When choosing a bike for your child, there are a few factors to consider: age, size, riding ability, riding style (off-road/on-road) and colour! We have a HUGE RANGE of kids bikes to cater for any child's preference - I'm talking hundreds of bikes in stock. We understand that if your little one doesn't like the look of the bike, it might end up sitting in the garage gathering dust! We want them to be whizzing around the backyard all day, every day, so we've made sure we've got something they'll like.
Childrens bikes are sized according to the wheel size, which are measured in inches. The bigger the wheel, the higher the bike. The smaller bikes come equipped with training wheels, however if you do need training wheels for 20" or 24" bikes, we do keep those in stock.
BALANCE BIKES (2-5 YEARS): Balance bikes are a relatively new addition to the cycling world! They were introduced as an alternative to bikes with training wheels, as they teach your child to balance right from the beginning. Balance bikes do not have pedals, training wheels and often no brakes. The idea is that your little one pushes himself along using his feet, and learns stability as he goes. Quite often kids who've started on balance bikes can go straight onto a 16 inch or 20 inch bike without training wheels.
12 INCH (2-4 YEARS): The smallest bikes have 12" wheels, which are suitable generally for children up to 3-4 years of age. These have training wheels to help with stability and to help take away the fear of falling over. From as young as 2 or 3 years of age, children can begin to experience the thrill of riding a bike. Sure, it may be with a helping hand from mum or dad, but the excitement of being mobile is a special moment for all families.
16 INCH (4-6 YEARS): The next size is 16", which usually are suitable for children aged between 4 and 6 years. These also have training wheels, which should be discarded after a short time as your little rider becomes more balanced and confident. 16" bikes generally have foot back-pedal brakes for easy stopping, and also hand brakes.
20 INCH (5-8 YEARS): From around the age of 5, a 20" bike is suitable. This can be a BMX style, but there are also Mountain bikes and coaster brake bikes available in this size. You begin to see more range from 20" onwards, as children are usually more confident riders and can start using suspension, gears and handbrakes (as opposed to just back-pedal brakes). These often will suit a taller / competent 5 year old up til around 8 or 9 years of age.
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24 INCH (8-12 YEARS): For the bigger kids, there are bikes with 24" wheels. As with the 20" bikes, you see a lot more range in riding style with the 24" range. You can get a mountain bike, with suspension and a higher number of gears; you can get a more on-road style bike, with rigid front forks and a smaller number of gears (which are all you'd need for on-road riding). Age range is usually 8 to 12 years, depending on the relative size of the child.
26 INCH (10+ YEARS): Tall 9 and 10 year olds are often able to ride an extra small frame in adult bikes. The adult range starts from a 26" wheel and are sized according to the frame height. An extra small has a 14-15" frame. BYK has even released 26" bikes specially designed for older kids, and we've recently custom-ordered some 26" bikes from XDS, which have emphasis on being lightweight and affordable.
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