A child's first proper bike should be light enough to lift, simple enough to control, and built to be ridden hard. The bikes we stock are exactly that. We don't sell heavy, badly made “toy bikes” that put kids off cycling before they've started — every children's bike at Bristol Bike Smiths comes from a brand that designs specifically for young riders: Frog, Woom, Hoy, Kona, Ridgeback and Squish.
Come and see us at our Long Ashton shop, just outside Bristol, where we'll size your child properly, let them try bikes for real, and hand the bike over fully built and safety-checked by a mechanic. Most of our staff are parents who've been through exactly this — so the advice is honest, not a sales pitch.
Why a lightweight bike makes all the difference
The single biggest difference between a bike a child loves and one they abandon in the shed is weight. A cheap supermarket bike can weigh half as much as the child riding it, which makes it hard to balance, hard to pedal uphill, and frightening to stop. A well-designed kids' bike weighs far less, so your child can actually control it — they learn faster, ride further, and want to go again.
That's why we only stock brands built around child-specific geometry, low standover heights, properly sized brake levers and lightweight frames. They cost a little more than a toy-shop bike, but they're safer, they last through more than one child, and they hold their value remarkably well second-hand.
The kids' bike brands we stock
We carry the full range from each of these brands across every wheel size, from first balance bikes to junior mountain bikes:
Not sure which brand suits your child? That's exactly what we're here for — call us on 01275 219464 or pop into the shop and we'll talk it through.
Kids' bike size guide: what size bike does my child need?
This is the question every parent asks, and the honest answer is: size by your child's height and inside leg, not their age. Children of the same age can vary enormously, and a bike that's too big “to grow into” is harder and more dangerous to ride. Kids' bikes are measured by their wheel size (in inches) rather than frame size. Use the chart below as a starting point, then let us fit your child properly in store.
| Wheel size | Type | Approx. age | Child height | Inside leg (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–12″ | Balance bike | 1.5 – 3 yrs | 85 – 95 cm | 30 – 42 cm |
| 14″ | First pedal bike | 3 – 4.5 yrs | 95 – 105 cm | 40 – 50 cm |
| 16″ | Pedal bike | 4 – 6 yrs | 105 – 120 cm | 44 – 55 cm |
| 20″ | Junior bike | 6 – 8 yrs | 120 – 135 cm | 51 – 63 cm |
| 24″ | Junior bike / MTB | 8 – 11 yrs | 135 – 150 cm | 60 – 72 cm |
| 26″ / S adult | Teen bike | 11+ yrs | 150 cm+ | 70 cm+ |
How to measure inside leg: stand your child against a wall in socks, pop a book between their legs spine-up, and measure from the top of the book to the floor. That's the most reliable number for a safe fit.
The golden rule for a first bike: when sitting on the saddle, your child should be able to put the balls of both feet flat on the ground. For a balance bike, they should sit comfortably with feet flat. Get this right and the rest follows. Bring your child in and we'll do it for you in a few minutes, free of charge.
Balance bike, training wheels, or straight to pedals?
We almost always recommend starting on a balance bike rather than training wheels. Balance bikes teach the hard part first — balancing and steering — so most children move straight onto a pedal bike with no stabilisers at all, often surprisingly early. Training wheels, by contrast, let a child lean on the wheels and delay learning real balance.
A typical journey looks like this: a balance bike from around 18 months to 3 years, then a first pedal bike (14″) once they're confident gliding and lifting their feet. If your child is older and coming to cycling for the first time, a balance bike still works brilliantly for a short while — or we can lower the saddle on a pedal bike and remove the pedals to create the same effect. We're happy to advise on the right path for your child.
Why buy your child's bike from us
Free expert fitting
Bring your child in and we'll size them properly against the bike, not just a chart. Getting the fit right first time is the difference between a bike they love and one that gathers dust.
Built & safety-checked by a mechanic
Every bike leaves us fully assembled and safety-checked by hand — brakes set, gears indexed, bolts torqued. No flat-pack boxes, no half-built bikes. You collect a bike that's ready to ride.
Trade-in & grow-out scheme
Children grow out of bikes fast. Bring the outgrown bike back to us and we'll give you credit towards the next size up, so moving up a wheel size costs less and the old bike goes on to another young rider.
Local delivery & Click & Collect
Order online and collect from our Long Ashton shop, or take advantage of local delivery around Bristol. Larger bikes are handed over fully built, never in a box.
Advice from people who are parents too
Most of our team are parents who've fitted bikes to their own kids and seen what actually lasts. When we recommend a bike, it's the one we'd put our own child on — not the one with the biggest margin.
What Bristol parents say about us
Kids' bikes: frequently asked questions
What size bike should I get for a 5 year old?
Most 5-year-olds fit a 16″ wheel bike, but it depends on their height — a tall 5-year-old may suit a 20″, a smaller one a 14″. Size by height and inside leg rather than age, or let us fit them in store.
How light should a kids' bike be?
As a rule of thumb, a child's bike ideally weighs no more than around 40% of the child's body weight. The brands we stock are among the lightest available, which is exactly why they're easier and safer for children to ride.
Do you sell balance bikes?
Yes — from Frog, Woom and Ridgeback among others. Balance bikes suit children from around 18 months and are the fastest, most confidence-building way to learn to ride.
Should my child start with training wheels?
Usually not. A balance bike teaches balance and steering first, so most children move straight to pedals without stabilisers. We're happy to explain the options for your child.
Can I trade in my child's old bike?
Yes. Our trade-in and grow-out scheme gives you credit towards the next size up when you bring the outgrown bike back to the shop.
Do the bikes come ready to ride?
Always. Every bike is built and safety-checked by one of our mechanics before you collect it — never flat-packed.