How to Measure Children's Cycles
Bike riding is a fun activity for children that also provides them with daily exercise. No matter their age, all kids should ride bicycles that are the proper size for them. Riding a bike that is too big or too small could result in a painful experience and potential injury.
- Measure the tire size of your child's current bicycle with measuring tape. Most bikes will already have the size printed somewhere inside the tire. The measurement will be in a format such as nn" x n.n". The first number is the diameter of the tire and the second number is the thickness.
- Write down your child's measurements, as the diameter size is also the size of the bicycle frame.
- Find out if they are riding the proper size for their height and age range. Eight to twelve inch bikes are typically for children ages two to three, and up to three-feet-four-inches in height. Twelve-inch frames range from ages two to four, and are for kids up to three-feet-seven-inches tall. Choose a 16-inch kid's bike if your child is anywhere from three to six years old and reaches up to four and a half feet tall. A 20-inch ranges from ages five to nine and three-feet to four-feet tall. The largest bike for children is a 24-inch frame for heights up to five-feet-six-inches.
- Purchase a new bike if your current one is too small or too large.