By the time kids are ready for a 20 inch bike (around 6 years old), they have a heightened sense of interest and ability when it comes to cycling. Suddenly, they can bike longer distances–faster! And if they’ve been biking for a while, they might be ready for their first bicycle with gears.
Cycling becomes even more fun than it was before, but having the right bike for your child (or grandchild) is key to their continued enjoyment and success.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of crappy kids bikes out there. They are heavy, have poor geometry, and will fall apart quickly.
We’ve tested and reviewed dozens of 20 inch kids bikes to help you weed through the noise, and find the best bike for your child. Below is a list of the best 20 inch bicycles on the market, as well as a comparison chart and tips on how to pick a bike.
The bikes on this list will perform well on the daily school commute as well as your family’s weekend outings on the local dirt rail trail. They are do-it-all bikes can serve both on- and off-road duty–cruise to the park on a Saturday and visit some mellow single track on Sunday!
(You’ll notice that none of these bikes have suspension. If your child is more interested in mountain biking than recreational around-town riding, check out our list of the Best 20″ Mountain Bikes instead).
Best Overall
Best Under $250
Table of Contents
| How To Choose The Best Bike | 5 Best “Budget” Bikes |
| Boys 20 Inch vs Girls 20 Inch Bikes | Honorable Mentions |
| Top 5 Picks Overall | Comparison Chart |
| 5 Best “Bang For Your Buck” Bikes |
How to Choose a Kids 20 Inch Bicycle
If you’re not sure what you should be looking for when shopping for a 20 inch kids bike, here is a quick primer. You can also download our printable cheat sheet.
Budget
When shopping for a kids bike, I always urge parents to spend as much as they can afford. Like all things in life (sadly!), the more you spend the nicer bike that you’ll get.
That said, there are still some good budget options on this list. When buying new, expect to pay at least $200-250. If you spend less, you can expect the bike will be heavy and have cheap, low-quality components that won’t last long.
If you can’t afford to spend that much, don’t despair. Buying a kids bike used is a great option. Check out our tips on how to find a quality used kids bike.
Age Range
The age range for 20-inch bikes is generally 6 to 8 years old. Even then, each bike is designed a little bit differently.
My 5-year-old, for instance, fits nicely on the Prevelo Alpha Three as well as the Pello Reddi. For this reason, I urge parents to make sure you measure your child’s inseam before shopping for a bike and compare it to the minimum seat height and/or minimum standover height for the specific bike you are considering.
It might be tempting to buy up a size, but the extra size and weight can easily frustrate your child and even be downright dangerous.
Weight
Although weight isn’t quite as important for a 7-year-old as it is for a 3-year-old, for instance, it’s still pretty important. Many big box store bikes can weigh up to 50% of your child’s body weight. Yikes!
The lighter a bike is, the easier it will be for your child to maneuver, the easier to pedal up hills, and the more enjoyable for your child to ride long distances. Unfortunately, the lighter the bike is generally the more expensive it is, so this is usually a trade-off between weight and budget. Choose the lightest bike you can possibly afford.
Brakes
When it comes to 20-inch children’s bicycles, most bikes have v-brakes (rim brakes) rather than a coaster brake. We think this is a good thing since coaster brakes tend to be dangerous and don’t have the same kind of modulation and control that a handbrake has.
Still, you might find a few bikes (such as the Specialized Riprock) that include a coaster. Unless you have a good reason for doing so, or fondly remember your coaster brake days, we recommend avoiding the coaster brake.
For bikes that have hand brakes, you’ll find that most of them are v-brakes. Some more expensive bicycles will have disc brakes which provide increased stopping power. We recommend going with disc brakes if you live in a particularly wet, rainy climate or if you live in a city with lots of steep hills.
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.
The knobby tires on the Woom (left) are better suited for all-terrain riding (gravel, dirt, etc), while the slick tires on the Guardian (right) are faster-rolling on pavement.
Drivetrain and Gearing
Whether or not your child is ready for a bike with gears is largely a matter of how confident they already are on a bicycle. If your kiddo has been on a pedal bike (without training wheels) since 3 or 4, they’re probably ready for gears.
