Kids & adult bikes sizing guide
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Bikes and sizing
Choosing the right bike for your child
Kids' bikes are usually advertised by their wheel size unlike adult bikes which are usually measured by frame size. Our children's bicycle guide tells you more about the differences between the sizes in kids' bikes as a child grows. The general guide is:
| 3 - 5 years |
12" |
13.5 - 16" |
| 4 - 6 years |
14" |
15 - 17.5" |
| 5 - 8 years |
16" |
17 - 20.5" |
| 6 - 9 years |
18" |
19 - 23" |
| 7 - 10 years |
20" |
21 - 25" |
| 8 - 11 years |
24" |
23.5 - 27" |
Size guides:
Junior bike with Stabilisers
When riding a bike with stabilisers it is not essential that the rider is able to touch the floor as the bike is supported. However the rider must to be able to get on/off the bike safely.
| 2.5 - 4.5 |
13 - 15 |
n/a |
12" |
| 3.5 - 5.5 |
15 - 17 |
n/a |
14" |
| 4.5 - 6.5 |
17 - 19 |
n/a |
16" |
| 5.5 - 7.5 |
19 - 21 |
11" |
20" |
| 5.5 - 7.5 |
20 - 22 |
12" |
20" |
| 5.5 - 7.5 |
21 - 23 |
13" |
20" |
Junior Novice bicycle
If the rider has recently progressed from stabilisers then it is more important to ensure that they have a solid footing on the floor, which will allow their confidence to grow.
| 4.5 - 6.5 |
18 - 20 |
n/a |
16" |
| 5.5 - 7.5 |
20 - 22 |
11" |
20" |
| 5.5 - 7.5 |
21 - 23 |
12" |
20" |
| 5.5 - 7.5 |
22 - 24 |
13" |
20" |
| 7.5 - 11.5 |
25 - 27 |
14" |
24" |
| 7.5 - 11.5 |
26 - 28 |
15" |
24" |
Junior Proficient bicycle
Within a few months riding on 2 wheels the rider only needs to have the ball of their foot on the floor to maximize growing room and ensure safety.
| 4.5 - 6.5 |
17 - 19 |
n/a |
16" |
| 5.5 - 7.5 |
19 - 21 |
11" |
20" |
| 5.5 - 7.5 |
20 - 22 |
12" |
20" |
| 5.5 - 7.5 |
21 - 23 |
13" |
20" |
| 7.5 - 11.5 |
24 - 26 |
14" |
24" |
| 7.5 - 11.5 |
25 - 27 |
15" |
24" |
Off-Road Mountain bike
When riding off-road it is important to have a
slightly smaller frame than you would for normal road riding.
This is for 2 reasons, firstly to increase the amount of
clearance you have over the crossbar to a minimum of 3 inches
and secondly, a smaller frame will handle better over more
challenging terrain. This will put you in a slightly more
forward position with seat-post height extended.
| 4.10+ |
26 - 28 |
13 |
| 5.0+ |
27 - 29 |
14 |
| 5.2+ |
27 - 29 |
15 |
| 5.4+ |
28 - 30 |
16 |
| 5.6+ |
28 - 30 |
17 |
| 5.8+ |
29 - 31 |
18 |
| 5.9+ |
29 - 31 |
19 |
| 5.10+ |
30 - 32 |
20 |
| 6.0+ |
32 - 34 |
21 |
| 6.2+ |
33 - 35 |
22 |
| 6.4+ |
34 - 36 |
23 |
Full-Suspension Mountain bike
The range of frame sizes available for full
suspension models are usually smaller than rigid front
suspension bikes. the main consideration here is to make sure
the rider meets the minimum height and inside leg requirements
and has the clearance over the crossbar.
| 5.4+ |
28 - 30 |
16 |
| 5.6+ |
28 - 30 |
17 |
| 5.8+ |
29 - 31 |
18 |
| 5.9+ |
29 - 31 |
19 |
| 5.10+ |
30 - 32 |
20 |
Jump Mountain bike
This is the BMX of the mountain bike world and generally used for stunt riding. This requires
a minimum of 3 inches clearance over the crossbar.
| 5.0+ |
27 - 29 |
14 |
| 5.2+ |
27 - 29 |
15 |
| 5.4+ |
28 - 30 |
16 |
| 5.6+ |
28 - 30 |
17 |
| 5.8+ |
29 - 31 |
18 |
| 5.9+ |
29 - 31 |
19 |
| 5.10+ |
30 - 32 |
20 |
Comfort Mountainbike
Designed to give maximum comfort without the
drag of knobbly tyres for the road. Only a 1-2 inch clearance is
required over the crossbar to put you in a balanced position
between the seat and handlebars, maximising comfort.
Suspension Seat-post Models: Take 1” off the frame size you
require.
| 4.10+ |
26 - 28 |
13 |
| 4.10+ |
26 - 28 |
14 |
| 5.0+ |
27 - 29 |
15 |
| 5.2+ |
27 - 29 |
16 |
| 5.4+ |
28 - 30 |
17 |
| 5.6+ |
28 - 30 |
18 |
| 5.8+ |
29 - 31 |
19 |
| 5.9+ |
29 - 31 |
20 |
| 5.10+ |
30 - 32 |
21 |
| 6.0+ |
32 - 34 |
22 |
| 6.2+ |
33 - 35 |
23 |
Traditional Hybrid bike
Only a 1-2 inch clearance is required over the
crossbar to put you in a balanced position between the seat and
handlebars maximising comfort. Suspension Seat-post Models:
Take 1” off the frame size you require.
| 5.0+ |
27 - 29 |
15 |
| 5.2+ |
27 - 29 |
16 |
| 5.4+ |
28 - 30 |
17 |
| 5.6+ |
28 - 30 |
18 |
| 5.8+ |
29 - 31 |
19 |
| 5.9+ |
29 - 31 |
20 |
| 5.10+ |
30 - 32 |
21 |
| 6.0+ |
32 - 34 |
22 |
| 6.2+ |
33 - 35 |
23 |
Sports Hybrid
Only a 1-2 inch clearance is required over the
crossbar to put you in a balanced position. However due to the
style of this model you will be in a slightly more forward
riding position. Suspension Seat-post Models: Take 1” off
the frame size you require.
| 5.0+ |
27 - 29 |
15 |
| 5.2+ |
27 - 29 |
16 |
| 5.4+ |
28 - 30 |
17 |
| 5.6+ |
28 - 30 |
18 |
| 5.8+ |
29 - 31 |
19 |
| 5.9+ |
29 - 31 |
20 |
| 5.10+ |
30 - 32 |
21 |
| 6.0+ |
32 - 34 |
22 |
| 6.2+ |
33 - 35 |
23 |
Road bike
Sizing is all-important here as the rider is in
a straight-line aerodynamic position. Only a 1-2 inch clearance
is needed.
| 5.1+ |
27 - 29 |
18 |
48 |
| 5.3+ |
28 - 30 |
19 |
50 |
| 5.5+ |
29 - 31 |
20 |
52 |
| 5.7+ |
30 - 32 |
21 |
54 |
| 5.9+ |
31 - 33 |
22 |
56 |
| 5.11+ |
32 - 34 |
23 |
58 |
| 6.2+ |
33 - 35 |
24 |
60 |