How Are Kids Bikes Measured? Easy Steps with Size Chart!

Your child will not be able to enjoy the fun bike ride if you pick out the wrong sized one. Some people buy their children bikes according to the wheel size or inside leg measurement. However, these factors are not the only ones you should consider when you’re choosing one. There are also other factors that we’re mentioning below:

How to Measure Your Kids Inseam?

1. Turn your kid into a standing-up position.
2. Measure his hip by holding him around them, at the center of the belly button.
3. Now measure his inseams of the right leg
4. Measure his crotch circumference, you measure the widest part of your child’s waist.
5. Now step back to see if he is standing straight using a measuring tape.
6. Decide where facial features should stop and start from within clothing range (to be safe)

Take notes and then follow the bike size chart below:

Kids Bike Size Chart – Inseam and Height

A kid’s bike size chart is generally done using two common methods. One is your child’s inside leg length and the other one is based on your child’s height.

1. Age 2-3 years old Inseam 14–17″ (35–42 cm) Child’s Height 2’10″–3’4″ (85–100 cm)
2. Age 3-4 years old Inseam 16–20″ (40–50 cm) Child’s Height 3’1″–3’7″ (95–110 cm)
3. Age 4-5 years old Inseam 18–22″ (45–55 cm) Child’s Height 3’7″–4’0″ (110–120 cm)
4. Age 5-8 years old Inseam 22–25″ (55–63 cm) Child’s Height 4’0″–4’5″ (120–135 cm)
5. Age 8-11 years old Inseam 24–28″ (60–72 cm) Child’s Height 4’5″–4’9″ (135–145 cm)
6. Age 11+ years old Inseam 26’+ (70+ cm) Child’s Height 4’9″+ (145+ cm)

This is the main info on kids’ bike size, now we are going to talk about How Are Kids Bikes Measured. First, start with different bikes and their features then will talk step by step by age categories.

Also Read: Bike Size Chart: Ultimate Guide For All Bikes

How to Measure Kid’s Bike Size?

1. Cycle the bike on level ground at a known distance.
2. Measure the distance between the maximum tire and the highest point of the top tube.
3. Measure the width at the widest slot in the frame.
4. Measure any front derailer hanger too, they can be measured from centerline to centerline where the cams mount.
5. Measure depth through seat stays against bike’s bottom bracket area using calipers.

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Measuring Your Child: Guide

Measuring Instructions

It’s important to measure the bike properly. Otherwise, you’ll end up giving your kid one that won’t most probably be a great experience for him.

If you’re serious about giving your kid the right size bike, try to use different measurement methods and take help from the kid’s size chart.

At first, measure your kid’s frame height and inseam to narrow down the wheel size. Then, use your child’s inseam and riding ability to get the perfect seat height.

Kids Bike Sizes

Kid’s bikes are of various, different sizes. Not every bike size can fit a child’s riding needs; which makes it more important to pick the right size.

Select your kid’s bike on the basis of seat height, wheel, and frame size. In this way, you’ll be able to provide your children with the perfect bike size. Getting your kid a perfect bike size will not only make riding easier but also ensure maximum safety.

Steps to Finding the Right Size

The best way to figure out the right bike size is to measure the inseam of your kid. The inseam describes the distance shared between the floor and the crotch.

If you know this measurement, you can stay assured that your kid will reach the floor safely and easily with both feet at the lowest saddle height.

Also, try to know the frame and wheel size. With them by your side, you’ll be able to determine the seat height.

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Maturity and Ability

Wheel Size

Wheel size determines a kid’s bike size the best. It directly correlates with the frame size. You can sometimes make a correct decision for what size bike your child will need based on his age.

However, children go through many growth spurts and variations in height. So, it’s wise to check out the wheel size in order to find the perfect fit for your kid.

Balance Bike

If you want to give your kid a bike riding experience that can elevate his confidence, and independence, and most importantly, go with balance bikes.

They’re great at increasing confidence, reliance, and stability.

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Shopping for your Kid’s New Bike

Where to Shop

Bike shops are the best option for shopping for a kid’s bike. They’re run by a knowledgeable and experienced salesperson; whose expert advice can help you choose the right one.

Also, in a bike shop, you can expect to resolve other issues like assembly and maintenance.