On the other hand, if your child is still using training wheels or is simply a timid rider, wait to introduce a new element to the mix. There is nothing wrong with keeping things simple and having a singlespeed bike, especially if you live in an area without many hills.
There are several bikes on this list that do not have any gears. For those that do, there are two kinds: bikes with traditional drivetrains and those with an internally-geared hub.
The Pello Rover (left) has a traditional drivetrain with a rear derailleur. The Priority Start 20 (right) has an internally geared hub which may be a better option for parents who don’t want to do much bike maintenance.
The internally geared hub usually has just a few gears to keep things simple, and there is no derraileur. This is also nice for parents who don’t want to do much bike maintenance. The more traditional drivetrain includes a rear derailleur and cassette that might have 5 or 7 or 9 gears. At this age, a few gears are usually plenty.
On bikes with gears, you also want to consider the shifter. There are two different types of shifters that you’ll encounter on 20 inch bikes: grip shifters and trigger shifters.
In general, we prefer trigger shifters as they are easier to operate and make cleaner shifts. That said, grip shifters are usually easier and quicker for kids to pick up on and learn. If you know your child is prone to frustration and might struggle with the concept of a trigger shifter, then stick with a grip shifter.
Grip shifters (left) are easier to learn to operate than trigger shifters. Trigger shifters (right) are a bit tougher to learn but are easier for small hands to operate and make cleaner shifts.
Fork
For recreational around-town (and even mellow trail riding) pick a bike with a rigid (not a suspension fork). Yes, a suspension fork LOOKS cool and we know lots of parents that pick a suspension fork because that’s what their kids want.
The bad news is that most suspension forks are HEAVY and don’t work very well. In other words, you’re adding a bunch of weight for no performance benefit.
If your kiddo really is doing mountain biking and riding mountain bike trails (or playing around at the bike skills park), then you’ll want to invest in a REAL mountain bike with a higher quality (but more expensive) air-sprung suspension fork.
If that’s what you are looking for, check out this list instead:
Girls 20 Inch Bikes vs Boys 20 Inch Bikes
Don’t buy into the hype! There is no difference between a “girls 20 inch bike” or a “boys 20 inch bike.” Unlike adult bikes, girls bikes don’t have any unique components making them different.
That said, some girls may want a “girly” bike with feminine colors and accessories like a basket. We totally get that!
Most of the bikes on this list are offered in both feminine and masculine colors, so both girls and boys should be happy with these bikes.
If you are still looking for specific recommendations, check out our post below on the best 20-inch girls bicycles. You’ll also find suggestions on how to accessorize the bikes to make them more girly.
- Read: 5 Best Girls 20 Inch Bikes
5 Best Kids 20 Inch Bikes
| Bike | What We Love About It | Price (MSRP) | |
| 1 | Woom 4* | Lightweight, child-appropriate geometry | $599 |
| 2 | Prevelo Alpha Three* | Low standover height, great customer service | $539 |
| 3 | Frog 55* | Beautiful colors, comes with fenders | $580 |
| 4 | Pello Reddi OR Pello Rover* | Brand-name components, singlespeed or geared option | $439 / $559 |
| 5 | Cleary Owl * | Steel frame, internally-geared hub | $480/$560 |
Woom 4
Woom makes great bikes that are lightweight, have components that match the size of little bodies and boast a sleek aesthetic that appeals even to parents. The Woom 4 is no exception.
The Woom 4 is the lightest bike on this list, making it fun to ride and easy to maneuver. Handling is also helped by the upright geometry and unique adjusting handlebars. The dual handbrakes are some of the easiest around to pull and operate.
We also appreciate that Woom 4 has nearly endless customization options. Want fenders? A rack? Matching helmet? Those are all options.
And while it’s not cheap, the Woom 4 is NOT the most expensive bike on this list despite it being our favorite. Think it’s still too expensive? Consider that Woom offers an trade-in program, and that these are probably the most in-demand bikes on the used market.
