Finding the Right Size Bike for your Kids Guide

Measuring your child in-store

The best way to measure your child for their new bike is to get them to ride it! If you head to a Halfords store, our bike experts will help your child to try out a few bikes and get the saddle and handlebars at the right height for them. Here are the most important things to look out for.

• They can put the balls of their feet on the floor while sitting on the saddle
• There’s enough room for them to stand over the top tube (the horizontal bar that goes between the saddle and the handlebars
• Their arms should be straight and their back should lean forward slightly when looking at them from the side. Kids tend to ride in a more upright position, so if it looks like they’re hunched up or stretching too far, then the bike frame may be too long for them.

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Using a tape measure

If you’re trying to keep things a surprise, then you can always measure your child at home and use the measurements to find the right bike for your kids at Halfords.com or bring them in-store. Just grab a tape measure and measure their height (usually telling them that Santa or the Birthday fairy needs them works quite well!) and check it off against the table below:

Once you’ve got their measurements or have got them on a few bikes in store, then it’s time to pick the bike for them!

Does my child need bike stabilisers?

For younger riders who haven’t mastered balancing yet, bike stabilisers are the little wheels that sit either side of the back wheel so they can sit on the bike without falling off. Stabilisers are usually suited for kids aged 3-5, but more adventurous kids might find that they can get by without them sooner. Remember that there’s no pressure for kids to lose their stabilisers and that some kids develop balancing skills later than others.

For toddlers, a balance bike may be a good way to get them used to moving on two wheels. These mini-bikes don’t have pedals and feature a low saddle, so they can get used to pushing themselves with one or two feet on the floor with extended ‘gliding’ periods getting them used to balancing.

What happens if they are between wheel sizes?

If your child looks too big for one wheel size but not as comfortable with the next size up, then we’d always recommend going for the larger size. After all, they’ll grow into the bike and will become more confident as they get used to riding a larger bike. Be careful not to plan for the future too much though, as buying a large kids bike for them to ‘grow into’ may end up putting them off riding all together if they are struggling to get the hang of it.

What happens if my child’s bike size still doesn’t look right after we’ve got it home and given it a test ride?

Just bring it back to the store! In most cases, the bike will probably need a couple of easy adjustments to the seat or handlebars to make things comfortable and our in-store bike experts can sort this out for you pretty quickly.

In-store Fitting

If you’re still unsure on the right kids bike sizes, then pop into one of our stores and we’ll be more than happy to help you find the right kids bike. You can either bring your measurements along and we’ll give you some recommendations, or you can bring them along for an exciting trip to the big bike shop! Our bike experts will then be able to give you plenty of information on the right bike sizing, as well as tips on maintenance and riding.

It might be worth checking out Kids CycleCare too. This will keep your child’s new bike in top condition and includes one annual bronze service, unlimited puncture repair, unlimited safety checks and adjustments, and much more.

We can even help you to use our online tool which is designed to help find the right bike frame size, ideal if your child is still struggling on wheels that are too big or too small.

View all Kids Bikes

Children grow up fast, and finding a bike that fits them while offering a few years of service can be a difficult affair.

Whether you want to get them riding along with the family or commuting to school, making sure your little ones are comfortable on their bikes will help build their confidence faster.

As with adult bikes, getting the correct size is vital for children's enjoyment and for improving their confidence when they first start pedalling.

The best children's bikes will feature size-specific components such as child-size levers, cranks, saddles and handlebars to help your kids get the most out of their bikes.

Most brands will recommend a height range for their bikes, while some suggest an age range, though this can be confusing because little riders grow at different rates.

Wheel size remains an important indicator of children's bike size, ultimately restricting the frame size.

With all of this in mind, here's everything you need to know about children's bike sizes to make sure your kids feel safe and confident on their bikes.

Kids’ bike size chart

This table shows the various bike wheel sizes and the approximate ages they are suitable for, as well as the minimum height and inseam length for each wheel size.

