Getting the correct size of the bike is very important and if it is your first bike you should pay extra attention to it.
The right sized bike will be safer as well more comfortable, more efficient and more fun to ride.
Even experienced cyclists find it tricky when choosing the right size frame as it depends on many factors like: type of bike, your height and your riding style.
Below you will find general explanation for each bike type. It is only a guide and we recommend visiting your local bicycle store.
Bikes are generally measured and defined by:
· Wheel size (Imperial/inches)
· The length of the seat tube – the part of the bike that the seat post slides into down to the centre of the crank wheel. Traditionally this measurement is given in metric (cm) for road bikes, and imperial/inches for mountain bikes.
Junior Bikes:
Children’s bikes are wrongly defined by age, child’s size should be considered.
Bike size are given as wheel sizes Imperial/inches.
When children are still learning to ride, it is very important to choose the right bike size for safety and to avoid deterring the child from riding a bike that might be too small, too big or too heavy. There can be a temptation to stretch the life of a bike by buying a slightly bigger one. This should be avoided as whilst a child is learning they must be able to straddle the top tube safely, feet touching the ground.
Our table below suggest which wheel sizes are most suitable for which age range, however you know your child best. If he / she is the tallest in the class and on the upper limit for a wheel size, we suggest getting the next wheel size up. If he / she is in the middle of the range, we suggest you stick to that size.
Kids
Age | Inside Leg | Wheel Size |
2-4 yrs | 30cm | 12" or Beginner Bikes |
2-5 yrs | 30cm | 12" |
3-5 yrs | 36cm | 16" |
5-7 yrs | 41cm | 16" |
7-9 yrs | 51cm | 20" |
9-11 yrs | 61cm | 24" |
11 and up | 66cm | 26" |