How to buy a kids bike for Christmas!

Selecting the right size bike for a child's might seem like a simple thing to do, but there's a lot more information to consider than just age. As you'll see from the recommendations we've made below, many of the sizes overlap in age and are more dependent upon the child's height, not to mention confidence and ability.

It's important when selecting a bike that you don't choose a size the child will 'grow into'. As the size of a bike increases, so does it's weight and stand over height, making it more difficult to maneuver and more dangerous in a fall. An increase in height raises the center of gravity and makes it harder to balance. As a result, if you choose a bike that is too large, your child may have difficulty riding it and not enjoy the experience and could get injured. Use the age and height recommendations below as a guide and be mindful that the best way to know if the bike is the right size is to see if the child can comfortably stand over the bike with both feet flat on the ground, comfortably reach the pedals from the seat, and comfortably reach the handlebars when sitting.

It's also important to note that unlike adult bikes that are measured via the frame, kids bikes are measured by wheel size, and so the size is not indicative of the frame size or seat height of the bike. As well as looking at the bikes tire size, be aware of the minimum and maximum seat height to make sure the child can fit the bike.

Age 18 months + / Balance bikes such as Strider

Balance bikes are designed to suit children from as young as 18 months and teach balance, fine motor skills and good habits right from the get go. These bikes have no pedals and rely on the child to push themselves along with their feet. They are a great introduction to cycling and will make the progression to balancing a pedal bike much easier when compared to progressing from using training wheels.

Age 2 - 4 / Wheel size 12in such at Joey

12 Inch bikes are often a child's first pedal bike and are designed for two to four-year-olds or for those between 85cm - 110cm. As this is often the first foray into cycling, you want to look for simplistic designs without things that could complicate their riding experiences like multiple gears, lever-operated rear hand brake or front suspension.

Feeling comfortable and developing confidence is crucial at this point so ensure the fit is correct and the child is happy with the look and feel of the bike. The frame is likely to be made out of either steel or aluminum, the latter being the preferred (but more expensive) option as it will be lighter and resistant to rust.

Expect the bike to come with training wheels and a rear coaster brake (foot brake), potentially a front lever-operated handbrake too. Children of this age often lack the hand strength to operate this type of brake but it can be a key learning consideration as it will get the child used to using the handbrake to slow down. When the child is prepared to do this will vary depending on their physical ability, confidence and strength. Around three-four years is a rule of thumb.

Age 2 - 5 / Wheel size 14in such as ByK

14 inch bikes share virtually the same form and features as 12in bikes but with slightly larger tire size. Much of the industry work with wheel sizes of 12in, 16in, 20in and 24in to simplify the progression but some brands, such as Byk, skip the industry's more common 12in size in favor of a larger 14in wheel. Larger wheels provide better stability, a smoother ride and increased speed.

The age and height recommendations are very similar for 12in and 14in bikes, and so the choice is likely to be decided by your budget, brand preferences and availability as 12in bikes are far more common.

Age 4 - 6 / Wheel size 16in such as Joey

16 inch bikes are the next progression once children have outgrown their 12in or 14in bike, suitable for those aged between four and six-year-olds or those between 100cm - 120cm.

Frame options again include steel or aluminum, with the latter being the preferred (but more expensive) option as it will be lighter and resistant to rust. Training wheels and coaster rear brakes are likely to feature, and you'll find front lever-operated handbrakes are more common as older children start to develop enough grip strength to use them as a stopping mechanism. Before buying a bike with a hand operated brake, ensure it is a ‘short-reach’ lever specifically designed for small hands.

Age 4 - 6 / Wheel size 18in such as Joey

Much like a 14 inch bike is to a 12 inch bike, an 18 inch bike is an alternative to a 16 inch bike, as some brands skip the industry's more common 16 inch size in favor for a larger 18in wheel.

An 18 inch bike is suitable for those aged four to six-year-olds or those between 100cm - 120cm. Choosing an 18in bike over a 16in bike is likely to come down to budget, brand preference or availability as 16in bikes are far more common and easier to get replacement parts like tubes and tires.

7-9 year Old / 20 Inch Bike

20 inch bikes are the most popular size and it's at this stage that children really start to develop a sense of adventure and freedom through their cycling. 20in bikes are suitable for those aged between seven and nine-year-olds or those 115cm - 135cm.

Bikes from here and up, start to split into specific cycling disciplines like mountain biking, BMX and road riding.

20in mountain bikes typically feature much of the same technology as adult mountain bikes including multiple gears and suspension. Gears will likely feature a single ring at the front and multiple gears at the back, operated by a simple shifting mechanism on the handlebars. Suspension will likely feature at the front of the bike providing shock absorption and control if children go off-road. Some bikes may also feature suspension at the rear but this does add significant weight to the bike and decreases durability so perhaps should be saved for larger bikes with more advanced riders. BMX style bikes still dominate this size category and are easy to find in a wide variety of sizes and colors.

Age 9 - 11 / Wheel size 24in

24 inch wheel bikes are often the final stepping stone to an adult sized bike and are suitable for those nine to eleven-year-olds or those 130cm - 145cm.

Like 20in bikes there are distinctive categories of mountain, BMX and road, bridging ever closer to the features of a full adult bike. 24in mountain bikes gain more gears and greater movement in the suspension when compared to 20in mountain bikes, they will also feature either disc or rim brakes operated by hand.More like a scaled down version of an adult bike or 26 inch wheel bike.

24in road bikes increase their gear range up to 21 and 24-speed, feature slick tires for faster speeds and lightweight frames if your child has road racing ambitions.

Age 11+ / Wheel size 26 inch / Adult

26 inch wheel bikes are suitable for children eleven and up, and those taller than 145cm. Some brands use this size as their largest children sized bike, while they can also be an alternative to a full sized adult mountain bike. 26in wheels were previously the industry standard for adult mountain bikes but the move to larger tires that offer greater rollover ability and comfort has become the norm.At this level, some companies will list a bike as a 26" (wheel) or will list it by frame size. Either way you choose to go, remember that the stand over height is the most important measurement to finding the correct size!