What size bike for your five year old?

[Anonymous]

Most of the boxes say 16" is good for ages 4 to 8 but it just seems so small. Admittedly, 20" does seem a little bit, although his feet CAN touch the peddles. Which size did you opt for?

[Anonymous]

Does he already know how to ride a bike? I bought a 20" for my 5 YO but it was/is too big for him to learn how to ride on. He can't touch the ground. We ended up borrowing a 16" bike for him to learn on. He's now 6 (and tall for his age) and still hasn't learned.

[Anonymous]

16 inch bike is best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he already know how to ride a bike? I bought a 20" for my 5 YO but it was/is too big for him to learn how to ride on. He can't touch the ground. We ended up borrowing a 16" bike for him to learn on. He's now 6 (and tall for his age) and still hasn't learned.

He's a confident bike rider, yes. Unfortunately his old bike broke and we already got rid of it, so I'm not sure what size it was. It was definitely too small though. I fear it might have been a 16".

[Anonymous]

If he already knows how to ride and you're investing in a good bike, I would go 20"

[Anonymous]

Why not get an 18" bike. My child has gotten 14, 16, 18 and now 20 inch bikes. We use biking as physical therapy so get a new one when he outgrows the old one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he already know how to ride a bike? I bought a 20" for my 5 YO but it was/is too big for him to learn how to ride on. He can't touch the ground. We ended up borrowing a 16" bike for him to learn on. He's now 6 (and tall for his age) and still hasn't learned.

There is a way to teach riding a bike that is successful almost every time. You just have to be able to lower the bike seat until their feet touch the ground. You can raise it later. Then you take off the pedals and have them scoot back and forth on flat pavement until they can coast a little. Then you put the pedals back on and hold the child (not the bike) as they pedal. Then, you have to let go a little. Since they are so low, they can usually catch themselves easily.

20 is way too big for most 5 year olds. A 16 or 18 would be better, but nothing expensive since he'll outgrow it in a year or two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does he already know how to ride a bike? I bought a 20" for my 5 YO but it was/is too big for him to learn how to ride on. He can't touch the ground. We ended up borrowing a 16" bike for him to learn on. He's now 6 (and tall for his age) and still hasn't learned.

There is a way to teach riding a bike that is successful almost every time. You just have to be able to lower the bike seat until their feet touch the ground. You can raise it later. Then you take off the pedals and have them scoot back and forth on flat pavement until they can coast a little. Then you put the pedals back on and hold the child (not the bike) as they pedal. Then, you have to let go a little. Since they are so low, they can usually catch themselves easily.

20 is way too big for most 5 year olds. A 16 or 18 would be better, but nothing expensive since he'll outgrow it in a year or two.

We actually just did this for my 7 year old last week and it worked. A u-tube video said to make sure they can coast for 10 seconds before putting the pedals back on.

[Anonymous]

16"

[Anonymous]

They need to be able to stand over the crossbar (feet flat on ground) with a 1-2 inch clearance. This way, in case they ever stop short and slide off the seat or otherwise end up standing over that part they'll be able to do so without seriously injuring themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They need to be able to stand over the crossbar (feet flat on ground) with a 1-2 inch clearance. This way, in case they ever stop short and slide off the seat or otherwise end up standing over that part they'll be able to do so without seriously injuring themselves.

+1 this!

When my son learned to ride a bike he could pedal the next size up, but he could not use that bike because he could not safely get off the bike. They need to be able to stand over the bike with both feet on the ground.

obviously your child's height and leg length will matter. not all 5yr olds are the same. FWIW we bought my average height son a 20 inch bike at 6.5. at that point we also went with a 6 speed.