Kids bikes with training wheels in 12, 14, 16 and 18 inch — a size for every age. Here is the size chart and a measuring...
Kids bikes with four wheels, in 12, 14, 16 and 18 inch, with a size for every age.
The most common reason a bike comes back is not a fault or a colour. It is the size — either too big, so the child is afraid of it, or too small, so it is outgrown within months.
Bike size for children means the wheel diameter in inches, not the frame length. So a 16-inch bike refers to the wheel itself.
The short answer: age and size chart
- 12 inch — ages 3 to 5
- 14 inch — ages 4 to 6
- 16 inch — ages 5 to 7
- 18 inch — ages 7 to 9
The ranges overlap on purpose. A five-year-old might suit a 14 or a 16, and what decides it is their height rather than their age.
Height beats age
The check we use in our branches is simple: measure your child's inside leg, from the floor to the top of the inner thigh, standing barefoot.
Then test the fit — they should be able to touch the ground with the balls of their feet while seated. Not flat-footed, and not straining on tiptoes.
Why it matters: a child whose feet cannot reach the ground loses confidence on the first attempt. Rebuilding that confidence is harder than swapping the bike.
If your child is clearly taller or shorter than average for their age, trust the measurement and ignore the chart.
The common mistake: buying big to grow into
We understand the logic. Bikes are not cheap and children grow fast. But the result works against you.
An oversized bike means feet that do not reach the ground, a weight your child cannot control, and handlebars too far forward. They try it once or twice, then leave it, and it sits in storage for a year waiting for them to catch up.
The trouble is that the year you waited was the year they were learning. You save the price of one bike and lose the learning window.
The rule: buy the size that fits today, and upgrade in two or three years.
Training wheels: when to take them off
The two small rear wheels are not a permanent part of the bike, only a stage. Every bike in this section comes with them, and they come off with a basic spanner.
Signs of readiness: steady riding with no hesitation, leaning into turns, and one training wheel lifting off the ground while riding. That last one is the clearest signal, and it means your child is already balancing.
How to make the switch: raise the training wheels slightly first rather than removing both at once, so leaning starts to feel safe. Take them off a week or two later.
Do not tie any of this to a specific age. Some children manage at four, some at seven, and both are normal.
What the bikes in this section include
Every model comes with training wheels and a front basket, on a steel frame with hand brakes and a seat that adjusts to your child's height.
The adjustable seat is worth noting: it buys you roughly an extra year on the same bike before you need the next size.
If your child is under three and has not ridden before, the better starting point is kids tricycles.
What changes between one size and the next
The difference between 12 and 18 inch is not just the wheel. Everything on the bike scales with it, which is why skipping a size is a poor idea.
Seat height rises by roughly five centimetres per size. Practically, this is the number that matters most, because it decides whether your child's feet reach the ground.
The reach from seat to handlebars also grows. A larger bike means your child stretches further forward and loses some of their steering control.
Overall weight increases with size. An 18-inch bike is too heavy for a five-year-old to lift or right after a fall.
Pedal-to-seat distance scales to leg length. When the size is too small, your child's knee bends at a sharp angle, they tire quickly, and they may complain of knee pain after a short ride.
Signs the bike has become too small
Children rarely say a bike has stopped fitting. They simply stop riding it. These signs come first:
- Knees coming close to the handlebars while pedalling.
- Back curved forward more than it should be.
- Sitting awkwardly and shifting position often while riding.
- Complaining of knee or lower back pain after a short ride.
- The seat is already at its highest setting and still looks cramped.
Before you think about the next size, try raising the seat. Many bikes that look outgrown are fixed with a small adjustment.
Sizing questions that reach our branches
What does 16 inch actually mean?
The wheel diameter — not the length of the bike or the seat height.
My child is five. 14 or 16?
Measure. If the balls of their feet reach the ground on a 16, take it. If not, 14 is the right call.
Are these suitable for girls and boys?
Yes. Models differ in colour and graphics, not in frame or sizing.
How long will a bike last?
Two to three years on average, a little longer if you use the seat adjustment.
Can I buy training wheels separately?
Our bikes include them, so you will not need to buy them separately.
The bottom line
Start with the chart, then confirm by measuring. Buy the size that fits your child today, and remove the training wheels when you see them balancing rather than when they reach a certain age.
For the rest of the section, browse kids bikes and bicycles or kids scooters.
A child not yet at the smallest size starts with a rocking horse. Those past 26 inch move to mountain bikes, and large play equipment completes the play corner.
