Most children are ready to start riding a pedal bike at around four-years-old, especially if they’ve been putting in the practice on a balance bike. Getting their first proper ‘grown-up’ bike is a huge milestone for your little one, and a memory that could last a lifetime. That's why it's so important to choose the best bike for 4-year-olds. We still remember getting our first bikes and the excitement that came with it!
We’ve shared everything you need to know about getting a bike for your four-year-old with our pick of the best that they’re sure to love.
What size bike does a four-year-old need?
Bike sizes for children are broken down by wheel size and can be found by measuring your child’s height. You can use the following from Halfords as a guide:
14-inch wheel: Children that are 105-117cm tall
16-inch wheel: Children that are 112-127cm tall
20-inch wheel: Children that are 125-136cm tall
Most bikes for four-year-olds will need a 14-inch or 16-inch wheel. However, if you’re unsure or caught between sizes, most bikes come with a handy age guide to help you find the right one for your four-year-old.
What to look for in a bike for four-year-olds
Alongside the wheel size and stabilisers, there are a few more features we’d recommend keeping an eye out for:
Brakes
Once you’ve put your child on wheels, there’s no stopping them! So it’s no surprise that brakes are an absolute must. As well as having brakes, your child should be able to reach and operate them without struggle. Look for short-reach levers. Most bikes in these wheel sizes will have rim brakes. The top end will have disc brakes which have superior stopping power.
Design
To keep your kid interested in learning to ride, it’s always best to choose a bike that they’ll love the look of. It could have bright colours, feature their favourite characters, or have fun accessories like tassle-ended handles and a basket for their soft toys. We can’t lie, this makes the shopping process pretty fun for parents too!
Feel
Once you’ve bought their bike, make sure it’s comfortable for them. Being able to reach the handlebars is imperative, as is being able to have your foot in connection with the pedal for a full rotation. While it's tempting to size up to get the most amount of money out of the bike, this is only recommended if your child is a competent rider to start with, a bigger bike and an uncomfortable rider will result in unhappy bike rides.
Fit
You'll know when your child's bike is too small for them, not when there's no more room left in the saddle height, but when their knees start getting too close to the handlebars. A bike which is too small will fatigue your child more readily than a bike which is bigger but fits better.
Weight
The heavier the bike, the harder your child will find it to ride it. The same can also be said of a bike that is too light as they may find it will imbalance easier. Consider if you're going for long bike rides, a child riding a heavy bike will have to lug it uphills, and it'll be harder to keep momentum on the flats. While lighter bikes are often more expensive, there's a lot to be said about a joyous bike ride.
Accessories
A bell and reflectors should be included with the bike. If it isn’t, then the company selling the bike is breaking the law. Other things to consider are mudguards (for all-weather riding), knee pads, a kickstand, a water bottle holder and a helmet.
The best bike for 4-year-old
14” wheel
We’ve selected bikes which start at just over £150. This is because they offer superior value to bikes cheaper than them. Yes, it’s a significant outlay for a bike that your child may grow out of quickly. However, they also offer re-sale value and durability. You could hand these bikes down to siblings, cousins or friends until you may need them back.
www.wiggle.co.uk
Bargain at this price. Do you have yourself a wild child who loves nothing better than going to the skate park on their scooter or bike? If so, this might be the one you plumb for, a purpose-built BMW with geometry for a child. Durable, with nice contrasting colours. There is only a rear brake on this bike, which means it’s illegal to use on public roads in the UK.
Pros
- Purpose-built
- High-tensile steel is solid and durable. It’s heavy, though
- Nice colour
Cons
- Illegal on the roads in the UK, a simple front brake would change this
2.
Vitus 14
www.wiggle.co.uk
The material 6061-t6 Aluminium is often used in adult bikes – it’s a lightweight and durable material that is becoming more readily available as its properties are exploited for bikes. The geometry of this Vitus is such that it’s built for kids with short-reach brake levels and low rolling resistance Vee Speedster tyres.
Review: "Bought for sons 4th birthday, he had mastered the balance bike, and after 3 attempts on this bike, he is riding by himself without stabilisers. Seems so much easier to ride than those horrible heavy plastic covered things you might find elsewhere."
