How to Size a Balance Bike for Your Child (the Right Way)

The single most common reason a child "won't ride" is a bike that's too tall. The good news: sizing is simple, and it doesn't depend on age — it depends on your child's inseam.

How to measure inseam

1. Stand your child upright, bare feet, back against a wall.
2. Measure from the crotch straight down to the floor.
3. Note the number in centimetres — that's your sizing figure.

The rule: the seat must sit at or below their inseam

Pick a bike whose lowest seat height ≤ your child's inseam, so they can sit and put both feet flat on the ground. That position is what gives them the confidence and control to push off.

Both feet flat on the ground equals confidence. A bike set too tall is the real enemy.

Strider seat-height ranges

• 12 Sport / 12 Pro — seat adjusts roughly 28–48 cm, for ages 1–4.
• 14X — seat adjusts roughly 37–52 cm, for ages 3–6.

If your child's inseam is around 30 cm, a 12-inch model fits nicely. At 38 cm and up, the 14X gives you far more room to grow.

Leave room to grow — but not too much

An adjustable seat lets the bike grow with your child. But starting with one that's too tall "to last longer" usually means they refuse to ride it at all. A bike that fits today beats one they'll grow into.

See the full size chart on our size guide, or browse all the bikes.