Welcome to the topic Sizing For Kid Bikes.
The query “What size bike does my youngster need?” is the one that comes up most frequently in the emails that I get. Let’s be honest about it: it’s rather perplexing!
To begin, the sizes of children’s bikes and adult bikes are not interchangeable (by wheel size rather than frame size). It is also possible for the standover height and Seatpost height of a bicycle to differ greatly from one manufacturer to another, even when the bicycle in question has wheels of a particular size.
1) Wheel Size
The diameter of the wheels of children’s bicycles is used to “size” the bikes. The smallest pedal bikes have wheels that measure 12 inches, whereas larger cycles might have wheels that measure up to 24 inches in diameter. If your child is ready for a 26-inch bike, they are often ready for an adult-size ride; however, some manufacturers of bicycles produce smaller “youth” size 26-inch bikes.
On the other hand, balance bikes can begin with wheels as tiny as 10 inches, although the vast majority of balance bikes have wheels that are 12 or 14 inches.
The best way to get started narrowing down which size bike your child needs is to establish which size wheels they PROBABLY require. This is the best approach to get started narrowing down which size bike your child needs.
I say perhaps because we’re basing it on an age range for kids of average height, so that’s why I say probably.
Your youngster may require a bicycle that falls either below or above the overall range that we propose here, depending on how short or how tall they are. Don’t let that worry you out; this is simply a beginning point; instead, gain a fundamental understanding of what size wheels your kid PROBABLY requires.
Kids Bike Size Chart
Make use of this chart to get a rough idea of which size bike is appropriate for your child, but make sure not to skip the steps that are provided below!!!!
| Wheel size | Age | Height | Inseam |
| 12” | 2-3 | 2’10”-3’4” | 14-17” 35-42 cm |
| 14” | 3-4 | 3’1”-3’7” | 16-20” 40-50 cm |
| 16” | 4-5 | 3’7”-4’0” | 18-22” 45-55 cm |
| 18” | 5-6 | 3’9”-4’3” | 20-24” 50-60 cm |
| 20” | 5-8 | 4’0”-4’5” | 22-25” 55-63 cm |
| 24” | 7-11 | 4’5”-4’9” | 24-28” 60-72 cm |
2) Measure Your Child’s Height and Inseam
After that, you will need to take certain measurements of your child. Please do not skip this step or speculate!
Even if you are purchasing the bicycle as a present for the child. If you must keep a secret, just pretend that you’re busy with some other activity, like making garments or anything.
Take measurements of your child’s height as well as their inseam. When taking the measures, you’ll want to do so in inches (or convert back to inches once you’re finished). Be careful to jot down those measurements and save them somewhere safe for when we move on to the next phase.
3) Look Up the Specs
If you believe that your child most likely needs a bike with a 14-inch frame, this does not mean that ANY bike with a 14-inch frame will fit them. Standover heights and minimum and maximum Seatpost heights can vary significantly between bicycle models. It is in your best interest to search for a bicycle that will offer the VERY BEST FIT for your child.
There are several manufacturers of bicycles that do not specify the standover height of their products. If they do, you should measure the inseam of your child and compare it to the length of the pants.
The height of the bike frame at which your youngster will be positioned when standing with one leg over each side of the bike is referred to as the standover height. This indicates that the height of your child’s inseam needs to be AT LEAST the same as the height of the standover. It would be ideal if there was a bit more space than that for your youngster to easily manage the bike if they were riding it.
The minimum Seatpost height is another important metric that you should definitely look up for any bike that you are thinking about purchasing. It depends on whether you are purchasing a balancing bike, a first pedal cycle, or a pedal bike for a competent pedaler as to how the minimum Seatpost height compares to your child’s inseam when it comes to selecting a bike for them.
When purchasing a balancing bike, you will want to check that the minimum Seatpost height does not exceed your child’s inseam length. This is important to do.
Your child will be able to put both of their feet flat on the ground, which will help them learn how to balance and scoot.
If the minimum height of the seat post on the bicycle is 12 inches, then the minimum inseam length required for the youngster to ride it is also 12 inches. Search for a bike that has a lower minimum Seatpost height.
If this is your child’s first time riding a pedal bike, you will want to double-check that their inseam is at least as long as the minimum Seatpost height and that there is no more than an inch of space between their legs.
The reason for this is that children who have not mastered the art of pedalling will want to be able to place both of their feet firmly on the ground. This provides them with steadiness as well as the option to “scoot” if they are in the mood for it.
If your child already knows pedalling(without the use of training wheels), you should select a bike with a minimum Seatpost height that is one to three inches higher than the length of their inseam.
Your child’s toes will be able to touch the ground, but they won’t be able to put their feet completely flat on the ground.
DO NOT purchase a bicycle for your child that has a minimum Seatpost height that is more than one to three inches (1-3 cm) greater than the length of their inseam. They will not be able to put their feet on the ground, they will have difficulty reaching the pedals, and it is likely that they will either struggle or get an injury.
There are two different ways to seek any information, such as the required minimum height of the seat post. The first thing you should try is visiting the website of the product maker. Any business worth it’s salt is going to publish detailed specifications for the bicycles it sells. In the event that they do not, you should not waste your time with their bicycles.
What To Do When Your Child Is In Between Sizes
When your child’s height and inseam measure up to the lower end of the suggested range for a bike, selecting a bicycle for them to ride is rather simple. When your child’s height and inseam measure up to the maximum limit of what is advised for a bike, things get more difficult.
When something like this takes place, we hear from a lot of parents who are concerned that their child’s bike won’t have a very long lifespan and that their child will outgrow it very quickly. Given that neither bicycles nor money can be found growing on trees, this is a reasonable worry.
I usually recommend to parents that they size up their child’s bike if their child’s current bike size is pretty darn near to the next size up. This is especially important to keep in mind if your child is an experienced rider who already knows how to pedal.
You are the one who knows your kid the best. Are they physically fit and able to ride a bike that is larger and heavier than they are accustomed to? If they had to stand on their tippy-toes, would they do so with self-assurance, or will they experience fear?
Even though your child is going to outgrow the bike in a short amount of time, you may want to consider keeping them on the smaller size bike if they are not yet an expert rider. In this situation, you might want to consider purchasing a used bicycle (or borrowing a bike from a friend). After a few months have passed and they have experienced some sort of growth spurt and are now ready to move up to the next size bike, you have the option of purchasing an expensive bike for them.
WudeBikes
The speed at which a youngster may outgrow a bicycle is a common source of anxiety for the parent of a young child. The WudeBike is our answer to the problem of how to ensure that your child’s bicycle can “grow” with them. WudeBike bikes give fun that fits. When the seat of a WudeBike bike is raised, the angle between the seat, the handlebars, and the pedals, as well as the distance between them, also increases. This indicates that the bike will continue to be a suitable fit for your youngster even as they continue to develop their height.
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Also Read: Kid Bikes | Best Price And Quality!