trek for 10 year old

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The 6 Best Kids’ Bikes That Can Rip Trails, Cruise Pavement, and Take a Daily Beating

Gone are the days of the ubiquitous Schwinn Stingray.

The Best Kids’ Bikes

What to consider, how we selected, our picks for the best kids’ bikes, kids’ bike faqs.

Cycling is a lifetime skill that pays big dividends in everything from hand-eye coordination to long-term cardiovascular health. In fact, daily cycling has been found to prevent weight gain, fight depression, and help stave off a host of health problems including diabetes and cancer. So for parents, there are few better ways to introduce a love of health, hobby, and sport to children than by putting them on a bicycle.

Parks, pump tracks, skateparks, lift-service mountain bike parks, you name it—there’s like a fun place for kids to ride not far from you. With the increasing variety and complexity of cycling environments for children, finding a bike that fits correctly and offers the right capabilities for the job has never been more critical.

Of course, the first step of buying a kids’ bike is to figure out what kind of riding your child will be doing, then select the type of bicycle for that endeavor. After that, grab the lightest bike that works for your budget and situation in the proper size.

Looking for more cycling gear for kids? Check out our picks for the best kids’ bike helmets , best balance bikes , bicycle bells for everyone , and best girls bikes .

• Best Overall: Specialized Riprock 20
• Best Starter BMX Bike: Redline Rival
• Best Custom Build: Trailcraft Pineridge 24
• Best E-Bike: Woom Up 5
• Best Balance Bike: Woom 1

Bikes for kids have diversified since every little ripper on the block wanted one of those super-cool, candy-colored “ Krate ” Schwinn Stingrays during the Summer of Love. Today’s options generally mirror adult models in design, equipment, and even price. So, if you expect to take long or skill-intensive rides with your child, ensure their bike matches or exceeds your bike’s capability.

BMX street bikes have long been the default choice for children, and for many situations, they’re still the best bet. They’re built to take a daily beating and can fit many sizes of young riders. The downsides? They’re slow and have a limited range due to their singlespeed drivetrain and inefficient geometry.

However, children who want to compete in BMX racing require a BMX racing bike, different from a BMX street bike, which is size-specific and usually quite expensive. If your child is interested in a skatepark or freestyle competition, they need a BMX park bike built for the rigors of landing on concrete.

Most children will be happiest with a front-suspension mountain bike in the appropriate size. This can be used for neighborhood trips, park outings, and general-purpose riding. It is unsuitable for downhill or jump-line riding; for that, consider an enduro bike with dual suspension or a dirt jumper with special geometry. It’s also possible to buy a traditional road bicycle for children, but unless you plan on doing long-distance touring with your kid, it’s not the best bet due to fragility, maintenance, and cost issues.

Sizing and Weight

Getting the lightest bike that meets your child’s needs in the correct size is critical. Adults are far more tolerant of “bad bike fits” than children with limited strength and experience. The same is true for bicycle weight; a rough guide is that a 1-kilogram increase feels to a child like a 5-kilogram increase in bike weight does to an adult.

The old idea of letting kids “grow into” bikes might save you a few dollars now, but it turns many riders away from cycling—and in certain disciplines, like mountain biking, it can be downright dangerous to ride a bike that is too large or heavy. Training wheels, as well, have fallen into disrepute because most children do better with a balance bike than they do with training wheels on a pedal bike.

Additional Criteria

If your rides are more than a few miles, a kids’ bike with multiple gears is worth considering. This adds complexity and cost but reduces effort over longer trips. When it’s time to slow down, make sure your child has the right braking setup. Coaster brakes feel natural for younger children, and they don’t require a lot of hand strength. Tweens and pre-teens will be better off with hand brakes. A few of the bikes we’ve selected offer both.

This story was originally written by Jack Buruth, a former professional BMX racer, bike store owner, and cycling coach, who has worked with young riders since 1991. He has spent more than 30 years putting kids on bikes, and over a decade riding with his teen son, a downhill mountain biker and BMX rider with multiple wins in different categories and a few Strava times that rival top-ranking adults at Snowshoe Bike Park in Snowshoe, West Virginia, and Trestle Bike Park in Winter Park, Colorado, among others. Baruth chose most of these bikes based on his expertise with youth riding, safety, and reliability.

For all other picks, we researched the market, considered the most popular options available, and sourced picks from the Bicycling test team. We landed on kids’ bikes from reputable brands, and only selected those with excellent specs. We also asked the parents of our test team what they’ve enjoyed riding the most.

Specialized Riprock 20 Kids Bike

The Specialized Riprock family of bicycles offers a lot of solid options for young riders, but we particularly like the Riprock 20, which is easy to handle and has excellent geometry for kids. Specialized sized and designed it to be a quick and easy transition from balance bikes for riders who are precocious in their ability to start pedaling for themselves. It also looks great and is one of our favorite hardtail mountain bikes .

Assistant reviews editor and Bicycling columnist Adam Schram recommends Riprock bikes due to their reliability and accessible components, which makes working on them a breeze. “As a former mechanic, I’ve put together a boatload of kids’ bikes, and they have some of the most variable quality in the industry,” he says. “But I’ve built and serviced hundreds of Riprocks of all sizes and spec levels, and the process has always been pleasantly uneventful—no garish bells and whistles on these puppies. You can nearly service the whole bike with just a few allen keys and an adjustable wrench, regardless of the spec level. That kind of simplicity translates to a smooth first ride, no matter the rider’s age.”

Redline Rival 20 Kids Bike

Redline’s family of BMX race bikes has been very popular with new racers for quite some time. The MX Rival is intended for riders between 4-foot-6 and 5-foot-1. If your child is shorter, consider the MX Mini ; taller kids can go straight to the Rival 20. You won’t need to change to go racing—just add a number plate. The narrow-diameter wheels and tires increase speed at the cost of daily-use durability.

Trailcraft Pineridge 24 Kids Bike

If you have a serious young cyclist who wants to race and ride with the big kids and adults, Trailcraft is the brand to consider. It offers a custom-built bike with reliable components and some serious upgrades for the price of an adult one. Want your kid to ride with a carbon wheelset? You can surely build that. A 75mm dropper post? You can do that, too. Trailcraft is becoming increasingly popular among serious youth cyclists, and anecdotally, senior test editor Matt Phillips says he sees children in the community-based mountain bike program, Durango Devo , riding them.

Test editor Bradley Ford highly recommends the Pineridge 24, which he bought for his son for ripping trails. “They have many build options, so you can get the bike set up from $1,500 for a lightweight bike to a $3,900 high zoot, race-ready machine.” He loves that he can make such a highly specialized custom build that won’t lose value after his son outgrows it, which means he can resell it to another serious young cyclist without losing much of his initial investment.

Woom Up 5 Kids Bike

Woom makes some of the best balance bikes we’ve tested, and its Up 5 is one of the best e-bikes for young children who need some extra pep. The Up 5 has 24-inch wheels and is best for ages 7 and up, while the Woom Up 6 has 26-inch wheels for 10 and up. Both use a Fazua Evation 250-watt motor that kicks out 55 newton-meters (Nm) of torque.

Woom’s system weighs just 7 pounds—about half as much as those on most full-size adult bikes. With the relatively low torque and fewer high-speed power demands (the Up 5 tops out at 12 mph), the battery lasts plenty long. The Up 5 can go at least three hours on its highest power setting, but from our testing, we think it’s likely much longer.

The Up 5 also has excellent components, including a supple F1RST hydraulic air suspension fork with 90mm of travel, Schwalbe tires, updated Fazua drive, and Promax hydraulic disc brakes.

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Kids Bike

The Levo SL earned high praise from our team due to its reliable motor, outstanding weight (for an e-bike), and a level of accessibility that even smaller kids can handle.

“It’s hard to fathom a kids’ e-bike that’s this well put together at this price,” says features editor Louis Mazzante . “The all-black paint and parts, dropper post, grabby brakes, and slick battery integration make it a fantastic e-bike.”

