How to Find the Right Bike Size for Your Child

Are you looking for a bike for your kid? Or maybe you are looking to gift a kid you know? In both cases, you will want to get the bike size correct. In this short guide, we will explain how to get the size correct and recommend our best-seller kids' bikes.

One curious fact is that kids' bikes are measured differently from bikes to adults. When we talk about kids' bikes, you will see that the bikes are measured by wheel size instead of frame size.

Additionally, you will notice that some brands will have kids' bikes with the same size wheel but different standover and seatpost heights. This highlights the importance of having the measurement information for the kid you are buying a bike for and reading the specifications of the bike you are buying.

How to measure your child to buy the right bike

The only way to ensure you get the correct bike size is to measure your child. Focusing only on the child's age can be tricky since kids of the same age might have different heights.

We recommend writing down the numbers in inches (or converting them later to inches) for measurement.

1. Ask your child in their socks to stand up straight against a wall.

2. To measure their inseam, you will place a book between their legs. Ask them to hold it as close to their crotch as possible. Next, make a pencil mark where the top of the book hits the wall.

3. Measure from the top of the book (to their crotch) to the ground.

4. After, measure your child from the ground to the top of their head.

Remember to write down these measurements; we will use them in the next step.

Finding the right size bike

Let's say your child's inseam is 14 inches. That will lead you to search for 14-inch kids' bikes. It's crucial to consider the standover height as well. The height at which your child will be standing with one leg on either side of the bike is known as the standover height. It is measured from the ground to the top of the bike frame tube.

Summing up, your child's inseam must be at least the height of the standover.

Seatpost or saddle height

The seatpost is the tube that connects the saddle to the bike frame. It can usually be adjusted up or down to change the saddle height for a proper fit. These measurements are essential when comparing different types of kids' bikes.

Balance Bikes

To enable your kid to acquire balance and set their feet flat on the ground, ensure the minimum seatpost height is no higher than the length of their inseam.

Pedal Bikes for beginners

When buying a pedal bike for a kid transitioning from a balance bike, the inseam must be the minimum seatpost height or no more than 1 inch shorter since the kid is learning how to pedal and needs to be able to place their feet flat on the ground, giving them stability and the option to push along with their feet as they learn to pedal.

Pedal Bikes

When buying a pedal bike for a kid who is comfortable pedalling without training wheels, you can select a bike that exceeds their inseam by 1 to 3 inches; this gives the child enough height to have their toes touch the ground without placing their feet flat on the ground.

Different Kids' Bike Sizes

12-inch kids' bike

This bike size is usually suitable for kids from 1 year and 6 months up to 3 years and 6 months, with a height of 82 to 100 cm. As previously mentioned, we recommend following measurement recommendations.

Woom 1 is a balance bike without pedals, allowing the child to learn balance and bicycle skills. Woom bikes are known to be lightweight and made of superlight aluminium, which is a fundamental aspect of kids' first contact with a bicycle.

Woom bikes have child-specific ergonomics, such as child-specific hand brakes, ergonomically formed saddles, and knee-friendly stems.

Child-specific hand brake

Knee-friendly stems

Finally, the Woom 1 has a steering limiter that prevents the handlebars from overturning, a feature that improves safety for little and inexperienced riders.

Steering limiter

14-inch kids' bike

This bike size is usually suitable for kids from 3 years and 6 months up to 4 years and 6 months, with a height of 95 to 110 cm. Again, we recommend following measurement recommendations.

Woom 2 is the perfect first pedal bike for your little one. It makes it easier for kids to smoothly move from a balance bike to pedalling without relying on stabilisers.

Like other Woom bikes, Woom 2 has child-specific ergonomics, such as child-specific hand brakes, ergonomically formed saddles, knee-friendly stems and a steering limiter.

Woom 2 crank lengths and pedal spacing are ergonomically adjusted for kids, making pedalling easier and smoother.

Finally, Woom 2 has a closed chain guard, which protects your child from injuries and dirt.

Closed chain guard

16-inch kids' bike

This bike size is usually suitable for kids from 4 to 6 years old, with a height of 105 to 120 cm. Remember to follow the measurement recommendations.

Woom 3 is excellent for kids who want to learn how to cycle or continue improving their bike skills. The bike's upright seating position helps kids maintain their balance while being aware of their surroundings.

Similar to other Woom bike models, Woom 3 has child-specific ergonomics, such as child-specific hand brakes, ergonomically formed saddles, knee-friendly stems and a steering limiter.

Woom 3 has a quick-release seatpost clamp, which allows you to adjust the saddle height without a tool.

Quick-release seatpost clamp

20-inch kids' bike

This bike size is usually suitable for kids from 6 to 8 years old, with a height of 115 to 130 cm. Remember to follow the measurement recommendations.

Woom 4 is a great way to introduce kids to gear shifting. With seven gears and an easy-to-operate twist shifter, this bike can expand your child's cycling possibilities, allowing them to climb hills or take on trails for even more fun.

The Woom 4 has child-specific hand brakes and a microSHIFT twist shifter. Both are ergonomically designed for kids' hands, requiring minimal force for safe stops and allowing intuitive gear changes.

Child-specific hand brakes

Twist shifter for intuitive shifting

Another great feature of the Woom 4 is the individually adjustable stem, which allows you to adjust the length of the bike. When combined with the adjustment in height, this allows the bike to be adjusted accordingly to the rider's growth.


Individually adjustable stem

Finally, the tyres of the Woom 4 are suitable for different terrains, such as tarmac, gravel or dirt, while being lightweight and having maximum.

24-inch kids' bike

This bike size is usually suitable for kids from 7 to 11 years old, with a height of 125 to 145 cm. Remember to follow the measurement recommendations.

Woom 5 is very similar to Woom 4. One of the main differences apart from the size is that with Woom 5, your kid will have eight gears, offering even more independence for their cycling journey.

This model also has child-specific hand brakes, a microSHIFT twist shifter, an individually adjustable stem and all-round capable tyres.

Additionally, both bikes feature a quick-release skewer that allows for the easy dismounting and mounting of the front wheel, making transporting the bike without difficulty in the car.

Handy quick-release skewer

26-inch kids' bike

This bike size is usually suitable for kids from 10 to 14 years old, with a height of 140 to 165 cm. Remember to follow the measurement recommendations.

Woom 6 is for teens who use their bike for transporting, visiting friends, or going to school. Similarly to the previous Woom (Woom 4 & 5), this bike will have:

• Eight gears

• Child-specific hand brakes

• Individually adjustable stem

• Twist shifter for intuitive shifting

• Handy quick-release skewer

• All-round capable tyres

Important

If you are looking for a bike for your teen, consider a small framed adult bike. We can assist you in finding the perfect size bike, no matter your child’s experience.