Tons of childhood memories do stay around with us for life. Some of the most memorable moments would be those crazily adventurous ‘bike-riding’ times. Kids love to ride bikes. It amuses and physically energizes them. It is one of the best entertainment activities for kids.
If you are a parent, reading this article, then we have some good news for you. We’ve got this carefully crafted review of the best ten kids bikes and the essential information to make your purchase more convenient and hassle-free, perhaps, easing the burden of research off your shoulders.
There are different types of kid’s bikes. The most sought-after kid’s bikes are the balanced bike, road bike, neighborhood (multi-use) bike, and mountain bike or adventure bike.
Balance bikes are well-known as the best bikes for children to start riding in the first place, without pedals. Balance bikes train kids to balance themselves on the bike, as they ride. Road Bikes are generally lightweight, pavement and endurance bikes, unlike the mountain bikes. Neighborhood bikes are known for their multi-utility features, primarily used for commuting on multi-use paths, to catch up with errands and have some fun in the neighborhood. Mountain bike has rugged features known to cruise through dirt and narrow trails. Mountain bikes are also referred to as adventure bikes due to its on-and-off-road rough and tough riding experiences.
Check Out These Ten Best Bikes for Kids
1. KaZam v2e (No-Pedal Balance Bike)
KaZam balance bike offers pedal-less small bikes for kids who are three years or lesser. These are lightweight bikes, much affordable, colorful, and it is a decent introduction to the knack of cycling for toddlers.
- KaZam v2e kids bike is believed to have a patented FOOTREST design that enables riders to find their center of gravity.
- It comes with puncture-resistant wheels, adjustable seat, and handlebars.
- In addition, its EVA tires are maintenance-free.
- For kids who are most likely to glide on the pump track or out on an adventurous ride, this model would not be the best fit.
- As for petite riders, the wide footrest may not be perfect.
2. RoyalBaby BMX Freestyle
RoyalBaby BMX Freestyle kid’s bike is available for both girls and boys, with wheel height ranging from 12 inches to 18 inches. RoyalBaby BMX Freestyle bike is undoubtedly one of the best kids bikes for young riders!
- BMX bikes are known for their outstanding quality, sturdy steel frame, and toughness.
- It has removable training wheels, adjustable seat, no tools required to operate, and it comes with at least 6 different colors.
- The kids may find it difficult to carry the bike as it is on the heavier side.
- It cannot be used as a mountain bike and it has no disc brake feature
- This particular model may not be available as a 20-inch bike, as the wheel height is only about 18 inches.
3. Diamondback Bicycles Mini Viper
For a three-year-old, this could be the best pick! Diamondback Bicycles Mini Viper boasts about many features with high quality and durability.
- Diamondback Mini Viper BMX bike comes assembled with brakes, tires, easily adjustable seat, with no extra tool needed.
- This 16-inch bike is an ideal choice for a 4-year-old even, because of their sturdy built and perfect height.
- As this particular model doesn’t come with a kickstand, you may have to order it separately. Moreover, these bikes are commonly recommended for boys more than girls in their entirety. In addition, this is not a mountain bike.
4. Woom 1 Plus Balance Bike
Woom 1 PLUS is a typical balance bike for everyday use and meant for those young riders who are 3+ years of age. Woom 1 PLUS aims to make children safe on 2 wheels until they develop their own speed individually and it is not a pedal bike.
- These bikes are known for cruising longer rides, dirt roads, and paved bike trails.
- This road bike particularly facilitates bike handling skills and helps improve skills in balancing.
- With Woom 1 PLUS bike, a rider is expected to be full of confidence because of its long wheelbase and stability.
- The price range could be on the higher side, although the product comes with ergonomic construction and quality materials.
- There are chances of the pedals scraping against the 20-inch bike kickstand while cycling (especially for kids with heavier foot), but it can be adjusted with a wrench.
5. RoyalBaby Honey & Buttons
If you are thinking of an adorable, revolutionary 12-inch and sturdy bike for your kid, then RoyalBaby Honey & Buttons is a blind bet! Also, this could be an excellent buy for a reasonable price!
- RoyalBaby Honey & Buttons bike comes with different colors and sizes, a new square tube design, training wheels, adjustable ergonomically-designed seats, easy to use handle brakes, extra-wide tires to boost balance and sturdiness of the bike.
- The kickstand is sold separately, but it is definitely available.
- Although these bikes come with the option to have an in-house expert to pre-assemble your bike, it comes with an additional cost.
6. Nice C BMX Kids Bike
Nice C is a perfect BMX pedal bike for your child. This neighborhood bike is recommended for both boys and girls aged between 4 and 8 years. With dashing color combinations, Nice C can become your young rider’s instant favorite!
- It comes with a lightweight magnesium alloy frame, training wheels, extra-thick tires, and a dual braking system.
- This BMX bike offers TPR soft grips, shiny alloy child-size brake levers, and non-slip suspension fork pedals (with reflectors).
