Bike sizes

[Willow4987]

DS1 is getting his first bike in august for his 5th birthday

he comfortably fits a 16”, with the advice of the shop that it should do him about 2 years

the 18” he’s a little small for, can just about touch the floor with one foot on tiptoes. But, he will have stabilisers on so no risk of toppling over and he grows about 8cm a year.

I feel like because he’s late to getting a bike we should get the bigger one. The 16” seem to be for 4-6 year olds

what would you do? Get the one that fits perfectly now or the bigger one that’s slightly too big at the moment

he rode both in the shop with stabilisers and seemed ok

I would get one that did abs not use stabilisers. I’d take the pedals off and let him scout out until he can feel the balance.

Stabilisers will delay progress and a bike too big will knock confidence.

I’m saying this as a mum to a 9yr old girl who is on the podium at Enduro races and has been pedalling since she was 3 👍

Decent kids bikes have a really good resale value too

*get one that fits. Not use stabilisers

The smaller one without the stabilisers. That does not teach them how to cycle, just pedalling. We only used the stabilisers for a few days. Once the DCs worked out how to pedal forwards, we removed them.

Agree to the smaller one without stabilisers. Both of mine learned without stabilisers.

I didn't learn how to ride a bike until I was an adult and did so without stabilisers. Its much easier if you can put your feet down to stop.

Smaller bike no stabilisers

Small bike that fits him now and no stabilisers.

If he doesn't get it then take the pedals off and get him to use the bike as a balance bike for a bit. If he goes on his bike for a couple of hours over a week he will learnt to ride it if he doesn't have balance issues and is confident. If he has balance issues or isn't confident it will take longer but he will still learnt to ride it without stabilisers.

Also you may have to get someone else e.g. another relation, older teen to encourage him.

Definitely smaller bike. No stabilisers.

Ideally get a cheaper 2nd hand balance bike for him to start on, then oncehe's confident move him onto the bigger bike with pedals