Childrens bike sizes

[dubber36]

I want to get our lad a new hard tail mountain bike for his birthday in a few weeks, but am struggling deciding what size to get without taking him to the shop to try them for size.

He has outgrown his 20" wheel bike, so I'm thinking he needs a 24", but being 10 and as near as dam it, 5 foot tall, some size charts on line suggests that he needs a 26". I obviously want to have a bike with some growing room. 26" bikes do open up a larger choice of higher spec bikes, but don't want to buy one that's too big for him now.

Any help would be appreciated.

[The Mighty Elvi]

measure his inside leg. Or look at the label on his trousers.then add a few inches for growing room and use that figure for bike frame chart.

[dubber36]

It's not all about seat height tho'. With the seat up as far as it can go, he's on tip toes on his current bike, but the reach is too short. He's not far of hitting the handlebars with his knees.

[Sam]

Get him on a 26" and a really short stem or even a slight back sweep on the bars. He will grow into it quickly, mostly through adaptation of his riding. Also, slightly too big makes an unstable bike which in turn, makes a very stable little rider.

[1.8Tgolf_Chris]

Id recommend a 24" it will feel alot easier to control and should be lighter, I used to ride bmx had done for 5-6 years stopped when i was 18 ( to start driving ) i use to travel to all sorts of skateparks, but i had a 24 " jump bike as well and im only 5ft 10 and i found 24" fairly hard to throw around... Personally id rule out the 26"

Just as an example this is the kinda 24" I had, But you'd probably want gears for convenience hope this helps

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flow-Dirt-Jump-Bike-24-Hope-Marzocchi-Answer-Saint-Atomlab-Halo-Dmr-/331126849576?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4d18b2c028

[justalex81]

can he not get a 26" with no/very short stem. As he gets older extend the seat height and stem length?

[dubber36]

Just as an example this is the kinda 24" I had, But you'd probably want gears for convenience hope this helps

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flow-Dirt-Jump-Bike-24-Hope-Marzocchi-Answer-Saint-Atomlab-Halo-Dmr-/331126849576?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4d18b2c028

We do quite a few road miles, maybe 10 to 15 at a time in the summer, so something like that looks hard work.

I've got a mate, who's mate runs a bike shop. He's offered me a Cannondale Trail 6 for £400. Good deal, or too much bike for a 10 year old?

[1.8Tgolf_Chris]

I think its worth while it will last a long time, £400 is around a good price Its one of those things where u will get what you pay for, i used to work at halfords and people buy these £100 bikes and come back 2 weeks later because everythings fallen apart
I do think it might be a tad big but maybe because i got 2 nephews that ride bmx's lol
Worse way u can just take it back and exhange for another bike
Have a quick look at these just because i think id go for the 24" wheel, u kinda wont get top spec for a 24" kids mountain bike but it might fit better,
cannondale
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/trail-24-2014-kids-bike-ec056480
Or a kona one
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/shred-24-2014-mountain-bike-ec055971#features
Never heard of the brand, But comes with the same components as the other 2
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/core-24-2014-kids-mountain-bike-ec055521#features

[Booth11]

Islabikes hard tail MTB's are worth a look

http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/creig24.html

http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/creig26.html

They are pricy but superb in terms of child specific design and quality.   Until recently this company only designed and made children's bikes, so they're not just scaled down versions of big adult bikes, but are designed for kids from the outset.  The frame geometry is proportional to age range and components such as brake levers, saddles etc are proportionally downsized to suit children smaller bodies.  They're also very lightweight making them very rideable.  Also the resale value is fantastic, with most well cared for ones selling on ebay for only £50 less than the original price after 2 years.

We bought my 7 year old daughter a 20" large islabike for her last birthday and her riding skills have drastically improved as a result and because it's so light and easy to manoeuvre, we do much longer rides than with previous 'fashion' bikes.

Other ones worth looking at are Felt children's Q series.

http://m.feltbicycles.com/productcatalog/series/2/58852

[JC]

not often I would throw my hat in the ring for peddle powered advice but having just spent more cash on a bike than I normally spend on my Dub purchases i thought I would.

I wouldnt buy it without him trying it. Having spent 2 hours in a bike shop trying the different makes, and frame sizes and wheel sizes I am glad I did, otherwise I would have bought the wrong size bikes going by their sizing guides.

For all it would be a nice surprise for the bike to be there already, a PROPER fitting bike which he can grow into, and being included in the whole trying different bikes experience will mean a lot more than a bike which turns out to be unsuitable in a short space of time.

Just a thought