Mazzante’s 9- and 10-year-old testers found the Levo SL fun and intuitive to use, and everything from blipping through power settings to charging the battery was easy for them to do on their own with minimal instruction. Our testers reported that it felt agile enough on trails–not too different from the brand’s full-suspension bikes—and that the brakes were strong and “easy to grab.”

A downside? Specialized has built-in parental controls that limit the top assisted speed to 10 or 15.5 mph, but it requires taking the Levo to a Specialized dealer to make the switch. But that’s a lone, small frustration on an otherwise stellar bike.

Woom 1 Balance Bike

The team at Woom has produced some innovative children’s bikes in the past few years, numbered 1 through 6 for the order in which they should be purchased and ridden, from ages 1.5 to 14. The Woom 1, the first in the five-bike series, features a V-brake with a brake lever scaled for hands 18 months or older. Standover height is exceptionally low thanks to a curved monotube, and the seat is adjustable. It has a (removable) rubber steering limiter to prevent accidents caused by a quick “folding over” of the steering at speed. It’s also got excellent style, making that toddler feel like they’re on a big kid bike.

Buying a Kids’ Bike? Our Expert Jack Baruth Shares What to Spend, What Size to Try, and More.

What age should a child get their first bike.

There’s almost no such thing as “too young to ride”; a surprising number of 3-year-olds are ready to pedal themselves in a controlled and safe environment. If a child shows interest in riding, it’s time to learn.

If your child is between sizes, which bike should I buy?

Most manufacturers have overlap in their sizing recommendations; buy the smaller of the two bikes. It will be easier to control. Tweens and teens who are already competent riders can “size up” with fewer consequences.

What is a great price for a kids’ bike?

As much as you can afford. The quality of a child’s first bike has a big impact on their enjoyment of cycling, and high-quality children’s bikes are much easier to sell secondhand than their adult equivalents.

What do I do with the bike my child outgrows?

Depending on what you paid initially, either pay it forward or sell it. Consider an online marketplace near you if it originally sold for $500 or less. Higher-end children’s bikes are easy to sell via Pinkbike classifieds; I’ve sold several four-figure kids’ bikes there on the same day I listed them.

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

Jack Baruth is a writer and competitor who has earned podiums in more than fifteen different classes and sanctions of automotive and cycling competition, in both amateur and professional capacities, as well as an enthusiastic hobbyist musician and audiophile who owns hundreds of musical instruments and audio systems. His work has appeared in Bicycling, Cycle World, Road & Track, WIRED, Wheels Weekly, EVO Malaysia, Esquire, and many other publications. His original design for a guitar, the Melody Burner, has been played by Billy Gibbons, Sheryl Crow, and others. 

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Best kids' bikes 2024: a buyer's guide to children's bikes

Our guide to buying the best kids' bike for your child as they grow

Immediate Media

Oli Woodman

Looking for the best kids' bike for your child in 2023 and finding it hard to pick the best children's bike for your little one? Relax, we’ve put together a simple guide to help you choose wisely.

Positive early experiences can have a huge effect on our lives. With cycling being an incredibly fun way to get about in an environmentally friendly way, keep fit and socialise, encouraging kids to cycle is a fantastic idea.

Having the right bike can make a big difference to a child’s early cycling experiences and ultimately help them to enjoy the sport we love.

From finding the right size bike to product recommendations for a range of age groups, our buyers guide to the best kids’ bike at the bottom of the page has it covered.

Once you’ve found the perfect bike, why not check out our guide to cycling with kids to get things started. Before you know it, the whole family will be out enjoying life on two wheels. We've got loads of other info on kids' bikes, from advice on kids' cycling and commuting to school to reviews of kids' bikes tried, tested and abused by our junior riders.

Below are our picks of the best kids' bikes by age group, or scroll further for buying advice on how to choose the best kids' bikes, along with loads of other info including choosing helmets, balance bikes versus stabiliser wheels and more. The first step is to decide what size bike your child needs though.

Best bikes and balance bikes for ages 1 to 4

Best bikes for ages 4 to 6, best bikes for ages 6 to 10, best bikes for ages 10 to 13, best bikes for teenagers, what size bike does my child need, ages 4 to 6.

For children aged four to six, measuring around 105cm to 115cm / 3ft 5in to 3ft 9in, go for a bike with 14in to 16in wheels. Most of these are simple bikes with pedals and brakes, and many come with a small range of gears.

Ages 7 to 10

For ages seven to 10 (height 115cm to 135cm / 3ft 9in to 4ft 5in), choose a bike with 18in to 20in wheels. You’ll also start to see a wider range of gears appearing at this price point, and you may find bikes with front suspension, which are more suitable for rough terrain.

Ages 10 to 13

Children aged between 10 and 13 (height 135cm to 150cm / 4ft 5in to 5ft) will usually move on to a 24in-wheel bike and, at this point, you’ll find bikes that are essentially a smaller version of an adult bike.

You’ll also start to see different types of bike, from junior-sized road bikes and mountain bikes to hybrid/leisure bikes. Choose a bike type that’s going to suit the majority of the riding your child will be doing – if it’s mostly going to be off-road, wide tyres with a grippy tread are a good choice, for example.

For teenagers, you’re going to be looking at adult bikes in smaller sizes. There are smaller wheel-size options for junior road bikes, such as 650b, but most bikes will have 26in, 27.5in or 700c wheels.

Bear in mind that these sizes are a guideline only. If your teen is taller or smaller than average, or more or less confident, they may be better off on a different size. If in doubt, talk to your local bike shop.

Your child has just started walking and you're keen to make the transition from a child's bike seat to the bike for your budding rider as natural as possible. Enter, stage left, the balance bike.

Weight is a surprisingly important factor here.

No, your kid’s not looking to get airtime or take on a hill climb race just yet – but compared to a toddler, the weight of a bike is really significant. The lighter you can afford within your budget, the better, because this is likely to make it much easier for your child, and hence more enjoyable.

Although some more basic balance bikes won’t be fitted with a brake, it’s a good idea to look for one that does. Your child can learn this important skill in the early stages, before moving on to a pedal bike. This is especially important if your local playground or park is a bit hilly.

Balance bikes that have an easily adjustable seatpost can also be a good idea, because this can be adapted as they grow.

Finally, look for a balance bike that’s made to last. Dragged through the mud, splashed through puddles and maybe even left out in the rain: you want a bike that’ll stand up to the rigours of heavy use and still be in good condition to pass on or sell after. Alloy bikes tend to last better than wooden-style balance bikes.

There are also some pedal-powered options for two- to four-year-olds, and many will come with brakes – either lever-operated ones or coaster brakes that work by back-pedalling, and sometimes both.

We have a guide dedicated to the best balance bikes if you need more options.

• €199 / $199
• Lightweight
• Includes a rear brake

Kids' bike specialists Woom’s first offering is this 2.95kg balance bike, the Woom 1. The lightweight aluminium frame rolls on 12in wheels and features a rear brake, so your child can get used to braking and steering from the get-go.

Every component is carefully considered with the beginner rider in mind, from the narrow grips to the ergonomic saddle.

Choose from five fun, bright colourways.

• Buy direct from Woom

Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike

• £129.99 / €131.08 / $156 / AU$233
• Adjustable for a wide age range
• Includes footrests

The Strider Sport Balance bike is suitable for children aged from 18 months, up to four to five years. It features a long seatpost that can be lowered fully or raised high to fit your child.

A durable steel frame should withstand some rough treatment and the tyres are designed to be puncture-proof.

We like the built-in footrests, so when your child gets the hang of gliding along on the bike, they’ve got somewhere to rest their feet. It's the perfect preparation for moving on to pedals.

The bike is also designed so the saddle and handlebar height can be adjusted without tools.

