Looking for a 24 inch bike for your son or daughter? Or grandchild?
You’re in the right place! We’ve tested and reviewed lots of kids bikes over the years, and in this article we’ll help save you time by providing a list of what we consider THE BEST 24 inch kids bikes, as well as giving you some tips on how to choose.
Our top pick is the Woom Explore 5. It is lightweight, has child-appropriate geometry, and is built with high quality components including hydraulic disc brakes. On more of a budget? In that case, we recommend the Guardian 24.
You may also want to check out our reviews of the best kids bike helmets.
Table Of Contents
Niche 24" Bikes
Our Top Picks
How To Choose The Best Bike
First, Let’s Make Sure You’re Looking At The Right List
In general, 24 inch bikes are appropriate for kids in the 7 to 11 age range, although this can vary depending on the size of the child and the geometry of the individual bike. (More on picking the correct-size bike later).
If you’re not so sure that your kiddo needs a 24″ bike, start with our article on bike sizing first and go from there.
We should also mention that the bikes on this list are what we consider all-terrain, all-purpose bicycles. The bicycles on this list can nearly do it all. They are perfect for biking to school, playing in the cul-de-sac, and maybe even hitting a little dirt trail.
That said, if you’re family does more serious cycling, you might want a niche-specific 24″ bike instead. In that case try one of these articles instead:
- Want a mountain bike? While the bikes on this list can certainly handle going to the skills park or hitting a little singletrack, if your child is serious about mountain biking you’ll want to look at our list of 24″ Mountain Bikes instead.
- Want a road bike? Racing on the road or the cyclocross track? You’ll want a drop-bar 24 Inch Bike.
- Riding in the snow or sand? Bigger tires are a big benefit when riding in the snow or sand. Check out our list of Kids Fat Bikes.
Our Top Picks
| What We Love | Price (MSRP) | |
| OVERALL | ||
| Woom Explore 5 | Lightweight, hydraulic disc brakes | $819 |
| Prevelo Alpha Four | Off-road build, superior customer service | $799 |
| Guardian 24 | SureStop braking system | $339 |
| Priority Start 24 | Low maintenance | $449 |
Woom Explore 5
Price: ﹩819
Woom makes our favorite bikes for little kids, and they also make our favorite bikes for big kids. The Woom Explore is designed to be a versatile, do-it-all bike that can handle everything from school commutes to weekend gravel adventures.
Like all Woom bikes, the Explore 5 is exceptionally lightweight at just 19.9 lbs, making it easy for kids to control and maneuver. It boasts high-quality components including hydraulic disc brakes (a rarity for hybrid kids bikes), a microSHIFT Acolyte 8-speed drivetrain with trigger shifter, and fast-rolling Schwalbe Billy Bonkers tires.
The bike is designed to grow with your child thanks to the adjustable stem and seatpost with handy ABC markings to help you find the right fit. It also comes ready for accessories with mounts for fenders, a rack, and a water bottle cage—perfect for longer rides or bike camping.
Read Our Review: Woom Explore
Prevelo Alpha Four
Price: $799
There aren’t many kids bikes built with the same quality you would expect in an adult bike–but the Prevelo Alpha Four is one of them.
The latest MkIII version of the Alpha Four has been significantly upgraded and has a more mountain bike-esque vibe than the other bikes on this list. It can handle gentle singletrack and gravel riding (as well as around-town jaunts) thanks to the hydraulic disc brakes, tubeless-ready wheels and tires, and wide 1.95″ tires.
Even with the burlier build, at just 19.2 lbs, the Alpha Four is lightweight and nimble. Thanks to this high-quality build, the bike can be handed down (or sold) without a problem.
Read Our Review: Prevelo Alpha Three (same bike just smaller)
Guardian 24
Price: $339
The Guardian 24 is a budget-friendly bike with the proprietary SureStop braking system—and that braking system alone makes this bike worth considering.
The SureStop braking system uses a single brake lever to apply appropriate force to both the front and rear wheels. This helps prevent over-the-bars crashes, which are common when young riders grab too much front brake in a panic stop. It’s a game-changer for safety-conscious parents and for kids who struggle with eye-hand coordination or are transitioning from coaster brakes.
