The size of the bike your child uses is very important in the safety of the child as well as the general fun they will derive from using the bicycle. Children progress through their stages very fast, especially when it comes to cycling, so ensure they get a perfect fitting to last them through their childhood. The bikes’ sizes enable children to comfortably access bars and pedals while the appropriate seat height ensures proper pedaling. Please refer to the following guide to determine the right size of bike that fits your child’s measurement.
Proper fit of bicycles is therefore a topic of significant importance as it helps in enhancing the cycling experience of the riders.
This is because when children ride bikes that are too big then they will end up with issues or else if they ride bikes that are small for them, then they also end up with issues. For instance, a bike that is too big will be cumbersome for them to handle and can hardly make a corner or even apply the brakes effectively. In addition, in a small bike, the knees come into contact with the handlebars during cycling, which is not comfortable and does not quicken the ride at all. Appropriate size ensures that a child cannot easily get injured in case he or she falls off the bike as well as enabling the child to control it and maneuver it easily. It also assists them in performing the pedaling in a manner that produces the greatest amount of power, coordination, and fun during the cycling.
Determining the Bike Size for the Height
While for adult bicycles, people can measure the frame size, for children bicycles, people commonly use wheel diameter, and the height of the child. First, take the height of your child in inches or centimeters if you want to use the inches scale, you need to convert it to centimeters. This should be compared to most of the bike manufacturers’ size charts to determine heights corresponding to the bike wheel sizes. Common bike wheel sizes for kids are:Common bike wheel sizes for kids are:
- 12-inch wheels: is suitable for installation up to approximately 3 ft (91 cm) in height.
- 16-inch wheels: suits children, teenagers, and adults who are up to 3 to 4 feet (92 to 122 cm) tall.
- 20-inch wheels: suits individuals who are upto 5ft/152 inches tall.
- 24-inch wheels: is suitable for athletes with a height of about 5 ft 2 inches (150 cm) and above.
Remember that these shoe sizes are based on height and often, one height correlates with another and fitting bikes for kids who grow rapidly exactly to their height, also depends with inseam and arm and torso length of the child.
It indicates how much the inseam length will be reduced when wearing the garment.
However, to tune in the right bike size even further, it is recommended to think about child’s inseam length. Arrange your child’s feet close to each other, with his or her legs unclothed. From the bottom of the shoes to the top, in between their legs, where legs join the torso is the inseam, and this has to be measured. Explain that they should use a bike sizing chart to determine the proper size and the corresponding seat height for their body inseam.
For instance, the size guide of the online bicycle store giant-bicycles. com states that their bicycles, particularly the 24-inch wheel bicycles, are suitable for children with minimum 26-inch/66cm inseam height. This also assists in providing a standard minimum UVI and space below the top tube for the child’s legs and arms to fit comfortably.
This is because, depending on the height of the rider, the seat height should permit a bend at the knee when seated and when pushing on the pedals for maximum power or most efficient pedaling. It was also needful for kids to place their feet flat on the floor when seated for proper stopping and starting functions.
It can therefore be said that VW has fine-tuned the fit and handling of the car.
Generally, some minor adjustments may be required to ensure that your child gets the right fit and comfort in the bicycle. Another is to recline the seat by turning the front part up a little to allow one to reach the pedals with small feet effortlessly. Replace bulky handlebars or grips if the reach is excessive for the hands of narrow span to easily manipulate the turning and braking. The stem being shorter will ensure that the distance of the body from the handlebars is minimized so that the cyclist will not strain himself/her self. This is to remind parents and caregivers that as kids grow, they should regularly review the in-seam clearance and adjust the seat height so that the kneepan and handlebar will not overlap dangerously.
It is therefore very important to spend sometime and ensure that you get the correct size for the bike that your child will be using when cycling since it will benefit the child when it comes to cycling and it will also ensure that the child is safe when riding the bike. Please do not hesitate to consult with a professional staff from your local bike shop to fit your children to the proper bikes and be sure to recheck the fitment as the children grow. Introducing children to cycling with the right bike frame plays a good part in helping them embrace cycling for life.