How to Select a Child's Bike

Buying a bike for a child can be tricky. If it's too short, it won't have a very long lifespan, but if it's too tall it might hurt its rider and deter him from riding in the future. It’s worth putting effort into looking for a bike that is the proper size for your child.

Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your child's inseam -- where the legs meet the hips. You want the bike to be about an inch lower than the inseam. This way it will be comfortable and still have a decent life span before the child outgrows it. Many stores provide a bike height measurement that the inseam height will correspond nicely to.

    • 2

      Take the child to the store to try out the bike you are considering. Have him sit on its seat and see if he can touch the ground. For comfort and safety, you want him to be able to touch the ground; at the very least he should be able to balance the bike on his tiptoes.

    • 3

      Have the child lean from side to side and see if he can hold up the bike with just one leg. If he can't, it probably means the bike is too heavy or too big. Make sure he can comfortably reach the handlebars. If your child is bending his elbows and knees, that means the bike is too small.

    • 4

      Pay close attention to the seat of the bike. Its material and height are both important. If your child can reach the handlebars but can't touch the ground, see if the seat can be adjusted. Find a bike with an adjustable seat, as this will greatly increase the lifespan of your purchase.