Pros
- Lightweight at 6.04kg
- Kids geometry
- Plenty of colour options
Cons
- Vitus isn’t the best-known name – it’s cycle superstore Wiggle’s own brand
www.tredz.co.uk
You may be familiar with the Raleigh name. You may have even had one of the generations of the Raleigh Chopper, so having a brand you can trust with durability and quality of bikes is peace of mind for you if you choose this one. We love the colour, the white wheels, the wicker basket and the handlebars. Notably, the stabilisers match the bike, so they blend in, not looking like an afterthought.
Review: "My daughter loves her new bike, complete with toy dog! Great customer service too."
Pros
- Nice colour
- Reliable brand
- Solid build
Cons
- A wicker basket won’t last too much time in the rain
- It’s solid, made from tensile steel, but heavy at 9kg
www.tredz.co.uk
If you’ve ever hired a bike from Centre Parcs, the chances are very high that you’ve ridden a Forme bike. Best known for their mountain bike prowess, this is reflected in this 14” wheel by choice of tyres. The Kenda tyres have fantastic grip plus a bit thicker, so they offer a bit of suspension too. Coming in at 6.12kg, you can see why the price is starting to get a bit more expensive.
Review: "Quick, efficient, bike is great. Forme Cublet 14 in purple - son is delighted."
Pros
- Lightweight
- Grippy tyres
- Respected brand
Cons
- Difficult to find a con. The price seems justified
www.tredz.co.uk
Frog have stormed the kid’s bikes market since they’ve come along, marketed themselves well, and their products have stood the test, showing their durability. They also hold their value very well, giving a reasonable resale price. You can find the usuals at this price, short-reach Tektro brakes, an aluminium frame and Kenda hybrid tyres offering excellent all-weather grip on grass, gravel and tarmac.
Review: "Love this bike which we got for our daughter for her 4th birthday. It’s lovely, perfect size and weight. Service and delivery from trees seemed good."
Pros
- Holds value well
- Nice spec
- Recognised brand
Cons
- We’re getting pricey now, and cheaper alternatives are there
16” Wheel
If your four-year-old is a little bigger and you want something that may last longer, consider a 16” wheel.
www.wiggle.co.uk
Like the BMX bike by Stolen Angel above, this one isn’t legal on UK roads because it only has a back brake. However, if your child is riding around the park or the skate park, you may want to consider it. It’s a purpose-built BMX bike at a considerable discount. However, the high tensile steel means it’s heavy at 10.04kg.
Pros
- Purpose-built
- Durable high-tensile steel
Cons
- Not road legal
- Heavy
www.tredz.co.uk
We love this Boardman bike. Not only is it competitively priced, but it is also a bike which will be durable and has some really good spec, too. Lightweight, made from triple-butted aluminium, the frame is smooth welded and finished in a stunning paint job. For this alone, it bests its rivals up and down the price range. It has everything you’d expect, short-reach brake levers, tektro brakes and low-resistance wheels. It’s a brilliant buy.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great price
- Well respected brand
Cons
- You could forget all the other options if it came with a kickstand and mudguards
www.tredz.co.uk
Clever here from Specialized, a brand you may know from adult bikes. They’ve dropped the top tube, meaning shorter legs can still stand with the bike between their legs. This should make the bike last a little bit longer, depending it still fits elsewhere. The weight for this bike isn’t given, but we have asked Specialized if they can supply the weight. Internal cabling makes the bike easier to clean but harder to maintain.
Review: "My granddaughter is absolutely over the moon with her bike."
Pros
- Recognised brand
- Chain guard to keep road spray limited
Cons
- The welding on the frame isn't the prettiest
- For the higher price, it could be more refined
www.tredz.co.uk
Built for a bit more of the rough stuff, this Orbea bike has super chunky and knobbly Kenda tyres, which will give plenty of grip. A small front mudguard will try to catch any road spray off the front wheel, and a handle on the seat will help you if you have to carry the bike. You may be thankful, also, that the bike is made from 6061 Aluminium, which should be lightweight, but Orbea hasn’t given a weight for this bike.
Pros
- Good frame material
- Junior v-brakes for stopping power
- Grippy tyres
Cons
- Not many, and considering the price, that’s a good thing
10.