Read Review: Woom 4
Price:$599
Prevelo Alpha 3
Prevelo makes gorgeous bikes with top-notch components and kid-specific geometry that makes the ride comfortable and fun. The Prevelo Alpha Three offers a low standover height, narrow q-factor, and lightweight build.
Components include brand-name parts such as the durable Shimano drivetrain and Tektro v-brakes. When comparing the Alpha Three to bikes from the big bike companies, it is clear that buying from a kid-specific brand makes sense.
Like Woom, Prevelo also offers a trade-in program, which helps take the bite out of the high price.
Read Review: Prevelo Alpha 3
Price: $539
Frog 55
Frog makes nice some of the nicest kids bikes across sizes and disciplines. The Frog 55 is their 20″ do-it-all offering.
The bikes come in absolutely gorgeous colors and designs, so no matter your child’s favorite color, they are sure to find a Frog that they like. Accent colors are repeated in incredibly thoughtful ways such as on the spokes nearest the tire valve and on the saddle.
Fortunately, the Frog 55 doesn’t just look pretty. It also has child-appropriate geometry, short cranks, and high-quality components. And it comes with fenders, which is a plus if you live in a rainy climate.
Read Our Review: Frog 55
Price: $580
Pello Rover or Reddi
“Life’s an adventure,” reads one of the decals on the Pello Rover–which is appropriate since it is certainly a bike built for adventurous kids. The Kenda K-Rad tires can handle hopping curbs and cutting across fields, while quality components like the Cane Creek headset can handle plenty of abuse. It also comes in at a respectable 18.5 pounds.
If your child isn’t yet ready for gears, or is still too small for the Pello Rover, you might also want to consider the Pello Reddi which is a slightly smaller singlespeed version of the bike.
Read Review: Pello Reddi
Read Review: Pello Rover
Price: $539 / $559
Cleary Owl 20
Cleary makes beautiful bikes. The Cleary Owl, their 20-inch offering, has an internally geared 3-speed Sturmey Archer hub and a robust steel frame that is built to last. (It also comes in a singlespeed version if you prefer that).
This bike is well suited to lots of abuse and will stand up with time. Cleary is also another brand that is well known and in-demand in the used market, making it a smart buy.
Read Our Review: Cleary Owl
Price: $430/$500
Best “Bang For Your Buck” Bikes
These bikes will lack some of the features of our favorite bikes listed above, but they will give you a whole bunch of value for the amount of money you pay. You can expect a lighter weight bike and higher level components than on a true budget bike.
| Bike | What We Love About It | Price (MSRP) | |
| 1 | Vitus 20* | Killer value, top-shelf components | $349 |
| 2 | Guardian 20* | SureStop braking system | $339/$399 |
| 3 | Belsize 20* | Belt drive, very lightweight | $399 |
| 4 | Glerc 20* | Belt drive, Kenda tires | $320 |
| 5 | Polygon Premier 20 | High quality components | $349 |
Vitus 20
Looking for some major bang for your buck? The Vitus 20 is the bike you want.
It comes with child-appropriate geometry and a full list of top-shelf components–Kenda tires, Tektro brakes, Shimano drivetrain–at several hundred dollars less than the bikes on our Top 5 list.
The one drawback is the weight–at 20 pounds it’s heftier than our Top 5 bikes–but for the price, this bike can’t be beat.
Price: $349
Guardian Bikes 20
The Guardian 20 comes with the proprietary SureStop braking system. This unique brake setup helps prevent over-the-bars accidents.
We also like that Guardian offers the 20″ in both a small and large frame size, and provide the RideSizer tool to help make sure you get the perfect sized bike for your child.
Read Our Review: Guardian 20
Price: $339 (small), $399 (large)
Belsize 20
There aren’t many bikes that can compete with the Belsize 20 on price alone. It offers a ton of features not normally seen at this price point including a rust-proof belt drive and beautiful brushed aluminum frame.
The bike is crazy lightweight at a mere 14.8 pounds. This means that it is fast rolling and easy to handle.
