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How to Measure a Bike for Kids

Learning to ride a bicycle is one of the fundamental rituals of childhood, but unless you measure the bike properly for your child, it can also be uncomfortable or even dangerous. A bike that is too large will be hard for your child to ride and will put undue stress on the legs as she stretches to reach the pedals. In the event of a quick dismount, the child may also do damage to the groin area from falling astride the main bar. Finding the correct size bike for your child requires little time and is well worth the trouble.

Things You'll Need

Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Measure from the child̵7;s crotch to the floor, using a measuring tape, as he stands with legs approximately 12 inches apart. Subtract two inches from that measurement and begin by looking at bikes that measure that number of inches from the floor to the top tube or bar.
- 2
  Ensure that your child is wearing the shoes she would normally wear in riding her bicycle, and go to the bike shop to further determine size.
- 3
  Have the child swing his leg over the top bar of the bike you are interested in and put his feet flat on the floor on either side--maintaining a standing position.
- 4
  Check to see that there are at least two inches, but no more than four inches between the top of the bar and the child̵7;s body, as recommended by REI. This is the stand-over height.
- 5
  Get the child to hop up on the seat of the bike while you hold it steady and upright. With her feet on the pedals, check that her legs are slightly bent at the knee when the pedal is pushed all the way down. The ideal to shoot for 80 to 90 percent full extension of the knee. You do not want the legs to be 100 percent straight because that will cause painful stretching of the child̵7;s legs.
- 6
  Adjust the seat up or down to achieve the correct degree of knee flex. If the bike you are trying out will not adjust enough to provide the correct degree of knee flex, choose another.
- 7
  Continue testing the fit on different models until you find a bicycle that seems right for your child, then take it for a test ride to be sure that it is a comfortable fit. If test rides are out of the question, ask the store to guarantee you can exchange the bike if it turns out to be a bad choice for your child.

Bicycles