The important thing here is the size of the child, not the age.

Measuring your child

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The most important thing to consider when finding the right size bike for your child is not their age, but their size.

Some brands will size bikes on overall height, though this doesn't take proportions into account, so it's important to also measure your child's inside leg.

This can be done by having your child stand against a wall with a book placed between their thighs. Once the height is market against the wall, measuring down to the floor with a tape measure will give you their inside leg measurement.

The inside leg measurement will give you a good indication of standover height for younger riders, and where saddle height should be for older children looking for pedalling efficiency.

Most bike brands will offer comprehensive guides to help you find the right size for your child. - Woom

A smaller standover height will give your child more confidence when learning to ride because they will find it easier to put their feet down should they lose balance.

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While measuring your child will give you a good indication of what bike size you should buy, it is always best to sit your child on a bike before buying it to make sure they are comfortable and can reach the handlebars.

What if my child is in between sizes?

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It can be tempting to buy a bike that is slightly too big in the hope it will last longer before your child grows out of it, but this can compromise safety and stability.

The more enjoyment they have when riding the bike, the more they'll be interested in learning.

Some brands have experimented with trade-up schemes, which enable you to return your bike and receive the next size up.

Kids' bike types and size guides

Balance bike sizes

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Balance bikes have become a very popular way of introducing young children to cycling, with the omission of pedals reducing the coordination needed to learn how to balance on two wheels.

Similar to early Victorian bicycles, such as the dandy horse, balance bikes are propelled by kicking backwards and encourage the child to ride along at their own momentum.

Most balance bikes will typically feature 12in wheels, making it easier for small legs to reach the floor, but make sure your child can support the bike and reach the brakes if they are fitted.

If a child becomes confident on a balance bike, they can usually skip training wheels when progressing to a pedal bike because they will already understand how to balance it.

First pedal bike sizes

First pedal bikes will often feature threaded axles, which allow for training wheels to be fitted. - Immediate Media

Whether they have mastered the balance bike or are using training wheels, making sure their first pedal bike fits will enable them to enjoy learning to ride a bike and the fun it brings.

These bikes are usually designed for children who are 3 years old or above and typically feature 14in or 16in wheels, a low standover height and brakes – in line with the law for pedal bikes in the UK.

As with balance bikes, it's important your child's feet can still touch the floor at this stage because sacrificing pedalling efficiency is well worth it for their security.

First pedal bikes will usually be singlespeed, enabling young riders to focus on pedalling rather than changing gears, and can be heavy for their size.

Kids' hybrid bike sizes

Islabikes

Most children's bikes will feature a hybrid design that enables young riders to explore trails while remaining efficient on the road.

These multi-purpose bikes are designed for children aged six or older, with many featuring 20in, 24in or 26in wheels. They have low slung top tubes to allow for a lowered standover height.

Kids' hybrid bikes usually feature grip shifters that enable smaller hands with less dexterity to change gears easier.

Kids' road bike sizes

Frog Bikes

Kids' road bikes usually feature cantilever brakes and large clearances to allow for knobbly tyres to be fitted for cyclocross.

Road shifters can be hard to use with small hands, so make sure your child is confident with dropped handlebars.

Kids' road bikes are available in 24in, 26in and 650c wheel sizes, with the latter also being found on some women's road bikes.

If your child is confident on their road bike, then setting the saddle height as you would for an adult will enable them to be more efficient with their pedal stroke.

Kids’ mountain bikes

Specialized

Kids' mountain bikes come in all shapes and sizes, with the complexity of the bike differing between sizes.

Some kids' mountain bikes will feature suspension, though this can add weight to the bike, making it harder to pedal and manoeuvre.

Instead of this, many brands offer wide tyres to soak up bumpy trails, while maintaining a light and playful bike.

Kids' mountain bikes are available in 20in, 24in, 26in and 27.in wheel sizes.

Hydraulic disc brakes can be set up with small reaches and provide the best braking for little hands.

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