How to choose the right bike size
When choosing a bicycle, the size is one of the most important parameters. If cycling is your hobby and you want your offspring to start it in an early age, make sure to select the correct bike size, appropriate for the age and height of the child.
Children's bike sizes
Choosing the right size is particularly difficult when you are buying a bike for a child. Buy a bike too small or too large and the child will feel very uncomfortable; a particularly bad choice may even turn them off cycling for good. It’s tempting to buy a larger bike so your child can “grow into” it, but it’s a bad idea and can actually be dangerous. Make sure to buy a properly sized bike and swap it for larger models as your child grows. With children's bicycles, you can generally tell the size by looking at the bike wheel diameter.
Kids bike size chart
 |  |  |  |  |  | |
Age | 2-4 years | 3-5 years | 4-6 years | 5-8 years | 7-11 years | 10 or more |
Wheel size | 12" | 14" | 16" | 20" | 24" | 26" |
Height | 82-100 cm | 98-106 cm | 104-122 cm | 120-130 cm | 127-142 cm | 140-158 cm |
Leg length | 30-40 cm | 36-44 cm | 40-54 cm | 52-59 cm | 57-66 cm | 64-70 cm |
Things to watch out for
- If your child is not a good rider, make sure to choose a bike that would allow them to reach the ground with their legs.
- It is not advisable to simply skip a bike size or two, even if the child is relatively tall for their age.
- The ideal handlebar height is at waist level.
Careless bike selection may cause the child to develop bad riding habits. Don’t forget the protective elements, either! Make sure to give the child the right protective equipment, such as a helmet, pads, gloves, lights and reflective elements.
Adult bike sizes
When buying an adult bike, the key factors are the size and the rider’s preferences. Choose the wheel and frame size to match the terrain you generally ride on. A properly sized frame can protect you from neck pain and head, back, and limb aches.
Wheel diameters
- 26" wheels are the smallest size available on normal adult bikes. The lower height gives you a sense of safety and control and makes the bike easier to handle. Suitable for difficult, uneven terrain full of sharp turns.
- 27.5" is the universal medium size, which offers a combination of decent speed and good handling.
- 29" wheels are the fastest, but handling a bike this large requires quite a lot of physical strength. The ideal stature for 29" bikes is 175-180 cm and more. Large wheels cope better with bumps on the road and have better traction, so they are used by most athletes.
Frame height
General bike size chart
| Height | Frame height according to size |
|---|---|
| less than 165 cm | 15", 16", S, up to 44 cm |
| 160-170 cm | 17", 18", M, up to 48 cm |
| 170-185 cm | 19", 20", L, up to 52 cm |
| 185-200 cm | 21", 22", L, up to 55 cm |
| over 195 cm | 23", 24" L, 58 to 60 cm |
