Children's bike wheels

What wheel size according to the child's size

The wheel size is primarily determined by the child's size. The twelve inch size is appropriate for balance bikes and first bicycles for three to four-year-olds, fourteen inches for four to five-year-olds, and sixteen inches for around five to seven years. The twenty inch size is generally suitable for children aged six to nine, followed by the twenty-four inch size up until moving to an adult frame. These age ranges are just guidelines: a tall child for their age will move up to the next size sooner. For a replacement wheel, you should choose the exact diameter of the original, as the frame, fork, and brakes are designed for it.

Other wheels and parts

Wheels are also available in different types:

• BMX wheels.
• City wheels.
• MTB wheels.
• Hybrid wheels.
• Rims.
• Hubs.
• Mudguards.

All wheels are gathered on the wheels page.

ETRTO size, the only reliable measurement of diameter

The ETRTO size, marked on the side of the tyre, is the only reliable measurement, as the description in inches can sometimes cover multiple diameters. The second number indicates the rim diameter in millimetres: 203 for the twelve inch, 305 for the sixteen inch, 406 for the twenty inch and 507 for the twenty-four inch. The fourteen inch is the tricky case: some bikes use a rim of 254 millimetres, others a rim of 288, linked to fourteen inch tyres by one and three eighths. A 254 wheel cannot take a 288 tyre, and vice versa. Checking this size before ordering prevents the need for a return.

Coaster hub, nuts, and checking the alignment

A rear wheel with coaster brake incorporates the brake in the hub: the child brakes by pedalling backwards, and a reaction arm, fixed to the bike frame by a collar, absorbs the force. This arm must be repositioned and tightened upon reassembly, otherwise, the brake won't work. On a freewheel, braking occurs via the levers, and the rim should have a smooth braking surface if the bike has rim brakes. Children's wheels are secured by nuts, tightened fully and evenly. A wheel that wobbles laterally while spinning is out of true: it rubs against the brake pads and needs to be trued or replaced.

Deals

Good bargains can also be found in deals, promotions, clearance, sales, and Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24h are processed and dispatched within 24 hours. The key events of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday in late autumn, the holiday season, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school.

Frequently asked questions

Can you fit a twenty inch wheel on a sixteen inch bike?

No, the frame and fork of a sixteen inch bike do not have space for a larger wheel, and the brakes wouldn't align with the rim. Changing the diameter requires a bike of the next size up.

How can you tell if the rear wheel has a coaster brake?

A thick rear hub, accompanied by a metal arm fixed to the frame with a collar, indicates a coaster brake. If the child can pedal backwards without braking, the wheel is equipped with a standard freewheel.

Does a children's bike wheel come with a tyre?

A replacement wheel is usually sold bare, without tyre or inner tube. You can reuse the original ones if they are in good condition, checking that their ETRTO size matches the new rim.

What tool do you need to remove a children's bike wheel?

A spanner or socket wrench suitable for the axle nuts is usually sufficient. For a coaster brake wheel, you will also need a screwdriver or a wrench to release the collar of the brake arm.

Why does my child's wheel rub against the brake?

An improperly centered wheel in the dropouts or slightly out of true is touching a brake pad with each rotation. Loosen the nuts, realign the wheel, then check that it spins freely before retightening.