Beyond the innovative braking, the Guardian 24 is a solid all-around bike. It features a durable steel frame with clean internal cable routing, a 7-speed drivetrain with an intuitive twist grip shifter, and smooth-rolling tires that are perfect for pavement and packed paths. The bike also comes with a quality kickstand, water bottle cage mounts, and plenty of reflectors for visibility.
At an incredibly attractive price point, the Guardian 24 offers everything most kids need without unnecessary features they don’t. It’s not the lightest bike on our list, but it’s reliable, well-built, and backed by excellent customer service.
Read Our Review: Guardian 24
Priority Start 24
Price: $449
The Priority Start 24 is unique in that it uses a belt-drive rather than a chain. We love this! The belt drive is grime-free, won’t stain your kids pant legs, and requires minimal maintenance.
Speaking of minimal maintenance, the bike also has an internally-geared hub. It has three different gears that shift automatically. This is great for kids who don’t have the dexterity yet to shift, and for parents who don’t want to deal with maintaining the drivetrain.
While the brake levers are adequate and safe, they’re not quite as high-end as the brakes found on pricier bikes on this list. For most kids riding around town, though, they work just fine.
For families looking for a low-maintenance commuter bike that kids will actually enjoy riding, the Priority Start 24 is an excellent choice at a great price point.
Read Our Review: Priority Start 20 (same bike just smaller)
How These Bikes Stack Up & Tips For Choosing
Still not sure which bike is best for your child? Here are how they compare in several different categories, and also some tips on how to pick.
Budget
Because 24 inch bikes are *almost* adult-sized and have gears, they also are also *almost* the same price as adult bikes. Expect to spend at least $400 when buying new and closer to $700 or $800 if you want the best.
If that’s more than you can afford, consider buying a used bike rather than downgrading to a big-box store bike. If that’s the route you choose to go, check out our tips on how to find a quality used kids bike.
Age Range
The general rule of thumb for 24″ bikes is that they fit kids between 7 and 11 years old. This can vary quite a bit though depending on the bike and the child. Many manufacturers on this list market their bikes for kids ages 8 to 12, so make sure to look at the sizing chart for a specific bike before buying.
Measure your child’s height and inseam and compare it to the manufacturer’s specs. To learn more about measuring your child for a bike use this article: The Ultimate Guide To Kids Bike Sizes (And Bike Size Chart).
Weight
The weight of a bike can make a HUGE difference in how far and how fast a child can ride–and how much they enjoy it. If you compare the bikes on our list to the weights of cheaper, big-box store bikes, you’ll notice the massive difference in weight.
We recommend buying the lightest bike you can afford. We usually use budget as the #1 factor in choosing a bike, and weight as #2.
Of the bikes on our list, the Woom Explore and the Prevelo Alpha are the lightest, both coming in at just under 20 pounds.
Brakes
There are two types of brakes you’ll notice on these bikes–v-brakes (rim brakes) and hydraulic disc brakes.
V-brakes are the most common and also the cheapest. They work well enough under most conditions.
If you live in a city where it rains a lot, there are steep hills, or your child may be using their bike for some off-road, trail riding, then you may want to consider a bike with disc brakes.
Hydraulic disc brakes offer the best modulation and stopping power but add cost and maintenance.
Disc brakes (left) offer the best stopping power but are more expensive and require more maintenance than traditional rim / v-brakes (right).
Tires
Consider the type of riding your child is going to be doing. If they will be riding 100% of the time on pavement, you want to look for a bike with slick, fast-rolling tires. If they’re going to be spending time riding dirt, gravel, grass, mud, etc, you want to make sure the tire is a little wider and has some extra tread.
Even if the bike you are considering doesn’t have the best tires for your child’s preferred type of riding, you can always swap out tires later.
Suspension Vs Rigid Fork
We know that kids love suspension forks–they look cool! Sadly, most kids bikes with suspension forks are HEAVY and don’t work that well.
Most kids will be much better off on a lighter bike with a rigid fork. If your child is doing REAL mountain biking on technical trails or going to the bike skills park a bunch, then check out our list of 24″ mountain bikes instead.
