The best kids' bikes will help give your children a quality ride ź¦experišence, that can foster a love of cycling and help them learn a valuable new lifelong skill.
There's always a temptation to buy large, but tź§hat's a mistake as they'll not enjoy a bike that is too large or too heavy for them. While balance bikes are all relatively similar, bikes designed for older children start to diversify into different categories with different end uses in mind.&ānbsp;
Below, we'veź¦« picked a range of quality children's bikes that will give them the best experience, however old they are and whether they want to ride on the road or take to the trails.
Keep in mind that most brands offer the same bike in a variety of sizes so if you like a particular bike but need a different size it's worth checking if it's available.&nšbsp;
Read on for our pick of the best kids' bikes or head lower down the page for our guide to how to choose a children's bike to give them the best rideš¬ experienceā.
The Striderź¦ 12 Sport is a first balance bike with a saddle that can be set very low, so it's a great option to get the youngest and smallest riders going.
A belt drive oź¦Æffers maintenance-free riding, won't get rusty if left outdoors and is safer for little fingers. Hand brakes help them to learn new skills.
The Strider 12 Sport is sturš¼dy but weighšs just 2.9kg (Image credit: Courtesy)
1. Strider 12 Sport
The best kids' bike to start young at a great price
☆☆☆☆☆
Specifications
Wheel size: 12in
Weight: 2.9kg
Age range: 18 months - 5 years
Reasons to buy
+
Budget-friendly
+
Wide adjustability
Reasons to avoid
-
It looks a bit dull
-
No brakes
If your child is between 18 months and five years old, you’ll likely want them to get on a balance bike, perfect for them to get used to steering and balancing on a bike before moving on to actual pedals. The Strider 12 Sport is an affordable option for getting your child on a balance bike. Helped by heaps of adjustability, it is perfect for taking your kid from baby steps to zooming around, without having to even get a toolkit out. In fact, theš« saddle can be dropped as far down as an industry-low 28 cm and be raised to 48 cm, whilst the handlebars are also adjustable.
Whilst it has a sturdy feel to it, the bike comes in at just 2.9 kg. It also comeš§s with wide, knobbly EVA foam tyres that will never go flat, but give your child lots of control on the bike. When your kids get up some speed on something like a small descent, the bike has handy footrests to allow them to get in a safe position and coast. It has no brake however so this is a bike for slow speeds and flat paths and trails.
Prevelo Alpha Zero bike (Image credit: Courtesy)
2. Prevelo Alpha Zero
The best kids' bike to get started with hand brakes early
Reasons to buy
+
Stylish looking
+
Custom name tags are available
+
Trade in scheme available
Reasons to avoid
-
Lacking in adjustability compared to the others here
The Alpha Zero is the entry point to Prevelo’s ranš ·ge of balance bikes. That doesn’t mean they’ve skimped on the specification though. It comes with a lightweight aluminium frame and forks and a chromoly steerer. An easy-to-reach brake lever is attached to a powerful Tektro V-brake for easy, safe stopping. You can customise your ride with coloured grips, and for $20 you can add the rider’s name on the frame; just like the pros.
The bike is finished with great touches like rounded hex bolts so should your kid’s legs hit them they don’t get scratched. Another novel addition is the option to join Prevelo’s trade-up club for $69 a year. If you do, then when your kid grows out of their bike you can trade it in for the next model up with 40% off the originaš³l purchase price.
A carbon frame keeps the Hotwalk's weight low (Image credit: Specialized)
3. Specialized Hotwalk Carbon
The best kids' balance bike if you want carbon fibre
Another impressive design feature is Hotwalk’s composite cockpit. It features a carbon-fibre handlebar and specšŗial grips, which are 38% thinner in diameter than you’d find on a conventional flat bar.
With its slimmer handlebar, tiny hands can find a more secure grip, boosting steeriź§ng confidence and control when rolling along. And with those lightweight Specialized Rhythm Lite tyres and carbon rims, this new Hotwalk will roll faster than any other balance bike you can imagine.
