We spend a lot of time reviewing specific bikes, or talking about the best bikes for a certain age range, but perhaps it is actually easier to help people get familiar with the best BRANDS for kids bikes. Many of these brands offer great options across the board, from balance bikes to first pedal bikes to 24″ mountain bikes.
In general, we prefer brands that make kids bikes exclusively. Of course you can buy a nice kids bike from Trek or Cannondale, especially in larger sizes, but they are often an afterthought to their more lucrative adult bikes. Over the last few years, more and more companies have been entering the market making bikes specifically designed and built for the youngest riders. The brands on this list make lightweight, quality bikes that are safe, enjoyable, and will get your kids stoked on biking.
For each brand, we’ve listed their lineup of jr bikes. You’ll note that kids bikes are measured by wheel size, not frame size like an adult bike. If you’re not sure what size bike your child needs, or how to pick the best bike for your unique child, check out our post on how to choose the best bike for your kid.
With no further adieu, the best kids bike brands…..
Woom Bikes USA
Woom is our favorite kids bike brand. They make fantastic bikes for young kids–lightweight builds, child-specific geometry, and excellent quality. From their balance bike, the Woom 1, to their 24″ Woom 5, they don’t have a bike that we don’t like. They also offer an Upcycle Program so you can trade-up as your child grows.
Bike Line-Up:
- Woom 1 – 12″ balance bike, $199
- Woom 1 Plus – 14″ balance bikes, $240 (Read our Woom 1 Plus review).
- Woom 2 – 14″ first pedal bike, $339 (Read our Woom 2 review).
- Woom 3 – 16″ pedal bike, $369 (Read our Woom 3 review).
- Woom 4 – 20″ pedal bike, $449 (Read our Woom 4 review).
- Woom 5 – 24″ pedal bike, $449
Where to Buy: Shop for Woom Bikes online at us.woombikes.com
Cleary Bikes
We like Cleary Bikes because they aren’t just more cookie-cutter kids bikes. The unique and beautiful steel frames, top-shelf components, and affordable price tags, set these bikes apart. They also serve both sides of the spectrum well, offering a top-notch balance bike as well as a super-nice front-suspension 14″ bike.
Bike Line-Up:
- Cleary Starfish – 12″ balance bike, $199
- Cleary Gecko – 12″ pedal bike, $270 (Read our Gecko review).
- Cleary Hedgehog – 16″ pedal bike, $335 (Read our Hedgehog review).
- Cleary Owl – 20″ pedal bike, $370
- Cleary Meerkat – 24″ mountain bike with front suspension fork, $660
Where to Buy: Shop for Cleary Bikes online at Cleary.com or CompetitiveCyclist.com
Prevelo Bikes
You may not have heard of Prevelo yet. This new kid on the block deserves attention, however. My son is currently riding their 16″ Alpha Two, and I look forward to him growing up into some of their bigger bikes as well. Like many of the other brands on this list, they also offer a balance bike for the smallest riders.
Bike Line-Up:
- Prevelo Alpha Zero – 12″ balance bike
- Prevelo Alpha One – 14″ pedal bike
- Prevelo Alpha Two – 16″ pedal bike, $369 (Read our Alpha Two review).
- Prevelo Alpha Three – 20″ pedal bike, $499 (Read our Alpha Three review).
- Prevelo Zulu Three – 20″ mountain bike with front suspension fork, $899
- Prevelo Zulu Four – 24″ pedal bike, $499
- Prevelo Zulu Four – 24″ mountain bike with front suspension, $899
Where to Buy: Shop for Prevelo Bikes online at Prevelobikes.com
Frog Bikes
Frog is a U.K. kids bike company that has just recently migrated to the United States and Canada. They offer bikes all across the spectrum, including a hard-to-find 20″ road bike as well as some of our favorite first pedal bikes. They come in a variety of pretty colors which is always a selling point as well.
Bike Line Up:
- Tadpole Mini – 10″ balance bike, $210
- Tadpole – 12″ balance bike, $210
- Tadpole Plus – 14″ balance bike, $250
- Frog 43 – 14″ pedal bike, $320
- Frog 48 – 16″ pedal bike, $320 (Read our Frog 48 review)
- Frog 52 – 20″ pedal bike, $380
- Frog 55 – 20″ pedal bike, $430
- Frog Road 58 – 20″ road bike, $640
- Frog Track 58 – 20″ track bike, $450
- Frog 62 – 24″ pedal bike, $450
- Frog MTB 62 – 24″ mountain bike (Learn more about the MTB 62).
- Frog Road 67 – 24″ road bike, $670
- Frog Track 67 – 24″ track bike, $470
- Frog 69 – 26″ pedal bike, $470
- Frog MTB 69 – 26″ mountain bike (Learn more about the MTB 69).
- Frog Road 70 – 26″ road bike, $700
- Frog Track 70 – 26″ track bike, $490
- Frog MTB 72 – 26″ mountain bike (Learn more about the MTB 72).
- Frog 73 – 26″ pedal bike, $480
- Frog 78- 26″ pedal bike, $540
Where to Buy: Shop for Frog Bikes online at ReadySetPedal.com
Pello Bikes
Pello has a simple formula for their kids bikes–orange frame, beefy tires–and it works. These bikes work particularly well on dirt–whether that is singletrack or the bike skills park.
