As (cyclists) parents, getting your children to ride a bicycle is a feeling of pride. Starting at an early age is beneficial for their motoric skills and balance. Later on, when they feel comfortable riding on their own, without stabilisers or help from adults, it opens a whole new world of exploration for them.

In this article, we tackle the topic of choosing the correct bike for your kid. We’ll explain why spending more on a kids bike actually gets you more value for the money. Furthermore, we’ve prepared a handy size guide, so you’ll be confident your child will have a properly fitted bike.

1. Why spend more on a kids bike?

Buying a bicycle for your child is a difficult decision. There are many options, many colours, many types of bikes available on the market. It can be tempting to get the cheapest one as your child will inevitably grow out of it. Following that path may seem the most logical, but there is a catch…

Cheap bikes are made from poor quality materials and most of all, they’re heavy. For an adult, the weight may be fine, but for a small child, it can be really hard for them to enjoy cycling on a bike that they can’t even pick up. Spending a little more money on their new beloved bike can bring major improvements. Firstly, the weight, as you get an aluminium frame which will single-handedly shed unnecessary kilograms of their bike, as opposed to heavy steel frames.

Secondly, the parts and build quality. Often on the cheapest bikes, you’ll get outdated, obscure parts that are difficult to repair or replace, such as rear derailleur hangers, forks (air as opposed to coil shocks), wheels and cranksets (often cranks with cotter pins). In more expensive models, the parts are much easier to operate. For small hands, it’s often difficult to change gears, so making sure that your child can easily actuate the shifters and pull on the brakes is crucial. Also, if you plan on buying a hardtail or full-suspension bike, take a look at the forks and shocks. Air forks and shocks are recommended, because they allow for some modifications like air pressure and rebound adjustment, which will greatly improve the ride quality.

Thirdly, the resale value. If you spend more on a bike, it’s highly probable that you’ll get some of it back, if reselling it later, unlike the cheapest bikes which won’t retain any value.

Click here to see the kids bikes we currently have in stock

2. Kids bike sizing

A general rule of thumb is that your child shouldn’t grow into their bike, rather they should outgrow their existing bike. A bike that is too big for the child can make them struggle while pedalling and therefore lose confidence. That’s why it’s important to select the proper size. Here are some guidelines for choosing the correct bike size for your child:

Age 2-3: Push bikes / Bicycles with 12-inch wheels.  Go to store

Age 3-5: 14 to 16-inch wheel bikes, BMX, Bicycles with side wheels. Go to store

Age 5-10: 18 to 24-inch wheel bikes (depending on height). Go to store

Age 10+: 26 to 27,5-inch wheels. Go to store

*  measurement of the inside of the leg

3. Accessories

Helmet

We think a helmet is a really important thing when cycling, even more than the bike itself. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure your child is safe on their bicycle. A well-fitted helmet ensures proper protection in case of a fall. Here are our recommendations:

Tow rope

We recommend getting a bungee cord tow rope for those children who want to explore new places on their bikes with their parents. It makes it easier for children to climb challenging hills as they can get help directly from their parents in front of them. Bicycle tow ropes work by connecting both riders, one at the seat post and the other at the stem.

Lights

During autumn and winter days, it’s also very important to provide your children with lights, so they stay visible to other road users when it gets dark. Click here to check out our guide to bicycle lights.

Child seats and trailers

For the smallest of riders not yet capable of riding their own bike, check out our child seats and trailers in our online store.