Bike sizes. So stressed.

[funinthesun19]

I’ve ordered my children’s bikes today and I’m starting to think I should have ordered the bigger sizes.
They are soon to be 8 and 10 years old, and I’ve ordered a 20” for the 8 year old and a 24” for the 10 year old.
Anyone who is knowledgable about bikes, what’s the best size for these ages? Should I have got the bigger sizes? They’re the average height, so not small or tall for their age.

My (just) 8 year old is quite small and definitely outgrowing his 20” frame. Sorry, but I think they might be too small. Too late to cancel order? What make are they? Usually there is a size guide with inside leg measurements.

Admittedly my daughter is quite tall but she outgrew her 20" by the time she was 8ish so I think they sound a bit on the small side. I would recommend actually measuring their inside legs and then using the size guides.

I think you've gone too small.
Can you change?

You need to measure their inside leg for an accurate bike size.

You need to go by inside leg and the manufacturer guides. My 7 year old is getting a 24” as recommended by the manufacturer for her inside leg.

Honestly take them to a proper local bike shop, not Halfords etc, and get them sized up against a range of bikes. Hopefully you can cancel the ones you have and get ones that will definitely fit. Islabikes are probably the gold standard kids bikes, especially in racing and they say 24 for 8+ (130cm child), 26 for 9+ and an XS on an adult size wheel for 11+ of average height.

Sorry OP - my DC are tall but DD outgrew her 20” at the age of 7. I think they are going to be too small.

My average height 8yo has been on a 24 for some time now, my 6yo is on a 20

My very small 9 yr old just moved from 20” to 24”. I think you’ll find the 20” too small.

Thank you for the replies! They are from Smyths. The measurements of their inside leg are well within their stated measurements, but when I googled it says different on other websites.

And to be honest, going off my own gut instinct, I think they’re going to be too small. I spoke to them and they said I can swap them so that’s good.

I’m guessing the 24” will be ok for my 8 year old and my 10 year old will need a 26”? I’d take them both in to be measured properly but it’s a Christmas present!

Could you do something like go somewhere and hire bikes to get a feel for size without alerting them?

My kids are about average height for their age or maybe slightly below average.

Dd - moved from 20 inch to 24 inch on her 8th birthday. Moved from 24 inch to 26 inch at about 9 and a half. Moved from 26 inch to a small adult at nearly 11.

Ds - 20 inch to 24 inch at 7 and a half. 24 inch to 36 inch at nearly 9. Still on the 26 at 9 and a half.

BUT - mine race. And the right size for racing is probably a bit bigger than the right size for messing about with your mates etc.

So an 8 year old is definitely a 24. Possibly a 26 but that would be stretching it.

10 year old is definitely a 26. Possibly a small adult but again pushing it.

Thank you for the resounding advice everyone. It definitely confirms my thoughts.

I’m going back there tomorrow and will change them. The guy in Smyths said it’s not a problem. I’m really annoyed at myself for not thinking it through WHILE I was there. 🙄

That’s such good idea and I wish I’d have thought of that a few weeks ago. But I don’t think I’d have enough time to do that now before Christmas.

At 8 and 10 you need to play the

measure your legs game…
to see if your legs are the same length as your arms etc and measure the head etc

measure the leggs with trainers on to the ground, make notes

this can then be used to ensure you get the correct size

Should say measure inside leg from crotch to ground

My child is 9
I would estimate she's about 125 cm tall so I think a bit small for her age.
I took her to Halfords who said this bike size is her size.
She'd have it on the lowest seat setting and there'd be lots of room for growing
(, She tried it on there)