Bike Sizing Chart

Kids' Bike Buyer’s Guide

Kids’ bikes are all about having fun, making memories, and giving your child the kind of freedom only found on two wheels. It’s amazing to see your child ride for the first time, head out together on a family cruise, and watch them grow as a rider. Whether your little one is ready for their first bike ever or a bigger size, our guide will help you make the right choice. Happy riding!

  • Kids Balance Bike Size Chart
  • Kids Bike Size Chart
  • Marcher Metal 12’’ 6lb. 75lb. 12-15’’ 2-5
    Roadster Metal 12’’/14’’ 6-10lb. 75-100lb. 12-18’’ 2-6
    Roller Metal 10’’/12’’ 4-6lb. 60-75lb. 10-15’’ 1-5
    Striker Metal 16’’ 13.5lb. 110lb. 18-22’’ 5-9

We’ll cover these topics

  • What size bike does my child need?
  • Kids’ bike size chart

    Size brackets are wide and tend to overlap, plus all bikes fit differently (even if they’re the same wheel size) so head down to your local bike shop with your child for some fun test rides! Pro tip: if your child is older than 12 and/or taller than 4’ 8” you can start looking at adult bikes.

  • How should a kids’ bike fit?
  • What is a kids’ balance bike?

    Balance bikes are like a cross between a scooter and a bicycle. They’ve become popular in recent years as savvy parents have recognized that balance, not pedaling, is the most important part of riding a bike and should be the starting point of any instruction. Balance bikes don’t have pedals, which allows small children to push themselves along using their feet and practice balancing their weight over the bike. They’re the best bikes for toddlers, and teaching kids to balance early on will make their transition to a bike with pedals much easier.

  • What about kids’ bikes with training wheels?

    You probably learned to ride by using training wheels, and most professional cyclists probably did, too. Training wheels are a great way to get kids comfortable riding, and to get them hooked on the feeling of freedom that only a bike can provide. 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. As soon as your child is comfortable with the thought of removing their training wheels, it’s time for them to go!

  • What’s with these different kids’ bike brakes?

    As kids gain riding skills, the bikes available to them will have more brake options. You want to start them off with no brakes (balance bikes) or a coaster brake (the kind of braking that engages when you pedal backwards) because it’s intuitive to put your feet down or pedal backwards to stop. Once they are comfortable stopping themselves using these brakes, and have more developed muscles in their hands, they can upgrade to hand brakes. Some kids’ bikes even have both a coaster brake and hand brake so kids can start getting comfortable with them sooner.

  • Should my kids’ bike have gears?

    Not at first! It’s most important that kids learn how to balance and pedal properly. This is why beginner bikes typically have just one gear. As they gain bike handling skills, confidence, and hand strength, you can upgrade them to a kids’ bike with a few gears. This will help them get comfortable with shifting, which they’ll of course need to know how to do as they continue to ride more complicated bikes. In the end, the ideal gearing for your child depends on their skills and the type of riding they’ll be doing. Gears significantly increase a bike’s versatility and reduce fatigue so that your child can participate in longer rides with the family, or better tackle variable terrain.

  • What else does my child need?

    Definitely a helmet! It’s important for your kid’s on-bike safety and it teaches them that riding safer matters. We also always recommend front and rear lights on every ride to help them stand out, and you can also add fun stuff like baskets and handlebar bags. There’s also lots of options out there for having fun riding as a family, no matter if your child is of riding age or not!

  • Why choose a JOYSTAR?

    We want your kids to enjoy biking just as much as you do, so we put the same amount of dedication and know-how into their bikes as we do yours. This matters because learning to ride on a well-designed bike is both easier and more enjoyable, and when your little one loves riding as a kid they'll love riding forever. Each one of our kids’ bikes is made with durable, high-quality materials and assembled by a professional mechanic so you can focus on having fun with your little ones for years to come.