How to measure your child for a bike
How do you measure a child for a bike? – Black Mountain Bikes
How do you size a child for a bike? What size bike do I need for my child? How to choose the right bike size? Let's start by measuring them correctly...
Measuring your child and getting the correct size of bike for them can be tricky. Some people use wheel size, age or inside leg measurement to work it out, but we find that your child’s height is the best way to calculate what bike will fit them correctly.
Why height?
Height is the most universally understood measurement. It’s simple. You get your child to stand against a wall, put a book or similar on their head at ninety degrees to the wall and mark it off. Then measure from the ground to the mark and you have their height. Dead easy, and a very accurate method. We tell people to make the measurement with their child in bear feet. Obviously, no one rides a bike without shoes, but it's the most accurate way to get a consistent measurement!
This measurement then allows you to match a bike to your child’s height. Our design team have access to lot's of ergonomic and anthropometric data for children's sizing and many key dimensions such as leg and arm length can be calculated by knowing the child's age and height. This has all been taken into account when designing and sizing our bikes - so of you get the right bike for your child's height, the key dimensions for reach, wheelbase and standover etc will all be right. Each bike can then be individually 'tweaked' for the child, by adjusting bar height and moving the saddle back or forward (and or course up and down). Then with our PINTO and SKØG bikes the frames and gearing grow proportionally as the child grows.
Age and height can vary wildly
If there is one thing that we have learned it is that age and height can often be totally unrelated. You can have a really tall three year old and a really short six year old that fit on the same bike. Even twins can vary hugely in size and height. There are so many factors that can effect this, from gender, genetics, environment, etc.
Basically age is a really bad way to calculate what size of bike (or clothes, or shoes, etc.) your child will need. Of course there are charts with average height and ages on (it’s all percentage percentiles and stuff like that), but in the real world these are often useless.
If there is such thing as an ‘average’ height you also have to factor in the different ways that boys and girls grow and develop, especially as they get older. You’ll often see quite tall pre-teenage girls dwarfing their male classmates or friends. Fast forward five or six years and the boys tend to overtake them. So growth patterns are complicated things.
Why not inside leg?
Measuring your child’s inside leg is seen by many as the best way to ‘size’ a child for a bike. In our experience it is problematic. Why? Because it’s hard to get right. The idea is to get your child to stand against against a wall, then carefully put a book between their legs up to their crotch. You then get them to step away, mark the top of the book and then measure the distance from the mark to the floor.
We tested this method on numerous friends and members of our families with their children and the variation in measurements was shockingly funny! Often the same child would come out with two totally different measurements depending on who was attempting to measure them (even between mums and dads of the same child!).
Sometimes this was down to a wriggling child, but more often than not it was baggy or low–slung trousers. The low-slung trousers aren’t a fashion statement, it is just the nature of young children’s clothes. They tend to hang low, proportionately they have lots of stitching in the crotch for the area it covers, which often gets in the way when measuring.
This real world testing that we did clearly told us that the inside leg measurement is not the easiest thing to get, not with any real accuracy any way. It seems simple enough to do, but in reality it is not the case.
Standover
The only time that we do think that the inside leg measurement is vitally important is when you need to double-check the standover height of the bike (the distance from the floor to the top of the top-tube).
This is an important measurement because it lets you know if your child can stand over the bike with their feet on the ground. Our bikes are designed with this 'pre-calculated' based on the rider's height, but if your child is very close to the minimum height for a bike, inside leg can then be a really helpful deciding factor - but it must be taken really accurately.
Proportions
We all know that as children grow they go through a lot of changes. We sometimes think that children’s bodies change proportionately, but growth affects different parts of their bodies at different rates. A child grows the most in its first 12 months of its life, and after that it slows down until around 16–18 years of age when it stops altogether. Oddly a child’s head reaches almost full size by the age of one, that is why babies and toddlers often seem top heavy.
By the age of three most children become slimmer, losing their ‘puppy fat’ and rounded tummy. Their rate of leg and arm growth varies also by age, then as they grow and mature there are many external factors that can affect their size.
There's a lot to consider, but we've taken this all into account in the design of our bikes. From our extensive research and data-driven design, followed by tonnes of real-world testing, using riders of all ages, shapes and sizes.
What's next?!
Now that you've got the height measured correctly, check out our SIZING CALCULATOR to work out which model your child is ready for!
Don't Buy the Wrong Size Bike!
So your kid needs a new bike. But you’re wondering… what size bike does my child need? Wheel size is the way that bike manufacturers classify their kids bike sizes, but it’s NOT the only factor! It’s not even the most important factor!
