How to Choose a Children's Bike

A children’s bike should, above all, be the right size, safe, and easy to handle. When the size is right, a child learns to ride faster, feels confident, and enjoys riding. On the other hand, if the bike is too big or too heavy, it often leads to frustration (and the bike ends up sitting in the corner).

We carry children’s bikes from brands such as Bow, Brother, Dino Bikes, and Volare, with wheel sizes ranging from 10" to 24". We also have separate guides organized by age and license, as well as a section for bike accessories.

Quick selection based on what you're working on

1) Are you looking for your first real pedal bike?

Here, it makes sense to stick mainly to the 10" and 12" sizes. It’s important for the child to feel confident when starting and stopping, which is why models with training wheels, a lower seat height, and easy handling tend to be the most practical. ACRA has a separate subcategory for children aged roughly 2–4 years.

A good starting point could be the Dino 10" BING, which is recommended for children approximately 78–97 cm tall, features training wheels, weighs just 4.5 kg, and has a “coaster brake” without a front brake—a simple solution for absolute beginners. If you’re looking for a more distinctive licensed design and the classic combination of hand and rear brakes, the Volare Minnie 12" is also an interesting option, recommended for children approximately 95–105 cm tall.

Other recommendations from this group:
Dino 12" Paw Patrol,
Volare Barbie 12",
Bikes for children ages 2–4.

2) The child has already mastered the basics and wants a “bigger bike”

With 14" and 16" bikes, it’s usually no longer just about taking those first pedal strokes, but about helping the child ride independently with greater confidence. ACRA has a subcategory here for children aged approximately 5–7, and these bikes often feature brakes, a lighter weight, and more practical features.

The Volare Princess 14" is a great all-around choice for this stage, designed to help children ride independently with greater confidence. If you’re looking for a classic children’s bike with a licensed theme and features suited for the next stage of learning, the Dino bikes BATMAN 16" fits this role very well; it features pneumatic tires, front and rear caliper brakes, training wheels, a bottle holder, and is recommended for children approximately 107–138 cm tall.

More recommendations from this group:
Dino 14" Unicorn,
Dino 16" white with pink print,
Bikes for children ages 5–7.

3) Are you looking for a larger junior bike for longer rides?

With 20" and 24" wheels, it makes sense to consider not only the size but also the weight of the bike. Although an older child can handle more, a heavy bike is still harder for them to get moving, turn, and maneuver. That’s why ultralight models are particularly well-suited here. ACRA has a separate category for this age group: 7–10 years.

If you’re looking for maximum lightness, check out the BOW 20" (weighing 7.4 kg) for children approximately 110–130 cm tall, or the BOW 24" (weighing 8.2 kg) for children roughly 120–145 cm tall. However, the current lineup also includes a licensed line of larger bikes, such as the Volare Nerf 20" or the 7-speed version of the Volare Nerf 20".

4) Do you want your child to fall in love with the bike mainly because of the design?

This is no longer a niche market. ACRA has a separate section called “Bikes by License,” featuring models with themes like Barbie, Batman, Peppa Pig, Minnie, Paw Patrol, Frozen, Spider-Man, Hot Wheels, Cars, Sonic, Spidey, Stitch, and Princess. If you know your child is most drawn to the design and their favorite character, this is the quickest way to make a selection.

You can find the directory here:
Bikes by License.

Some interesting examples include the Volare Minnie 12", Dino 12" Paw Patrol, Dino Batman 16", and Volare Princess 14".

5) Would you like some nice accessories to go with your bike?

This category now also includes a separate section for Bike Accessories, where you’ll mainly find Volare brand baskets, bells, and handlebar tassels featuring licensed characters. If you want to make your child’s bike feel even more like their own, these are great additions.

Check out, for example, the Volare Paw Patrol basket or the Volare Paw Patrol bell. The full list is here: Bike Accessories.

Key Parameters

1) Wheel Diameter and Child’s Height

Wheel diameter is the quickest way to get a general idea when choosing a children’s bike. We recommend basing your choice primarily on the child’s height—and if you’re between two sizes, go with the one on which the child feels more confident when stopping.

The child should be able to safely reach the ground with their feet (at least their toes) and comfortably maintain their balance when stopped.

10"

– the first pedal bike for the youngest children (height approx. 80–95 cm)

12"

– the most common first “real” bike (height approx. 85–105 cm)

14"

– the transition from learning to ride to riding independently (height approx. 95–110 cm)

16"

– a common choice for more confident children (height approx. 105–120 cm)

20"

– Larger junior bike for longer rides (height approx. 115–135 cm)

24"

– For taller children who already ride regularly (height approx. 130–150 cm)

You can filter by bike size directly within this category.

2) Bike Weight

This applies even more to children’s bikes than to adult bikes: the lighter the bike, the easier it is to handle. With the smallest bikes, this is noticeable during the first few rides; with larger ones, it’s evident with every turn or maneuver. Our selection includes both classic bikes weighing around 9 kg and ultra-light BOW models weighing 7.4 and 8.2 kg.

3) Brakes

On the very smallest bikes, you’ll often find a simpler setup, sometimes even without a front brake. As soon as a child moves up to larger sizes, full-fledged braking becomes more important—for example, a combination of front and rear brakes. In the ACRA subcategories, you can also filter directly by brake type.

4) Training Wheels and Accessories

For younger children, training wheels are still practical and can be removed later. Many models also feature a fully covered chain, a basket, fenders, or a water bottle holder. While these small details aren’t as crucial as size, in practice they often determine how comfortably and enthusiastically a child rides.

5) Theme and Overall “Wow Factor”

With kids’ bikes, this really isn’t a minor detail. The current selection features a separate section for licensed designs and clearly shows that the theme is a common factor in the purchasing decision. If you know your child loves Minnie, Batman, Paw Patrol, or Frozen, feel free to consider that a full-fledged selection criterion—after making sure the size is right, of course.

A Few Quick Tips to Wrap Things Up

✔ If you’re between two sizes, the smaller one is usually the better choice.
Your child will feel more secure on it, find it easier to get going and stop—and will have more fun.

✔ Check that the bike stops reliably.
The child should be able to hold the bike steady and, ideally, touch the ground with at least their toes without leaning.

✔ Adjust the seat right after unpacking the bike.
Even a properly selected bike can feel uncomfortable if the seat is too high or too low. On many models, both the saddle and handlebars are height-adjustable.

✔ The bike’s weight is crucial for children.
A lighter bike is easier to control (starting, turning, maneuvering), and the child will exert less effort. Especially starting with 20" wheels and up, the weight really starts to make a difference.

✔ The brakes must allow the child to brake gently and smoothly.
It’s not just about braking power, but about the child being able to operate them comfortably and maintain control of the bike.

✔ Don’t underestimate the importance of licensed designs.
When a child falls in love with their bike at first sight, they often want to ride it more often. Our selection is specifically designed with this in mind.