How to Buy a Bike for your Child | Kids' Bike Sizing | Liv Cycling US

Unlike bicycles for adults, children’s bikes are not sized based on the frame height or length. Instead, they are offered in sizes based on wheel size. Below is a chart you can use to determine the approximate size your child would need. Although children who are taller for their age may be able to size up to a larger wheel, they may not be as well equipped to deal with other changes as the bikes get larger: like multiple gears and hand brakes instead of coaster brakes. Sizing charts are a good place to start when choosing a bike for your child, but not a definitive answer. Once your child is over 4’10” (147 cm), they can ride an adult size bike with 26-inch, 27.5-inch, 29-inch or 700c wheels.

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When you go to purchase your child’s first bike, you will have two options: training wheels or balance bike. What’s the difference? We will break it down for you:

Training Wheels: An add-on part that can be attached to a two-wheeled bike. For a lot of parents, this is how you learned to ride a bike. Training wheels sound like a great deal because the child can learn to ride with the training wheels on and when the time comes to pop the training wheels off, you have a regular bike. The downside of training wheels is that it could take the child longer to learn to balance if they are relying on those extra wheels to hold them up.

Balance Bikes: With only two wheels and no pedals, these bikes require the child to sit on the saddle, scoot, and balance. Many resources say balance is the hardest part of learning to ride, so transferring to a pedal bike is easier for children that start out on a balance bike.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you and your family. Your local bike shop can also help you make the right decision for your child.

Children are constantly growing! You dress them in the morning and in the afternoon it looks like their clothes have shrunk. How are you supposed to buy a bike for a kid when they won’t stay the same size?

Although buying a bike that your child can “grow into” might seem like an economical choice, there are some major disadvantages when trying to cut costs when purchasing a bike for your kid.

1. Safety: If your child cannot touch the ground when standing over the top tube or cannot comfortably reach the handlebars or brakes, then the bike is not safe for them to ride. They will not be able to adequately control, stop and steer the bike. Likewise, if a bike is too small for your child you will notice they are hitting their knees on their handlebars and look crunched on the bike. A bike that is too small can lead to out-of-control riding and instability.
2. Comfort: Although kids are a bit more resilient than adults sometimes, think about what it would be like to ride a bike that did not fit properly. If you are not comfortable, you are less likely to ride the bike. The same goes for your child. If your child is riding a bike that doesn’t fit, it will not be quite as fun for them.

If you do not have the extra funds to buy a new bike every year (who does?) there are some great ways to save money while still giving your child a fun and safe bicycle. Many bike shops will sell used bikes and offer a little trade-in money that could go toward your next bike purchase for your child. Keep in mind that as one kid grows out of a bike, there is always another child growing into that size bike… even if it is not your own. Make friends with other parents in your biking community or donate your child’s gently used bicycle to someone who really needs it.

Alright, you are armed with tons of knowledge about kids' bikes and now you are ready to go buy them one to put under the tree this holiday or tie up with a bow for their birthday! Right? Well, maybe not quite yet.

When your child is old enough, it's important they are involved in the bike-buying process. Taking your kid to the bike shop for a test ride is a great way to find out what fits best and what kind of riding they are most interested in doing. The employees at your local bike shop are experts on how your child should fit on a bike, what kind of bike they will need for the riding they will be doing, and they can save you tons of time scouring the internet for answers.

However you decide to give your kid a bike, make sure you plan ahead for this purchase. Some bike shops may not have the exact bike you are looking for in stock, but they can definitely order it if you give them enough time.

The company is the world’s best Kids Bicycles supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Don’t want to risk buying your child the wrong bike? We don’t blame you! Why not wrap up a new helmet, a new kid's cycling outfit, or a fun bike bell? "Surprise, honey! We're taking you to the bike shop to get your very own bicycle!"