- The wheelbase and cockpit (top tube length) may not be the best of quality, but they function well.
- The brake levers are usually plastic-made, and so, they may need some level of adjustment
7. Guardian Ethos
Well-known as a neighborhood bike, Guardian Ethos has the best braking system, weighing around 16 lbs. One of the best bikes for kids to watch out for!
- Guardian Ethos comes with lightweight properties such as an aluminum frame.
- The unique selling proposition of the bike is its proprietary safe and unique braking system called SureStop that reduces the risk of unsafe braking. SureStop is more effective than a disc brake system, as for this bike.
- Also, it comes with a grip shifter meant for small hands and higher-end components.
- Guardian Ethos is budget-friendly as well.
- Assembling might take time, but it comes fully furnished with easy-to-follow instructions.
- Though the cost is on the higher end, the quality is undeniably the best!
8. Schwinn Koen Boy’s Bike
With the Schwinn SmartStart bike, your child can be assured of comfortable, ideal riding experience.
- Comfortable bike frame for better control, narrow pedal position, and smaller handle grip bars (for smaller hands).
- The best part about the Schwinn SmartStart bike is its comfortable seat designed to match your child’s hip proportions.
- The steering cables have to be tightened and adjusted rightly before you use, because they may be loose and not mounted properly.
- This Schwinn bike model may not come with a kickstand attachment on its own. So, you’ll have to be careful to ensure the training wheels don’t ever come off (if they are pre-fixed).
9. Mongoose Legion Freestyle BMX Bike
Being in the biking industry for over 45 years, Mongoose boasts in their welded cross bikes suited for ramps, tuff-trails, and dirt. Legion L16 offers a perfect BMX feel for kids.
- This BMX bike has a Hi-Ten Steel frame, a 25T alloy chainring, aluminum U-brake that provides brilliant speed control.
- Mongoose Legion L16 pedal bike is specifically designed for precision riding, with rims and tires promising grip and longevity.
- Handlebar breaks could be quite flimsy or loose.
- This pedal bike does not with any disc brake system in particular.
- The mountain bike may not come assembled, but the overall mass instruction manual would be provided with or without the list of tools needed to assemble the bike.
10. Raleigh Lily 16
Raleigh Lily 16 kids bike is a mountain bike design for girls. If your girl wants to wave a good-bye to the training wheels, then this is a great fit. Lily 16 is a single speed bike with soft PVC grips which helps them focus on pedaling along with having much fun.
- Raleigh bikes come with durable aluminum wheels, wide tires, low standover height, front and rear V-brakes.
- The height of the handlebar may not be adjustable.
- It could be hard for kids to manage the front derailleur without the chain falling off.
- This Raleigh mountain bike may not come with a disc brake facility as such.
The following tips might help you make your purchase wholesome:
Price
Bikes with justifiable quality come with no fewer cost tags. The rate of expense increases when you aim for higher-end components or additional gears or lightweight material or exclusive frame designs or high-end rear wheels that make the bike more comfortable to ride and so on. For instance, a balance bike may cost you lesser than a pedal bike because of lesser gears and accessories. On the other hand, a pedal bike with training wheels may cost a little more than those without it. Else, there are affordable and budget-friendly kids bikes available too.
Weight and Standover Height
Ensure to spot a bike which is less than 30% of your child’s body weight. The bike is easier to ride when it is lighter in weight, especially for young riders. The more the gears, the more the weight. So, unnecessary weight can be avoided. For instance, a road bike can be lighter as compared to a mountain bike. Also, it is advisable to check the height essential to stand over the top tube of the bike. There should be one to two inches of clearance between the tube and your child’s crotch. Hence, don’t miss to check on the standover height.
Brakes
Have a thorough check on the brakes, be it handbrake or coaster brakes. There are bikes with just the handbrake and no coaster brake. All types of bikes including mountain bikes, road bikes, and balance bikes usually come with a minimum hand brake system. Preference has to be given to bikes with dual hand brakes more than just coaster brakes. Check for the quality of the hand brake cables and clutch material of the hand brake.
Safety and Compliance of Standards
Check for the complete safety and compliance of standards of any bike, be it mountain bike or a road bike or balance bike before buying, as set by the manufacturer. It is best if it is authorized or approved by the governing authority of the biking industry. Ensure to get a copy of the user manual, assembly instructions, and warranty materials (if available).
Conclusion
For the kids, riding their bikes is one of their alpha moments where they learn how to do things on their own. The actin itself teaches independence, perseverance, and stability to an individual. This phase is considered as one of the essential developmental tasks most individuals are trained to go through during their childhood days.
We believe this review of the top 10 best bikes for kids has given you ample insight for your next step in making the right decision.
Cheers and Best Wishes on your buy!
If you would like reading our other articles on Kids Bikes, visit the link below:
kidsbikesadvisor.com/