The bike does NOT have gears so that may be a deal breaker for some, but is great for kiddos that live in flatter areas or that simply aren’t ready to add that extra complication.
Price: $399
Glerc 20
The Glerc 20 provides tremendous bang for your buck. It’s also low maintenance.
The bike has a singlespeed drive train and internally routed cables to keep things clean and tidy. It even has brand name components like the Kenda tires which is almost unheard of at this pricepoint.
The only thing we weren’t crazy about were the sharp (not rounded) bolts.
Read Review: Glerc 20
Price: $320
Polygon Premier 20
Sometimes companies try to save money by cutting back on the quality of their components. That’s not true on the Polygon Premier 20.
This affordable bike has all brand name components including Kenda Tires, Shimano drivetrain, and Promax brakes. This is all built up on a good quality aluminum frame with child appropriate geometry.
The only thing we’re not crazy about on this bike is the weight. At nearly 22 pounds, it’s quite a bit heavier than the Belsize, for instance.
Price: $349
Best True Budget 20 Inch Bikes
Don’t fool yourself into believing these bikes are as good as the bikes on our Top 5 list. That said, we’ve picked some budget options that are durable and well-designed.
| Bike | What We Love About It | Price | |
| 1 | Batch Kids Bicycle 20 | Available at your local bike shop | $229 |
| 2 | Co-Op Cycles REV 20* | Can use REI dividend | $279 |
| 3 | Schwinn Koen* | Durable construction | $143.88 * |
Batch Kids Bicycle 20 Inch
The 20″ Batch Kids Bicycle is the ideal ride for parents who are looking for an affordable option and one that’s available at their local bike shop.
We like the bike for it’s simplicity (single speed only) and durability. Unlike many bikes in this price range, it won’t fall apart anytime soon.
The only thing that’s a real drawback for us is the coaster brake and lack of a hand brake.
Read Our Review: Batch Kids Bicycle
Price: $229
Co-Op Cycles 20
The Co-Op Cycles REV 20 has gone up in price. That said, you’re likely to get it cheaper if wait for a sale or if you have an REI dividend to use.
It’s not fancy, but it’s relatively lightweight and durably made. Simplicity is the name of the game here. The bike is a singlespeed (it only has one gear), and the components are primarily in-house.
It has a coaster brake, which we don’t love, but at this price, you can’t be too choosy. It does have Tektro handbrakes as well, so your kids can at least begin to learn to use them.
Price: $279
Schwinn Koen/Elm
The Schwinn Koen (boys version) or Schwinn Elm (girls version) are both good alternatives to inferior bikes you might find at a big box store or on Amazon. While this isn’t our favorite bike, it is made by a reputable company, is durable, and won’t end up in a landfill anytime soon.
We appreciate that the bike has a quick release seatpost collar for tool free height adjustments–something that’s often missing on even high end kids bikes.
The biggest bummer is the bike has a coaster brake, but that’s expected at this price point.
Price: $143.88 (Last updated: 2023-06-02 at 02:12 – More Info)
Honorable Mentions: Other 20 Inch Bicycles To Consider
Ok, so these bicycles didn’t make it onto our top-five list but they are still worthy-contenders.
| Bike | Why We Love It | Price |
| Early Rider Belter 20* | Belt drive, brushed aluminum frame | $579 |
| Islabikes Beinn 20 | Cult classic, look for one used | N/A |
| Priority Start 20* | Belt drive, internally-geared hub | $369 |
| Specialized Jett 20 | Fit tool, dual crank holes | $500 |
| Norco Roller 20 | Low standover, can find locally | $349 |
| Cannondale Quick 20* | Durable, can find locally | $400 |
| Park Cycles 20* | Disc brakes, good price | $305 |
Early Rider Belter 20
This is a seriously snazzy bike. The Early Rider Belter 20″ has a brushed-aluminum frame, belt drive, sealed bearings, and an internally-geared 3-speed hub. All this makes it an ideal bike for sitting in the rain at school, being thrown on the ground, and otherwise being abused as only a 7-year-old can manage.
