What Size Bike for a 10 Year Old?

OK, so you have a 10 year old after a new bike? Well you came to the right place! We are passionate about getting kids on the (right sized) bikes. Whether it's a BMX park/street bike, a BMX race bike, a mountain bike or a jump bike - we can help.

Firstly, we have to say, if you possibly can try a bike in person, you should do that, we have a physical shop right in Wigan town centre, next to the train stations. Anyway, let's get started:

So, How Tall is a 10 year old?
The internet says that the average height for a 10-year-old is:
4' 2" / 127cm to 4' 11" / 150cm

So, now we'd got that out of the way...

BMX Sizing
The reccomended bike size is between 4' and 4' 10" - so 18" is clearly the way to go here. 

For "regular" BMX bikes that are used for skatepark or street riding. The first thing you have to get your head around here is that BMX wheel sizing DOES NOT equate to regular bikes - so if your kid had a 20" kids mountain bike, it DOES NOT MEAN you'll need a 20" BMX bike. Remember, adults 6'+ ride BMX bikes with 20" wheels. So with the average 10 years old, they'd typically need an 18" wheeled BMX Bike. Yes, they could ride a short 20" wheel bike OK but would struggle to ride the bigger bike with the longer wheelbase and taller bars. Kink's bike size guide is handy:

Here are the 18" bikes on our website.

Our best selling bike in this size is - by far and away - is the GT Jr Performer 18":

How Long before they Outgrow it?
With 18" bike they'd get up to 4 years out of it. But keep this in mind - 18" wheel bikes are 1/ Very popular as that's the age most kids start BMX and 2/ They are always in short supply (not all companies make them) so they hold their value really well, better than the more common 20" wheel bike in fact. 

Also, keep in mind just how great BMX bikes are for kids - no gears, suspension and disc brakes to go wrong and they are built to take abuse. 

BMX Race Bikes
There is probably no more imporant bike to get the sizing right with than a BMX race bike. There really is no way to get a size up so they can grow into it, everyhing will be wrong, not just with the frame size and weight, but the handlebar size, crank length and gearing, so you have to get this right, there is no way around it. 

So for the average 10 year old, we are looking at an Junior, something like this:

 

You can see all our Junior race bikes here. 

Mountain Bikes
24" wheels would suit most riders at this age or a small sized 26" kids-specific bike if they are at the higher end of the average size. 

See all our Kids Mountain Bikes here

Here's a GT Stomper 26", as you can see it has a nice low standover height.

 

 

Dirt Jump Bikes
At this age Dirt jump bikes are an interesting proposition, as typically they come in just one size that a 10 year cold probably ride. 

GT actually make a 24" LaBomba, check it out!

Check out all our Dirt Jump Bikes here

So, there you go, we have this have been helpful for you, for more info you can contact us via Live Chat or phone us on 01942 826598.