Islabikes Rothan

• Specially shaped saddle for scooting

Islabikes is a British company founded by Isla Rowntree, who is dedicated to creating high-quality bikes designed so that children develop a passion for cycling. Great care is taken to ensure the bikes fit well, ride well and aren’t too heavy for little riders to manage.

Available in a range of bright, cheerful colours, the Rothan has a lightweight aluminium frame, chunky tyres with plenty of grip and it even features a brake designed for smaller hands.

• £355 / €445 / $490
• Front and rear brakes
• Child-size crankset

If your child has already mastered gliding and is ready to move on to a bike with pedals, the Frog 40 is one to consider.

The Frog 40 has an aluminium frame and fork, as well as quality Tektro brakes for plenty of stopping power. There are also 89mm bespoke cranks designed to make pedalling easier for little kids.

The 14x1.5in Kenda tyres are designed to work well on a wide range of surfaces. A five-year warranty on frame and forks should bring peace of mind.

Frog also makes a popular line of balance bikes and models for older children.

Black Mountain Bikes Pinto

• £399 / €478.95
• Designed to adapt as they grow
• Belt drive for low maintenance

Black Mountain Bikes are designed to grow as kids grow. This means one bike will last your child for longer and is designed to fit children even better as they get taller. The brand says its bikes are "three bikes in one".

The Pinto can start off life as a balance bike, then work as a pedal cycle on the 14in wheel option. The frame is designed to be light (a claimed 6kg), which is easier for smaller children to handle, has a low-maintenance belt drive and short-reach brake levers for smaller hands, plus a raft of other features.

The gearing can also be made harder as your child grows thanks to a removable sprocket 'jacket'.

There are four colours available – orange, neon green, purple and sky blue.

Cube Cubie 120 Walk

• £199 / €211 / $220 / AU$323
• Stop to prevent overturning the handlebar
• Comes with two seatpost lengths

This cutely named alloy bike weighs 3.8kg, making it a good lightweight option for your child to get started on.

Cube has incorporated a special handlebar setup that limits how far the rider can turn the bar, saving them from some of the inevitable accidents when they're learning.

Rolling on 12in wheels with Kenda Team Cube tyres, it has a low standover height and even comes with two different-length seatposts to allow growing room.

Specialized Hotwalk

• £149 / €200 / $225 / AU$280
• Step-through frame option
• Includes a foot platform

Specialized’s Hotwalk comes with foot platforms, which are great for when little ones have got the hang of balancing, before transitioning to pedals.

It’s available with a step-through frame or a top-tube frame, and there’s also an adjustable bar-height option for growing children.

Specced with Specialized’s airless Rhythm Lite Sport tyres, it’s equally at home on dirt or tarmac and won’t suffer punctures.

For a 2.1kg lightweight (yet eye-wateringly priced) alternative, check out the Specialized Hotwalk Carbon .

By now, the skills of the balance bike have been well and truly mastered. Your kid is zipping about in front of you, flinging legs to gain speed, cornering with confidence and braking effectively. It’s just the time to think about adding the next element into the mix: pedalling.

Moving from a balance bike to a pedal bike is a really crucial step, and fit is key here.

You need to make sure that your child can comfortably reach the floor with their feet when seated in the saddle, as well as reaching the handlebars and crucially the brake levers.

To keep it simple, your child’s first pedal bike might only have a single gear, or a couple of gears, to choose from. Once they’ve mastered the art of pedalling, they can move on to having many more gears as they grow and size up to bigger bikes.

Just like with a balance bike, having a lightweight option here is also really helpful, as your child is likely to still be very small.

The riding position is best if it is relatively upright. As they get to grips with pedalling, this will help them focus on what’s going on around them.

These bikes typically measure up with 14in or 16in wheels. If the bike was already supplied with stabilisers, and your child is confident riding without them, then remove them ASAP.

Most kids’ bikes in this price bracket should allow you to adjust the reach to the brakes. Many also have coaster brakes rather than lever-operated brakes, which are operated by back-pedalling.

Early Rider Belter 16in

• £439 / $439
• Low-maintenance Gates belt drive
• Big tyres for go-anywhere riding

The 5.9kg Belter from Early Rider is a fantastic first pedal bike.

Early Rider has chosen to spec a Gates rubber belt where you'd normally find a chain. This is a great idea on a kids' bike because the belt requires no oiling and won't get dirty like a regular chain.

The shiny aluminium frame looks good and is lightweight, and overall this is a bike that’s been built with care and attention to detail.

The 16in Vee mountain bike tyres look the part at 2in wide and are perfect for carving on those thrilling muddy slopes, rolling over roots or zooming across gravel. There are also powerful Tektro v-brakes front and rear, with special short-reach levers for small hands.

Orange Pop 16

• £450 / $600
• Miniature mountain bike with wide tyres
• Singlespeed for ease of use

A great transition from striding to pedals is the 16in Orange Pop. It's a proper shrunken mountain bike for the promising young ripper.

The frame follows the same long, low and slack mantra of Orange's big bikes. It's a singlespeed, so there are no gears to struggle with or break, and the proper 2.15in Kenda tyres are another highlight. The frame comes in either the orange shown or a blue colour.

Ridgeback MX16

• Singlespeed simplicity
• Front and back V-brakes

The Ridgeback MX16 is a miniature mountain bike with 16in wheels wrapped in grippy Vee VRB tyres.

The MX16 has an alloy crossbar frame and steel fork. It’s intended for riders between 110cm and 120cm tall and has a claimed weight of 9.4kg.

The singlespeed gearing comprises a 16t cog and 32T crank. This should be easy for little legs to spin and removes the need to change gear.

Tektro brake levers pull on the Ridgeback’s Promax V-brakes.

Black Mountain Bikes Skøg

• £399 / €461.95
• Another Black Mountain bike that can grow with your kid
• Lightweight frame

Like its little sibling the Pinto, the Skøg works essentially like three bikes in one.

Without the pedals and belt drive fitted, it's a balance bike. Pop the pedals on and it will work as a regular pedal bike, except – and here's the cool bit – the frame and gearing can be adapted to suit the rider. So smaller kids can have as good a fit as possible and the bike can change with them.

The bikes are designed to be light and therefore easier for smaller people to ride, and have good-quality brakes with levers designed for small hands.

It's available in four bright colours – purple, neon green, sky blue and orange.

Your child’s second pedal bike may not only increase in size, but in features too. The bigger wheels (18-20in) will be shod with wider tyres, and the larger frame will be complemented with slightly wider handlebars and longer cranks.

You’re likely to find more gears on a bike of this size, as your child learns how to use these effectively on longer rides involving more challenging inclines and descents.

You’ll also start to see suspension making an appearance (usually suspension forks only).

Bear in mind that cheaper suspension bikes can be heavier than their non-suspension alternatives (see the buyer's guide below), and if the bike is to be ridden off-road, some good-quality, wide, puncture-resistant tyres should be a higher priority.

Specialized Riprock 20

• £629 / €600 / $650 / AU$925
• Mountain bike styling
• Hydraulic disc braking

Replacing the popular Hotrock, Specialized’s new Riprock 20 is like an adult’s mountain bike in miniature, bar the suspension. It’s now generally accepted that getting the basics dialled without the added complication (and weight) of suspension is a smart way to go.

There are two sizes available, the 20in-wheel model, or the larger 24in model for taller kids. When it comes to more technical features, the 24in Expert model does use a 10mm-travel Manitou suspension fork.

Whether it’s fire roads, trails, urban commutes or sessioning the pump track, the Specialized Riprock is well equipped to tackle it all.

The Riprock also comes in a great range of colours.

Scott Scale/Contessa 20

• £389 / €429 / $600 / AU$650
• 7-speed gears
• 40mm-travel suspension fork

The Scott Scale 20 and girls' Contessa 20 are very much shrunken-down versions of Scott’s hardtail mountain bikes.

There’s an SR Suntour suspension fork that offers 40mm of travel to maximise grip and take some strain off the wrists, while chunky 2.2in Kenda Booster tyres should make light work of muddy conditions.