Bikes with the same wheel size can vary drastically in overall size. As a result, your child may fit on a 16-inch bike with one brand, but a 20-inch bike with another. There are even bike brands that offer small and large bikes within the same wheel size.
The age of a child is also typically not a good indicator of size. One 5-year-old may fit on a 16-inch bike while a 4-year-old may fit on a 20-inch bike! So what’s the best way to determine a kids bike size? With our simple tricks, finding the perfect size bike for your child is quick and easy.
Kids Bike Sizes Chart
When selecting a kids bike, a child’s inseam and their height should both be taken into consideration in order to get the best fitting bike.
Click on wheel size below to see our top picks for each size bike.
| Wheel Size | Age | Inseam | Height |
| 12″ | 2 – 3 years | 15″ – 18″ | 36 – 39″ |
| 14″ | 2 – 4 years | 15″ – 20″ | 37 – 44″ |
| 16″ | 4 – 6 years | 16″ – 22″ | 41 – 48″ |
| 20″ | 5 – 8 years | 19″ – 25″ | 45 – 54″ |
| 24″ | 8 – 11 years | 23″ – 28″ | 49″ – 59″ |
| 26″ | 10 + years | 25″ + | 56″ + |
Visual learner? Here is a video walkthrough of our complete kids bike sizes guide.
From measuring your child’s inseam to how to properly set the seat height on the bike, this 6-minute video will quickly answer all your questions.
Kids Bike Sizes: Four Steps to Finding the Right Size
Using your child’s inseam in relation to the bike’s seat height is the best and most accurate way to ensure a perfect bike fit. The frame and the wheel size work together to determine the seat height of a bike.
So by selecting a bike based on seat height, versus age, wheel, or frame size, you can ensure a great bike fit for your child even if they’ve never had a chance to try out the bike before you buy it! This not only makes riding much easier, but all the experts agree a good bike fit is necessary for safety too!
Here are the four simple steps you’ll need to follow to finding a kids bike that’s the perfect size.
(1) Measure Your Child’s Inseam
While most bike manufacturers base their sizing on your child’s age or height, we always recommend using inseam instead.
It’s much more accurate!
(2) Narrow Down Wheel Size Based on Inseam
Using your child’s inseam, find the one or two bike wheel size categories they fall into. In general, as long as your child’s inseam is appropriate for the bike, it’s better to buy a larger wheel size. Larger wheels have more stability and allow more room for growth.
For example, our 5-year-old shown above has an inseam 19.5″ inches. Based on the bike size chart below, she could fit on THREE different size bikes! The larger wheels of the 16″ and 20″ however, will be much better for her as she grows. The next step will help determine which of these two sizes is best.
Kids Bike Size Chart – Inseam Measurement is Key!(3) Find the Perfect Seat Height (
Using Child’s Inseam and Riding Ability)Now that you know what size(s) bike is likely best for your child, it’s time to take your child’s riding ability into consideration. Why? The proper fit of a bike is based on the seat height of the bike as compared to the child’s inseam.
The seat height of a bike, however, should be set differently based on if your child is a beginner, is experienced, or is using training wheels.
The seat height is the distance from the ground to the top of the seat and will help you narrow down your options even further and guarantee a great fit from day one!
Beginning Riders (
1st Bike After a Balance Bike or Training Wheels)A beginning rider (including balance bike graduates) should be able to sit on the bike’s seat and have their feet flat on the ground. At this stage, it’s essential for a child to be able to easily stop their bike using their feet. As a result, their bike’s seat height should be set equal to their child’s inseam.
In the image above, our 5-year-old tester is on a 16 inch bike with the seat height set to 19.5″ to match her inseam. If she were a beginning rider, this bike would be a perfect size bike for her.
SIZING TIP: The seat of a child’s first pedal bike should be set at the same height as the child’s inseam.
Experienced Riders – 2nd Pedal Bike (and Beyond!)
An experienced rider, who knows how to comfortably start and stop a bike as well as use either a hand brake or a foot brake, should be able to sit on the bike’s saddle and have their tip toes touch the ground. This means that the seat should be set 2 to 4 inches ABOVE the child’s inseam. Raising the seat allows for proper leg extension while pedaling, which maximizes the efficiency of each pedal stroke.
If our 5-year-old tester was an experienced rider, this 20 inch bike with the seat height set to 22.5″ (3 inches above her inseam) would be a perfect fit.
SIZING TIP: The seat of a confident pedaler can be set 2 – 4” above their inseam.
Beginner Bike with Training Wheels
For those who plan on using training wheels, feet flat or tiptoes both work, depending on the confidence of your child. Because the child doesn’t have to balance the bike or worry about falling over as much, just set the seat according to what is most comfortable for them.