The LittleBig converts š¶to a larger balanš§ce bike, then a pedal bike as they grow (Image credit: Courtesy)
4. LittleBig
The best kids' bike for upgrading as they grow
Reasons to buy
+
Massive adjustability
+
Two brakes
Reasons to avoid
-
A little on the heavy side
The LittleBig begins as a ābalance bike, suitable for kids as young as 2 to practice getting their coordination on a bike and give them that first bit of freedom to explore. That’s not all the bike is capable of though; simply flipping the rear end of the frame upside down converts the LittleBig into a larger balašnce bike with a higher saddle and a longer arm reach. This makes it perfect for any child who is still getting used to balancing but has outgrown the smaller balance bike.
Once they’ve mastered balancing the bike can be converted into their first pedal bike with a simple attachment. The lightweight frame comes with air-filled tyres and a set of high-performing v-brakes for safety. If you’šre in the market ą± for a more sustainable approach to getting your child into cycling, then this bike could be perfect for you.
12 and 14-inch bikes
The Gecko allowās smaller riders to advance to pedalling (Image credit: Courtesy)
5. Cleary Gecko 12-inch
The best kids' bike designed for skills enhancement
Reasons to buy
+
Simple and maintenance friendly
Reasons to avoid
-
Riding position is a little aggressive
The Gecko is small enough for the very smallest of riders and great for those who have mastered their balance bike and want their first pedal bike. The small 12-inch wheelšs and stretched-out geometry make it incredibly stable and easy for toddlers to put their feet on the ground when they are starting and stopping. There is a rear freewheel, and front and rear brakes so they can focus on learning to ride in the style of an adult bike from ź§the start.
The lightweight frame, easy gearing anšd 2 1/8-inch Kenda tyres mean this bike will excel from standing starts when heading uphill, and on the pump track. Compared to some others, it does have a fairly aggressive riding position, and whilst any kid should quickly šmaster any riding position, if your child is a little on the cautious side, you may want to look elsewhere.
Frogš supplies two sets of tyres, so itsź§ bikes can be set up for smoother surfaces or off-road use (Image credit: Courtesy)
6. Frog 40 14-inch
The best kids' bike that's lightweight and durable
Reasons to buy
+
Frog brand service
+
Uses 'proper' components
+
Strong second-hand market
Reasons to avoid
-
Higher retail price
Frog bikes have gained a reputation for quality, and the 43 is a perfect example of why. The Frog 43 is part of their “First Pedal” range, designed specifically to be a child’s first pedal bike. As you’d want for your youź¦ng child, it’s a lightweight machine, meaning there should be no issues for newly-pedalling cyclists. The bike also comes with a simple single-speed gear with an easy-to-push gear ratio.
The aluminium wheels are both lightweight and strong enough to take a bit of a battering from your child. One brilliant addition is the two sets of tyres the bike comes with. The hybrį£id-style tyres are perfect for roads and smooth paths, whilst the knobbly set can be installed when your kid gets confident enough to take it on some muddier trails and paths. Powerful Tektro mini v-brakes finish off the bike and will give your child confidence with braking.
16 and 20-inch bikes
A carbon belt drive keeps things safe and clean (Image credit: Priority)
7. Priority Start 16"
The best kids' bike if you want a belt drive option
Reasons to buy
+
Hand brake and freewheel
+
Gates carbon belt drive
+
kickstand included
Reasons to avoid
-
Only available in the US
Kids who start on a balance bike can sometimes have a reallyšŖ difficult time transitioning to a coaster brake on a larger bike. The Priority Staš§rt 16" uses a hand brake that's much easier to understand while also trying to learn how to stay upright. That's not even the best feature of the Priority Start though.
Instead, the best feature is the Gates carbon belt drive. While most kids of this size use shields for the chain, that only adds weight and complexity. Why not do away wāith all of it and go to a completely clean belt system?š It requires no maintenance and if it gets left outside it will never rust. It's also much safer for curious little fingers.
