Kids' Bikes
Making Memories One Ride at a Time
Kids’ bikes are all about having fun, making memories, and giving your child a sense of freedom and adventure. We want every kid to have a great first-bike experience and a great experience with every bike after that. Whether your little one is ready for their very first bike or in need of a bigger size, our kids' bikes are designed for fun, built to last, and expertly assembled and serviced to ride better and stand-up to whatever their adventures.
What Size Bike Does My Child Need?
While adult bikes are measured by frame size, kids’ bikes are measured by wheel diameter (ranging from 12” to 26”). The right size generally depends on your child's age and height.
Sizing on kids' bikes varies per kid and tend to overlap, especially as frame designs differ between manufacturers and result in different fits (even if the wheel size is the same). For a proper fit, we encourage you to come into our shop so we can help size accordingly - as well as enjoy some fun test rides!
Our goal is always to help you find a bike that fits great now with plenty of room to grow!
Bikes for 2 & 3-year-olds
Height: 3’ 0” - 3’ 3”
Inseam: 15” - 18”
Wheel / Bike Size: 12” (balance bike or training wheel bike)
Bikes for 4, 5, & 6-year-olds
Height: 3’ 4” - 4’ 0”
Inseam: 16” - 22”
Wheel / Bike Size: 16”
Bikes for 5, 6, 7, & 8-year-olds
Height: 3’ 9” - 4’ 6”
Inseam: 19” - 25”
Wheel / Bike Size: 20”
Bikes for 8, 9, 10 & 11-year-olds
Height: 4’ 1” - 4’ 11”
Inseam: 23” - 28”
Wheel / Bike Size: 24”
Bikes for 10, 11 & 12-year-olds
Height: 4’ 8” and up
Inseam: 25” and up
Wheel / Bike Size: 26”
Adult bikes for older kids
A lot of older, taller kids can fit on small adult bikes. Remember, when looking for an adult bike, they are sold by frame size and not wheel size.
What's the Best Fit?
A bike that fits well is a bike that gets ridden! Generally, if your child is feeling confident and excited to ride, you're off to a good start. Don’t buy a bike that’s too big for your child, thinking they’ll grow into it. The right size bike allows your child to be comfortable and in control, making it easier for them to maneuver, learn new skills faster, and have more fun while doing so.
Below are some visual fit cues that can help you decide whether or not a bike fits your child properly:
Seat Height
For a balance bikes &/or a first bike without training wheels, your child’s feet should be flat on the ground while seated. For bikes with training wheels & bikes without training wheels (where your child can comfortably pedal), only their toes should be able to touch the ground, giving proper bend to knees. As your child grows and gains new riding skills & confidence, seat heights can be adjusted accordingly.
Knee Position
Knee position is directly related to seat height. When kids are just learning, they should have more bend in their knees as they pedal so they can easily put their feet on the ground. This gives them more on-bike confidence. As they feel more comfortable, you can raise the seat up so they can get a fuller leg extension with a slight bend to the knee for better pedaling.
Standover Height
You’ll want to make sure your child can easily stand over the bike with their feet on the ground along with an inch or two between them & the top tube of the bike. This helps them feel confident stopping and getting on & off the bike
Foot Position
When kids are starting to learn on a balance bike, their feet need to touch the ground so they can propel the bike. For training & non-training wheel bikes, your child will be most comfortable with the ball of their foot resting flat on the pedal.
Kids’ Bikes & Training Wheels
Training wheels are a great way to get kids comfortable & hooked on riding their bike. They’re a good choice for kids who are too big for a balance bike &/or simply need a bit more time to gain confidence.
Pro Tip: When teaching your child to ride, remember that the emphasis should be on balance, not pedaling. Work on balancing the bike & maintaining control for short distances with their feet off the ground. As soon as your child is comfortable removing their training wheels, you'll watch them pedal away, enjoying the thrill of moving faster than their feet can carry them!
Full Stop - Kids' Bike Brakes
As children gain riding skills, the bikes available to them will have more braking options. Children usually start off with no brakes (balance bikes) or coaster brakes (the kind of braking that engages when they pedal backwards) as it’s intuitive to put feet down or pedal backwards in order to stop.
Once children are comfortable in stopping themselves (along with having more muscle development in their hands), they can upgrade to hand brakes. Some kids’ bikes even have both coaster & hand brakes! This allows kids to start getting comfortable with hand brakes sooner while not having to give up the security of a coaster brake.
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Should my kid's bike have gears?
Not at first! Beginner bikes typically have just one gear so kids can learn how to balance & pedal properly. As your child gains bike handling skills, confidence, & hand strength, you can upgrade them to a kids’ bike with a few gears to get comfortable with shifting. In the end, the ideal gearing for your child depends on their skills & the type of riding they’ll be doing. Gears significantly increase a bike’s versatility & reduce fatigue so that your child can participate in longer family rides &/or better tackle variable terrain.
Good Habits Start Young
Protectin' Their Noggin'
Your kid's bike helmet is a piece of gear that has the most important job. A bike shop quality helmet not only meets industry safety standards but exceeds them, taking great care designing kids' bike helmets that not only offer excellent protection but fit and feel great, too. With multiple styles and sizing options, we're experts in helping you get the right one.
Plus, with our Crash Replacement Guarantee, we'll replace your Bontrager helmet for free if it's impacted within the first year of ownership.
Daytime Running Lights
Front & rear bicycle lights are an essential accessory for all bike riders, both young & old. Designed to stand out when it matters most, these all-weather, ultra-bright daytime running headlights & tail lights provide visibility at any hour of the day.
And not all lights are created equal. Brightness is important, but it takes more than a lot of lumens to make an effective daytime running light. A true DRL is designed with specific focus, flash, & range to be seen from a meaningful distance during both night & daylight hours. Without these three things, you just have a light.
Kids Trade Up Program
When it comes to a bicycle, the correct size makes all the difference in comfortable, safe, and fun riding experiences. And as any parent can tell you, children grow quickly, so getting the most riding time out of a bicycle investment is just as important!
At Bickel's, we take trade-ins, assessing a value (up to 50% of the original purchase price) to be applied towards the purchase of something else that better suits your child's needs while also helping someone else benefit from their once pre-loved set of wheels.
Your Local Family Bicycle Shop
Not all bikes are created equal, and you can trust that our selection of kids’ bikes will outlast, outperform, and ultimately bring more smiles to your child’s face. The kids' bikes we carry are designed with the same level of detail that goes into adult bikes. That means quality components and thoughtful frame designs, all backed by companies dedicated to giving kids great bicycling experiences.
Our kids’ bikes are professionally assembled and serviced by the same mechanics who work on pro level road and mountain bikes, so whatever their adventures, we have your kids covered.
As a second-generation family business, with 55-years of experience, Bickel’s believes in the old-fashioned idea that value, service and dependability makes doing business easy and enjoyable. As you look to bring healthy activity and fun into your family, we are happy to offer you the tools, expertise and inspiration to get out and enjoy the ride.