How Do You Know if a Childs Bike Is the Right Size

There's cypher like a bike ride to kickstart a child's sense of hazard.

Every child is special and unique. When it comes to buying your child a bicycle, they need a bike size that'due south just right for their individual needs.

Kids are constantly growing, so whenever yous buy them something, whether it'southward sneakers or shorts, you have to check their size. Bikes are no different, and when choosing a children'southward cycle, you need to make sure it'southward a good fit.

At that place's plenty to consider when sizing a kid'due south wheel. To showtime with, they're sized differently from adult bikes, so forget everything you think you know about how your ain bike was sized.

The wrong size wheel tin ruin your kid'due south riding experience and atomic number 82 to accidents. If a child's bike is besides large or too modest, it can ruin their start biking feel and lead to accidents.

This kids bike sizing guide will provide yous with an overview of Cleary's kid's bike sizes and prove you how to measure your child for their first, 2d, or third bike. We'll help yous choose the right cycle size based on passenger experience, height, and inseam rather than broad and inaccurate age sizing.

And so how do you lot know what size wheel to get a child? The Cleary kids bike size nautical chart is here to help.

What size kids bikes does Cleary take?

Cleary bikes come in five distinct kids' cycle sizes, all specially designed to requite your kids a feeling of freedom and adventure on two wheels. Put a kid on a Cleary bike, and y'all open a whole new world of fun and learning. Our kid'due south bicycle sizes are grouped past bike diameter sizes, with bikes bachelor in 12, 16, xx, 24, and 26 inches.

Kids Bike Sizes Nautical chart

The bike wheel size chart below compares wheel size, age, inseam, and height measurements to guide you to the best bike fit for your child.

Source: 2 Wheeling Tots

Wheel Size	Age	Inseam	Elevation
12″	two – 4 years	fifteen″ – 18″	36 – 39″
16″	4 – 6 years	sixteen″ – 22″	41 – 48″
20″	five – 8 years	19″ – 25″	45 – 54″
24″	eight – 11 years	23″ – 28″	49″ – 59″
26″	10 + years	25″ +	56″ +

12 Inch Gecko

Our smallest bicycle is the 12-inch Gecko, a lightweight kids bike suitable for tiny toddlers. This bike makes magical memories and is many kid's first "real" bike. The unmarried-speed drivetrain of this 12-inch bike makes pedaling intuitive and straightforward.

A prophylactic handle congenital into the bottom of the saddle allows you to easily help your child get their residual before riding off on their own. This model makes learning easier – as easy as learning to ride a bike should be.

The Gecko best fits riders with an inseam of 14″ to 18″, and If you're looking for a lightweight, prophylactic, and fun first bike, look no further. The 12-inch Gecko is just the rig for your ii to iv-year-quondam toddler. When the fourth dimension comes to transition from a pushbike, y'all'll beam with pride watching your child learn to ride the Gecko.

xvi Inch Hedgehog

When your kiddo is getting a flake more than confident and growing up (too fast!) Then it'south time to move upwards to the Hedgehog.

The spunky Hedgehog is set to have some fun, then this model unlocks a whole new world of riding to preschoolers. This 16-inch bike has several features which have it up a notch from the Gecko.

The Hedgehog model includes freewheel, which allows kids more rideability than a coaster brake. Hand brakes take kids a step closer to an adult bike, but our hand brakes are small and durable- created with fiddling easily in listen.

Suitable for riders with an inseam of 17″ to 21″, the Hedgehog is roughly a practiced fit for a three to five-year-old rider.

20 Inch Owl

Once your kid reaches Owl status, they're set to fly. Perfect for kindergartners' early on-grade-school adventurers in the five to seven age range, the Owl lets kids take off to risk.

20-inch wheels let the Owl scroll fast over modest obstacles and bigger jumps. These wheels are fabricated for flying and are the same size that Olympic BMX riders use, a fact your child volition love.

