Besides researching the company, color, and style, the parents should also consider what size bike for 6 year old would be the best from the use and safety point of view.
As there are different types of car seats by age, there are different types of bikes by age too. But you cannot buy an oversized bike for your kid as you used to do for their clothes! The first thing to know when looking for kids’ bikes is that what size bike for 6 year old?
However, you can choose the size of bike for 6 year old that has adjustable seat height and thus can be used for at least 3-4 years.
Table of Contents
What Size Bike for 6 Year Old is the Safest?
As the child grows from the age of infancy, their unpredictable behavior evolves. They start liking adventures and try to do every weird thing to amuse you more 😉
At this age, it is important to responsibly consider “what size bike for 6 year old is the safest”. Read below to know the best bike size for your adventure lover!
Different bike sizes for children of age between 4-12+ years have been tabled below:
| Wheel Size (Inches) | Age (Years) | Height (Inches) | Inseam (Inches) | Features |
| 12 | 2-3 | 36-39 | 15-18 | Have training wheels |
| 14 | 2-4 | 37-44 | 15-20 | Usually have coaster breaks |
| 16 | 4-6 | 41-48 | 16-22 | Efficient transitional brakes |
| 20 | 5-8 | 45-54 | 19-25 | Have hand brakes and multiple gears |
| 24 | 8-11 | 49-59 | 23-28 | Have all functions of an adult bike |
| 26 | 10+ | 56+ | 26+ | Have all functions of an adult bike |
How are Kids Bikes Measured? Different Sizes of Bikes
As we consider the car seat ages and stages standards to make sure that our child is safe while traveling, we also have to consider the right-sized bike for our growing child.
Right bike size means:
“Bike seat height matches to your child’s inseam height”
You must be thinking how are kids bikes measured? The most accurate way is to measure your child’s inseam and then match it with the given inseam height range for each bike size.
1. Measure Your Child’s Inseam:
Child’s bike sizes are measured by their inseam height which varies with age in the same way as baby car seats vary by age.
Therefore, to get to know what size bike for 6 year old is the best, the parents should know their child’s inseam for the bike they want to buy.
What inseam height is?
Inseam height is the “distance between the base of your zipper and the bottom of the leg opening”.
How to measure your child’s inseam height?
To measure your child’s inseam, follow the steps listed below:
- Place a book in the center of the child’s legs and have them hold it
- Take measuring tape and measure from the floor to the top of the book
- For a 6-year child it will lie between 16-20 inches.
2. Find Out the Compatible Bike Wheel Size:
After knowing your child’s inseam, you can decide on what size bike for 6 year old will be appropriate. Generally,
“You should buy a larger wheel size if your child’s inseam is appropriate for the bike”
Note: larger wheels will allow more stability as well as will have more room for growth.
The good thing about baby bike seats is that:
“A range of inseam heights is there so that your child can utilize their bike for a longer period i.e. there is not a certain bike size for a specific inseam height”
For example, if your 6-year-old child has an inseam height of 16.5 inches, they can have 3 different bike sizes: 12, 14, and 16 inches wheel bikes!
3. Find Out the Compatible Bike Seat Height
How to find out the compatible baby bike seat height?
“Bike Seat height is the distance from the ground to the top of its seat”
A 6-year-old child is capable of handling their bike very well, but it must be comfortable and suits their inseam and height very well.
The height of the bike seat is differently designed and some have seat height adjustment options in them. Then how will you decide what size bike for 6 year old with respect to bike seat height is correct?
Top 10 Bikes for 6 Year Olds- Best Children Bikes
For beginners as well as daredevils and from best on the budget to best for aggressive riders, we have a whole lot of range for your 6 years old kiddo.
There are many old and new brands in the market which are doing their best to provide you with excellent bike quality at an affordable price, durability, and safety for your child (with their innovative braking system installed in the new models).
Read below to know what size bike for 6 year old will suits you the most.
