Measure their height.
Shoes off, back against a wall. Measure from the floor to the top of their head and make a note in centimetres.
CHRISTMAS AT ATLAS / KIDS’ BIKE BUYER’S GUIDE
Little rippers.
Big adventures.
Find the perfect gift for little rippers. From first balance-bike laps to 26″ wheels, here’s our parent-friendly guide to Giant and Nukeproof.
SMALL WHEELS. PROPER BIKES. ADVICE FROM BRIDPORT.
THE BEST GIFTS GET USED OUTSIDE.
START WITH THE RIDER
A good fit.
A bigger grin.
Four simple checks to help you find a bike they can ride comfortably today.
Check the inside leg.
In socks, hold a book gently between their legs as if it were a saddle. Measure from the floor to the top of the book.
Sit on the bike.
Look for a relaxed reach and clearance over the frame. Balance-bike riders and beginners need to put their feet down confidently.
Try the controls.
Can they steer and use the brakes without stretching? On a geared bike, check they can change gear too. We can help with the setup.
Kids’ bike size guide
Use height as your starting point. Age is only a rough guide, and the ranges overlap because every child and bike is different.
A guide, not a guaranteed fit. These approximate ranges are a starting point only. Always check the manufacturer’s sizing advice for the specific model.
| Wheel size | Approx. age | Approx. height |
|---|---|---|
| 12″ | 2–4 years | 85–100 cm |
| 14″ | 3–5 years | 95–110 cm |
| 16″ | 4–6 years | 100–120 cm |
| 18″ | 5–7 years | 110–125 cm |
| 20″ | 6–9 years | 115–135 cm |
| 24″ | 8–12 years | 130–150 cm |
| 26″ junior | 10+ years | 145–165 cm |
Wheel sizes shown are general guidance, not a list of bikes currently in stock.
Not sure? Bring your little ripper into Atlas. We’ll compare sizes and help with the setup.
VISIT ATLAS →BALANCE BIKES TO 26″
Find their next bike.
Browse from the smallest wheels upwards. Giant ARX is a simple all-round choice for family rides; Tracker adds wider tyres and disc brakes for exploring beyond smooth paths.
Shopping for Christmas? The Giant ARX and Cub Scoot buttons open our online shop for current prices and availability. Tracker models are enquiry-only here: call us to check availability and Christmas timing.
BALANCE BIKES
First little laps.
A place to start: learn to balance, steer and scoot before adding pedals.
12″NUKEPROOF
SHOP AT ATLAS
Cub Scoot 12
Good for: Learning balance; park paths; gentle off-road exploring.
A first taste of two-wheel freedom. The Cub Scoot helps little riders practise balancing and steering before pedals enter the picture. Chunky tyres suit park paths and gentle off-road exploring, while the low frame and adjustable saddle help you find a comfortable fit.
No pedals12″ wheelsNo brake supplied
Fit first. Nukeproof height guide: 90–105 cm. Both feet should sit flat on the ground with a slight knee bend.
VIEW BIKE & PRICE
Check the shop listing for current colours and availability.
Manufacturer details →14″ WHEELS
Hello, pedals.
A smaller pedal-bike option for riders ready to move on from scooting.
14″NUKEPROOF
ENQUIRE WITH ATLAS
Tracker 14
Good for: First pedals; parks; family rides on smooth woodland paths.
Ready for the first pedal strokes? The Tracker 14 keeps things simple with one gear, easy-reach brake levers and grippy tyres. A handle built into the saddle gives parents a helping hand while their little rider gets the hang of it.
Single speedRigid aluminium forkMechanical disc brakes
Fit first. Ask us to check height, inside leg and reach for this model.
ASK ATLAS ABOUT THIS BIKE
Call 01308 421264 to check availability, including Christmas timing.
Manufacturer details →16″ WHEELS
Off they go.
Simple single-speed bikes for first independent rides and growing confidence.
16″GIANT
SHOP AT ATLAS
ARX 16 F/W
Good for: Learning to pedal, park paths and gentle family rides.
A light aluminium first pedal bike with one simple gear, child-sized controls and an aluminium fork. Easy to steer and get moving, with tyres suited to paths and gentle dirt tracks.
Single speedRigid aluminium forkRim brakes
Fit first. Approx. 4–6 years in Giant’s guide; check the fit with us.
VIEW BIKE & PRICE
Check the shop listing for current colours and availability.
Manufacturer details →
16″NUKEPROOF
ENQUIRE WITH ATLAS
Tracker 16
Good for: Park laps; family rides; gentle dirt and gravel paths.
For growing riders who want to explore a little further. One gear keeps riding straightforward, while disc brakes with small-hand-friendly levers and off-road tyres help them build confidence on park laps and family adventures.
Single speedRigid aluminium forkMechanical disc brakes
Fit first. Ask us to check height, inside leg and reach for this model.
ASK ATLAS ABOUT THIS BIKE
Call 01308 421264 to check availability, including Christmas timing.
Manufacturer details →20″ WHEELS
A little further.
Gears enter the picture, ready for hills and longer family rides.
20″GIANT
SHOP AT ATLAS
ARX 20
Good for: Family rides, cycle paths and easy mixed-surface exploring.
Eight easy-to-use gears help growing riders tackle hills and longer outings. A light aluminium frame and rigid fork keep handling simple, with child-sized controls and versatile tyres for roads, gravel and gentle dirt.
