What Size Bike for an 8 Year Old?

OK, so you have a 8 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 8 year old?
The internet says that the average height for a 8-year-old is:

120cm to 137cm
47"-54"
3' 11" to 4' 6"

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

BMX Sizing
An 8 year old could be on a 16" or an 18", see our Kink chart below. If they are mostly riding around then an 18" would be OK but if they are the skatepark then a 16" would help them learn tricks easier as the bike is shorter, lower and lighter. 

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 8 year old, they'd typically need a 16" or 18" wheeled BMX Bike. 

Here are the 16" bikes on our website.

Our best selling bike in this size is - by far and away - is the GT Lil Performer 16":

How Long before they Outgrow it?
They'll get longer out of an 18" than a 16", it depends what they are doing with it, for "just riding" an 18" will do but if they are learning BMX tricks a 16" will be better. But keep this in mind - 16" and 18" wheel bikes are 1/ Very popular as that's the age most kids start BMX and 2/ They are always in short supply 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 8 year old, we are looking at an Mini, something like this Meybo below:

You can see all our Mini race bikes here. 

Mountain Bikes
20" wheels would suit most riders at this age. To be honest we prefer kids mountain bikes for this age without suspension although we know kids want it to be like their bigger siblings, but it adds weight and doesn't work very well.  

Here is a 20" Radio Zuma:

See all our Kids Mountain 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.