The best kids' bike for those who really want to dial in the perfect fit
Reasons to buy
+
Components are sized for small hands
+
Lots of available bike sizes
+
lightweight frame
Reasons to avoid
-
Only available in Europe
While Priority Bikes is US-only, Islabikes is a European-only option. It wasn't always like that though. For years aftš·er the brand left the US market there were bidding wars on used examples. Tš»he reason for their demand is all about sizing.
Professional cyclist and triple British cyclo-cross champion Isla Rowntree spent her racing career dealing with sizing issues in her bikeš²s. She understood the importance of proper fit and when she started answering quš estions from friends about their kids' bikes, she realised the challenges were the same. The most obvious answer to this from Islabikes is the sheer number of sizes available but it actually goes way beyond that.
The Yama Jama has a junior MTB spec (Image credit: Courtesy)
9. Spawn Yama Jama 20
The best kids' bike to start mountain biking
Reasons to buy
+
SRAM GC 1x groupset
+
Carbon fork lowers
Reasons to avoid
-
High retail price
The Spawn Yama Jama is a serious bit of kit. A sturdy aluminium frame, aggresāsive off-road tyres, and high-quality parts make this bike ready to take anything your kid can throw at it. The hand-laidą“ carbon fibre fork, with lockout, 15mm thru-axle and 80mm of travel should give you an idea of how Spawn expects your little one to use this bike.
130mm cranks oź¦ffer up suitable crank lengths for your youngsters, but the SRAM pattern direct-mount chainring interface means chainrings can be swapped in and out, and the sealed external bottom bracket keeps things spinning smoothly. The groupset is SRAM's 10-speed GX, pairing a 30T chainring with a 10-36T cassette. Tektro's Auriga hydraulic discs provide the stopping power.
ź¦¦As expected, there’s plenty of saddle and handlebar height adjustment as well, so the bike can grow with your child.
The Trek Wahoo 20 can be used on-road and off (Image credit: Trek)
10. Trek Wahoo 20
The best kids' bike for kids who want to go anywhere
Reasons to buy
+
Budget-friendly
+
Eight gears
Reasons to avoid
-
Rim brake action isn't quite as light as a disc brake for small hands
While adult bikes have become increasingly all-road capable, kids' bikes are lagging behind the trend. There are excellent on-road bikes and excellent off-road bikes, but should kids have to choose? The Trek Wahoo 20 is an option that lets your kids go anywhere. It's not the most serious off-road bike buā±t it's versatile enough that it's not going to hold kids back.
Beyond that, it's alsš“o a quality-built bike. The frame is a lightweight aluminium and it's specced with a Shimano 1x8 drivetrain. Part of making sure it works on all surfaces is gearing and that means here you've got easier gears than most road bikes. For small legs that aren't as used to climbing, those gears will be welcome no matter the surface.
24 and 26-inch bikes
The Riprock 24 has serious off-road capability (Image credit: Courtesy)
11. Specialized Riprock 24
The best kids' bike for kids who want to shred
Reasons to buy
+
Great value
+
Gearing is excellent for small kids
Reasons to avoid
-
Disc brakes are mechanical and will need more adjustment
This is a serious piece of kit ź¦Æfor any aspiring mountain biker. The huge 2.8-inch tyres, sturdy aluminium frame anšd 70mm Suntour suspension fork make it perfect for some tough love as a first off-road bike. The eight-speed Shimano gears mean your kid will be fine going uphill and the Tektro disc brakes will take care of them heading downhill.
The dropped-frame š¬design means there’s plenty of room to grow with this bike, so long as they can push the weight of what is a sturdy bike. This is an ideal bike for a child who is growing more confident with riding and is looking to push their skills to the next level off-road or on the trails with their parents.
