What Size Bike For A 4 Year Old? All You Need To Know!

We may earn commission from links on this page at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we back!

There are a lot of great bike options out there, and we can help you find the perfect one for your 4 year old kid.

We’ll take a look at what size bike is best for a 4 year old, and we’ll also discuss some of the different types of bikes that are available.

So whether you’re looking for a standard bike or something a little more specialized, we can help you find the perfect fit for your child.

What Size Bike For 4 Years Old?

There is no definitive answer to this question since children grow at different rates and some 4 year olds may be ready for a bigger bike while others may still need a smaller bike. In general, you will need a bike with 12-inch to 16-inch wheels for a 4 year old.

Bike Name	Bike Size	Wheel Size
Balance Bike	16” – 20”	12”
Dirt Bike	17” – 21”	16”
Pedal Bike	14’’ – 16”	14”
BMX Bike	16” – 18”	16”
Wheel Bike	14” – 16”	16”
Frog Bike	14” – 16”	16”

What Size Balance Bike For A 4-Years Old Kid?

For a 4-years old kid, you have to buy a balance bike sizing from 16” – 20”. A balancing bike with 12-inch wheels is usually the first choice for children. 

How To Choose The Best Size Balance Bike For A 4-Years Old Kid?

Wheel size and seat height are the two things that define the size of a balancing bike.

Child’s Inseam 

With shoes on, instruct the child to stand against a wall, squeeze the book between their legs, and gently lift it until it reaches their crotch. Level the book with the ground, then measure the space between the highest point of the book to the bottom.

Seat Height And Wheel Size

With that inseam measurement, you can now determine the optimum position for the balancing bike’s seat height and wheel size when riding.

A balancing bike’s maximum seat height should be at least 2 inches higher than the child’s existing inseam.

What Size Dirt Bike For 4 Year Old?

From 17” to 21” can be the accurate size of a dirt bike for a 4 years old child. Having the proper bike size will make the activity safer and more pleasant for your child.

How To Select A Dirt Bike For Your 4-Years Old Child?

When selecting a dirt bike for your child, there are several variables to consider. The most significant are

Seat Height 

Every child is unique, and one 4-year-old child may be taller than another. So, the safest way to tell if the dirt bike you’re looking at is the proper size is to have your youngster sit on it barefoot.

Type of Engine

A 50cc dirt bike is the finest place to start for a youngster. They don’t have as much strength or weight, making it easier for kids to learn to ride.

Wheel Dimensions

There are two types of wheels on these dirt bikes: large wheels and smaller wheels. 

The large wheels provide additional stability, and smoothness, and decrease the effect of road bumps. Smaller wheels are lighter, allowing you to spin more quickly.

A Mechanism for Starting

The majority of novice dirt motorcycles have an electric start, which means they can be started by pressing a button. The kick start becomes more important as you progress to a bike with more displacement.

What Size Pedal Bike For A 4 Year Old?

A good rule of thumb is to look for a bike that is 14 – 16 inches tall from the ground to the top of the seat. This will allow your child to comfortably and safely reach the pedals and handlebars.

How To Size A Pedal Bike For A 4-Years Old Child?

Sizing always matters whether it is a pedal bike or anything else. Kow how it is important to do so. 

Geometry

In such a small frame, creating a bike that the tiniest of riders can operate with suitable Bottom Bracket height/placement, crank length, and handle-bar reach is quite challenging.

Weight 

A good 14 or 16-inch bike should have an Aluminum or steel frame and weigh less than 18 pounds. For these small ones, the lighter the better.

Hand Brakes

We believe that children aged 3 and up are capable of and should use hand brakes. Little ones might get frustrated since they tend to activate the coaster brake when attempting to push off and pedal.

Gearing

On a child’s first bike, the single gear ratio, or gain ratio, is crucial. It must be capable of carrying the children over modest slopes while still allowing them some speed on the flats.

What Size BMX Bike For A 4 Year Old?

The proper size of a BMX bike is from 16” to 18” for this age of the kid. You may have noticed that the required age range for a BMX bike differs significantly from that of a standard kids bike.

How To Choose The Best Size BMX Bike For A 4-Years Old Kid?

Here are some crucial factors to think about when buying a BMX bike for your child.

Wheel Dimensions

When it comes to choosing a bike, the wheel size is always important. The usual wheel size for BMX bikes is 20 inches. However, based on their sizes, most children can ride BMX bikes in sizes ranging from 12″ to 18″.

Length

Also, examine the length of the crankset, which are the tubes that link the pedal and sprocket, as they come in a variety of lengths and materials.

Sprocket 

The chain is held between the crankset and the pedals by a sprocket or chainring. Depending on the gearing system, it can have 23 teeth, 36 teeth, or even more. 

Gear And Its Ratio 

BMX bikes are single-speed, meaning there are no additional gears. However, while choosing a BMX, keep in mind the “gear ratio,” which is determined by the sprocket and chainring.

What Is The Right Size Wheel Bike For A 4-Year-Old Child?

The approximate size is for a wheel bike from 14” to 16”. Most kids will be able to ride this range of wheel bikes by the age of 4.

How To Determine The Proper Size Wheel Bike For A 4-Year-Old Child?

When your child is checking out a new wheel bike, keep these following in mind:

Height

When it comes to sizing a kids’ bike, the stand-over height is crucial. The kid should be able to straddle the bike with their feet level on the floor and not rest their crotch on the top tube. This is for both comfort and safety reasons.

Handlebars

Without completely extending their arms, the kid should be able to comfortably hold the handlebars. The elbows should be bent slightly. They should be able to effortlessly steer and squeeze the hand brakes.

Seat height

Most children’s bikes are built to allow them to ride more upright. They should be ready to sit comfortably and clearly view their surroundings. At the bottom of each pedal stroke, their legs should be slightly bent.

What Size Frog Bike For 4 Year Old?

The right size frog bike will be between 14” – 16” for a 4-years old child. There are different sizes for different models you will find.

Frog Bike	Size
Tadpole	15”
Frog 40	16”
Frog 44	19”
Frog 47	19”

How to Determine The Right Size Frog Bike For A 4-Years Old Kid?

Unlike many other children’s bikes, Frog bikes are scaled by the leg length rather than age, as this is the most dependable means of ensuring that each child gets the proper size bike.

• Place the kid against a wall.
• Place a tiny book as high as possible between their legs.
• Ask the kid to step back and measure inches from the top of the book to the floor.
• Use this table to determine the correct bike size for your youngster once you’ve measured the inner leg. Please note that we provide the minimum inner leg length for each bike when the saddle is set to the lowest position.
• The kid will be able to put their feet on the ground safely and comfortably at this height.
• Frog Bikes feature lengthy seat posts, so the saddle may be adjusted quite a bit as the rider develops.

Video: Kids Bike Sizes For 4 Year Olds

FAQs About The Right Size Bike For A 4-Years Old Child

Final Thoughts

Now you know what size bike for a 4 year old kid needs. A bike that is too large for a child can be dangerous.

A bike that is too small can be frustrating and difficult to ride. A child’s bike should be fitted to their height and weight. So, set your utmost goal and budget to buy the best size bike for your 4-years old child.