The Owl likewise has a freewheel and a rigid front fork paired with twenty″ all-terrain tires. Those all-terrain tires requite y'all more freedom to hitting the trails as a family unit for some bigger adventures.

Our Owl bikes are available in single-speed or 3-speed. If your child is ready to foray into the excitement of shifting, then the Owl is your chance to introduce gears. The three speed Owl has a shifting mechanism encased in an aluminum beat out to shift smoothly without maintenance for thousands of miles.

The Owl's 127mm blend three-piece cranks allow for more than speed and acceleration. But there's no need to worry. They're growing up and riding also fast as well soon. The Owl can still finish on a dime thanks to the super-stiff Tektro inferior five-brakes.

Can a six-year-old ride a 20-inch bicycle? Yep, a 20-inch bike is generally a good fit to purchase for six and 7-year-one-time children. Only historic period is just a number, and when it comes to wheel sizing, it's the inseam measurement that should be your guiding number, not age. The Owl is the best fit for riders with an inseam measurement of 19-23″.

24 Inch Meerkat

The Meerkat is a bit more than interesting and a chip more heady. If your inferior shredder is ready for the 24 inch Meerkat, they're prepared for some real riding fun.

The trigger shifter is paired with a five-speed internally geared Sturmey Archer hub. These features combined mean your kid can make quick, efficient shifts without worrying about chain drops or being out of gear.

As your child gets older and becomes more than independent, they can start to head off to school or on adventures lonely. The Meerkat's front and rear rack mounts mean you can easily add together a handbasket or rear rack. This model ushers in a whole new world of cycle packing opportunities, whether it's school or sports gear, a embankment handbag, or a picnic lunch. The

Meerkat's more advanced features offer your child a delicious first taste of independence, trust, and responsibility.

26 Inch Meerkat

This 26-inch bike is our biggest kids' bicycle for older class-schoolers and middle schoolers. The 5-speed Meerkat bike is excellent for kids and teens who can handle an developed bicycle'southward features but aren't quite tall enough for developed sizes. A 26-inch Meerkat model is fast, sleek, and stylish.

The 26 inches five-speed model is a practical bike, comfortable in urban settings, and easy to lock up. This Meerkat model has no derailleur to become aptitude in a bike rack and rolls smoothly over even the most pothole-filled route.

Tin can a seven-twelvemonth-erstwhile ride a 24-inch bike? Yes! Seven-to ten-year-former'southward volition love the 24-inch Meerkat. Check your child's inseam to see if the Meerkat is the correct cycle; it best fits riders with an inseam of 22″ to 26″.

26 Inch Scout

Coming soon to our collection is the 26 inch Scout kids bike – a super fun children'south mount bike. The Picket bicycle has x speeds that let kids and families to striking the trails together with confidence.

How practice you lot know what size bike to get a kid?

Age groups don't dictate our kids bicycle sizing guide because they don't always work. No 2 five-year-olds are the same height and size; every kid is dissimilar and unique. Nosotros'll note historic period groups to help point you in the right direction, merely you want a perfect fit when yous come to selection the perfect bike.

Using wheel size isn't the best style to gauge the right size bike for your child, either. The former way to mensurate cycles was by using your kid'south height to make up one's mind the right bicycle size. But the trouble with that method is the size of the bike is not solely determined by its wheel size.

Only like your kids come up in all shapes and sizes, and so besides do bikes. Two kids' bicycle models with 20-inch wheels can look and fit entirely differently. The Seatpost and standover heights amongst bike models and manufacturers can vary drastically.

That's why we recommend every child get measured for their perfect bike. Afterwards all, this bike is more than just a cycle. It's that showtime step towards independence, growing conviction, fun, and adventure. It'south worthwhile measuring to become the sizing right.

How to measure a kid'southward wheel?

