Kids Bike Sizes: How To Choose The Right Children's Bicycle

Here's what to look for when buying a kids bike and how to make sure you buy the right bike for your child. We cover bicycle frame size, wheel size, brakes and all the important things that will make cycling more enjoyable for the whole family.

Choosing the correct size of bike for your kids is a simple process, but there are a few simple points to remember.

We turned to Isla Bikes for some advice:

The first point is not to choose a bike based on age. While age can provide a basic indication, height is more important.

How do you choose, then? You'll need two measurements; height and inseam. With these two measurements, you should now be able to get a better indication of size.

Fitting balance bikes is slightly different to fitting standard bikes. Sizing aside, there are a few other important considerations. Children's-specific bikes should have shorter cranks, brakes that are closer to the bars and smaller saddles.

Have you got any questions or advice about fitting a kids bike? Let us know down in the comments 👇 and don't forget to like and share this video!

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Leave us a comment below!

[MattDion]

I don't even have kids and still found myself watching the whole video. Also, the lineup of those four kids at 0:48 reminded me of a cassette. I think I'll start referring to that kid that rode for the Cervelo test team as 'granny gear'.

[HeyLoIo]

That little kid just made everyones day.

[Muppetkeeper]

We want Albie as a GCN presenter!! Forget nursery school, get on you tube Albie

[lucianonarno]

That little kid is already mastering the Froomey Aero Tuck, good lad!

[panospatako]

Excellent video as always. I love that you include how to fit the real young kids to their bikes. Your channel brought me into cycling and have kept me engaged and challenged throughout the years! Thanks!

[acryllic]

I'm 16 and I don't even have any kids. would just like to see good content from GCN! Hi from the Philippines. :)

[gcn]

This could be your most important bike purchase, so here's how to get it right.

[Xotic_]

Nooo riding out the saddle on the top of the handlebars :D


Great video

[MusingsFromTheDen]

So, we're all agreed Albie is the newest GNC presenter? 😁 ❤️

[jasonmarchant]

great addition! create a play list please: choosing a child helmet, teaching to ride the bike, balance bike vs bike? kids bike mainteance....

[ianmartin]

Thats a nice video. Well done.. Those balance bikes are excellent for the younger kids to learn...balance! My four year old son went from a balance bike to a 16inch wheel pedal bike with no problem. He rode it on his first attempt without training wheels. Granted, a little wobbly, but he got it.

[samhughes]

I'm 18 and have no plans of having kids for a very long time yet but very entertaining nonetheless!

[gdufour]

awesome, more kids videos please! I have 16 month old that is just getting ready to dominate in his first season of kiddie cross this fall!

[djguydan]

Tom Last was really being a problem on this shoot.

[thek]

Islabikes rock, had already 7 of them for my kids. An honourable mention also goes to Woom Bikes from my beautiful hometown Vienna/Austria, great bikes too! #islabikes #woombikes

[scottcozad]

It looks like you all had a lot of fun making this video. I'm sharing this without all my friends with kids. Thanks for making this.

[Arthur-nsyh]

Are those kids Matt's grand grand grand sons and daugther ? Joke aside, really nice video ;)

[OJMorton]

Royal Crescent, many a mineral water has been consumed there on Bath University summer ball day!! Great vid.

[mrtnsnp]

I can only imagine how many takes were required for this video. Good lad.

[ToniPropeller]

Nice Video. I found myself struggeling with finding a bike for my size (I'm about 1, 60m, or 5'30") as an male adult. Finally, in 2015, I found the Genesis Col Du Glandon (Version 2014) with 650b wheels in my local bike shop. It was perfect from the beginning. Since then, I take cycling more serious, with longer tours and better equipment (and watching GCN ;) ). The market for short people is pretty comprehensible in my opinion. Islabike is a good example for doing things right. Another approach for me are women-specific bikes, which don't come with lilac and/or flowers. I really enjoy this development and I'm looking forward for the things to come.