A real mountain bike with an air fork will work well BUT expect to spend significantly more money.
Boys 24 Inch Bikes Vs Girls 24 Inch Bikes
There is no difference between a boys 24 inch bike and a girls 24 inch bike. Unlike adult bikes, where there may be true gender differences (like a sloped top-tube, women’s specific saddle, etc), kids bikes are kids bikes are kids bikes.
If you are just looking for a “feminine bike” for your kiddo, check out our article on the Best Bikes For Girls which has lots of ideas on how to make a bike more girly and what bikes come in feminine designs and colors.
Otherwise, feel free to buy any bike for your child, regardless of a gender description in the name.
More Articles To Help You Make The Best Decision
- Best Kids Bikes: How To Choose, Reviews, & More!
- Kids Bike Sizing: 3 Tips To Help You Pick The Best Size Bike
About Us
The Rascals are a family of three. Kristen (mom), Blair (dad), and Parker (kiddo). We started Rascal Rides when Parker was born and we didn’t want to give up our passion for biking. As we learned, we shared. Over the years, we’ve tested hundreds of kids bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and more.
Kristen is a USA Cycling certified coach and loves to share her passion for biking with other families. Blair is a bike geek, mechanic, and mountain bike junkie. Parker is our resident tester and inspiration.
If you see us out on the trail, make sure to say hi!
So, I ordered her a Vitus when they were having a Black Friday sale. Noticed it still hadn’t shipped … and now they said it’s out of stock and they’re cancelling my order, two weeks before Xmas (and after most shops and REI have had their sales). UGH
Our budget isn’t huge. $400 range. My daughter is 9 and she’s never been a super confident rider – meaning she’s fine around the neighborhood but tends to panic on easy trails when she gets into trouble, and she’s not the type of kid to want to do jumps etc. We do live in CO and near trails, and usually take a spring trip to Moab. Her little brother is only 4 so most of our riding isn’t too technical and she’s just too timid for that anyways.
Bike options: LBS has Cannondale Quick and Trails both on sale for $320 (I think the Trail at that price is last year’s colors). Trail has suspension but it adds 5 lbs, so I really don’t know that it’s worth it. She’s a rail and only weighs 62 lbs as is. I wish the tires on the Quick were a bit wider. Should I get the lighter Quick and get wider tires? Will the rims hold them (I don’t know how to read the rim specs).
Raleigh Rowdy/Lilly also readily available for around $320-330. Knobby tires, low weight. I did read that it has a more aggressive stance that might feel intimidating for a more timid rider . . . which my daughter is.
We have an REI nearby, though their REV bikes seem heavy in comparison.
I’ve read a lot of good things about Guardian bikes, though with their one handed brake system I realize it’s not a good mtbr . . . but maybe for her type of riding it doesn’t matter?
Other suggestions? (aside from spending a lot more, we can’t right now so please don’t launch into the whole “wait and save and spend $$$” because she might even outgrow this 24″ in another year and THEN we will invest more). I would like to buy something today to make sure it ships in time and there’s time for any extra assembly. (Bikes with limited assembly a plus, we’re not super bike handy beyond a tire change)
Hi Sarah,
I might be too late, but jumping into say you are totally on the right track. I’d stick with lightweight over suspension. The Cannondale Quick is a great choice for the type of riding you are describing, and you should easily be able to add some fatter tires should you decide she needs them. There isn’t enough info on their website too know exactly how wide of a tire you can add, but I would expect you to be able to add a 1.8 or 2.0 tire. The LBS should be able to tell you for sure.
Judging by her riding style, the Guardian could also be a great choice. My only concern with it is if you think she’s going to progress with her trail riding, the brakes might eventually hold her back.
Hope that helps a little.
-KB
I put a 2″ MTB tire on my daughter’s Quick 20. Plenty of room. I’d expect the 24″ has similar clearance.
Good to know; thanks for sharing Quentin!
Small note, the 2020 Ridgeback Dimension 24 is 20.9 lbs (9.5kg) not 26.1.
How is the durability of these bikes for kids can it lasts for 4-5 years or not.
I saw the “budget’ options start at $330 and instantly thought (West coast or North East 1%ers).