Shimano 7-speed gearing is grip-shift operated, and child-specific v-brakes provide the stopping power. Handlebars, saddle and pedals are all designed with a junior rider in mind.

Trek Roscoe 20

• £515 / €524 / $500
• 8-speed drivetrain
• Mechanical disc brakes

Trek's Roscoe 20 is designed to inspire youngsters' confidence with large 2.8in tyres that are able to take on the trails and the streets.

It has a rigid fork for simplicity, and cost and weight savings, but you'll spot plenty of details shared with Trek's adult-size bikes. These include a durable aluminium frame (with kid-specific geometry), a fuss-free 1x8 Shimano drivetrain with wide-range cassette, and Tektro mechanical disc brakes.

All of this adds up to a great base for building young riding skills.

With a larger wheel size of 24in come many more features. These bikes are essentially smaller versions of adult bikes , with the variation, style and focus that goes with it.

You can get everything from drop-bar road bikes, hardtail and full-suspension options with disc brakes for budding mountain bikers, or sturdy and versatile flat-handlebar hybrid bikes .

Quality models will have light alloy frames and the spec should be comparable to an adult bike at the same price point.

• Off 6: €899 / $899
• Off Air 6: €999 / $1,049
• Rigid or suspension fork options
• Hydraulic disc brakes

The largest of Woom’s kids' bikes, the Off 6 is an off-road build for riders from 140cm to 165cm (approximately 10 years and over). This model features a rigid carbon fibre fork, or you can opt for the Woom Off Air 6 to add 90mm of air suspension up-front.

Both options are built around a high-quality aluminium alloy frame with 26in wheels, and are kitted out with nine gears and hydraulic disc brakes.

Transition Ripcord

• £1,699 / $1,899
• Front and rear suspension
• Wide gear range with 11 speeds

With 100mm of front and rear travel, this full-susser is for young shredders who want to take on everything and anything.

The Ripcord offers a low standover height, progressive geometry , RockShox Judy fork and Monarch R shock, plus Shimano brakes and a SRAM NX 1x11 drivetrain.

Transition says the bike is designed for everything from trail shredding to bike-park ripping. With an air fork and shock, there's a good deal of adjustability too.

It's no surprise that the Ripcord is high on price with this spec, but this is a bike that won't be holding any child back.

Kona Honzo 24

• £698.99 / €825.50 / $860 / AU$1,262
• Hardtail, suspension fork

Equipped with 80mm of front travel, spongy 2.6in Vee tyres and hydraulic disc brakes, the Kona Honzo 24 is a trail tearaway's dream present.

The 24in wheels and 1x 7-speed Shimano / Samox drivetrain should suit pre-teens who are getting to grips with shifting.

Frog 69 and Frog 73

• Frog 69: £455 / €535 / $700
• Frog 73: £465 / €545 / $720
• Simple mechanicals
• Wide age range covered

Frog, a British company dedicated to making lightweight bikes for children, has a range of options including road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrids.

The 69 and 73 are both flat-bar hybrid bikes that are simple yet versatile enough to deal with the ride to school as well as after-school antics.

The number refers to the frame size, with the 69 suitable for ages 10 to 12 and the 73 for ages 12 to 14 (or thereabouts, height dependant).

• Shimano Claris gears
• Alloy frame and fork

The Triban 500 could be an affordable first road bike for children aged 9 to 12 and 135cm to 150cm tall.

The alloy bike has a sub-10kg claimed weight, 650b wheels and an eight-speed Shimano Claris drivetrain.

The 46/34T double chainring and 11-34t cassette provides plenty of range for budding climbers.

• £329.99 / €390 / $406 / AU$596
• Available in purple, silver and blue
• Off-road capable spec

With 24in wheels and several parts designed specially for children – including the saddle and handlebars – the Vitus 24 is a mountain bike for young ‘uns.

Vitus says it should fit children from 127cm to 142cm tall and the brake levers have adjustable reach.

Kenda tyres, Tektro brakes and an eight-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain round off the spec.

For teenagers, you’ll be able to pick from a wide range of bikes, including smaller sizes of adult bikes. You can also get junior versions of bikes that have a slightly smaller wheel size, such as road bikes with 650b wheels rather than the adult 700c wheels, and mountain bikes with 26in wheels rather than the now more common 27.5in wheels, or even 29ers.

You may want to consult (stealthily if it’s supposed to be a surprise purchase) with your child about the type, brand and colour of bike they’re after.

If your teenager is really getting into their sport, there are now plenty of high-quality race-ready road and mountain bikes that will cultivate their competitive edge.

Islabikes Creig

• £799.99–£1,099.99
• Four wheel size options
• Suspension fork can be tuned to the rider's weight

The Creig is an aluminium-framed hardtail mountain bike with progressive geometry, that's designed to suit a smaller rider. A high-quality RockShox 30 Gold air fork can be tuned to suit the child's weight and riding conditions.

Four wheel sizes mean there's a Creig for riders aged from just eight years right the way through to teens.

The Creig 27's spec highlights include that adjustable RockShox air fork, SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes and a single-chainring transmission from SRAM.

Islabikes Luath

• £799.99–£899.99
• Can be set up for road, cyclocross or gravel riding

The Luath from Islabikes is such a versatile bike that you can order it with road, cyclocross or gravel tyres. Like the rest of Islabikes' range, it's a proper scaled-down version of a serious bike that will do justice to even the most committed of young riders.

Spec highlights include a lightweight aluminium frame with a carbon fork, Tektro cable disc brakes with levers designed specifically for smaller hands and a 1x drivetrain that keeps things simple, secure and light.

Four sizes mean there are options for riders from just eight years old through to mid-teens.

Canyon Grand Canyon Young Hero

• £699 / €649
• 11-speed Shimano gears
• Shimano hydraulic disc brakes

Inspired by the adult Grand Canyon range, this 27.5in-wheel hardtail mountain bike is designed to provide a competent introduction to the world of off-road riding.

The sleek aluminium frame is fitted with a 100mm SR Suntour XCR suspension fork for control as well as comfort, while Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes provide plenty of easy-to-use stopping power.

The Grand Canyon Young Hero has 11 gears from its Shimano Deore M5100 groupset.

Grips, saddle, pedals and cockpit are all Canyon’s own, and are designed to suit smaller riders.

Frog Bikes 70

• Multi-surface drop bar bike
• 9.3kg claimed weight

Frog Bikes says the Frog Road 70 is suitable for children in their early teens who enjoy riding on and off road.

The stock Kenda tyres are road slicks. But the frame has clearance for wider, knobbly tyres to be fitted to the 26in wheels, according to the brand.

The cantilever brakes are Tektro Oryx. For extra security, auxiliary brake levers sit on top of the short-drop handlebars.

The Frog Road 70’s 10-speed drivetrain comprises a sensibly sized 36T single chainring and 11-34t cassette.

Buyer's guide to choosing kids' bikes

The most important factors to consider when choosing a bike for your child are height and ability.

The weight of the bike will also affect its handling, and bikes at the very low end of the price spectrum are often the heaviest.

Why it’s important to get the right size

Kids grow remarkably fast, and no one knows that better than their parents!

While it might be tempting to buy a bike that’s a little too large for your child for them to ‘grow into’, this can actually hamper the learning process and make it much harder for them.

Riding a bike that’s too big can not only make it more difficult to manoeuvre and affect their stability, but it can also really take the fun out of the process. If you want your child’s first memories of cycling to be positive and enjoyable, then making sure you find a bike that’s the perfect size for them at their current measurements is really key.

How bikes differ in size

There are two ways in which children’s bikes differ in size: the wheels and the frame. These two major elements increase in size in tandem as the child grows. However, unlike adult bikes, kids’ bikes are typically measured and sold by wheel size.