8 gearsRigid aluminium forkRim brakes
Fit first. Giant height guide: 120–140 cm. Check inside leg and reach too.
VIEW BIKE & PRICE
Check the shop listing for current colours and availability.
Manufacturer details →
20″NUKEPROOF
ENQUIRE WITH ATLAS
Tracker 20
Good for: Learning gears; family rides; woodland and gravel paths.
An introduction to gears for riders ready to go beyond the park. Eight speeds help with changing gradients, and wide tyres add grip on dirt and gravel. The rigid fork keeps the setup straightforward for family rides and early off-road exploring.
8 gearsRigid aluminium forkMechanical disc brakes
Fit first. Ask us to check height, inside leg and reach for this model.
ASK ATLAS ABOUT THIS BIKE
Call 01308 421264 to check availability, including Christmas timing.
Manufacturer details →24″ WHEELS
Bigger adventures.
More room to roam, with youth-sized controls and a choice of riding styles.
24″GIANT
SHOP AT ATLAS
ARX 24
Good for: Longer family outings and everyday rides on paths, lanes and easy gravel.
The same easy-handling ARX approach with bigger 24-inch wheels and eight gears. A rigid aluminium fork keeps it straightforward, while youth-sized controls help children stay comfortable on longer rides.
8 gearsRigid aluminium forkRim brakes
Fit first. Giant height guide: 130–150 cm. Check inside leg and reach too.
VIEW BIKE & PRICE
Check the shop listing for current colours and availability.
Manufacturer details →
24″NUKEPROOF
ENQUIRE WITH ATLAS
Tracker 24
Good for: Woodland riding; hills; mixed-surface family adventures.
For bigger woodland adventures and more confident young riders. Eight gears and a wide climbing range help them tackle hills, while chunky tyres and disc brakes bring control on mixed surfaces. There are mounts for practical school-run extras too.
8 gearsRigid aluminium forkMechanical disc brakes
Fit first. Ask us to check height, inside leg and reach for this model.
ASK ATLAS ABOUT THIS BIKE
Call 01308 421264 to check availability, including Christmas timing.
Manufacturer details →26″ WHEELS
Ready to roam.
Bigger wheels for taller young riders. Frame fit still matters just as much.
26″GIANT
SHOP AT ATLAS
ARX 26
Good for: Older children’s longer rides, everyday journeys and easy mixed surfaces.
A bigger-wheeled all-rounder that still uses youth-sized contact points. Eight gears and an aluminium frame and fork make it a practical step up for longer rides without jumping straight to an adult-sized bike.
8 gearsRigid aluminium forkRim brakes
Fit first. Giant height guide: 145–165 cm. Check inside leg and reach too.
VIEW BIKE & PRICE
Check the shop listing for current colours and availability.
Manufacturer details →
26″NUKEPROOF
ENQUIRE WITH ATLAS
Tracker 26
Good for: Longer family rides; developing trail skills; everyday journeys.
A step up for taller young riders with bigger plans. The 26-inch wheels and eight gears suit longer rides and developing trail skills, with a wide-range cassette to help on climbs. Fit still comes first: a 26-inch wheel does not automatically mean an adult-sized bike.
8 gearsRigid aluminium forkMechanical disc brakes
Fit first. Ask us to check height, inside leg and reach for this model.
ASK ATLAS ABOUT THIS BIKE
Call 01308 421264 to check availability, including Christmas timing.
Manufacturer details →THE PARENT BIT
Good questions.
Straight answers.
Should I buy a bigger bike to grow into?
Buy a bike they can control comfortably now. Room to adjust the saddle is useful; an overstretched reach or a bike they cannot stop confidently is not. If they sit between two sizes, bring them in and we’ll compare the fit.
Balance bike or first pedal bike?
A balance bike lets a new rider practise steering and gliding with their feet close to the ground. Once they can glide, steer and stop with confidence, they may be ready to try pedals. Their confidence and fit matter more than a birthday.
Do they need gears yet?
One gear keeps the first pedal rides simple. Gears become useful for longer rides and hills once a child can steer and brake confidently. The 20″, 24″ and 26″ bikes shown here have eight gears; the 14″ and 16″ pedal options are single speed.
What about suspension and disc brakes?
All the bikes in this guide have rigid forks. For paths, parks and gentle off-road rides, that keeps the setup simple. Giant ARX uses rim brakes; Tracker uses mechanical discs. What matters most is that your child can reach and squeeze the levers easily. Talk to us if they’re heading onto more demanding trails.
Can I keep it a Christmas surprise?
Yes — start by telling us their height, inside-leg measurement, current bike and how confidently they ride. We can narrow the choices down, then work out how best to check the fit. Ask us about the exact size, colour and collection or delivery timing before making Christmas plans.
Is a 26″ bike an adult bike?
Wheel size alone does not tell you how big the frame is. These are youth models, and a suitable reach, standover height and comfortable controls still matter. We’ll help compare a youth bike with other options when they’re ready for the next step.
LET’S FIND THE RIGHT ONE
Give them a bike.
Start an adventure.
Tell us who it’s for, how tall they are and where they want to ride. We’ll help with the rest.
Model information: Giant and Nukeproof. Product links show the pictured colour; other colours and specifications may vary. Photography: Giant / Nukeproof.
More sizing help: Giant’s fit guide · Cycling UK’s sizing advice