Cube Cubie 160
www.wiggle.co.uk
German bike manufacturer Cube has bikes in the professional peloton, and they’re trickling down all that knowledge to their kid’s bikes. We can see a Chain Looper on this bike, which keeps any road spray down to a minimum and is much more discreet than a chain guard. The Aluminium Lite 6061 frame keeps weight down to an impressive 6.7kg, while the tyres have an all-weather grip and should handle anything you throw at them.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Clever spec
- Recognised brand
Cons
- A bit more refinement on the frame should be there at this price
20” Wheel
Our final stop for a four-year-old is the 20” wheel, which should see you good until they’re about 7/8 years old. A bigger four-year-old or a much more confident and competent rider will fit into this bike category. With it spanning such a considerable age, your eldest will likely not need to hand it down to the younger sibling. It’ll also need to last for the years you have it, which is why we’ve selected bikes which we think will be able to do this.
11.
Fuji Dynamite 20
www.wiggle.co.uk
With a low-step frame, it’s easy on and off riding built for the off-road. The front fork suspension, alongside the Kenda tyres, is a bit overkill. It adds to the bike’s weight, which is 11.42kg – so expect this bike to be for reasonably flat wooden trails. Anything uphill will tire kids out easily, even with six Shimano gears to help them.
Pros
- Low price
- Step-through frame
Cons
- Heavy
12.
Vitus 20
www.wiggle.co.uk
If you have a child who does a bit of everything in their bike rides, this hybrid kids bike by Wiggle’s brand, Vitus, could be perfect. Even better if they ride their bikes to and from school on the road. For the price, you’ll struggle to find a bike better suited (but we’ll keep giving you options so you have them). Made from 6061-t6 Aluminium, it’s light at 8.5kg, and short reach Tektro v-brakes provide more than enough stopping power.
Pros
- Shimano Altus gears
- Lightweight
- Aggressive price
Cons
- Mudguards and a kickstand are needed to make it perfect at this price
13.
Boardman JNR 20"
www.tredz.co.uk
Like the 14” before it, the bigger 20” is a firm favourite of ours, too. Boardman has hit it out of the park with their JNR range, the first range for kids Boardman has done in 14 years. Carrying all the characteristics and specs as above, it gains 2kg in weight due to its bigger size. Still, it’s lightweight, and with easy change in Shimano gears, your little one will love it.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable, dependable gears
- Built to last
Cons
- A kickstand and mudguards would be perfect
14.
Orbea MX 20 Park
www.tredz.co.uk
This form, Orbea, has everything you need to tackle commutes to school and family bike rides. A low, step-through frame gives ease for getting on and off the bike. Generous front and rear mudguards, integrated front and rear lights, and a kickstand mean you won’t be shopping for after-market accessories. This is a brilliant buy.
Review: "Amazing build and product quality, with first-class support and excellent delivery. I will continue to be a loyal customer to Tredz as they have never disappointed!"
Pros
- Comes with all accessories
- Reliable brand
- Good price to last
Cons
- Not many at this price
15.
Frog 53 20w 2022
www.tredz.co.uk
We’ve included this one because many want to go for the Frog brand. While it is a perfect bike, it’ll last, hold a good resale value, and be passed down from sibling to sibling. Consider the price. In this list, there are cheaper bikes which will do everything the Frog bike will do.
Review: "This is the 4th frog bike we've purchased. They aren't the cheapest to be fair, but they are well made, and built understanding that kids need brakes they can reach and pull. And light enough for them to pick up and move about. My kids love these bikes, and want to ride them all the time. Probably worth the money just to get them out and active."
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Market leader
Cons
- The very high price that’s bested by its rivals
Can a four-year-old ride a bike without stabilisers?
Some kids don't take to balance bikes and prefer the feeling of being able to push on the pedals. Others take to balance bikes like a duck to water. It's all down to the personal preference of the child - there's nothing wrong with going straight in by learning to ride a bike with stabilisers.
Children can learn to ride with two-wheels anytime between the ages of four and nine with practice and encouragement. That being said, your child may be a quick learner and master a two-wheeled bike in no time. If that’s the case, you can remove their stabilisers. Giving them the option will help them to build their confidence on the bike.
If your child is coming straight from a balance bike to a 'big kid bike', to keep things similar, you can always take off the pedals. This is done with a simple Pedal Spanner. Until your child is used to the feel of the bigger wheels and handlebars, getting used to brakes and the idea of pedals, you can then simply put the pedals back on again.
It is very important to remember everyone learns to ride their bikes at different times. Letting your child learn at their pace will mean they'll move off stabilisers and onto a pedalled bike much more readily. There's no need to rush. If your child still wants stabilisers when it comes to bigger wheels, these from Decathlon are perfect.
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