The smallest wheels you’re likely to find are tiny 12-inch wheels on balance bikes, and they go up progressively to 26 inches for some bikes designed for teenagers. Sizes typically increase in two-inch increments. The frames are designed with geometry to accommodate the increasing wheel size as children grow.

On smaller frames, you’ll find correspondingly reduced-size components too, from smaller, adjustable-reach brake levers to shorter cranks.

Check out our guide to kids’ bike wheel sizes for more help on what size bike to choose.

How to choose the right size bike

You can pretty much disregard the age of your child when it comes to choosing the right size bike: height and inseam length are much more important, as kids grow at such varying rates.

You’ll find that most brands offer size guides for helping you to choose the best-sized bike. For example, Woom and Islabikes both offer inseam charts, accompanied by tips for measuring your child.

When it comes to sitting your child on the bike that you’re looking to buy, you need to make sure that they can reach both feet on the ground while sitting on the saddle.

This is not only important for giving a good pedalling position, but also allows the child to stop and put their feet down when they want to.

The second element of the fit is the reach. You need to make sure that they can not only comfortably reach the handlebars with both hands, but also the brake levers – and be able to operate these easily. Some bikes will be built with adjustable-reach brake levers, so check for these.

What if your child is in between sizes?

Again, as tempting as it might be to size up like you might with school uniform or shoes, it’s usually best here to choose the smaller size. Why is that?

Well, a larger bike will typically be harder for a child to steer, stop and start, especially where they might need to stand on their tiptoes to reach the floor. This larger bike might feel more intimidating and less comfortable, especially for less confident riders.

As the feelings of control, security and confidence are key to an enjoyable cycling experience for kids, it’s clear to see why a smaller bike is likely to offer a better experience here if you’re unsure between sizes.

The exception to this guidance would be that if the child is really on the cusp of the larger size, it might be a better idea because they’ll be able to enjoy riding it for much longer, as well as have a more efficient pedal stroke on the larger bike.

How long until a child outgrows their bike?

Of course no two children are the same or grow at the same rate, but some brands suggest that their bikes last an average of two years before they're outgrown. This is if it's purchased when the child fits in the lower end of the sizing bracket.

This might not seem like long at all, but thankfully many of these quality children’s bikes hold excellent resale value. Some brands also offer trade-in schemes when you purchase a larger-sized bike.

How a child's cycling skill can affect size

Interestingly, it’s not only your child’s measurements that can dictate which size will be best for them. Their skill level also has a bearing on what size and weight of bike will be best.

A less confident or less skilled child might really benefit from a slightly smaller, more lightweight bicycle. This is because they tend to be easier for the child to handle and manoeuvre, as well as to get onto and dismount.

Having said this, the key part will still be getting the basic fit right, again for your child’s physical size, rather than age.

How to teach a child to ride a bike

Need to teach a child how to ride? We've got a separate guide on how to teach a child to ride a bike in only 30 minutes. Or just watch the video tutorial below.

We've also got a guide on how to teach a child to ride a balance bike .

What type of bike should I buy?

Balance bike vs pedal bike.

First things first, when it comes to kids’ bikes, what’s on offer?

You might be thinking it’s just a shrunken-down adult bike, but in reality it's a little different. There’s a lot to consider when buying a kids’ bike but, broadly speaking, let’s start with the two main options: a balance bike and a pedal bike.

Balance bikes have become really popular over recent years as a child’s first bike, and with good reason too, which we’ll come on to later. Alternatively, there’s the more traditional approach of small pedal bikes, often fitted with removable stabiliser wheels.

Children’s bikes tend to feature flat bars rather than the drop bars we’re used to seeing on road bikes, especially for younger ages. As they grow, you are likely to find more choice, including rigid and suspension bikes, with hybrids and hardtails on offer.

The first stages of teaching a child how to ride a bike are really crucial, and the balance bike has been something of a revelation for many keen parents – not to mention kids.

These simple little bikes don’t feature pedals, and some don’t have a brake either. The clue is in the name: a balance bike teaches the child fundamental balancing skills, which they simply don’t get by riding a pedal bike fitted with stabilisers.

In fact, the technique for cornering a bike with or without stabilisers is really quite different, as stabiliser wheels effectively turn the bike into a tricycle, so starting out with stabilisers can actually complicate, rather than aid, the learning process.

By learning on a balance bike, kids can master balance, steering and sometimes braking techniques from the very start, which they can then build on when it comes to upgrading to their first pedal bike, and adding the challenge of pedalling.

Balance bikes are great for children from as soon as they start walking to around four years old, although the time to switch to a pedal bike will vary according to the child’s capability.

Some will take a little longer to grasp these early skills and others will pick them up much faster.

Types of bikes with pedals

The different styles of bikes will be more varied as your child grows. In the early stages, kids’ bikes tend to be rigid, flat-bar bikes, from balance bikes through to early pedal cycles. Off-road bikes with wider tyres and potentially a suspension fork comes later, as do drop-bar road bikes.

What’s essential is getting the fundamental skills mastered in the early stages, rather than trying to specialise into any particular cycling discipline yet.

Should you buy a bike with suspension?

Thinking of looking for a bike with suspension for your budding shredder? In short, don’t. For really young children, when inflated to the correct pressures, tyres can provide all the suspension they need.

For children of a really young age and small size, suspension forks not only make the bike much heavier, and therefore harder to handle, but can also be a lot more expensive.

It’s much better to opt for a rigid bike with good brakes and wider tyres, leaving the added complication of suspension for when they’ve grown a little and mastered the fundamentals without it.

Bike weight is something we’ve mentioned already, but it’s worth emphasing again.

Because children are much lighter than adults, their bike’s comparative weight becomes really important, and has a big effect on how easy the bike is to ride and handle.

It’s a good idea to choose the lightest bike that you can afford within your budget at the optimum size for your child. This should make the whole process more enjoyable for your young cyclist, and for you too!

Gears and brakes

Don’t be surprised if the bikes you’re looking at don’t feature many gears – this doesn’t mean bad value for money. These are typically reserved for larger kids’ bikes, and hence older children, so that there are only one or two new things to concentrate on learning for each new bike size.

Many first pedal bikes will be either singlespeed or only feature a few gears. As they increase in size, you’ll find 8-speed cassettes and single chainring options, for example.

As well as keeping things simple in the early stages, limiting the gears also helps to keep bikes lightweight. There's also less to go wrong or break. As a child grows in both size and ability, gears become more important for longer rides, where they’re more likely to encounter a hill or two.

You’re likely to find either rim or disc brakes, with levers on the handlebars. You might even find a pedal brake, or coaster brake, which is a legal requirement for kids’ bikes with a maximum seat height of 25in or less that are sold in the US.

While coaster brakes, which are applied by backpedalling, are often thought to be easier for children to use, causing fewer accidents due to harsh braking, they don’t give quite as much control as rim or disc brakes, especially when it comes to riding off-road.

On the handlebars, the brakes are not only smaller than adults’ bikes, but also feature adjustable brake levers so you can reduce the reach for smaller hands. Gear shifting is often through a grip shifter, which can take less strength to shift.

While you're shopping for your child’s first bike, it’s also a really good idea to check out the protection on offer. A helmet is crucial here, and it needs to be well-fitting to be safe. Before you buy make sure that it doesn’t move around at all when fitted.

Our buyer’s guide to kids’ helmets offers a few recommendations, as well as help to ensure you get a well-fitting helmet for your child.

For children just getting to grips with riding, it might be a good idea to invest in some knee and elbow pads too, which can help avoid the almost inevitable bumps and scrapes that come with learning how to ride.

One final point worth mentioning – many kids’ bikes come with a chainguard and that’s often useful to keep little hands clean and safe.

Over to you

And there you have it – everything you need to know about buying a kids’ bike.

There’s quite a lot to think about when choosing a bike for a child, but essentially the most crucial parts are getting the size right, and making sure your little cyclist feels comfortable, safe and confident in the saddle.

