Rider-matched picks
Training Wheels for 5 year olds
Size-matched training wheels picks for 5 year olds, with fit and feature priorities curated for how 5 year olds actually ride.
Training Wheels picks for 5 year olds
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Joystar
Joystar DRBIKE Adjustable Training Wheels (12-20")
Universal training wheels — adjustable height lets you raise them as your child gets more confident before removing entirely.
$22.003.9
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Joystar
Joystar DRBIKE 14" Training Wheels
Sized specifically for 14" kids bikes. Use only on a flat surface as wheels lower the bike's ground clearance.
$20.004.1
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Joystar
Joystar DRBIKE 12" Heavy Duty Training Wheels
Heavy-duty version sized for 12" kids bikes — extra-stout brackets target rougher use and slightly heavier riders.
$22.004.1
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Joystar
Joystar DRBIKE 16" Training Wheels
Sized for 16" kids bikes. Verify your bike's rear axle bolt length leaves enough thread for the bracket.
$20.004.1
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Royalbaby
RoyalBaby Training Wheels for 16/18 Inch Kids Bikes
Sized for 16" and 18" RoyalBaby (and most other) kids bikes. Adjustable height lets you gradually raise them as confidence grows.
$18.003.9
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What matters for 5 year olds
Five-year-olds are typically ready for a 16" wheel bike, though smaller children (under 107 cm) may still fit a 14" bike better. At this age, the majority of children have the coordination to ride without training wheels, and many can begin using hand brakes alongside or instead of a coaster brake. The correct fit means your child can sit on the saddle and touch the ground with the balls of their feet — flat-footed contact is no longer necessary. Look for bikes with a simple single-speed drivetrain; gears are unnecessary and add weight and complexity. A quality 16" bike typically weighs 6–8 kg; avoid anything over 9 kg, as heavier bikes are a serious barrier to enjoyment and skill progression.
Training Wheels sizing guidance
Training wheels must match the rear wheel diameter of your child's bike — most kids bikes are 12, 14, 16, 18, or 20 inches. Measure across the tire if the size isn't printed on the sidewall. Most stabilisers bolt onto the rear axle (between the frame dropout and the axle nut) and use a long L-shaped bracket to position the wheel beside the tire. Set them about 1/2 inch (12 mm) above level ground at first so the bike still leans slightly — that lean is what teaches balance. As confidence grows, raise the brackets a hole at a time over a week or two until both wheels barely touch the ground, then remove. Most kids transition off training wheels by age 5–6 if they had a balance bike first, or age 6–8 starting from a pedal bike with stabilisers.
Expert tips
- Most 5-year-olds who used a balance bike are ready to ride a pedal bike without training wheels right away
- A 16" bike is the workhorse for this age — plan on getting 1.5 to 2 years of use before sizing up to 20"
- Introduce hand brakes alongside the coaster brake so the child starts building the habit early
- Let your child practice starting and stopping before worrying about long rides