How to Measure a Kids Bike
For the sake of healthy development, one of the best things that a parent can do is get cool outdoor stuff for their kids that would make them want to go outside. One of the coolest is a bicycle, but getting the right size may be a bit of a challenge. This post will show you how to measure a kids bike in the simplest way possible.
Guide How to Measure a Kids Bike
Cycling has some great benefits that have been somewhat underestimated, especially in this era of extreme digitalization. Kids are easily attracted to sitting on their butts on their gadget all day, but with a nice bicycle at home, they may not detest going outside that much.
The right bike size ensures that your kid enjoys a bit more ease when it comes to mounting, riding, and dismounting. Their age is a determining factor in this case, as well as taking the following measurements.
- First of all, measure the diameter of either the front or the rear wheel of the tire and make sure the measurement covers the outer edges, including the rubber.
- Check to see that your results match the markings indicating the dimension of the wheel in the order of diameter and thickness.
- Use a recommended chart (like the one below) to find the most suitable size for your child.
Another common way of doing this is by using your kid’s inseam length, which is the length between the bottom of your child’s leg to their crotch. If you decide to go with this method, you would have to:
- Get your kid standing upright, preferably against a wall with their legs no more than a foot apart
- With a ruler or tape measure, measure your child from the bottom of their leg and run it in between the two legs to the crotch for accurate results
- Check for the closest match on the inseam size chart
Kids Bike Size Chart
| Age (years) | Height (feet and inches) | Wheel size (inches) |
| 2 to 3 | 2’10” to 3’4” | 12” |
| 3 to 4 | 3’1” to 3’7” | 14” |
| 4 to 5 | 3’7” to 4’0” | 16” |
| 5 to 8 | 4’0” to 4’5” | 20” |
| 8 to 11 | 4’5” to 4’9” | 24” |
| 11 and above | 4’9” and above | 26” |
You may ask, “Do I really have to take these measurements each time I have to get a bike for my child?” The answer to that is, “Yes, you do.” With different brands out there, there are bound to be some differences in numbers. A bike that suits their description of a 6-year-old on paper may be too small in reality.
So, the best is to have your numbers and work with it alongside whatever numbers the brands may provide you with.
Conclusion
If your child’s height is unique, you may want to ignore the age columns on the charts and work with the lengths. Hopefully this simple but comprehensive kids bike size guide helps you make the right choice.