A fun and happy learning experience is key to building a hobby that a kid will keep coming back to. It will also ensure that you really get your money’s worth from your investment, rather than the bike simply getting relegated to the shed and forgotten about!

Finally, if you are considering doing the school or nursery run by bike, we have plenty of advice for commuting with kids .

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The Best 24 Inch Bikes for 8 to 10 Year Olds

The best 24 inch bike depends on the type of riding your child will be doing. Whether it’s simple neighborhood adventures, jumping ramps, long family rides, or tackling local dirt trails—there’s a 24 inch bike designed for that!

Over the years, we’ve tested over forty 24 inch bikes with our own kids and have learned first hand what features are important and which are just “nice to have”. From budget-friendly options to premium models, we’ve tested all the major brands and are confident that you’ll find the best bike for your child on our list.

Best 24 inch Bikes for Kids Ages 8 to 10

24 inch bikes are typically the best fit for kids ages 8, 9 and 10, but be sure to check out our Kids Bike Finder Tool or our Kids Bike Sizing article if you are unsure about the best size bike for your child.

BIKES ON A BUDGET

What we look for in a budget-friendly bike.

There’s a reason you don’t see a Schwinn or Huffy on this list. Kids bikes traditionally sold at Walmart or on Amazon are generally heavy, clunky, and a poor riding experience.

In the past few years, a select few budget-friendly brands have produced much needed change in the kids bike market. The Guardian, Retrospec, and Polygon bikes you see below are significantly better than any bike you will find at Walmart. They are lighter-weight, have better quality components, and are designed to make riding easier for kids.

CYCLE Kids 2 4

Best Bang for Your Buck

・ MSRP : $549 ・ REC CHILD HEIGHT: 49” – 57″ ・ WEIGHT: 21.5 lb. ・ STANDOUT FEATURES : Quality build with name brand components at a great price ・ FULL REVIEW : CYCLE Kids 20 Inch Review

While we haven’t tested the CYCLE Kids 24, we were so impressed with their 16” and 20” models that we had to share their 24” version. Equipped with high-quality components, including Kenda Small Block 8 tires and Shimano shifting, CYCLE Kids packs impressive features into this model. Weighing in at just 21.5 lb, their 24” is also exceptionally lightweight compared to other bikes.

While untested by us, we assume the CYCLE Kids 24 has a similarly aggressive, lean-in position as their 20”, making it ideal for bold riders eager to tackle every jump or curb ahead. And as a bonus, CYCLE Kids donates 5% of all sales to help lower-income kids gain access to bikes!

Guardian Bikes 24

Innovative braking system, easy-to-use grip shifters.

• SEAT HEIGHT: 25″ – 33″
• WEIGHT: 25.5 lb.
• READ MORE:   Guardian Bikes 24 inch Review

You wouldn’t think that brakes on a kid’s bike would be a big deal, but Guardian Bikes prove otherwise. Their proprietary SureStop braking system helps kids of all riding abilities feel more confident and less anxious, whether they’re riding to their friend’s house or across town.

With just one brake lever that sequentially engages the rear brake followed by the front brake, timid kids feel more secure, and aggressive kids have the added stopping power they need. For over 7 years, Guardian Bikes have been our favorite budget-friendly bikes for kids.

• Patented SureStop braking system for faster and more controlled braking
• Grip shifters provide smooth shifting (7-speed)
• Low center-of-gravity design for better balance and maneuverability
• Fun, kid-approved designs
• Insanely easy assembly
• Slightly heavier, and components aren’t as high-end as some of the other bikes on this list

Retrospec Dart 24

Solid quality and design on a super budget.

• PRICE: $249
• SEAT HEIGHT : 25.5″ – 29.8″
• WEIGHT:  28.5 lb. (w/ kickstand and pedals)
• READ MORE: Retrospec Dart 20 and 24 Review

While the additional expense of upgrading to the Guardian 24 is worth it in our book, if your budget is limited, the Retrospec Dart 24 is our favorite super-budget kid’s bike.

If you’ve been considering heading to Walmart for a Schwinn or Huffy, we highly recommend that you choose a Retrospec kid’s bike instead – the overall quality and design is simply better.

Once the bike is properly tuned, the brakes offer good stopping power and the gearing system shifts smoothly. Overall, our kid testers found it fun to ride, and parents were pleased at the surprising quality for a very low price.

SIZING NOTE: While the seat height goes as low as 23.4″, that seat height is much too low for the overall size of a 24″ bike. We recommend using the seat height at 25.5″ and higher, or for kids about 50″ and taller.

• Good quality components for the price
• Comes with a derailleur hanger, which helps prevents costly derailleur fixes
• Simpler shifting (gearing) system than most cheap 24″ bikes (only one shifter on the right hand, instead of shifters on both the left and right hands) is much easier for kids
• Wider 2.1″ tires offer good traction and cushioning
• One of the heavier bikes on this list, but it’s also the cheapest so that should be expected
• Brakes and gearing system may need to be adjusted at a bike shop

Polygon Premier Ultralight Urban

Great quality and performance with a budget-friendly price tag.

• SEAT HEIGHT : 25.5″ – 31.5″
• WEIGHT:  23.1 lb. (w/ kickstand, pedals, and derailleur cage)
• READ MORE:   Polygon Premier Ultralight Kids Bike

New to the US, but not to the biking world, Polygon Bikes offers top-notch bikes with quality components at an affordable price.  Their new Premier Ultralight 24 inch bike is no exception and comes fully spec’ed with a Shimano drivetrain, Kenda tires, and Promax brake levers. 

Paired with a lightweight aluminum frame with confidence-building geometry, the Premier is a great bike for young riders ready to tackle everything from cruising around the neighborhood to longer rides on compact dirt trails.

• Low minimum seat height
• Modern graphics on a lightweight aluminum frame
• Easy to assemble and all bikes are quality checked before shipping
• Comes with derailleur cage and kickstand
• 1.75″ wide all-terrain Kenda tires
• Only available in two color options
• Shimano Tourney shifter can be hard to use for some kids
• Lower max gear ratios for those riding on long flat trails

NEIGHBORHOOD RIDERS

What we look for in a neighborhood bike.

Whether riding to school or heading out on a long ride with the family, neighborhood bikes are designed for kids who mainly stick to paved surfaces.  With smoother or narrower tires, and slightly more upright body positioning than multi-use bikes, these neighborhood bikes are comfortable and natural to ride.

With a focus more on simplicity for the average kid rider, these 24 inch bikes feature easy-to-use grip shifters, fewer gearing options, and v-brakes. They also boast exceptional quality that will allow you to pass these bikes down to several kids, or resell them for a good price.

Specialized Jett 24

Growth spurt proof fits kids longer than other bikes..

• SEAT HEIGHT : 26.5″ – 35.5″
• WEIGHT:  22.3 lbs.
• READ MORE:   Specialized Jett Review

An exceptional bike all-around, the Specialized Jett is a quality bike with top-notch components that is not only build to last, but is also built to fit much longer than other 24″ bikes!

After years of study and research, the Jett was uniquely designed to provide about 3″ of additional room for growth compared to other bikes. After testing the 24″ Jett out on 8 different kids, we found it to properly fit for heights ranging from 51″ to 62″ (many 24″ bikes max out around 59″).

In addition to being a great fit, the Jett is a blast to ride. All of our testers loved the fun, smooth, and nimble ride of the Jett and preferred it over many other bikes in our test fleet. Both our timid and aggressive riders loved the Jett’s 2.0″ wide tires that help to cushion the ride, as well as the quick and responsive trigger shifters.

Lastly, while the Jett is available online, you can also order it through your local bike shop and then pick it up already assembled!