Kids’ bikes are all about having fun, making memories, and giving your child the kind of freedom only found on two wheels. It’s amazing to see your child ride for the first time, head out together on a family cruise, and watch them grow as a rider. Whether your little one is ready for their first bike ever or a bigger size, our guide will help you make the right choice. Happy riding!

What size bike does my child need?

In general, the size that’s right for your child depends on their age and height. Our biggest piece of advice? Don’t buy a bike that’s too big for your child, thinking they’ll grow into it. It can slow down their learning and affect their confidence. The right size bike makes your child feel comfortable and is a lot easier for them to maneuver so they can pick up skills fast. Some companies even offer programs that let you trade in outgrown bikes, which brings the cost down so you can always have a bike that fits your child. Here are some tips for helping you find the best-fitting (and most fun) bike for your child.

Kids’ bike size chart

Size brackets are wide and tend to overlap, plus all bikes fit differently (even if they’re the same wheel size) so head down to your local bike shop with your child for some fun test rides! Pro tip: if your child is older than 12 and/or taller than 4’ 8” you can start looking at adult bikes.

How should a kids' bike fit?

A bike that fits well is easier for learning to ride, and ultimately more enjoyable for your child from day one. Generally, you’ll know you have the right fit if your child is feeling confident and excited on the bike. Below are some visual fit cues that’ll help you decide whether or not a bike fits your child properly. Be sure to look for these fit cues not only when you test ride bikes at the shop, but also as your child grows and gains skills.

What’s the best kids’ bike to get my child?

There are lots of kids’ bikes to choose from, so narrowing down your options can be hard! The main thing is to ensure the purpose and features of the bike match your child’s skill level. For example, most young kids will likely only ride short distances around the neighborhood. They benefit from a simple, hybrid-style little kids’ bike without unnecessary features. As kids get older and gain more skills, they’ll be able to choose from several types of bikes with many different kinds of features. Pro tip: girls’ bikes and boys’ bikes are essentially the same, they just might have different colors or graphics.

What is a kids’ balance bike?

Balance bikes are like a cross between a scooter and a bicycle. They’ve become popular in recent years as savvy parents have recognized that balance, not pedaling, is the most important part of riding a bike and should be the starting point of any instruction. Balance bikes don’t have pedals, which allows small children to push themselves along using their feet and practice balancing their weight over the bike. They’re the best bikes for toddlers, and teaching kids to balance early on will make their transition to a bike with pedals much easier.

Learn more about balance bikes

What about kids’ bikes with training wheels?

You probably learned to ride by using training wheels, and most professional cyclists probably did, too. Training wheels are a great way to get kids comfortable riding, and to get them hooked on the feeling of freedom that only a bike can provide. They’re a good choice for kids who are too big for a balance bike or simply need a bit more time to gain confidence.

Pro tip: when teaching your child to ride, remember that the emphasis should be on balance, not pedaling. As soon as your child is comfortable with the thought of removing their training wheels, it’s time for them to go!

What's with these different kids’ bike brakes?

As kids gain riding skills, the bikes available to them will have more brake options. You want to start them off with no brakes (balance bikes) or a coaster brake (the kind of braking that engages when you pedal backwards) because it’s intuitive to put your feet down or pedal backwards to stop. Once they are comfortable stopping themselves using these brakes, and have more developed muscles in their hands, they can upgrade to hand brakes. Some kids’ bikes even have both a coaster brake and hand brake so kids can start getting comfortable with them sooner.

Should my kids' bike have gears?

Not at first! It’s most important that kids learn how to balance and pedal properly. This is why beginner bikes typically have just one gear. As they gain bike handling skills, confidence, and hand strength, you can upgrade them to a kids’ bike with a few gears. This will help them get comfortable with shifting, which they’ll of course need to know how to do as they continue to ride more complicated bikes. In the end, the ideal gearing for your child depends on their skills and the type of riding they’ll be doing. Gears significantly increase a bike’s versatility and reduce fatigue so that your child can participate in longer rides with the family, or better tackle variable terrain.

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