This typically means that the seat should be set 0 to 3 inches above the child’s inseam. For timid kids, setting the seat lower so they touching with their feet flat is often preferred.
With more aggressive riders, setting the seat higher allows for greater pedal efficiency so they can rider faster, but he cautious not to set the seat too high, as many kids on training wheels still instinctively stop the bike with their feet.
SIZING TIP: The seat of a bike with training wheels should be set 0 – 3” above the child’s inseam.
Balance Bike
If you happen to be looking for a balance bike, be sure to check out our balance bike sizing guide. For a quick reference though, the seat of a balance bike should be set 0.5″ to 1.5″ below a child’s inseam.
While seated on a balance bike with their feet flat on the ground, a child’s knees should be slightly bent (in an athletic stance). The slight knee bend allows them to efficiently run on the bike.
SIZING TIP: The seat of a balance bike should be set 0.5 – 1.5” below the child’s inseam.
(4) Buy for Current Fit and Growth
Now that you know the desired seat height for your child’s bike, you can begin shopping for your bike! Ideally, you’ll find a bike that has a minimum seat height that’s as close to (but without going over) the seat height you determined in step 3.
This allows the bike to fit perfectly now, but also offers the most room for growth so you don’t have to buy another bike too soon!
Here’s an example using the bikes we just saw and our 5-year-old tester. Each of the following bikes are a great fit for a child her size, but which one is best depends on the child’s experience and riding ability.
- Pello Revo 16″ (bike shown in the Beginning Riders section) has a minimum seat height of 19.5”
- woom 4 20″ (bike shown in the Experienced Riders section) has a minimum seat height of 22”.
- Schwinn 16” (bike shown in the training wheels section) with a minimum seat height of 21”.
If our 5-year-old tester is a beginning rider, the Pello Revo is a perfect fit because its minimum seat height matches her inseam and allows her to sit with her feet flat on the ground.
If she is experienced, the woom 4 is a much better option. With its minimum seat height set 2.5” inches above her inseam, she can sit on the saddle and reach the ground with her tip toes. And it offers plenty of room for her to grow!
Lastly, if she is using training wheels, the Schwinn 16 is a great option for her if she is an average or confident rider. With a minimum seat height set 1.5″ above her inseam, she can comfortably reach the ground with low tip toes.
When selecting your child’s bike be sure to narrow down several options so that other factors such as price, weight, brake type and even color preference can also be taken into consideration.
So where do I find the best bikes and their seat heights?
Part of the reason that kids bike sizes are confusing is that there are no bike sizing “standards”.
While the CPSC has rules regarding almost everything else about a bicycle, there are no rules about kids bikes sizes.
To make matters more confusing, most bike companies don’t publish the seat heights of their bikes! Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! We’ve measured the seat heights of over 50 different bikes for you!
You can find seat heights on our comparison charts for each size bikes:
- 12 and 14 inch Bikes Comparison Chart
- 16 inch bikes Comparison Chart
- 20 inch Bikes Comparison Chart
- 24 inch Bikes Comparison Chart
- 26 and 27.5 inch Bikes Comparison Chart
Other Kids Biking Resources
Guardian Bikes RideSizer: Enter in your child age and height and Guardian’s proprietary tool will tell you which size bike is best for them.
woom Bikes Size Finder: Take out all of the guess work of buying the right size woom bike with their bike finder tool.
For additional information on child bike sizes and what other features you should look for when shopping for a bike, check out our article Best Kids Bikes: The Authoritative Buying Guide.
For young kids that have never ridden a bike, a balance bike is likely a better option for them. Check out Why a Balance Bike Should be the First Bike for Your Toddler.
How to take measurements from a child and work with children's patterns - BurdaStyle.ru
We tell you how to take measurements and accurately determine the size of clothes according to the Burda table for your child. And also how to read the symbols correctly and work with children's patterns.
Master class author
BurdaStyle.ru
It's done like this:
In order for the model to sit well on the figure, you need to take measurements correctly, compare them with the data of the corresponding Burda table and choose the appropriate size.
Tip:
should not be based on the size of the ready-to-wear clothes that you usually buy in children's stores. These sizes do not always match Burda sizes. In stores, clothing sizes vary depending on the manufacturer.
Important:
Be sure to take measurements before cutting. They are removed over the underwear, having previously tied the waist with a rigid, for example, rep, tape. Fix the tape. When taking measurements, the child should stand straight, but without tension. nine0003
1. Height
is measured from the top of the head to the feet.
2. Bust
is measured across the widest part of the bust.
3. Waist
is measured over the tape around the narrowest part of the torso.
4. Hip circumference
is measured at the most protruding points of the buttocks.