• Built-in adjustability to allow kids to properly fit and ride the Jett for longer than most bikes
• Lightweight, aluminum construction
• Easy-to-use trigger shifters (on geared 20″ and 24″)
• Smooth-rolling tires that provide plenty of cushion and traction
• Quality build that will hold up through several kids
• Support and assembly from your local Specialized dealer if needed (bikes also shipped direct to you if you prefer!)
• Cushioned child-size saddle with numbered seat post for a precise fit
• Narrow q-factor for efficient pedaling
• Ergonomic handlebar grips
• Fit Tool suggestions aren’t as dialed as we would like

Priority Start 24

Grease-free belt drive, simplified shifting.

• SEAT HEIGHT:  27″ – 34.5″
• WEIGHT: 23.3 lbs.
• READ MORE:   Priority Start 24 Review

Intelligently designed with just three simple gears and a grease-free belt drive, the Priority Start 24 makes kids’ biking adventures simpler and easier (and more maintenance-free for parents!).

The Start boasts beautiful lines and an impressive paint job along with multi-terrain tires that accommodate everyone from timid to aggressive riders. The Priority Start is truly the full package for your neighborhood rider.

• 3-speed internally geared hub keeps shifting simple and is very low maintenance
• Grease-free, rust-free, essentially maintenance-free belt drive
• Multi-terrain tires for a wide variety of uses
• Soft and cushioned saddle
• Dual v-pull hand brakes
• Soft, cushioning grips
• Gorgeous paint job – comes in 3 color options
• 3 gears is limiting for riders who may advance to more aggressive riding

Super lightweight, confidence-building bike

• SEAT HEIGHT : 26.4″ – 32.3″
• WEIGHT:  20.3 lbs. (with kickstand and pedals)
• READ MORE:   woom 5 Review

The woom 5’s combination of a super lightweight frame, a more upright body position, and a wide gearing range make this bike the most natural and easy ride of any 24 inch bike we’ve tested. Its uniquely-designed handlebar allows for height adjustments to make the woom 5 a better fit for a longer period of time.

Its slightly knobbier tires also make the woom ideal for riding on various surfaces. Because it’s so versatile in use, it’s especially great for young riders who have a love for bike riding, but haven’t seriously committed to road or aggressive trail riding. The woom 5 is a solid, does-it-all bike for your budding bike enthusiast.

• Lightweight with a low minimum seat height
• Wide range of gears (8-speed) for tackling various terrains and elevations
• Highly adjustable fit for a more comfortable ride as a child grows
• Low center-of-gravity geometry for better balance and maneuverability
• Easy-to-use grip shifters and other high-end components
• Gorgeous, and with a nice variety of colors available

Early Rider Belter 24

Insanely smooth ride with internally geared 8 speed hub.

• SEAT HEIGHT : 27.3″ – ~31″
• WEIGHT:  24.3 lbs.
• READ MORE:   Early Rider Belter 24

The smooooothest bike on the block, all of our kid testers were immediately impressed by the Early Rider Belter. Its combination of a belt drive and internally geared hub makes pedaling the bike seemingly effortless.

When kids want to change gears, the grip shift twists naturally and without pause, while the internally geared hub shifts the gear in an impressively fluid motion. For these test riders who have been using a traditional derailleur and chain set-up their whole lives, they were shocked at the easy-breezy nature of the shifting process, even compared to other high-end bikes they ride.

The Early Rider Belter 24 cements its unique place in the kids bike world with its EIGHT-speed internally geared hub. Most internally geared hubs have only 3 to 5 gears, making the Early Rider Belter the ONLY 8-speed, internally geared kids’ bike. This makes it particularly suited for climbing hills or gaining speed on flat roads.

From a performance standpoint, the Early Rider is the stand-out bike on this list, but its one drawback is that it has a pretty limited “good fit” range, making the life of the bike shorter than other bikes we recommend.

• Internally geared, 8-speed hub changes gears so smoothly, needs minimal maintenance, and won’t get damaged like a traditional derailleur
• Grip shifter turns easily and more smoothly than any other we’ve tested
• Belt drive is grease-free and also needs minimal maintenance
• Vee Speedster tires have minimal rolling resistance
• Exceptional quality pedals spin on their spindle better than any bike we’ve seen
• Hydraulic disc brakes offer “stop on a dime” power
• Small “good fit” range, especially for the price

ADVENTUROUS RIDERS

What we look for in a multi-use bike for aggressive riders on paved and dirt trails.

For adventurous kids who need a bike suitable for occasionally (or frequently!) hitting dirt trails, these multi-use bikes are the perfect choice.

These kids bikes feature wider and/or knobby tires for better traction on various surfaces, and generally a more aggressive positioning on the bike.  This positioning allows kids to more easily shift their weight around while speeding up a jump or going through a tight turn – whether on pavement or dirt.

These 24 inch bikes also feature one or more of the following features: rapid fire trigger shifters for faster gear changes, disc brakes for top-notch stopping power, or a basic coil suspension fork to make neighborhood tricks like bunny hops a bit easier.

REI Co-Op REV

Great quality and build for the price.

• SEAT HEIGHT : 25.25″ – 31.5″
• WEIGHT: 28.2 lbs.
• READ MORE:   REI Co-Op REV Plus Review

REI offers solid-quality kids’ bikes at a very decent price. Built on a durable frame equipped with mechanical disc brakes and 2.6″ wide cushioning tires, the REI Co-Op Cycles REV 24 Plus is a great entry-level trail bike that also excels around the neighborhood.

This bike is also an affordable option for families who want a good “base bike” for upgrading to make it more trail-worthy.

• Quality bike for a very decent price
• Sturdy frame and 2.6″ wide tires great for exploring the neighborhood or basic trails
• Tektro mechanical disc brakes offer solid stopping power
• Local REI pick up and return guarantees
• Handlebars may be too wide for some riders (you can cut them down though)

Polygon Premier XC Disc 24

Knobby tires, coil suspension fork, and trigger shifters.

• PRICE: $499
• SEAT HEIGHT : 26.7″ – 33.7″
• WEIGHT:  29.7 lb. (w/ kickstand and pedals)

Whether your child simply loves the look of a suspension fork or if they are all about hitting small jumps and blasting over curbs, the Polygon Premier XC Disc is right up their alley. Coming equipped with 2.25″ wide all-terrain tires and a 50mm coil suspension fork, the Premier XC Disc provides plenty of grit for adventurous riders, a certainly looks the part of a true mountain bike.

With mechanical disc brakes, the XC Disc 24 has better stopping power than the standard v-brakes found on Polygon’s Urban bike. It also has a wider gearing range that will make gaining and maintaining speed on flat and downhill sections much easier.

Compared to other multi-use, trail-friendly bikes on this list, the Polygon MTB’s lower price point does result in a heavier bike. While it’s about as heavy as a Schwinn bike you might find at Walmart, its overall build and design are considerably better.

• Very solid quality components
• Disc brakes for faster, easier stopping power
• Trigger shifters, which are better for advanced riding
• Comes with derailleur hanger, which helps prevents costly derailleur fixes
• 2.25″ wide all-terrain Crown Gem tires
• Only available in one color option
• On the heavy side

Prevelo Alpha Four

Best for aggressive riders & basic trail riders.

• SEAT HEIGHT: 26.2″ – 31.4″
• WEIGHT:  20.75 lbs.
• READ MORE:   Prevelo Alpha Four Review

Lightweight, quick, and ridiculously nimble, the Prevelo Alpha Four is the ultimate ride for young riders regularly riding on paved and non-paved surfaces. From pounding out the mileage on long rides with the family or hitting up the local DIY dirt jumps, the Alpha delivers an exceptional, confidence-building ride.

Specced with trigger shifters as well as 8 gears with a wide gain ratio range, the Prevelo is easy to shift on the fly and even easier to power up hills or lay down the speed on long straightaways. When it comes time to slow down, the Alpha’s Tektro v-brakes offer quick and responsive stopping power.

• Lightweight, low step-through frame
• MicroShift trigger shifters are very easy to engage
• Low center-of-gravity for better balance
• Narrow Q-factor for maximum leverage on pedals
• 24 x 1.5 Kenda Small Black Eight knobby tires (can upgrade up to 2.1″ wide)
• Top quality components
• Minimum seat height is taller than previous models

woom EXPLORE 5

Best fit over a long period of time.

