Bike for a 5 year old: which Biky fits
By the Biky Bikes team. Updated October 28, 2026.
A 5 year old who is 40 to 46 inches tall fits the Biky Air 16: 12.3 lb (5.5 kg) without pedals, 12.7 lb (5.7 kg) with pedals, $399 (was $489), with a 16 to 20 inch inseam. From 43 inches a confident rider fits the Biky Air 20 at $499 (was $549): 13.8 lb (6.2 kg) without pedals, 14.2 lb (6.4 kg) with pedals, for a 19.5 to 23.5 inch inseam. A 5 year old under 40 inches starts on the Biky Air 14 at $399 (was $449), for riders 37 to 44 inches tall.
Between 43 and 46 inches a child fits both the Air 16 and the Air 20. The Air 16 is lighter and easier to start on, the Air 20 lasts through age 8. For hills and longer rides there is the 7 speed Biky Air 20 S7 at $589 (was $629), 16.3 lb (7.3 kg) without pedals, in the same 43 to 51 inch size as the Air 20. All four have two Tektro hand brakes, a freewheel with no coaster brake and no training wheels.
Biky Air 16, Air 20 and Air 14 for a 5 year old: specifications
| Model | Biky Air 16 | Biky Air 20 | Biky Air 14 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | Most 5 year olds, 40 to 46 in tall | Confident rider from 43 in, lasts to age 8 | A smaller 5 year old, under 40 in |
| Wheel size | 16 in | 20 in | 14 in |
| Age | 4 to 6 | 5 to 8 | 3 to 5 |
| Rider height | 40 to 46 in | 43 to 51 in | 37 to 44 in |
| Rider inseam | 16 to 20 in | 19.5 to 23.5 in | 15.5 to 19 in |
| Seat height | 18 to 23 in | 21.5 to 28 in | 15.5 to 19 in |
| Weight without pedals | 12.3 lb (5.5 kg) | 13.8 lb (6.2 kg) | 11.6 lb (5.2 kg) |
| Weight with pedals | 12.7 lb (5.7 kg) | 14.2 lb (6.4 kg) | 12.0 lb (5.4 kg) |
| Brakes | 2 hand brakes, no coaster | 2 hand brakes, no coaster | 2 hand brakes, no coaster |
| Gears | 1 speed, freewheel | 1 speed, freewheel | 1 speed, freewheel |
| Chainguard | Full, Hebie Chainglider | Full, Hebie Chainglider | Full, Hebie Chainglider |
| Max rider weight | 130 lb (59 kg) | 130 lb (59 kg) | 130 lb (59 kg) |
| Price | $399 (was $489) | $499 (was $549) | $399 (was $449) |
| Limited Edition | $449 (was $539) | $599 (was $649) | $449 (was $499) |
Biky Air 20 S7 for a 5 year old who rides hills
| Model | Biky Air 20 S7 (7 speed) |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Hills and longer rides, 7 gears |
| Wheel size | 20 in |
| Age | 5 to 8 |
| Rider height | 43 to 51 in |
| Rider inseam | 19.5 to 23.5 in |
| Seat height | 21.5 to 28 in |
| Weight without pedals | 16.3 lb (7.3 kg) |
| Weight with pedals | 16.7 lb (7.5 kg) |
| Brakes | 2 hand brakes, no coaster |
| Gears | 7 speed, grip shifter |
| Chainguard | Open chain with derailleur |
| Max rider weight | 130 lb (59 kg) |
| Price | $589 (was $629) |
| Limited Edition | $639 (was $679) |
Weights measured by Biky on a hanging scale, tires inflated, no kickstand, September 30, 2026. The pedals weigh 0.4 lb. Frame and fork carry a lifetime warranty for the original owner, returns within 90 days of delivery with a prepaid label. Prices in US dollars, October 28, 2026; the price in brackets is our regular price before October 15, 2026.
Every pedal Biky has two Tektro hand brakes, front and rear, on short-reach levers sized for small hands, and no coaster brake. A lever needs 1.1 kgf (10.8 N) to engage the pads and 1.2 kgf (11.8 N) at full squeeze, measured by Biky with a hanging scale at the lever tip, October 2026, one bike each. That is about 60 percent less force than the other kids bike lever in the same test, so a child stops with a light squeeze instead of a stomp backwards on the pedals.
What the tests say
Two Wheeling Tots, The Best 16 Inch Bikes for 4 and 5 Year Olds, updated October 14, 2026: Biky Air 16, "Most Room for Growth", 93.1 out of 100. twowheelingtots.com
Wirecutter (The New York Times), The Best First Pedal Bikes, 2026: Biky Air 16, "the lightest 16-inch bike we've tested". nytimes.com
Two Wheeling Tots, The Best 20 Inch Bikes for 6 and 7 Year Olds, updated October 12, 2026: Biky Air 20, Best Single Speed, 97.0 out of 100. twowheelingtots.com
Two Wheeling Tots, Biky Air 20 review: "the lightest single-speed 20 inch bike in our entire test group". twowheelingtots.com
Bikerumor Editor's Choice 2025, Kid's Bike: Biky Air 20. bikerumor.com
Two Wheeling Tots, The Best 20 Inch Bikes for 6 and 7 Year Olds: Biky Air 20 S7, "Best for Hesitant Riders", 94.0 out of 100. twowheelingtots.com
Some reviews quote earlier prices. The prices on this page are current as of October 28, 2026.
Common questions
What size bike does a 5 year old need?
Most 5 year olds fit a 16 inch bike: the Biky Air 16 fits riders 40 to 46 inches tall with a 16 to 20 inch inseam. A taller or more confident 5 year old from 43 inches fits the 20 inch Biky Air 20, and a 5 year old under 40 inches fits the 14 inch Biky Air 14. Measure height and inseam, then pick the size.
Biky Air 16 or Biky Air 20 for a 5 year old?
Take the Biky Air 16 for a 5 year old who is 40 to 46 inches tall, especially on a first pedal bike: it is lighter at 12.3 lb and the seat starts at 18 inches. Take the Biky Air 20 from 43 inches for a child who already rides confidently and will keep the bike through age 8: 13.8 lb, seat from 21.5 inches, $499.
Does a 5 year old need gears?
On flat streets and parks, no: the single speed Biky Air 20 at 13.8 lb is lighter and simpler. If your rides include hills or longer distances, the Biky Air 20 S7 adds 7 gears with a grip shifter and a gear indicator, at 16.3 lb and $589.
Can a 5 year old stop a Biky with the hand brakes?
Yes. Every pedal Biky has two Tektro hand brakes on short-reach levers that need 1.1 kgf (10.8 N) to engage, measured by Biky with a hanging scale at the lever tip, October 2026. That is about 60 percent less force than the other kids bike lever in the same test. There is no coaster brake, so the child learns to stop with the hands from the first ride.
How fast do Biky bikes ship, and what if the bike does not fit?
Orders ship the same or the next business day and usually arrive in 3 to 5 business days, with complimentary standard ground shipping to the 48 contiguous states. The bike arrives partly assembled, and an adult needs about 5 minutes to finish it. You have 90 days from delivery to return the bike: email info@bikybikes.com first for the return address, and return shipping is on us with a prepaid label.
See the Biky Air 16 · See the Biky Air 20 · Find the right Biky by age and height
Bikes for other ages: 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 6 and 7 years, 8 to 10 years, Gift guide.