Top 10 Bikes for 6 Year Olds
| Sr. No. | Bike Brand | Distinguishing Features | Sorted by Price ($) |
| 1 | Frog bikes | Best for aggressive riders and have a good color range | 430 |
| 2 | Priority Bicycles | Best for regular riders, easiest to clean and maintain | 389 |
| 3 | Guardian Airos | Top-quality build, user-friendly features, unique brake system | 389 |
| 4 | Prevelo | Adjustable seat height and can be used for a longer period of time | 369 |
| 5 | Pello | All terrain bikes for aggressive riders | 359 |
| 6 | Woom | Designed to make riding easiest and effortless for frequent usage | 359 |
| 7 | Cleary | Durable, rugged, and best for aggressive riders | 330 |
| 8 | Polygon Bikes | Multi-purpose bike, lightweight, and among the best seller | 319 |
| 9 | Guardian Ethos | Affordable, fun designs, efficient braking system | 289 |
| 10 | Btwin Kids Bike | Affordable (best on the budget) without compromise on the quality | 109 |
If your child was using 16-inch bike and now have grown up to 5+ years, he still can use the same bike until and unless they crossed the inseam height limit for 16-inch bike i.e. 22ײ.
Our below-mentioned articles could help save your money and will guide you regarding the right size bike for 6 year old:
3 Things to Consider When Buying a Bike for Your 6-Year-Old
Your 4 years old child can use their bike of size “16 inches” for the next 2 years. It will only happen if the bike will have good material, good brake system, and of a god brand.
1. Bike’s Material:
Bikes frames are made of aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel. The bike material should be lightweight and durable to make it comfortable for the child.
As the baby car seats expire (Britax Car Seat Expiry), the baby bike seats also expire. For most of the brands listed above, the kid’s bikes expire between 8-10 years of their actual manufacture date.
2. Brake System Efficiency:
Baby bike seat brake system varies from brand to brand. The kid’s bikes have:
- Handle Brake (where you have to squeeze a lever to apply brake)
- Pedal Brake (have to pedal in reverse to apply brake)
- Dual brake system (both handle and pedal brakes)
3. Brand/Company:
Invest in the bike brand that offers you durability, quality, and guarantee for your kid’s bike. A good company’s bikes have very good resell prices if the bike is in good condition and not expired.
Related: What to do with old car seats
Conclusion
We have explained above what size bike for 6 year old would be good from your child’s safety and convenience point of point.
If you have provided them with the right-sized bike keep the peace if they are struggling in riding it and falling multiple times, it is part of their learning process ☺
Frequently Asked Question
What size do bikes come in for children?
There are a total of 6 sizes in bikes for children. These include 12ʺ, 14ʺ, 16ʺ, 20ʺ, 24ʺ, and 26ʺ bikes, for 2+, 4+, 6+, 8+, 10+, and 12+ years old children. This is all what size do bikes come in.
What size bike for a 6 year old is appropriate?
A six year old child’s inseam height will be between 16-25ʺ. In accordance with that, there are 2, 16, and 20ʺ are what size bike for a 6 year old are available and appropriate.
What is the best bike for 7 year old boy?
A 20 inches bike will be the best bike for 7 year old boy. The reason is that a seven year old boy will have inseam height lies between 19-25 inches and a 20-inch bike will be best for them.
How big is a 20 inch bike will be for the toddlers?
A 20-inch bike is designed for children of age 5-8 years. For toddlers, 12-inch or 14-inch bikes are usually recommended as the inseam height requirement for them will be 15-20ʺ; think now, how big is a 20 inch bike for the toddler would be!
What is the smallest bike size?
The smallest bike size in the range of children’s bikes is the 12-inch. Bike sizes are designed keeping in view the inseam height of the children for whom it is going to be manufactured.
A toddler’s inseam height lies between 15-18 inches, so the smallest bikes (12-inch) are there for them.
What is the best BMX bike for 6 year old?
A 16-inch BMX bike is the best for a 6 year old child. The age limit for this BMX bike is 5-8 years means that your child can start using it in the 5 years and can use it for 3 more years.
20 inch bikes for adults: yes or no?
There are no standard bike sizes by age, every company’s standard sizes are different. However, if your child’s inseam height (19-25 inches) matches with 20 inch bikes for adults, then they can use it comfortably.
What is the best 24 inch bike?
A 24-inch bike is designed for children of age 8-11 years until they have outgrown the inseam height limit for that bike i.e. 23-28 inches. Vitus 24 is the best 24 inch bike available in the market.