Price: $579
Islabikes Beinn 20
Note: As of fall 2018, Islabikes is no longer selling their bikes in the U.S. market. We’re leaving it on this list in case you are lucky enough to find one used.
The Islabikes Beinn 20 is another top contender thanks to their lightweight build, quality components, and durability. The Beinn checks all the boxes for an all-terrain cruiser. It’s capable not only of keeping up with the neighbor kids, it will probably leave them in the dust. A SRAM drivetrain, Tektro v-brakes and lightweight frame paired with in-house rims and tires provide a stunning build.
Read Review: Islabikes Beinn 20
Priority Start 20
Are you looking for a bike for your child to bike to school or commute around town? If so, you probably can’t find a better-suited bike than the Priority Start 20.
Like the Early Rider Belter 20, the Priority Start 20 has a low-maintenance belt-drive (rather than a chain) and an internally geared 3-speed hub. Unlike the Early Rider, however, it’s actually totally affordable.
The bike is perfect for withstanding bad weather as it sits on the school bike rack, and it will look good doing it. The bike’s paint job is beautiful, and the bike even comes with a small bottle of touch-up paint.
Price: $369
Specialized Jett 20
Chances are you’ve heard of Specialized which is part of the reason this bike is so appealing. With a local dealers, and proven durablity, the Specialized Jett will appeal to parents who’d like to buy from a big brand name.
The Specialized Jett 20 is also a big step up from the company’s previous kids offerings. The bike is lightweight, has child appropriate geometry, and is designed to grow with your child.
We especially like the Jett’s fit tool that helps you set seat height, handlebar postition, and crank position. Yes, the cranks have two holes to allow the crank length to effectively grow as your child does.
Read Our Review: Specialized Jett
Price: $500
Norco Storm 2.3
The Norco Storm 2.3 is a big step up from previous Norco youth offerings. It offers Tektro v-brakes (front and rear) and easy-to-reach levers.
This bike introduces kids to gears with the 6-speed Shimano drivetrain. That said, the grip shifter may be hard for smaller hands to operate.
Price: $459
Cannondale Quick 20
*
It is hard to find a kids bike that is not either very heavy or very expensive. The Cannondale Quick 20 weighs a respectable 19 pounds and comes in about $100 less than the most expensive bikes on this list.
It comes with brand-name components–Kenda tires, and a Shimano drivetrain–although the Revo grip shifters are a bit challenging for small hands.
Price: $435
Park Cycles 20
The Park Cycles 20 offers a lot of value for the price–notably the disc brakes! While not every kid needs disc brakes, this does make the bike more attractive for families who want to do a bit of off road riding or who live in wet climates.
Other things we like are the wide handlebars and long wheelbase, trigger shifters, and quick release seatpost collar.
Price: $305
Comparison Chart: 20 Inch Kids Bikes
Here you can find a bit more info on each of the bikes listed above.