• SEAT HEIGHT: 26″ – 32.1″
• WEIGHT:  20.5 lbs. (with included kickstand and pedals)
• READ MORE:   woom EXPLORE 5 Review

The woom EXPLORE 5 is a more sophisticated woom bike – visually and technically. With more mature colorways and frame design, the EXPLORE’s components are chosen for the more aggressive abilities of older kids.

From wider tires, to hydraulic disc brakes and trigger shifters, the woom EXPLORE is designed to be a more versatile bike for adventurous kids who will pound the pavement, race the neighborhood, tackle the climbs, and explore the forest.

Like the original woom 5, the EXPLORE features a proprietary stem design that makes the handlebars both reach and height adjustable. This allows the bike to be a great fit over a much longer period of time compared to most bikes.

The woom EXPLORE 5 will replace the original woom 5 when stock of the original bike runs out.

• Super lightweight for easy maneuverability
• Great fit over a long period of time – stem design makes the height and reach of handlebars adjustable
• Hydraulic disc brakes for fast and consistent stopping
• Kid-friendly trigger shifters are easy for small kids’ hands to push and pull
• Versatile geometry and components great for pavement and packed dirt
• Exceptional overall quality
• High price tag

MORE BIKES TO KEEP ON YOUR RADAR

Trek precaliber 24, mountain bike look and feel with optional casual-use suspension.

• MSRP: $439/$469 (with suspension)
• SEAT HEIGHT: 26″ – 30.5″
• WEIGHT:  25.5 lb., 26.5 lb. (with suspension)
• READ MORE: Trek Precaliber 24

Featuring the look and feel of a real mountain bike , but without the costly components of a true mountain bike, the Trek Precaliber 24 is a win-win for parents and kids. With 2.25″ wide tires and an optional front suspension fork, the Precaliber is the perfect ride for the adventurous neighborhood rider who is eager to tackle both paved and dirt trails.

With its lower-end components and “casual-use only” fork, the Precaliber is not designed for hitting true single track trails, but it excels at neighborhood dirt trails as well as jumping curbs and small jumps.

• Available with or without suspension
• Suspension is functional for around town but is not ridiculously heavy (adds about 1.5 lb.)
• Four different color options
• Assembly and tune-ups available at local bike shop
• Low-end components (Shimano Tourney, non-branded brakes)

Pello Reyes

Mechanical disc brakes, can upgrade to suspension fork.

• SEAT HEIGHT : 25.25″ – 31″
• WEIGHT: 21.9 lbs., 24 lbs. with air fork
• FULL REVIEW: Pello Reyes Review

From paved bike trails to smooth-rolling single-track, the Reyes is the ultimate multi-trick pony for the adventurous 8 to 10-year old.  Built with a lightweight and nimble frame, Tektro mechanical-disc brakes, a responsive Cane Creek headset, and topped with 9-speeds controlled by a Shimano trigger shifter, the Reyes is a phenomenally versatile bike. 

Taking it one step further, the Reyes comes equipped with 24 x 1.95″ Kenda Small Block 8 tires that offer plenty of bite for dirt trails, but are low profile enough to provide a smooth ride on pavement.

Have a true grom on your hands?  Convert the Reyes into the ultimate trail bike by going tubeless (rims are tubeless compatible) and for $249 add on an RST F1RST air fork at purchase (geometry is suspension corrected).  At $888 total, it’s a super affordable and legit trail bike option.

• High-end components including Cane Creek headset, Kenda tires, and Tektro disc brakes with kid-sized hand levers
• 9 speed Shimano trigger shifter
• Versatile in use – light weight also makes it suitable for long distance rides
• With optional upgrades including suspension fork and dropper post, you can easily convert the Reyes to a full-blown mountain bike
• Lowest gear could be lower for extended climbing

What to Look for in a 24-inch Bike

Siz ing for 24 inch bikes.

A 24 inch bike is typically the best fit for 8 to 10-year-olds or children between 49” and 59” tall. If your child is 11 or a tall 10-year-old, you might want to consider a 26 inch bike for more room to grow.

Through our experience testing 24-inch bikes with kids, we’ve found that they are confident enough at this stage to ride with the seat set about 3 inches above their inseam. This height allows them to touch the ground with their tiptoes while providing the optimal knee bend on the upstroke for pedaling efficiency.

Keep in mind, the minimum and maximum seat heights on 24-inch bikes vary widely across brands. Always check the seat height against your child’s inseam to ensure a proper fit. Most 24-inch bikes offer an adjustment range of 5 to 8 inches, which allows them to grow with your child and last longer than smaller bikes.

Weight – Light is Better, but More Expensive

From our hands-on testing, we’ve learned that a bike should ideally weigh less than 40% of a child’s body weight for the best riding experience. While this ratio is most important for younger, learning riders, it still applies to 8- and 9-year-olds. Lighter bikes are easier to handle, especially for longer rides or tackling hills. 

Be cautious of bikes with suspension forks, as they add significant weight without providing much benefit for most young riders. Unless your child is riding rugged trails, the added weight of a suspension fork often outweighs any advantages.

Best Frame Design – Depends on Riding Style

A bike’s frame geometry varies widely depending on the bike’s intended use. Considering most kids stick to neighborhood riding, most of our recommended bikes have a more upright geometry, which places the rider in a somewhat upright body position (shown on the left below).

If you have a more aggressive or adventurous rider who loves to take on curbs, jumps and basic trails, a bike with a more aggressive, leaned in geometry, like the bike shown on the right, is a better fit.

Brakes – Varied Options for Different Needs

Dual handbrakes are the most common braking system on 24-inch bikes, with a few models offering coaster brakes . However, most feature either V-pull brakes, disc brakes (mechanical or hydraulic), or Guardian Bikes’ SureStop system.

V-Pull Brakes

Standard V-pull brakes work great for the mass majority of 8 to 11-year-olds, but the quality and performance of V-brakes vary from bike to bike.  High-quality, high-performing brakes are easy for kids to activate and don’t require them to exert a lot of pressure on the lever.

Higher-end brands like woom, Priority, and Cleary have superior braking performance with easy-to-pull short-reach levers designed for small hands.

V-Pull vs. Disc Brake

Disc Brakes

High-quality disc brakes offer more stopping power than V-brakes and perform better in wet conditions. Disc brakes are more expensive and found only on higher-end bikes.

Guardian’s SureStop Brakes

Guardian’s unique patented braking system allows kids to activate both the rear and front brake with ONE brake lever.  Upon pulling the single brake lever, the rear brake is activated, which in turn activates the front wheel’s brake. 

As a result, it’s impossible for kids to “endo”, or be bucked off the bike by braking with only the front brake because the SureStop system prevents the front brake from being activated until after the rear brake has.

Gears – Essential on 24 inch bikes

By age 8 or 9, kids are likely exploring varied terrain, from flat roads to hilly neighborhoods and dirt trails, where gears become essential. Most 24-inch bikes come with 7 or 8 gears, but the gear range varies between models. Higher-end bikes typically offer a wider range of gears, making it easier for kids to climb hills or gain speed on flat roads.

Gears are operated by either grip shifters, which are easier for beginners, or trigger shifters, preferred by more experienced riders. Kids who are more timid often do well with grip shifters, while adventurous riders tend to favor trigger shifters.

Trigger vs Grip Shifter

Shopping for a 24-inch bike can cause sticker shock, as prices tend to rise with the size of the bike and the complexity of the components. However, investing in a quality bike from this list can make a huge difference in your child’s riding experience.

Every bike on this list is pretty incredible and significantly better than a bike you’ll find at a big-box store. If budget is a concern, consider buying a used model from one of these top brands. In the end, the most important thing is to keep your child riding—any bike is better than no bike!

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About The Author

Natalie Martins

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