Dumb question but what size of bike do you get for a 7 year old boy?

[Eulalia]

ds turns 7 next week and we are getting him a bike. He's never had one before due to developmental delay (autism). Haven't got a clue what to get regarding size. What does the inch size mean, is this the height from the seat or the wheel height? I am a bit clueless as to all this. I guess you can use stabilisers on bigger bikes as he won't be able to use the teeny bikes being that bit older. He is a tall 7 year old.

Thanks.

IME it is really best to go and try them on a few in a shop like toysrus. We thought we knew what size to get Dd1 but we were way off.

Take him to a proper bike shop (not, say, Toys R Us). Not all bikes will take stabilisers, a proper bike shop should be able to advise you which will. As for size, again, they shoudl be able to advise you. But, as a rule of thumb, a complete beginner needs to be able to stand astride the central bar with his feet flat on the floor and at least an inch or two of air between his bits and the bar. If he can do this, then it should be possible to adjust the seat to the right height for him. If he can't, then no matter how the seat is adjusted, the bike is not safe for him.

Agree with PCdefinitely don't got to a toyshop, visit a good independent bike dealer. Would add that it's worth paying a few quid extra and getting a good make like Trek or Ridgeback. I'm not sure how much stabilisers actually help them to ride, tbh, see what the shop says. DS didn't use themlearned on a like-a-bike which doesn't have pedals. Unfortunately I haven't seen one a 7 year-old could use.

You can turn any bike into a like-a-bike by taking the pedals off. That's what we did for ds. If you're mechanically inclined (or know bikes), you can take the whole pedal-turning mechanism and chain off, which may be worthwhile for Eulalias ds, as that would make sure that he didn't get upset by the chance of the turning parts hitting his legs.

OTOH, how would he then feel about the change when you replaced the pedals?

OTOH, how would he then feel about the change when you replaced the pedals?

Thanks. It looks like something that is 18" is most suitable judging from the Toys R US site but I agree its risky to just buy one without trying it. Checked Halfords but some of them are twice the price.

What is a like-a-bike? How would it work without pedals?

ds is 5 and I am pretty sure he has either 18 or 20" wheels. I think you would definitely need to try them

Halfords bicycle advice is also very variable. They don't have a particularly large range of the smaller bikes. If price is an issue, then go to a proper bike shop for advice, and then choose a suitable bike from TRU or similar.

The like-a-bike has no pedals. The child pushes the bike along with his feet and gets used to the feel of it and to balancing and steering. Then, when he's completely confident, you replace the pedals (if it was an ordinary bike) and all the child has to learn is how to pedal - they've learned the balancing bit already.

like-a-bikes but sadly they are all designed for a smaller child. Although have noticed they have a seat extension post on offer but it only raises seat by 3cm.