The ARX 24 is designed to be light and zippy (Image credit: Courtesy)
12. Giant ARX 24
The best kids' bike for those who like classic road bike design
Reasons to buy
+
Lightweight aluminium frame
+
Tyres are good for both on and some off-road riding
+
Keeps a 1:1 gearing ratio even on a road bike
Reasons to avoid
-
Rim brakes are a little harder to pull
Giant claims that the aluminium frame at the centre of this bike is the lightest in its category, meaning it should zip up climbs with ease. They can’t see why lightweight bikes need to be the āpreserve of the MAMIL, so have designed the ARX to be lighter, quicker anā¦d therefore more fun for younger riders.
The frame features a lš owā centre of gravity to help with handling and stability, to which they’ve fitted ever-reliable Shimano shifters. The 1.5-inch tyres will allow your kids to ride with speed and confidence on road, gravel and even some dirt. The bike has an adjustable saddle and handlebar positions to allow the bike to grow alongside your child.
Frog Bikes hasš· a reputation for quality ā¤kids' bikes (Image credit: Frog Bikes)
13. Frog 73, 26-inch
A kids' bike with proper, serviceable components
Reasons to buy
+
5-year warranty on frame and forks
+
Reflectors, mudguard and bell included
+
Short lever travel for shifter
Reasons to avoid
-
Rim brakes may be harder to pull
Frog has a great reputation for making great value do-it-all bikes for good reason, and the Frog 73 is a prime ešxample of what it has to offer. The Frog 73 is built from lightweight aluminium, and the whole bike cš¤Ŗomes in at an impressive 10kg. The bike is kitted out with 8-speed Shimano gears and powerful Tektro bikes.
As your child begins to crave more indepešndence, they’ll want a bike that can do it all and the 1.5-inch hybrid tyres are ideal for mixed riding both on and off-road, allowing them to go almost wherever they want when exploring.
Electric bikes
The Woošm Up 6 has a removeable Fazua motor system (Image credit: Woom)
14. Woom Up 6
The best kids' bike for kids who sometimes want assistance
Reasons to buy
+
Available in both 24- and 26-inch sizes
+
Thru-axles
+
Hydraulic brakes
+
Removable battery
Reasons to avoid
-
Not available in the UK
The idea of an electric kids' bike might sound radical but it's happening. And may be useful if you live in hilly or challenging terrain. Woom already makes some of the best kids' bikes on the market. The Woom Up range starts with the Woom Up 5. The Up 6 is the next size up and a mountain bike with some of the best components available to kids. Things like thru-axles, andź¦Æ hydraulic disc brakes, that you just don't find elsewhere - then they add a Fazua electric motor to the mix.
The Fazua system is well-known in adult electric bikes. In this case, it's updated to make it work even better for kids. Its removability has always been its strength. The battery and motor are one unit. Remove them andš§ the bike is useable without assistance. For the Woom Up 6, the system has a lower assisted top speed but it's still got the power to help kids keep up with the rest of the family.
A Bosch motor system provides uphill assistance (Image credit: Cube)
15. Cube Acid 240 Hybrid Rookie Pro
The best kids' bike for kids who sometimes want assistance
Reasons to buy
+
180mm front brake
+
Hydraulic brakes
+
Removable battery
Reasons to avoid
-
Not available in the US
-
Quick release axles
UK electric bike laws mean that a 24-inch wheeledš§ bike probably means off-road use only given the age range associated with the sizing. With that in mind many of the, already limited, brands offering electric bikes don't make them available in the UK at all. For those in the UK that leaves the Cube Acid 240 Hybrid Rookie Pro as one of the only options available.
If you like the idea of riding with your kid, they will have the same power to shred trails as you. If they have to push it tą²here's a walk mode that will help with the added weight of the bike also.
How to choose
There's a lot to think about when choosing the best kids' bike for your child. That starts with š¤”sizing, but where they'll ride, š weight and adjustability as they grow are all important considerations.
Here's our guide to how to choose thš§e best kids'š bikes for your children.