These bikes are not only identical (different aesthetics) to the boxstore bikes that cost 1/3rd the price… they’re using the same images as they got from their Aliexpress source. The weight is the same, the components all appear to be the same. No difference.
Regarding durability, most Aliexpress and boxstore bikes are made in the same exact factories with the same exact tooling to the same exact specifications as the sub$1k non-USA made bikes.
My thoughts exactly. No “Oshkosh B’Gosh” here, either. I love my son and want quality stuff for him but when it comes to bicycles at his young age the “Wally World” stuff fits the bill. Literally. I don’t expect he’ll be snapping forks or be concerned about weight.
It’ll be a different story when (and IF) he takes the hobby seriously. THEN the higher-priced, quality bikes will warrant consideration.
This is not true. a $199 Schwinn Sidewinders at Walmart cost 199 on 24″ wheels.
Weight is 30 pounds and the groupset is absolute garbage!
I know because I used to have the adult version of it.
Look, I get that $150 is a lot of money for most. But that doesn’t mean the bikes listed here are not better. And for the most part they are.
If you can find the exact same bike, with the same specs on Aliexpress for much less, then i suggest you start your own business and sell bikes on your own for a nice profit.
What a load of BS. Even if they’re made in the same factories, who says its to the same specifications? Objectively, a Woom is a better bike than your box store bike, simply based on its weight. Then we haven’t even looked in to the build quality and the components. For kids (and adults) serious about cycling, lower weight is a serious advantage. If you don’t care and just want to have a fun ride – which is definitely possible with a $200 bike – then don’t spend the money.
Any comments on the BMC Blast 24? Weight and components seem pretty good for the price
When you list minimum seatpost height, where are you measuring from? Thanks.
How are you measuring the minimum seatpost height? I tried measuring my daughter’s seat on her 20″ bike and got about 18″ to the center of the bottom bracket and about 27″ to the ground. Based on the numbers you have I assume you measured to the ground, but I would appreciate confirmation.
Thanks!
p.s., sorry if this is a repeat. I tried posting earlier and it looked like it went through but later it disappeared.
Yup, to the ground! Minimum seatpost height is the distance from the ground to the saddle.
Posting the Vitus 24 at a “budget” price of $379 is a little misleading for anyone here in the US. This bike is only available through Chain Reaction and is shipped from the UK. Shipping (in Jan 2022) is $139 so the true price is $518. Bikes are not included in Chain Reactions free shipping when spending over $99 and also not included in their often seen 10, 15% discount sales.
Hi Simon, This is true! Unfortunately, the shipping cost has recently gone way up. We have a significant number of UK readers here, so it still makes sense for them, but I do need to make a note for our US readers.
I appreciate the detailed assessment of the various bikes you have offered and the points you make about bike fit for kids. After reviewing your info, I eventually purchased a Quick 24 (Sherpa) for my 8 year old daughter. She started on a 16″ Trek Precaliber and loved the light, nimble design. I moved her to a CrMo 20″ Hardrock 6spd and suspension fork – she never seemed comfortable on it. After watching the REI site and seeing the Quick 24 on sale, I lucked into one at the local store. It was a return and handlebars were damaged in shipping. They upgraded the stem, installed new bars, and cut them to size for her. When we got home, I saw the same excitement, energy, and smile on her face that I saw on the Precaliber. For her, weight makes more of a difference than I imagined – Quick 24 is definitely light and fits the bill. With the current 20% discount on REI the site i think the bike is a great value. The components are solid, the fit/finish are very nice, and she noticed the saddle being comfortable. Happy dad moment for sure!
Also – the Cannondale brand is now owned by Pon Holdings in Holland and the Dutch do like their bikes. I see this purchase as a win/win for the American consumer.
What do you think between Trailcraft Pineridge 24 (rigid) and Prevelo Alpha 4?
Oh, that’s a great question (and both great options). The Alpha is the more affordable choice, and has a similar component spec to the Pineridge special build. Between those two, I’d go with the Alpha for the better bang for your buck. The Pineridge gives you the option to upgrade to higher end component builds also though…so it’s really just a trade-off there between price and quality of components and what’s more important to you.