| Bike | Weight (lbs) | Frame Material/Design | Drivetrain/Shifters | Brake System | Rims | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-Op Cycles REV 20 | 20.2 | Alu Alloy | Singlespeed | Coaster / rear v-brake (Tektro) | In House | Kenda Kontact, 20" x 1.75" |
| Vitus 20 | 20.9 | Alu Alloy | Shimano, 7-speed, trigger shifter | V-brakes (Tektro) | In House | Kenda Small Block Eight Pro 20 ×1.5 |
| Raleigh Rowdy | 20.4 | Alu Alloy | Shimano, 6-speed, grip shifter | V-brakes | In House | 20 x 2.125" |
| Norco Roller 20 | NA | Alu Alloy | Single Speed | V-brakes (Tektro) | In House | Norco 20” x 2.1” |
| Priority Start 20 | 19.5 | Alu Alloy | Gates Belt Drive, Shimano Next 3-speed hub | V-brakes | In House | Kenda 20 x 1.9 |
| Guardian AIROS 20 1-speed | 19.5 | Alu Alloy | Single Speed | V-brakes (SureStop) | In House | Kenda Kontact, 20" x 1.75" |
| Cannondale Quick 20 | 20.2 | Alu Alloy | Shimano, 7-speed, grip shifter | V-brakes (Promax) | In House | Kenda Small Block 8, 20 x 1.5 |
| Pello Reddi 20 | 17 | Alu Alloy | Singlespeed | V-brakes (Tektro) | Alex | Kenda K-Rad 20x1.95 |
| Guardian AIROS 20 6-Speed | 21.2 | Alu Alloy | Shimano, 6-speed, grip shifter | V-brakes (SureStop) | In House | Kenda Kontact |
| Woom 4 | 17.9 | Alu Alloy | SRAM, 8-speed, grip shifter | V-brakes (In-House) | Supa Dupa Hoops (In-House) | Schwalbe Little Joe 20 x 1.4 |
| Cleary Owl 20 | 21.0 | Steel | Sturmey Archer Internal 3-speed Hub, trigger shifter | V-brakes (Tektro) | Alex | Kenda 20 x 1.9 |
| Prevelo Alpha 3 | 18.9 | Alu Alloy | Shimano, 8-speed trigger shifter | V-brakes (Tektro) | In House | Kenda Small Block Eight Pro 20 ×1.5 |
| Pello Rover 20 | 18.5 | Alu Alloy | SRAM, 7-speed, grip shifter | V-brakes (Tektro) | Alex | Kenda K-Rad 20x1.95 |
| Frog 55 | 19.4 | Alu Alloy | Shimano, 8-speed, trigger shifter | V-brakes (Tektro) | In House | Kenda K1153 20"x1.75 |
| Early Rider Belter Urban 20 | 16.3 | Alu Alloy | Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub, grip shifter | V-brakes (Tektro) | In House | Maxxis DTH 20 x 1.5 |
| Guardian Ethos 20 | 20.7 (small) | Steel | Singlespeed | V-brakes (SureStop) | In House | |
| Batch Kids Bicycle 20 | 19.2 | Alu Alloy | Singlespeed | Coaster | In House | |
| Specialized Jett 20 | 19.3 | Alu Alloy | Shimano microSHIFT, 7-speed | V-brakes | In House | Pathfinder Sport, 20x2.0" |
| Park Cycles 20 | 23.0 | Alu Alloy | 7 speed | Disc brakes | In House | 20 x 2.1″ |
| Belsize 20 | 14.82 | Alu Alloy | Single Speed | V-brakes (Tektro) | In House | Kenda CST, 20x1.5 |
| Polygon Premier 20 | 21.8 | Alu Alloy | Shimano, 7-speed | V-brakes (Promax) | In House | Kenda 20×1.75" |
More Reading To Help You Make The Best Choice
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!
This is a great list. As times change and if you have the time to update, definitely consider adding the Orbea MX20 team disc. We bought one for our daughter and it’s an amazing setup and a good deal.
Hi Adam, thanks for the input. The Orbea MX20 team disc is a nice bike. I have it on my list of 20″ mountain bikes since it is a bit more off-road specific but it could certainly work for an all-arounder too.
Internal gear hubs don’t shift on their own (except for things like SRAM automatix). They just put the gears inside the hub instead of outside. They shift in the same manner as external geared drivetrains.
Hi Neil,
Yes I’m referring to hubs like the SRAM Automatix (which sadly, is no longer made but was used on quite a few kids bikes until around a year ago). I suppose I should update the post to clarify.
Cheers,
KB
The Archer hubs with internal gears, are extremely annoying! They never stop clicking!
Is the 20 in Woom ok for a boy who doesn’t know how to ride yet. He is having a very hard time learning. I’m worried about the gear shifts. Or do you have any recommendations on what would be good for him to learn on?
Hi Juli,
Yes, the Woom would be a perfect choice. It is light and has good geometry. As far as the gears go, you can just put it in an easier gear and leave it there until he’s got the pedaling down and is ready to learn how to shift as well.
