Getting your kids the right size bike is important and, fortunately, also easy. You just need two pieces of information about your little rider:
- Inseam
- Rider Experience
Measuring Riding Inseam
- Have the rider stand against a wall with their riding shoes on. Hold a book between their legs so that it is firmly against their crotch and the wall (the same place their bicycle seat will be).
- Measure the distance from the floor to the top of the book.
Rider Experience
Children who are learning are more sensitive to bicycle height than children who already know how to ride a bike. If the rider is new we recommend erring on the side of a smaller bike. If the rider is experienced and confident, it is OK to err on the side of a larger bike.
Inseam vs. Height vs. Age
Inseam is the most reliable size indicator. If you don't have the rider's inseam, but know the rider's height you can use the rider's height to size a bike. We do not recommend sizing based on age. We include ride age as guidance for our bikes as a quick reference. But because riders of the same age can have very different sizes, inseam is a more reliable size indicator than age.
Riding Style
When riding dirt jump and pump tracks, like the Bravo Series is designed for, many riders are most comfortable on a slightly smaller bike. Many riders go to a smaller wheel size for Bravo Series bikes.