10.12.2024 | Reading time - 7 min(s)

What to look for when buying a kids bike

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Choosing the best bicycle for your child will build their confidence, keep them safer and will ensure that the kids cycle for life. But how do you choose the best kids bike? We look to answer this question by exploring what makes the best frame size, wheel size, weight of the bike, the components used and many other factors that add up to the best bicycle for kids.

Contents and Quick Links

Size Chart
Pedal Bike or Balance Bike
Should I fit Stabilisers?
Frame Size and Wheel Size
How Much Do Kids Bikes Weigh?
Kids Bike Price
Intended Use
How Long Does A Kids Bike Last?
Is a Large Kids Bike or Small Adult Bike Best?
Frequently Asked Questions

Kids Bike Size chart

Approx. Age	Wheel Size
18 Months – 3 years	Balance Bike
3 – 5 years	14" - 16"
4 – 6 years	18" - 20"
6 – 9 years	24"
10 – 14 years	26"

Pedal bike or balance bike?

When buying the first bike for your child, a question that commonly comes up is 'do we opt for balance bikes or small pedal bikes? The answer to this really comes down to the child's height and age. Most balance bikes are for the 18 month to 3 years age range whereas pedal bikes will generally start from 3 years old and up. If you have a child that is over three years old and would be ready for a pedal bike, an option here is to consider stabilisers (training wheels).

Stabilisers or not?

When we are asked the questions of whether stabilisers are a good option, especially on a first children's bike, our advice usually depends on whether the child has had balance bikes before as this would have taught the balance skill and then, when they jump onto a bike with pedals, they will only have to contend with the pedalling motion.

From this, our advice is that if the child has had a balance bike, stabilisers are not necessarily required but if they have not had use of a balance bike, it can be quite advantageous to have stabilisers as it can be quite tricky for some children to master all the skills of balance, pedalling motion and cornering all together. Stabilisers will also save the parents backs as less bending down will be required to secure the child.

Useful tip: Choose removable stabilisers and pick some that can be moved upwards so you can reduce the reliance on the stabilisers gradually.

Frame size & wheel size

Kids bikes will generally be measured by their wheel size - these can start as small as 10" wheels on some balance bikes up to 26" size wheels on the larger junior bikes. As the wheels get bigger, so too do the frames.

You very rarely see a distinction between boys and girls bikes any more as most kids bikes are unisex as the proportions of younger people tend to be very similar. Any advice in this article can be taken for both boys and girls bikes.

Choosing the right bike size is one of the most important factors when choosing a kids bike - too small and the bike will not last as long as it could mean that your money will not go as far and if the bike is too big, this has the potential to put the child off cycling. Not to mention that too large a frame size will likely be less safe as standover height will be higher and the reach for the brake levers will be a stretch.

The trick to getting the perfect fit on junior bikes is getting in the sweet spot of maximum longevity, comfort and ease of handling for the young rider. Our advice is that, when seated on the new bike with the saddle height at it's lowest position, the child has the balls of their feet touching the ground (feet flat on the ground indicates a bike that is too small) and another safety check is to get your child to stand over the top tube to check standover height as there should be clearance between them and the frame.

Below is a handy chart that shows suggested wheel size by age ranges and some of the bikes suitable for these ages.

Approx. Age	Wheel Size	Suitable Bikes
18 Months – 3 years	Balance Bike	Specialized Hotwalk
3 – 5 years	14" - 16"	Ridgeback Dimension 14, Ridgeback Dimension 16, Giant ARX 16, Frog 40, Frog 44
4 – 6 years	18" - 20"	Ridgeback Dimension 20, Frog 47 (18"), Frog 53, Giant ARX 20, Merida Matts J. 20
6 – 9 years	24"	Frog 61, Giant ARX 24, Merida Matts J. 24
10 – 14 years	26"	Frog 67, Giant ARX 26, Merida Matts J. Champion

Weight

This is a huge one. We have heard countless stories of parents buying their children a cheap and heavy bike that has lasted only one or two rides before the child gets sick of it and throws in the towel.

Bike manufacturers such as Frog bikes or Ridgeback Dimension bikes have been responsible for a shift in the way kids bikes are manufactured - they make a lightweight bike with specifically selected componentry for small hands to make cycling an enjoyable experience for the wee ones. Bike brands like Specialized and kids Ridgeback bike also make quality, lightweight children's bikes now as most manufacturers realise that there are a great number of benefits in designing bikes that make riding a bike safer and more fun.

With a lighter bike, you will generally pay a bit more but we will cover this in the next section and some mitigating factors involved and why investing in a better bike might save you (and the environment) in the long term.