Our bike size chart volition assistance you determine which of our kid'southward bikes volition fit your child all-time. Nosotros use a sizing system based on kid's top and inseam measurements. This method allows kids to sit on the saddle with two feet touching the ground. If they are in between sizes, yous could size up or down, considering their historic period, confidence, and skill level.

How to measure bicycle frame size?

Not all bike models and manufacturers use the exact same frame sizes, then the frame size ofttimes measures bikes. You can use a tape measure to work out the frame size. Mensurate the bike's frame from the centre of the crank axle to the superlative of the seat tube.

Using the frame to size a bize is the measuring arrangement y'all're probably familiar with, as it's mutual practise for adult bikes. However, youth bike sizing is usually done by the wheel size and inseam. If you society a kid'south cycle thinking the measurements relate to the frame size, you're likely to get the completely wrong size.

How to measure kids' bike wheel size?

When buying a kid'south bike, models will be grouped by bike size and measured past the wheel'due south bore. Residual bikes start with wheels as small equally ten″. The smallest kids pedal bikes start with 12-inch wheels and become all the way up to 24-inch wheels. Any bigger than that and your kiddo is by and large ready for an adult size ride.

Measure the bicycle diameter in inches using the wheel's outer bore, with the tire installed on the rim. Extend your measuring record from the top of the existing tire to the bottom. Some tires will also have the diameter recorded on the tire itself if you don't have a measuring tape handy.

The size of your kid'south wheels is an of import metric. Notwithstanding, many brands will testify y'all a child'due south size chart that matches wheel size to an historic period grouping or subclass. Instead, compare the bike size to your child's inseam, which volition give you lot a ameliorate idea of what will fit them as an individual, not just an age grouping.

How to measure the inseam of a kid'due south cycle?

This method involves measuring your child's inseam or inner leg length, along with the seat height of the bike. The easiest manner to measure an inseam is to have the kid stand up with their dorsum flat confronting a wall. Apply a tape measure in inches to measure the altitude from the crotch of your child's pants down to the floor. Note that, unlike a tailor measuring pants, this in-seam measurement should go to the flooring, non the ankle.

You can so narrow downwardly your bike hunt to models where tire size falls inside the gauge inseam range. Your child should still sit on a few dissimilar bikes to finalize their size, particularly if they are between sizes.

Which method is best to utilise?

Measuring by inseam and comparing to the cycle size nautical chart is the most authentic fashion to observe the right size wheel for your child. You should use the inseam measurement alongside the wheel size every bit a comparison. Where possible, you lot should also put your child on the bike, check the fit, and so take them exterior for a examination ride.

In between sizes?

If your child is in between sizes, their acme, confidence, and ability can assistance you make up one's mind whether to size up or down. A capable rider can handle a slightly larger bike, while a rider with less confidence is amend suited to something smaller.

Run across our recommendations for in-between sizes based on height in the kids bike sizing guide chart below.

Is bike size the only thing that matters?

Size is a biggy when it comes to picking the right bike for your child, but it's not the simply thing that matters. Once you've got a cycle size that suits your child's needs, you should begin thinking most other factors. These include the weight of the cycle, the geometry, brake type, and tire blazon. For older children, gear speed is also a consideration.

Nothing beats the magic a kid experiences when rolling on two wheels. Learning to ride bikes gets the listen and body working together. It'south a feeling of freedom. But all children are unique and learn at unlike paces. The ability and maturity of your child are also factors to consider when choosing a bicycle.

Maturity and coordination are factors that will determine whether your child is ready to handle bikes with more than adult features, such equally hand brakes or gears. A test ride before you buy is the easiest way to gauge your child'south mental riding level, confidence, and abilities.

How should a kids' bike fit?

One of the common mistakes nosotros see parents brand when buying a bike is to cull a size that's too large, thinking their child will grow into it. A cycle is not a pair of sneakers. Bikes that are too big are difficult for children to ride and tin throw off their residue, making them dangerous. The wrong-sized bike, specially in a first bike, can slow downward your child'south learning and touch their confidence.

