While wheel size will give you a good idea of the age range a bike is suitable for, it’s important to get more specific than that when choosing your child’s bike. Hand brakes and multiple gears are typically introduced around the 20-inch mark. A 12-inch bike will typically be a balance bike or tricycle, whereas a 14- to 16-inch bike will be single gear with coaster brakes instead of hand brakes. These sizes range from 12-inch wheels (for toddlers) to 24-inch wheels (for taller kids on the precipice of their first adult bike). We have a range of expert picks for every age below.īest overall | Best first bike | Best first bike (with pedals) | Best adjustable | Best for cautious riders | Best first geared bike | Best road bike | Best mountain bikeĪge range and wheel size: Unlike adult bikes, which are categorized according to frame height, kids’ bikes are measured by wheel size. “It doesn’t have to be crazy expensive, but you’re looking for a quality frame, cranks, and gears,” says Michael Sandler, a coach at Star Track Cycling. While you don’t have to buy a French racing bike for your 9-year-old, it’s worth investing in a model that’s durable and repairable. “If you buy a good-quality bike, you can get a good portion of your investment back by selling it used later on,” she says, or even handing it down to a younger sibling. “Cheap bikes are generally heavy, have poorly designed geometry, and have components that aren’t serviceable or will fall apart quickly,” says Kristen Bonkoski, the founder of the popular kids’-bike website Rascal Rides. There’s one big tip they all agree on: Don’t waste your money on something cheap from a big-box store.
We’ve consulted bike sellers, cycling coaches, and the experts behind bike-testing and review sites to help you select the best kids’ bikes. A little extra knowledge when selecting one can make all the difference in their riding experience - ideally setting them up for a lifetime of happy cycling. To a kid, a bike offers not just transport but freedom.
Photo-Illustration: The Strategist Photos: Retailers
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