Price

We know, as parents, it can be tough to spend a lot of money on something that only lasts a relatively short space of time. We also realise the temptation in buying cheaper kids bikes but there is an argument that spending more initially might save you in the long run. A more expensive and better quality bike will easily last through two or sometimes three children and still can be sold on to claim some of your costs back. You also get a significantly lighter frame when you spend a bit more.

You can always have a look at our kids discount page with all discounted kids bikes for sale.

Intended use

Intended use of the kids bike is not as big a decision as when choosing an adult bike. 9 times out of 10 the best bike is a lightweight all-rounder that is as happy on tarmac as it is on light gravel and forest paths. The exception to this is for children's mountain bikes - these are designed for children that ride on technical off-road trails and require good suspension for jumps, tree roots and uneven terrain.

The funny thing is - a lot of children will insist that they need a mountain bike when what would benefit them would be a hybrid with versatile tyres. There are pros and cons to children's mountain bikes that we will discuss in the next section but essentially, a lightweight hybrid will suit most children.

Longevity, what to expect

A frequently asked question about children's bikes is 'how long will the bike last?' and the answer to this, of course, depends on a number of factors but to give a rough guideline, a balance bike will last approximately a year to a year and a half. This will likely be the same for other smaller bikes such as the 14 inch and 16 inch frames. As the child grows, and they become a more confident rider, is possible to get onto a slightly bigger bike and to get approximately 2 years out of the bike.

Is a Large Kids Bike or Small Adult Bike better?

There gets to a point when we no longer need a child's bike and we can consider small adult bikes. In our experience, this is usually at the 11-13 age bracket where a small or extra small adult bike will be the better option as this can last longer. Of course, we would always still look for the fit to be that of when sizing on a children's bike - make sure there is clearance between the rider and the top tube of the frame and that the reach is so that the rider can steer the bike comfortably, reach the brake levers and change the gears without having to strain.

Once we get to the early teen age group, bikes will start to last a bit longer as the growing is not as fast (usually) but if you stick to the sizing tips (standover height, reach, steering and brake control) then you can be confident that the bike will be a good size, safe and will last a good amount of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is appropriate for a child to start riding a kids' bike?

This depends very much on the height of the child but children can be on their first balance bike at approximately 18 months and their first pedal bike at around three years old.

How do I choose the right bike size for my child?

The perfect bike size will have enough room to grow into but not be too big as to be unsafe or reduce the child's confidence in cycling.

What safety features should I look for in children's bikes?Are there any durable kids' bikes for everyday use?

All of the bikes we sell are incredibly durable, as they have to be for childrens' use. As for safety features, all our bikes come fitted with the legally required bells and reflectors and are assembled by qualified mechanics.

What type of bike is best for a child who is just learning to ride?

The best bike for a child who is just learning will be the correct size, easy to handle and have the ability to take stabilisers if required. The last thing we want to do with a child that is learning is put them on a bike that is too big - this will likely put the child off cycling completely.

How often should I check and maintain my child's bike?

Childrens bikes are quite easy to look after. They will require a wipe down if they are particularly muddy and the chain might need a degrease occasionally. You should, however, always check a child's bike if it has been sitting unused for a period of time, such as winter months, to make sure nothing has seized while not in use.

Are there specific kids' bikes that are easier for children to handle?

Not specific bikes as such but the correct bike size will be easier to handle and control.

What accessories should I consider for my child's bike?

One of the top selling children's bike accessory is a kickstand as this will hopefully limit the chances of the bike being dropped on it's side (wishful thinking). Aside from that, there are kids bike bottle cages and bottles as well as a selection of novelty bells.

Is it better to buy a larger bike that my child can grow into?

Well, yes but within limits. The perfect sized bike will be safe and easy to control for the child but also have room to grow in to. If sized correctly, a smaller children's bike should last approximately 18 months and the bigger bikes for kids will last around 2 years. Of course, this is just a rough estimate as children all grow at different rates.

Final Thoughts

We are always on hand to help with any sizing queries and to help in store with sizing younger riders on the perfect size bike and encourage a test ride to make sure to get the right size bike. We will happily talk through the different sizes, styles and, generally, the best bike for your child.

You can contact us online or visit any of our stores in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Aberdeen.

Author

Ross Howieson

Content Creator

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What to look for when buying a kids bike

Kids Bike Size chart

Pedal bike or balance bike?

Stabilisers or not?

Frame size & wheel size

Weight

Price

Intended use

Longevity, what to expect

Is a Large Kids Bike or Small Adult Bike better?

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is appropriate for a child to start riding a kids' bike?

How do I choose the right bike size for my child?

What safety features should I look for in children's bikes?Are there any durable kids' bikes for everyday use?

What type of bike is best for a child who is just learning to ride?

How often should I check and maintain my child's bike?

Are there specific kids' bikes that are easier for children to handle?

What accessories should I consider for my child's bike?

Is it better to buy a larger bike that my child can grow into?

Final Thoughts