Just make sure his inseam is long enough that he is able to place his feet flat on the ground (or close to it). You might also want to initially take off the pedals and just let him scoot on it, like you would with a balance bike.
Good luck!
KB
Thank you for all of this information. I’ve used your site to get a balance bike for my toddler.
My question is…my almost seven year old daughter has never wanted to learn or showed interest in cycling until recently. She’s always been a scooter type of gal. What bike would you suggest that can help her with gaining confidence and then transition in to riding with pedals? She is almost seventy pounds and tall for her age. Thank you!
Hi Angela,
If you can afford it, I’d highly recommend a Woom, but obviously I’d recommend any of the bikes on this list ….
When you say she’s tall I’m not sure HOW tall, so make sure to measure her inseam and compare it to the minimum seatpost height of any bike you’re considering. She’ll want to be able to put her feet flat on the ground to learn to ride.
Initially, just remove the pedals and have her practice scooting and gliding. The good news is that scootering helps develop balance also, so it probably won’t take too long until she gets the pedaling thing down.
Hope that helps a little!
Cheers,
KB
Thank you for the list, I was trying some of your links for bikes that I am interested in for my 6 year old. Specifically the Vitus 20, which I can not add to cart, and the Raleigh Rowdy 20 which doesn’t come up. Thank you for any help you can give me in this matter.
Hi Antonio,
Unfortunately, there’s been a huge boom in kids bike sales this last month, and a lot of bikes are currently out of stock–including both the Vitus 20 and Raleigh Rowdy 20. The Raleigh Lily 20 (girl’s version) is still available if that’s interesting to you. Here’s the link: https://www.raleighusa.com/kids
Let me know if I can do anything else to help.
Cheers,
KB
No mention at all of Giant Bicycles. We have had great success with them. Is therevsomething you do not like about them?
Howdy, Kristen. Thanks for the great reviews and for keeping this list updated. I’ve been searching on and off for months for my six year old’s next bike, without much luck–this darned Zombie Apocalypse is unbalancing in ways both great & small. So… I ran across a company, Priority Bicycles, that appears to make a reasonable product that I could pre-order for October. I wondered if you had evaluated it? I’m reticent to buy anything that isn’t vetted and well reviewed. It’s a lot of money for us–Sebastian has been on a series of heavy freebies, this far–and I want to know that we’ll need investing in a good experience and able to parlay resale value into his next bike. Please advise on the Priority Start 20″.
It’s a great bike. I reviewed it here: https://rascalrides.com/priority-start-20-review/
[Never mind; I found your review. I’ve been at this for so long that I’ve forgotten some of the things I knew and/or ruled out in June.]
Howdy, Kristen. Thanks for the great reviews and for keeping this list updated. I’ve been searching on and off for months for my six year old’s next bike, without much luck–this darned Zombie Apocalypse is unbalancing in ways both great & small. So… I ran across a company, Priority Bicycles, that appears to make a reasonable product that I could pre-order for October. I wondered if you had evaluated it? I’m reticent to buy anything that isn’t vetted and well reviewed. It’s a lot of money for us–Sebastian has been on a series of heavy freebies, this far–and I want to know that we’ll be investing in a good experience and able to parlay resale value into his next bike. Please advise on the Priority Start 20″.
I’m having such a hard time making a decision for my son’s next bike. He has always been on the smaller side. My son started with a Prevelo Alpha 1 at the age of 3.5. He loved it & started riding it without any problems. At age 5, we got him a Guardian Etho 16inch because he was an experienced rider and we didn’t feel the need to spend the extra money on a lighter bike like the Woom or Prevelo. But it feels like he has already outgrown it and it hasn’t even been a year. He still “fits” the bike according to Guardian’s inseam range but we want him to be able to ride further distances without peddling so much. His current inseam (with shoes) is 19.5 and his height is 43.5 inches. I guess I’m worried to buy the Guardian small 20 inch bike and it only last a year like his other bikes but he doesn’t quite fit the 20 inch (large.) Do you have another suggestion that might last longer? It’s like his small body size doesn’t match his bike-riding ability if that makes sense.