How to choose the right size bike for my child?
Getting the correct size kids' bike is vital to your child's enjoyment, with the obvious caveat being children grow rź¦°apidly. Obviously, if you buy a bike that is far too big then they might not be able to reach the pedals or bars, but the size of the bike also affects its handling, and the wrong size could be difficult to control.
The geometry of kids’ bikes is also changing. Just like adult bikes, those with shorter wheelbases will be more responsive, even feeling slightly twitchy. With younger or more inexperienced children especially, you shoulšd consider bikes with more relaxed, longer wheelbases relative to their size. This will make the bike feel more settled, helping your kid to learn how to balance thešir bike and develop their skills.
What is the right weight for a kids' bike?
Obsessing over the weight of bikes might be the preserve of road cyclists, but it surely matters even more for children. Given their size, a small difference in the weight of the bike could make a huge diffešrence inā how it feels and therefore to their enjoyment. Steel bikes might be cheaper, but aluminium ones will be much lighter, and perhaps more enjoyable.
Tyre width is also important. Wider tyres with more tread will offer more grip. That's useful for off-road riding but also adds rolling resistance. Wider tyres will also be heavier and bikes with wider tyres are štypically built more robust, which is again heavier.
It's also worth considering how many gears they need, as again this can add weight. Children may not be heavy enough for suspension forks to work effectively and again they're a feature that adą¹ds extra weight.
In the US, kids’ bikes are required to come with coaster brakes at a minimum. For good reason, too; they’re virtually maintenance-free and ią¹ntuitive for a child to use. You might want to look out for bikes which also have regular rim brakes though. Learning this action as a toddler will get them used to handling a bike in the same way they’ll need to as they grow up and start using larger bikes. They do require a certain amount of simple maintenance, but if you’re not comfortable with doing this it’ll only cost a small amount to have a shop do it for you.
Training wheels or stabilisers are still available, but much less popular than they were. In the short term, they might stop your child fromš toppling over, but they do little to teach them how to balance on a bike; that’s where the wonderful balance bikes do their magic. They allow kids to develop their balance and control on a bike whilst they still have the safety net of their feet on the ground befoš¤Ŗre they move up to bikes with pedals.
What other features should a kids' bike have?
To allow your child to get as much use of the bike as possible, look out for bikes that can be adjusted as they grow older. In particular, you’ll want a saddle that can be moved up or down and ļ·½slide back and forth on rails, and handlebars that can be raised as needed.
The gearing on most children’s bikes is simple with the use of single-speed systems. However, there might be small variations in gearing that is used, with some bikes being more suited to the flat than hilly terrain. If you want a bike that can be used off-road or to go uphill, keep an eye out for easier gear ratios. Some of the larger kids' bikes will come with 6 or 8-speed gearing systems, and these should have the range šof gears that your child needs to get them everywhere they want to go.
Most children’s bikes will come with tyres much wider than those you&rsquoš²;ll find on a road bike. This will have the benefit of being more comfortable, offering more balance, and being grippier. Some bikes will come with solid tyres and whilst these will offer full puncture resistance, if you can, get air-filled tyres which will allow you to adjust the pressure in them depending on the kind of ground your child is riding on.
How much should I spend on a kids' bike?
There's a temptation to economise on children's biź§kes, as they'll grow out of them so quickly.
But there are benefits to buying a quality kids' bike, even if it costs more. A more expensive model may be lighter and more robust and it may have components sized for use by smaller hands and shorter legs. Kids' body propšortions are different from adults too, so a quality kids' bike will have a geometry designed to reflect that.
Although a quality kids' bike may look expensive, there's a ready market for used bikes and a quality brand may command a higher resale price. Many brands have a trade-up deal and there are kids' bike clubs that let you lease aā¦ bike foź¦r a monthly fee and trade up when they're ready for a larger bike.
Josh hailsš from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes.
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 140 lb.
Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannį£ondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx
