and height of your child, it’s also essential to choose a bike that comes in a light aluminum frame. This material will make it simple for your kid to touch the ground whenever they are coming to a stop, reach the bars on the bike while seated on the saddle, and have a few inches of clearance whenever standing over the tip tube of the bike. You can follow this link to dive in and grasp further details on the best bike brands according to the use you’re planning to give them.
Getting into gears (ages 7 to 10):
Letting your kids use bikes when they’re still young allows them to master balance during their early years. Once your child has learned the basics of riding a bike, consider upgrading their bicycle. This upgrade means buying ones that come with gears.
Aside from mastering balance, your child will love to spend more time outdoors with their bikes when they turn seven. In some cases, they might even be the ones who will motivate the family to climb hills and cycle pathways!
When to go big with child bike sizes:
Once your child turns seven, you can invest in a giant bike. This can be one wheel size of 20 inches and 6-speed gears usable for kids. Due to different varieties, it’s essential to consider if the gears will fit small hands. Another thing to consider is if it has a front derailleur.
This kind of bike requires responsibility.
Before giving one to your child, sit down with them and talk about your expectations. As a parent, you should tell your child that they should always pedal when changing gears. They should never backpedal when turning, and teach them how to change gears.
Do some practice sessions with your child to assess if they understood your instructions. Make sure they know how to shift from one gear to another. The more gears a bike has, the more time your kid should practice using it. Never let your child ride alone if they don’t know how to use the gears of their bikes yet.
2. Know The Best Brands Of Kids’ Bikes
Besides knowing the appropriate child bike sizes based on age, it’s also essential to know the best brands for kids’ bikes. Buying a bike made specifically for children will give you peace of mind. You know your child is less likely to suffer injuries and your investment will last longer. No one wants to purchase a cheap bike and buy a replacement after a few weeks.
If you’re buying a bike for your child for the first time, doing online research and asking for recommendations about the best brands will help. You can check the brand websites you’re eyeing to buy and learn how other parents react to their products. Were the customers happy about their bikes? Or was the website full of negative comments from their customers? If it’s the latter, looking for other options is best.
You should also reach out to individuals you know and ask for their recommendations. Inquire from your friends, colleagues at work, and other parents from school about the bikes they bought for their kids. The more resources you’ll use when scouting for options, the easier it’ll be for you to know how a specific brand works.
This information will help you buy a bike worth your hard-earned money. It will also help you avoid buying a brand that doesn’t meet your expectations.
3. Always Buy From A Bike Shop
Bikes are prevalent today. There are countless models available in different online and offline shops. Depending on your budget and lifestyle, you can buy from a website. A slight wait will be until the bike is delivered to your doorstep.
Although convenient, this isn’t the best way to buy a bike for your kid. You should be able to test and see the bike in person. This way, you can determine if the height is appropriate for the height and age of your kid. If possible, you should buy a bike from a physical store. This way, you can check measurements and allow your child to ride on it for a few minutes.
When considering child bike sizes, always buy from a bike shop
When buying a bike, it’s essential only to purchase it from a bike shop. Please don’t do it regardless of how tempting it can be to buy from any big box store. Items from big box stores are usually very cheap, but not all promise high-quality and optimal safety.
Buying from a bike shop might entail costs. However, it is for your child’s safety and the bike’s durability. The money you’ll pay will be worth it in the long run. It’s always better to buy an expensive yet durable bike for your child rather than one that’s cheap and can cause injuries and accidents.
Only buy a bike from the manufacturer’s shop as much as possible. Doing this allows you to enjoy a lifetime warranty. It will help you save more money when you need repairs or replacements for the bike. You can never experience these warranties when buying in department stores or big box stores.
4. Choose A Lightweight Bike
It’s common for parents to focus on the safety features of their kid’s bikes. You don’t want to let your kid ride a bike that can compromise their safety. To achieve this goal, you shouldn’t only assess the built-in safety features of the bike. Instead, you should also determine its weight to check if it suits your kid’s age.
Buying a heavy bike will discourage your kid from using it very often. Sure, they’ll be riding on their bikes, but their weight can affect their maneuvering experience and performance. It’ll be challenging for kids to climb steep terrains or go fast if their bikes are too heavy.
Bikes made from an aluminum or titanium frame are lightweight options. However, this doesn’t mean you should completely cross off a steel-framed bike from your shortlist. If the bike’s components are still lightweight, a bike made from a steel frame can also be an excellent option for your child.
5. Check The Brakes
The brakes are the most vital safety feature every bike should have. The brake system allows your child to stop or slow down their bikes. This feature will keep them safe as they’re riding it. However, just because you see a bike with a built-in brake system doesn’t mean it’s the right bicycle. Before buying one, you should scrutinize its functionality, size, and ease of use.
When choosing a bike for your kid, ensure you’re testing the brakes first. The brake levers should be designed for small, weak hands like your kids’. Adults should be able to squeeze the lever using their pinky fingers. If the brakes don’t work as you’re doing this, the gear might be too hard for your kid.
Aside from the lever of the bike, pay extra attention to the mechanism of the brakes placed near the pedals. Avoid buying bikes with coaster brakes, and always opt for those with hand brakes. Using the former can be very challenging, especially for a kid still learning how to balance on a bike. Whenever your kid backpedals, the coaster brakes will automatically stop, and they’ll likely fall over. This can cause accidents and severe injuries that discourage your kid from reusing their bikes.
A lot of parents still buy coaster brakes for their children. These will keep the rider safe as kids are still not coordinated to know how to use the brakes. However, this is a misconception.
Letting your child use coaster brakes will make it hard for them to progress into adult or bigger bikes. They’ll solely rely on the features of the coaster brakes, making it challenging for them to retain their balance if this feature is absent.
Child Bike Sizes: Knowledge Is Power
Generally, all bikes being sold in the market work the same way. These bikes help your kid get from one location to another by pedals. However, the purpose of the bike shouldn’t be your sole consideration when buying one for your kid. To provide optimal comfort and safety, you should ensure that the one you’re buying suits their age.
After deciding to buy a bike for your kid, use this article as your buying guide. Knowing the perfect child bike size will be effortless if you know what factors to consider.
