What Size Bike For 5 Year Old Boy Or Girl (Detailed Guide)

If you’re a parent looking to size a bike for your 5-year-old, there’s a lot of information available out there. With so many options, it’s easy to get confused with the details.

Some kids will grow out of their bikes before they grow into their bikes, so it’s pertinent to get the right bike for your child at the right time.

A 16-inch bike is an ideal size suited for a 5-year-old. The truth is that there is no one size that fits children of all ages. As they age, their height and weight change, as do their preferences and needs.

What Size Bike Does A 5-Year-Old Boy Or Girl Need?

A 5-year-old is best suited for a 16-inch bike that also factors in the growth spurt of the child.

However, the size of the bike is best determined by the height and size of the child than the age.

Children of the same age can vary in terms of their height and so selecting a bike based on age alone may not turn out to be a good experience for the kid.

Instead, go with the inseam height of the child. This inseam length is not the inseam length of the pants.

To measure the inseam height have the child stand against a wall without the shoes with a hardcover book placed in between the legs.

Then measure the distance from the crotch to the floor which is the inseam height.

This height determines how comfortable the kid is gonna be with the bike.

Ideally, this height should be 4 inches taller than the top tube (the tube that connects the saddle to the fork) height of the bike when the kid is standing over the bike.

This is also known as the standover height.

A 16-inch bike should be a good fit even If your kid is taller than an average 5-year-old.

However, if your kid is very tall and if you feel that a 16-inch bike may come short, then check out a 20-inch bike or an 18-inch bike that is generally recommended for 6-year-olds and above.

Note that there aren’t many 18-inch bikes on the market, so you may probably have to go with a 20-inch bike if you can’t find the right one.

Conversely, if your kid is shorter than an average 5-year-old, you can then opt for a 14-inch bike that would be a good fit.

A 14-inch bike generally fits kids who are 3 or 4 years old.

Bike Size For 5-Year-Olds:

Two Factors to look for when selecting a bike for a 5-year-old kid are Fit & Weight:

Fit: The fit of the bike is an important factor when selecting a bike.

The fit determines whether the kid is going to enjoy the biking experience and whether she would continue with it or not.

There should be adequate space between the knees and the handlebar while pedaling.

If this space feels cramped then the child will have to exert more during the top of the stroke.

Conversely, if the distance is too much, the child would not feel confident in handling the bike.

Weight: The weight of the bicycle is also an equally important factor along with the fit.

This is something that is overlooked by many parents.

A kid’s physique is not fully developed to lug around weight that is very heavy in proportion to their body weight.

So, selecting a bike low in weight with an aluminum frame can go a long way in ensuring that the child enjoys the experience and look forward to getting on the bike and pedaling.

You can find more information on selecting the best bike for 5-year-olds here.

Is A 20-Inch Bike Too Big For A 5-Year-Old?

A 20-inch bike can be a tad big for a 5-year-old kid. A 16-inch bike would be a much better fit.

However, age is not the ideal factor to assess the sizing of the bike for a kid.

But, if your kid is very tall compared to an average 5-year-old, then you can test out a 20-inch bike and see how comfortable the kid is with the bike.

You can also consider an 18-inch bike too.

If the kid feels confident, then you can opt for a 20-inch bike.

Is a 14-inch bike good for a 5-year-old?

A 14-inch bike would be a little small for a 5-year-old. 14-inch bikes are generally a good fit for 3-year-olds.

A 16-inch bike would be a better option for a 5-year-old, also taking into account their growth spurts.

If your kid is very short compared to an average 5-year-old, then you can test out a 14-inch bike and see which one your child is comfortable with, and then decide.

Is A 16-Inch Bike Too Big For A 5-Year-Old?

A 16-inch bike is a perfect size for a 5-year-old boy or girl.

If your kid is taller than an average 5-year-old and has already learned to bike, then you can test out an 18-inch or 20-inch bike too, and see how confident the child is, and then decide.

This would also help factor in the growth of the child and you wouldn’t find yourselves in a situation where the child has outgrown the bike right after purchase.

Can A 5-Year-Old Use A Balance Bike?

Yes, a 5-year-old can use a balance bike if he or she hasn’t learned how to ride a bike yet.

Balance bikes are great for making the transition to pedal bikes.

One reason for this is that balance bikes are safe and easy to use, especially when learning how to ride a bike.

There is also a lot of fun to be had with these little bikes, and they can be a great way to get kids on their bikes and keep them riding.

A 14-inch balance bike would be the best option for a kid who is 5 years of age.

Once the kid has learned balance and control you can then transition to a 14-inch or 16-inch pedal bike.