Bike Line-Up:
- Pello Romper – 14″ pedal bike, $289 (Read our Pello Romper review)
- Pello Revo – 16″ pedal bike, $299
- Pello Reddi – 20″ pedal bike, $349 (Read our Pello Reddi review)
- Pelo Rover – 20″ 7-speed pedal bike, $429
Where to Buy: Shop for Frog Bikes online at PelloBikes.com or in person at a local dealer
Islabikes
Islabikes is the original kids bike company. They revolutionized what is considered a good kids bike–lightweight, sized correctly for small bodies, dual handbrakes and no coaster. They are pricey, but live up to the high pricetag.
Bike Line-Up:
- Islabikes Rothan – 12″ balance bike, $200
- Islabikes Cnoc 14 Small – 14″ pedal bike, $420 (Read our Islabikes Cnoc review)
- Islabikes Cnoc 14 Large – 14″ pedal bike, $420
- Islabikes Cnoc 16 – 16″ pedal bike, $420
- Islabikes Cnoc 20 – 20″ pedal bike, $469
- Islabikes Beinn 20 small – 20″ hybrid bike, $550 (Read our Islabikes Beinn 20 review)
- Islabike Beinn 20 large – 20″ hybrid bike, $550
- Islabikes Beinn 24 – 24″ hybrid bike, $650
- Islabikes Beinn 26 small – 26″ hybrid bike, $650
- Islabikes Beiin 26 large – 26″ hybrid bike, $650
- Islabikes Creig 24- 24″ mountain bike with front suspension, $1,249
- Islabikes Creig 26 – 26″ mountain bike with front suspension, $1,249
- Islabikes Luath 24 – 24″ road bike, $800
- Islabikes Luath 26 – 26″ road bike, $800
- Islabikes Luath 700 – 700cc road bike, $800
Where to Buy: Shop for Frog Bikes online at Islabikes.com or in person at their Portland, OR showroom
Early Rider
The Early Rider bikes are grown-up bikes sized down for kids. Their brushed aluminum frames and faux leather saddles look just like something you would buy for yourself. Fortunately, they ride as well as they look. If you want a top of the line bike, consider Early Rider.
Bike Line-Up:
- Early Rider Spherovelo – Pre-bike,
- Early Rider Lite 12″ – 12″ balance bike
- Bonsai 12″ – 12″ balance bike
- Classic 12/14″ – 12″/14″ balance bike
- Alley Runner 12″ – 12″ balance bike
- Alley Runner 14″ – 12″ balance bike
- Road Runner 14″ – 14″ balance bike
- Trail Runner 14″ – 14″ balance bike
- Trail Runner XL – 14″ balance bike
- Belter 16″ Urban – 16″ pedal bike
- Belter 16″ Trail – 16″ mountain bike
- Belter 20″ Urban 3 – 20″ hybrid bike
- Belter 20″ Flat Bar Rod – 20″ road bike
- Belter 20″ Trail 3 – 20″ mountain bike
- Belter 20″ Trail 3S – 20″ mountain bike with front suspension
Where to Buy: Shop for Early Rider online at Backcountry.com or REI.com
Stampede Bikes
NOTE: As of summer 2018, Stampede has ceased production. We hope they’ll return, but in the meantime, this is no longer an option (unless you can find one used).
Stampede is our go-to recommendation for cost-conscious parents. They have managed to make quality bikes for a fraction of the cost of a lot of the other bikes on this list. Their bikes don’t have brand name components, but they do hold up well and ride nicely. Their balance bike was my sons favorite as a toddler.
Bike Line-Up:
- Stampede Charger 12 – 12″ balance bike, $139 (Read our review here)
- Stampede Charger 16 – 16″ balance bike, $149
- Stampede Charger 16 XL – 16″ balance bike, $199
- Stampede Sprinter 14 – 14″ pedal bike, $239 (Read our review of the Sprinter 14)
- Stampede Sprinter 16 – 16″ pedal bike, $249 (Read our review of the Sprinter 16)
Spawn Bikes
Most mountain bike parents have heard of Spawn bikes. For little rippers between 3 and 10, Spawn is one of the best companies out there. They offer mountain bikes that are oriented to both cross-country and downhill riding. If you head to Whistler bike park, you are likely to see lots of Spawns on the trails.
Bike Line-Up:
- Spawn Tengu – 12″ balance bike, $195
- Spawn Furi – 14″ pedal bike, $305
- Spawn Yogi – 16″ pedal bike, $380
- Spawn Raiju – 20″ pedal bike, $600
- Spawn Yama Jama – 20″ mountain bike with front-suspension, $1,050
- Spawn Kotori – 20″ mountain bike with front-suspension, $900
- Spawn Kotori – 24″ mountain bike with front-suspension, $1,150
- Spawn Yama Jama – 24″ mountain bike with front suspension, $1,150 (Read our Spawn Yama Jama review).
- Spawn Rokkusuta – 20″ mountain bike with full suspension, $1,950
- Spawn Rokkusuta – 24″ mountain bike with full suspension, $1,995
Where to Buy: Shop for Spawn Bikes online at SpawnBikes.com
Hey, Check out SPOKES Bike Lounge’s Family Bike Collective. It is the only bike shop in the world with Woom Bikes, Cleary Bikes, Islabikes, Frog Bikes all comparatively in the same shop. They have a membership program were you can Upcycle to the next size bike of any of the brands. If you want a used bike it is $75 to Up-cycle and if you prefer new bikes you get 50% trade in on the current bike credit toward your next bike. Whats cool is you can trade between brands and get a full-service contract and 15-20% off labor for your other family purchases. The Family Bike collective is looking for other community bike shops dedicated to lightweight size appropriate bikes for kids. They also do demos where they teach kids to ride on all the bikes each month.