If your child is struggling with cycle riding, they may exist riding the incorrect-sized bike. Observe these visual cues and take measurements to detect out. Here's how an appropriately sized bike should fit.

Seat Height

Your child'southward seat height is a vital sizing cue. You can adjust wheel seats, and so brand sure your kid'due south seat is regularly adjusted to adjust their current height. Changing the seat pinnacle frequently allows your child to grow without needing a new bicycle.

For a child's first bike, the seat should be adjusted and then your child can put their feet flat on the ground when seated. Once your little rider is more comfy on pedal bikes, you can adjust the seat so only their toes can touch the ground.

Knee Height

Your child's human knee position on a cycle is directly related to seat pinnacle. If your child is just learning, they volition have more than bend in their knees to hands put their feet on the footing. As they feel more confident, y'all can raise the seat tiptop for better peddling and a total leg extension.

Pedals

When a bike is besides large, you can often tell by the pedals. If a cycle has a minimum Seatpost height that is any higher than 1-3″ longer than your child's inseam, they will struggle to reach the pedals. Kids can't learn to ride a cycle properly if they can't achieve the pedals, and they're likely to accept accidents trying. Adjust the seat so kids tin can impact the pedals comfortably or size downwards to a smaller model. Never buy a bike if your child is struggling to bear upon the pedals.

Handlebars

Handlebar heights demand to be adjusted so your child can ride upright. Their handlebars should be at least as loftier as their seat or in a higher place the seat. If the bike'southward handlebars are lower than the seat, it can stress your child'due south wrists, arms, neck, and back. Even flexible little kids can get achy if their wheel posture is off.

Standover Height

Your kid'southward standover (or "stepover") height volition be a few inches longer than their inseam measurement. Y'all can visually gauge a standover pinnacle simply past making sure your kid can easily stand over the bike with their feet on the ground.

When your child stands over the bike, there should exist a visible gap between the frame and their crotch. The gap should be at least an inch or two. It's essential to bank check the standover tiptop to ensure your child can speedily and easily get on and off the bike.

The incorrect stepover height can cause painful injuries if your child slips forward or can crusade accidents when they need to jump off the seat during a sudden stop.

My child has been using a residual bike. Exercise they need grooming wheels on their bike?

Believe it or not, grooming wheels are not a necessary step on the path to learning to ride a bike. Here at Conspicuously, we don't believe children demand to use training wheels.

Residual bikes are bicycles without pedals. A child who learns to ride a balance bike doesn't need training wheels because it has already taught them how to ride.

By design, a residual bike teaches children to remainder while they are sitting and in motion. This balancing act is the hardest role of learning to ride a bicycle! Once your kiddo has mastered balancing, pedaling is an like shooting fish in a barrel skill to master.

Training wheels oftentimes prevent a child from trying and learning how to balance themselves. Cleary bikes accept wider tires and are ergonomically designed for kids making it easy for them to go from balance to pedal.

With the proper fitting bike, your kid tin become from a residual bike directly to a pedal bicycle – without the need for training wheels! If y'all've sized your kid'southward bike correctly using the inseam method, your child will be able to put their feet on the basis.

Please don't underestimate how important information technology is that kids who haven't learned to pedal even so be able to identify their feet flat on the ground. Touching the ground provides a sense of security for young children learning to ride a pedal bike for the get-go time. They can scoot or stop the bike with their anxiety if they experience then inclined.

As easy equally riding a bike!

Teaching your children to ride a bike is a memory you and your kids should cherish. Cleary brand bikes specifically designed to requite kids the best possible riding experience. Just the wrong size bike can quickly turn this experience into a frustrating and potentially dangerous state of affairs for you and your child. That'southward why taking the time to review the kids bike sizing guide and measure your kid'southward cycle fit properly is so important. Spending a few minutes getting in those measurements now volition salve you both a headache in the future.

camachothatted1966.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.clearybikes.com/kids-bike-sizing-guide/