Buying your child's next bike should be exciting, not confusing. But with different wheel sizes, age recommendations, weights, gears and measurements to compare, it can be difficult to know where to start.
The most important thing is to choose a bike that fits your child properly now, feels manageable for their size and matches their current riding ability.
This YOMO buying guide explains how to choose between the YOMO 14, 16, 18, 20, 24 and 26, what measurements you need, when gears become useful and what to expect when your bike arrives.
What should you look for when buying a children's bike?
A good children's bike is more than an adult bike with smaller wheels. When comparing bikes, pay attention to these five areas.
1. Correct fit
Fit is the starting point. A bike that is too large can make starting, stopping and steering unnecessarily difficult, particularly for a beginner.
Age and wheel size are useful guides, but inside-leg measurement is more important. Height and riding confidence should then be used to confirm the final choice.
2. Manageable weight
A bicycle represents a much larger proportion of a child's body weight than an adult bike does for an adult rider.
A lighter bike can therefore be easier for a young rider to start, steer, manoeuvre and pick up.
3. Child-sized controls
Look at more than the frame. Brake levers, grips, handlebars, cranks and pedal spacing should all suit smaller bodies and hands.
If your child has to stretch excessively to reach the controls, the bike may technically be the correct wheel size but still feel awkward to ride.
4. Appropriate gears
More gears aren't always better.
For younger riders, a simple single-speed bike allows them to concentrate on starting, stopping, steering and pedalling. Gears become more useful as children begin tackling hills and riding longer distances.
5. A bike your child actually wants to ride
Fit and function come first, but children also need to like their bike.
Letting them choose a colour they enjoy can create a greater sense of ownership and make that first ride even more exciting.
You can explore the design thinking in more detail in our guide to what makes a YOMO bike different.
Which YOMO bike does my child need?
The current YOMO pedal-bike range runs from 14-inch to 26-inch wheels.
The table below is a useful starting point, but don't choose from age alone. Measure your child's inside leg and use their current riding ability to confirm the size.
| Model | Approx. age | Inside leg | Weight | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOMO 14 | 3–5 years | 41–53 cm | 5.5 kg | Single speed |
| YOMO 16 | 4–6 years | 46–57 cm | 5.8 kg | Single speed |
| YOMO 18 | 5–7 years | 49–60 cm | 6.6 kg | Single speed |
| YOMO 20 | 6–9 years | 53–67 cm | 7.65 kg | Shimano 7-speed |
| YOMO 24 | 8–12 years | 62–78 cm | 9.4 kg | Shimano 8-speed |
| YOMO 26 | 10–14 years | 68–85 cm | 9.9 kg | Shimano 8-speed |
These ranges deliberately overlap because children of the same height can have different leg lengths and different levels of confidence.
For younger children who aren't ready for pedals yet, you can also view the YOMO 12 balance bike and check its current availability.
YOMO 14: a lightweight first pedal bike
The YOMO 14 is designed for smaller riders beginning their pedal-bike journey.
At approximately 5.5 kg, its lightweight construction helps keep the bike manageable while the single-speed drivetrain keeps riding simple.
It is designed for an approximate inside-leg range of 41–53 cm, but riding confidence matters near the lower end of that range.
If your child is learning to start, stop and pedal independently, prioritise a reassuring fit rather than trying to maximise growing room.
YOMO 16: more room for a growing early rider
The YOMO 16 retains the straightforward single-speed setup while providing more room for growing riders.
It weighs approximately 5.8 kg and has a published inside-leg range of around 46–57 cm.
The YOMO 14 and 16 naturally overlap for some children. If your child fits both, their confidence should help decide between the best fit now and the size that offers greater growing room.
YOMO 18: the useful step between 16 and 20 inches
The YOMO 18 fills an important gap in children's bike sizing.
At approximately 6.6 kg, with an inside-leg range of around 49–60 cm, it gives growing riders more space while retaining a straightforward single-speed drivetrain.
This can be particularly useful for a child who has outgrown a 16-inch bike but isn't yet ready for the additional size or gears of a 20-inch model.
YOMO 20: introducing gears
The YOMO 20 marks the move into geared YOMO bikes.
It weighs approximately 7.65 kg, covers an inside-leg range of around 53–67 cm and uses a Shimano 7-speed drivetrain.
Those gears become useful when children start riding further, tackling gentle hills, joining longer family rides or using their bike more regularly for everyday journeys.
YOMO 24: for bigger rides and growing independence
The YOMO 24 is designed for riders with an approximate inside leg of 62–78 cm.
At around 9.4 kg, it combines an 8-speed Shimano drivetrain with mechanical disc brakes for riders beginning to tackle longer distances and more varied terrain.
It remains designed around children's proportions rather than simply giving a child an adult-style bike with smaller wheels.
YOMO 26: big-bike capability for older children
The YOMO 26 is the largest bike in the current YOMO children's range.
It weighs approximately 9.9 kg, has an inside-leg range of around 68–85 cm and uses Shimano 8-speed gearing with mechanical disc brakes.
It is designed for growing riders ready for longer family rides and greater cycling independence while still benefiting from child-specific proportions and controls.
How do I measure my child for a YOMO bike?
You need three pieces of information:
- inside leg;
- height; and
- current riding confidence.
Measuring inside leg
- Ask your child to stand against a wall in socks with their feet slightly apart.
- Place a hardback book between their legs, level with the floor.
- Raise it firmly until it sits where a bicycle saddle would.
- Measure vertically from the floor to the top of the book.
Record the measurement in centimetres.
Measuring height
Ask your child to stand straight against a wall without shoes. Place a flat book on top of their head, keep it level and measure from the floor to the underside of the book.