Fitting the bike

When you’re about to pick a bike, have your kid on his seat and grasp the handlebars. See whether your kid is able to place the balls of both feet comfortably on the ground.

Then, make your kid straddle the top bar if there is one. Check out whether there’s a 1 to 2 inch between the crotch and the bar.

The Test Ride

Before you purchase a bike, make your kid walk it outside the store and take it for a ride with safety precautions. While your child is busy riding, observe your child’s fit, balance, comfort, and confidence. Have him pedal, steer, turn, and brake also.

If he looks like he’s having fun riding it, then there’s no need to search anymore.

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Bike sizes, types, and features 

1. Balance Bikes (2 to 4 years of age)

The International Bicycle Fund has stated that most children first experiment with riding a bike with a two-wheeler around the age of 3. They usually go for a balance bike with 12-inch wheels. It’s their first typical choice.

Balance bikes don’t come with pedals. They also may or may not come with brakes. With these bikes, your child would have to propel with her feet scooting along on the ground, and stop it by planting her feet.

Balance bikes can help you boost your kid’s confidence, independence, and obviously, a sense of balance. They’re nowadays quite popular as an alternative to tricycles or pedal bikes with training wheels.

2. Small Wheelers (3 to 5 years of age)

Small wheelers are regarded as the basic first pedal bikes. They’re typically equipped with 14-inch wheels, although some models can be found with 12 or 16-inch wheels. It’s good to transition to small wheelers from balance bikes or tricycles.

3. Middle Wheelers (4 to 6 years of age)

Like small wheelers, middle wheelers also come with 16-inch wheels. They often times feature handbrakes. A gear set may be included in them. In fact, some of them come with a freewheel hub that will allow your kid to pedal backward.

Other common features of a middle-wheeler include steel or aluminum frames. With a middle-wheeler, your kid will be able to kick some real speed while riding.

So, if you’re thinking of buying a middle-wheeler, make sure your child has developed the necessary coordination and dexterity for balancing, steering and working the hand brakes.

4. 20-Inch Wheel Bikes (5 to 9 years of age)

20-inch wheel bikes are fixed with gear sets, handbrakes, and suspension systems. They’re also divided into types like a road bike, mountain bikes, cruiser, etc. Shortly speaking, they bring a variety of styles and features.

Purchasing this type of bike requires a lot of thinking about the type of ride your kid intends to do. Good 20-inch wheel bikes aren’t cheap.

So, if you’re not careful when you’re about to buy one, you might end up providing your child with a model that most probably will fail to live up to his expectations.

5. BMX Bikes

BMX Bikes are another style of 20-inch wheel bike. They were born out of the motocross motorcycle world. They were originally all about dirt racing on tracks with jumps and banked turns.

However, the BMX bikes that are sold in the market nowadays are very different than the models we’ve talked about. They have a much broader appeal, mostly due to their durability and outer appearances.

BMX bikes usually come with one gear, lightweight frames, and knobby tires. Most of them are available with 20-inch wheels. Still, there are models that can be found in almost any wheel size. BMX models of great quality can be ridden hard and built tough.

So, if you have a kid like that, then these are a perfect choice.

6. 24-Inch Wheel Bikes (7 and up)

24-Inch wheel bikes are considered to be a transition to adult bikes since they incorporate features of an adult bike. For example transmissions with up to 36 gears, front suspension, etc.

They also come with advanced features such as hub brakes. From road bikes to BMX bikes, all sorts of models are available and can be found in this category; which makes them the best option for your kid.

What is the difference between an adult bike and a child’s bike?

An adult bike is a bicycle that can accommodate riders of all sizes. This means that it is often larger and more powerful than a child’s bike.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule as not all adult bikes are suitable for children and vice versa.

An adult bike has a large wheel size, which makes it faster and easier to ride than the smaller wheels on a child’s bike. Adult bikes also have heavier frames that can support an adult rider without tipping over or collapsing under their weight.

Conclusion

As long as you know what you’re looking for, you’ll have no problem getting the correct bike size for your kid. Still, if you’re having difficulties, take some help from this article we’ve provided. We hope that it can help you get your kid the perfect bike.

FAQS on Kids Bike Size Chart

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