Hi Hailee,
I’d say go with the Guardian large. Kids who are already really good riders and who aren’t too petite, can usually get away with sizing up a little. I’d be more concerned if he was a new pedaler, a timid rider, smaller in stature, etc.
Cheers,
KB
I’m having such a hard time making a decision for my son’s next bike. He has always been on the smaller side.
Hi, I was wondering why you recommend skipping the Trek Precaliber 20? I noticed you liked the SPECIALIZED RIPROCK CSTR 20 and the 2020 CANNONDALE KIDS QUICK 20, even thought they are about the same weight as the Trek Precaliber 20. Of these three the trek is the most affordable. It is also available at my local bike shop. I can travel further for one of the other two bikes, but they are more expensive and still heavy if not heavier. I’m trying not to spend more than $600 total for both bikes. I’m planning to get 20 in bikes with training wheels.
For context, I haven’t ridden a bike in about 15 years. So I’m not much of a bike person. My daughter is 7 and 48 inches tall with 20 in inseam. My son is 5 years old 46 inches tall with an 18 in inseam. Niether can ride a bike. I bought my son a 16 in balance bike. Neither kid enjoys riding it. Instead they take turns on an old 12 in hand-me-down bike with training wheels in the backyard on a decomposed granite path. They don’t use it that much, it is old and doesn’t work that well.
I’m planning to get them both pedal bikes with training wheels, because I think they are more likely to want to ride, and I will still have the 16 in balance bike they can use to practice balance. Which of these options do you recommend?
I prefer to buy from a shop so I don’t need to put it together. If you think that is a mistake and I should buy online and pay someone to put it together let me know. I am incredibly NOT handy, though I did put my son’s balance bike together.
I would love your advice!
Em
Hi Em,
I should probably add it. My only rationale for not adding it was that I already listed the Trek Wahoo–which is the nicer of the two bikes, but it’s getting discontinued for 2021 anyways. Of the bikes you listed, I would go with the Trek Precaliber (the version without a supsension fork) or the Cannondale Quick 20. Skip a bike with a coaster.
And yes, it makes a ton of sense to buy from a local bike shop if you’re not bike-savvy. They can help with bike maintenance in the future as you need it as well..
Cheers,
KB
Thanks Kristen. Yeah we just got a Precaliber 20 and I immediately want to return. Good GOD this thing his heavy. And joke’s on me for getting it home before realizing its not even a freewheel – it’s a coaster so the thing doesn’t spin well. The LBS is like – it’s good for a kid – and I’m like no – not when the kid is already used to a two-brake freewheel single speed (woom3).
I just came here from the 16″ bike comparison page, and I noticed this page doesn’t list minimum seat post height! My son is on the shorter side so that would have been extremely helpful since that is the most important measurement in choosing a bike. Please consider adding it, or pointing me in the direction of a few 20″ wheel options with shorter seat post heights (16-18 inches). Thanks.
Not all kids are ready for a handbrake, which is why this bike not only comes with the front handbrake but also with the rear coaster brakes as well. This gives you the different options to teach your child how to brake depending on their skills.
I’m having such a hard time choosing a bike. My daughter is 7, but only stands 42″ tall and weighs 44lbs, she’s tiny! I’d categorize her as an experienced rider since she’s been peddling and two-wheeler since age 4. Her current bike is a heavy 16″ single-speed with coaster brakes. I want to upgrade her to a high-quality bike that she wont grow out of in a year. I like the idea that the Specialized Jett comes with a multilength crankshaft, the Woom comes with adjustable handlebars, and the Prevelo alpha three has a super low standover. She is currently getting into triathlon racing so I’d like for it to have a high gain ratio. Any bike suggestions for us?
My daughter is 5 and 43 inches so a 16inch bike fits her but she’s been riding since she was 3 and is super intrepid. She’s outgrown a single speed bike and is frustrated she can’t do bigger rides. Are there any 16-inch geared bikes. I haven’t been able to find any.