5. Sleeve length
is measured with the arm slightly bent at the elbow from the shoulder through the elbow to the wrist.
6. Side seam length without waistband
is measured from the bottom of the tape at the waist to the foot.
7. Crotch length
is measured along the inside of the leg from groin to foot.
8. Back length
is measured from the seventh cervical vertebra along the mid-back line to the lower edge of the tape at the waist.
How to measure a small child
After taking measurements:
you need to compare the received measurements with the data in the corresponding table and choose the most suitable size. If necessary, change the pattern by as many centimeters as the measurements obtained differ from those given in the tables. nine0003
How to work with patterns
Pattern sheets (1, 2 and 3) are located in the middle of the magazine. The magazine staples should be opened with a staple remover, ruler, coin, or other hard and flat object so as not to injure your fingers, and the pattern sheets should be removed.
Close the staples again. Lay out the pattern sheets.
The instructions for the selected model contain a reduced drawing of the pattern details. It shows what parts are needed for this model and on which pattern sheet they are located. In addition, the instructions give the part numbers of the pattern, give the dimensions and the lines of the pattern contours corresponding to them, and also indicate how many each part should be cut out. nine0003
Example
This is how the reduced drawing of the pattern details looks like:
1 Front half of trousers 2 x
2 Back half of trousers 2 x
3 Folded hems 1 x
Pattern details are transferred to tracing paper along the contour lines of the desired size.
Burda size charts. How to take measurements
Source and illustrations: Burda special issue. Children 1/2019
How to take children's measurements - A. Korfiati's advice
Before building any pattern for sewing a children's product, measurements must be taken from the child.
Taking baby measurements is not difficult, and the only difficulty most moms face is getting their baby to stand still. But, we are sure that you know how to cope with this task, and we will simply show you how to take children's measurements correctly. nine0003
To make it easier for you to take measurements, tie a thin fabric trim around your child's waist, this simple trick is used by all professional dressmakers. It facilitates the removal of measurements associated with the waist line.
The measuring tape should fit snugly against the body, without sagging or excessive tension. All measurements are summarized in the table of children's measurements, which you can also use. Write down your measurements in a free column and compare with the table, so you will more accurately determine the size of the child and the basic pattern will turn out to be accurate. nine0003
Measurements required for making patterns
Pic. 1. How to take children's measurements
1.
Height
Measured from the top of the child to the floor. It is an important measurement in determining the size.
2. Chest circumference (CG)
This measurement is taken at the most protruding points of the chest. The centimeter should not be too tight or loose. It should fit snugly, but without tension, to the body.
2a. Chest width (WH)
The measurement is taken along the front horizontally at the level of the nipple points from hand to hand.
3. Waist circumference (WT)
Take the measurement at the narrowest point, tightly clasping the waist.
4. Hip circumference (OB)
The measure is measured at the most convex points of the buttocks horizontally to the floor.
5. Neck circumference (NC)
This measurement is taken around the base of the child's neck.
6. Back to waist length (DTS)
The measure is measured from the seventh cervical vertebra to the waist line.
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7. Length of front to waist (DTP)
Measurement The length of front to waist is taken from the point of articulation of the neck with the shoulder (base of the neck) through the most protruding point of the chest to the waist.
8. Armhole Depth (HDD)
To measure Armhole Depth, cut a 3 cm strip of paper and have your child hold it under their arm, the strip at the back. Measure the Armhole Depth from the child's 7th cervical vertebra to the strip of paper.
8a. Armhole width (SHPr)
To measure armhole width, hold a strip of paper 3 cm wide under the armpit, put vertical notches on the paper to the left and right of the armpit.
9. Shoulder length (DL)
The measurement is taken from the base of the child's neck to the extreme point of the shoulder (the point of articulation of the shoulder with the arm).
10. Sleeve length (SL)
The measurement is taken from the extreme point of the shoulder to the wrist along the arm slightly bent at the elbow.
The length of the 3/4 sleeve is measured in the same way, but to the elbow. nine0003
10a. Shoulder girth (OP)
The measurement is taken horizontally around the biceps (at the widest point of the arm).
11. Wrist circumference (W)
Measured around the wrist.
12. Outer leg length (LL)
The measurement is taken from the waist along the outer side of the leg to the floor.
13. Inner leg length (step length) (LS)
The measurement is taken along the inside of the leg from crotch to floor.
IMPORTANT! The difference between the length of the leg from the outside and the inside gives an important measurement that is used in the construction of trousers - Sitting Height (SH).
BC can also be measured: sit upright on a hard surface, tie a tape around your waist. The length from the tape to the chair will be the measure of the height of the seat.
Fig. 2.
