By the child's height and inside leg, not age. Makers publish charts; on the saddle the child should reach the ground with the toes.

Does a child need a helmet?

Yes. The law requires cyclists under 18 to wear a protective helmet of an approved type.

May a child ride alone on the road?

A child under 10 only under the supervision of a person over 15. On pavements, cycle paths and residential, pedestrian and shared zones the law does not require supervision.

Is a balance bike worth it?

Yes, the child learns balance and usually moves to a pedal bike without stabilisers.

Guide d’achat

How to choose a children's bike: wheel size, weight and brakes

This guide explains how to choose a balance bike and a children's bike (wheel size by height, weight, brakes), what the law says about helmets and riding on roads, and what costs least today.

Préparé par la rédaction de Fordeal avec l’IA à partir des données du comparateur. Faits vérifiés le 8 octobre 2026 avec 3 sources citées à la fin ; première publication 8 octobre 2026. Les produits n’ont pas été testés physiquement.

A children's balance bike with an orange frame

The short answer

Choose the wheel size by the child's height and inside leg (10–12″ for the youngest, 14–16″ for pre-schoolers, 20″ and 24″ for school children) and go for the lightest bike. A balance bike helps the youngest, hand brakes with short-reach levers the older ones. A cyclist under 18 must wear a helmet.

A child under 10 may ride on the road only supervised by someone over 15 (Act No. 361/2000 Coll.).
Gears make sense only from 20″ wheels.

Which models do we recommend?

Model: Rascal Punk (balance bike) (dès 5 900 CZK): Size: Balance bikeFor whom: The youngest, learning balance
Model: Dino Bikes 108FLB (dès 1 921 CZK): Size: 10″, front brakeFor whom: A first bike with pedals
Model: Rascal 16 (dès 12 490 CZK): Size: 16″For whom: Preschoolers
Model: Specialized Riprock Coaster 20 (dès 7 490 CZK): Size: 20″, coaster brakeFor whom: Younger schoolchildren
Model: Rascal 20 (dès 14 990 CZK): Size: 20″For whom: Schoolchildren, trips

Decision flow: a children's bike

Is the child only learning balance?
Oui → A balance bike.
Is the child of pre-school age?
Oui → 14–16″ wheels.
Non → School age: 20″ or 24″ by height and inside leg; the smallest 10–12″.
Choosing between bikes of the same size?
Oui → The lightest bike; for older children hand brakes with a short lever reach. A cyclist under 18 must wear a helmet.

What should you look at?

Wheel size (inches): 10–12″ for the smallest, 14–16″ for preschoolers, 20″ and 24″ for schoolchildren. The child's height and inside leg decide; every maker publishes a chart.
Bike weight: a child pushes, lifts and steers a bike that can weigh a large share of their own weight. A lighter bike is learned faster and ridden longer.
Brakes: hand brakes need short lever reach for small hands; a coaster (back-pedal) brake is simpler for the youngest but slows starting off.
Balance bike: a bike without pedals that teaches balance; moving to pedals is then usually quick.
Gears: on a 20″ bike and larger they help uphill, on a smaller bike they mostly add weight.
Adjustable saddle and bars: the bike lasts a season longer.

What does the law say?

Act No. 361/2000 Coll. requires cyclists under 18 to wear a fastened protective helmet of an approved type. A child under 10 may ride on a road, local road or publicly accessible service road only under the supervision of a person over 15; this does not apply on pavements, cycle paths and residential, pedestrian and shared zones.

What do they cost today, band by band?

How many products sit in each price band today

jusqu'à 7 500 CZK10 produits
7 500 CZK – 15 000 CZK13 produits
plus de 15 000 CZK7 produits

Étape suivante →

The lowest band holds small 10–12″ bikes and simpler balance bikes. The middle band holds lightweight balance bikes and 14–16″ bikes from specialist makers. At the top are light 20–26″ bikes with gears, often with a suspension fork.

What is most popular today?

Most searched, at today's price

How has the price moved?

12 490 CZK

7 oct.12 oct.16 oct.

Children's bikes are dearest in spring; in autumn and winter you can buy cheaper for next season.

What do the products in this guide cost today?

DINO Bikes - Children's bike 10" 108FLB with front brake - Boy 20171 921 CZK
Balance bike Rascal Punk! Gold (gold) Colour: gold5 900 CZK
Children's bike Specialized Riprock Coaster 20 INT rainbow flake pink/white Colour: pink, Size: 20"7 490 CZK
Children's bike Rascal 16 Gold (gold) Colour: gold12 490 CZK
Children's bike Rascal 20 Flame (orange) Colour: orange14 990 CZK

Prix produit le plus bas aujourd’hui dans des boutiques notées (livraison à part dans l’offre), taux ČNB du 17/10/2026.

Pour qui

You buy a first bike or a balance bike.
Your child has outgrown a smaller bike.
You are unsure which wheel size to choose.

Points d’attention

Buying a bike 'to grow into'; a bike too big is hard to control and gets ridden less.
Choosing by age instead of height and inside leg.
Ignoring weight; a heavy bike tires a child quickly.
Hand brakes the child cannot reach or squeeze.
Forgetting the helmet; it is mandatory under 18.

Questions fréquentes

Which bike size?: By the child's height and inside leg, not age. Makers publish charts; on the saddle the child should reach the ground with the toes.
Does a child need a helmet?: Yes. The law requires cyclists under 18 to wear a protective helmet of an approved type.
May a child ride alone on the road?: A child under 10 only under the supervision of a person over 15. On pavements, cycle paths and residential, pedestrian and shared zones the law does not require supervision.
Is a balance bike worth it?: Yes, the child learns balance and usually moves to a pedal bike without stabilisers.

Compare children's bikes by price