Use the YOMO Perfect Size Finder
Once you have those measurements, use our Perfect Size Finder.
Enter your child's:
- height;
- inside-leg measurement; and
- current riding ability.
The Size Finder treats inside leg as the primary measurement, uses height to confirm overall fit and adjusts the safe minimum according to whether the child is learning/cautious or confident/independent.
Where two sizes safely overlap, it can help distinguish between the best fit now and an appropriate option offering more room to grow.
For more detailed sizing advice, read our guide to choosing the right size bike for your child.
Should I buy the bigger YOMO so it lasts longer?
Not automatically.
If your child can technically fit two bikes, the larger model may offer more growing room, but only if they can already control it confidently.
For a learner or cautious rider, the smaller option will often provide the best fit now. It can make starting, stopping and putting a foot down feel more reassuring.
A confident independent rider may be ready for the larger option if their measurements place them safely within its fit range.
The aim is not to buy the bike your child will eventually fit. It is to buy the bike they can confidently control today.
Single speed or gears: which does my child need?
For young riders, simplicity is valuable.
The YOMO 14, 16 and 18 are single speed, so children can concentrate on the fundamental skills of riding without also learning when and how to change gear.
The YOMO 20 introduces seven gears, while the YOMO 24 and 26 use eight-speed drivetrains.
Gears become increasingly useful for:
- hills;
- longer family rides;
- riding at different speeds;
- school journeys; and
- more varied terrain.
Don't move to gears simply because they sound more advanced. Choose them when they add something useful to the type of riding your child actually does.
Why YOMO bikes are lightweight
Keeping unnecessary weight down is a core part of YOMO's design approach.
YOMO uses lightweight aluminium frames together with components selected specifically for young riders.
But weight is only one part of good children's bike design. Geometry, brake reach, handlebar dimensions, crank length and pedal spacing all contribute to how manageable a bike feels.
Read Behind the Design: What Makes a YOMO Bike So Special for a closer look at those details.
What comes with a YOMO bike bought online?
YOMO bikes purchased directly through the YOMO website currently qualify for a free YOMO children's helmet offer.
Choose the correct helmet size and colour and add it to the basket alongside the eligible bike. The helmet discount is then applied automatically at checkout, subject to availability.
The website offer should not be assumed to apply automatically to bikes purchased from a YOMO dealer.
Before ordering your helmet, measure your child's head rather than choosing by age. You can view the YOMO Kids' Helmet range and sizing guidance here.
How much assembly does a YOMO bike need?
YOMO bikes arrive mostly assembled, but the amount of final setup depends on the model.
| Models | Approx. assembly before delivery |
|---|---|
| YOMO 14, 16 and 18 | Approximately 99% assembled |
| YOMO 20, 24 and 26 | Approximately 90% assembled |
Depending on the model, final setup may include aligning and securing the handlebars, fitting the pedals, fitting the front wheel and setting the saddle height.
Always follow the model-specific assembly instructions and complete the final safety checks before your child rides.
Check tyre pressure, brake operation, wheel security, handlebar alignment and saddle height before the first ride.
YOMO delivery and returns
YOMO currently provides free standard delivery to mainland UK.
Orders are normally dispatched within 1–2 working days, with tracking provided once the bike leaves YOMO. Express mainland UK delivery and Northern Ireland delivery options are also available, with the current charges and estimated times shown at checkout.
Unused items can currently be returned within 30 days of receipt, subject to the applicable returns conditions and original packaging requirements.
Because delivery times and options can change, check the YOMO Help Centre for the latest information before ordering if timing is important.
What warranty comes with a YOMO bike?
Current YOMO warranty cover includes:
- 3-year frame and fork warranty as standard;
- lifetime frame and fork cover for eligible bikes registered within 30 days of purchase; and
- 1-year cover on eligible components against manufacturing faults.
The warranty applies to the original purchaser and is subject to the published warranty terms and exclusions.
If you buy a YOMO, register it within 30 days through the YOMO bike registration page if you want to activate the eligible extended frame and fork cover.
What happens when my child outgrows their YOMO?
A children's bike should eventually be outgrown. That is preferable to putting a child on an oversized bike today simply to make the purchase last longer.
YOMO BikeTrade allows eligible owners to trade an outgrown YOMO towards the next size.
Eligible bikes can receive up to 50% credit, subject to inspection. The final amount depends on factors including the bike's age, model, condition and completeness.
The final credit is confirmed after the returned bike has been inspected.
Learn more about YOMO BikeTrade.
Should I buy directly from YOMO or from a bike shop?
Both can be good options.
Buying directly from YOMO gives you access to the current website delivery and direct-purchase offers. Buying through an authorised YOMO dealer can give your child the opportunity to see the bike in person, check the fit and receive local support.
Whichever route you choose, the most important decision is still the same: choose the bike that fits your child properly.
YOMO bike buying checklist
Before ordering, check that you can answer these questions:
- What is my child's inside-leg measurement?
- What is their height?
- Are they learning/cautious or confident/independent?
- Which YOMO gives them the best fit now?
- If two sizes overlap, can they genuinely control the larger option?
- Do they need gears for the riding they currently do?
- Which colour do they want?
- Have I measured their head if I'm ordering a helmet?
If you're still unsure about size, start with the YOMO Perfect Size Finder rather than guessing from age.
Find the right YOMO for your child
The best children's bike isn't necessarily the biggest, the one with the most gears or the one designed for the oldest age group your child falls into.
It's the bike that feels light, natural and manageable for the rider standing in front of you today.
Measure their inside leg and height, think about how confidently they already ride and choose the size that gives them the right balance of fit now and sensible room to grow.
Use the YOMO Perfect Size Finder or explore the full YOMO children's bike range.
