Looking for a first pedal bike for your 3 or 4 year old? You’re in the right place!
We’ve spent the better part of a decade (since our son first started riding) testing and reviewing 14 inch kids bikes to help you find the best ones. These are bikes that our son learned to ride on, that the neighbor kids have used and abused, and that we recommend time and time again to other bike parents.
We’ve also created a guide to help you know WHY these bikes are the best bikes and what to look for to make sure you are picking the best bike for YOUR individual child.
👉 Short on time? Our top pick is the Woom Go 2. We recommend it for it’s extremely lightweight build, high quality components, and confidence inspiring riding position. It’s the perfect bike to learn to ride on.
👉 On a budget? In that case, we recommend the Guardian 14.
We’ve also tested the best kids bike helmets. Make sure to grab one to keep your child safe on the bike.
Note: These bikes are best for 3 year olds, with the intent that they will be able to ride them for a year or two. If your child is closer to 4 than to 3, you might also want to check out our list of the best 16″ bikes. Learn more about picking the right size bicycle for your child below.
Table Of Contents
Our Top Picks
| What Makes It Special | Our Score | |
| BEST OVERALL | ||
| Woom Go 2 | Lightweight, upright geometry | 99 |
| Prevelo Alpha One | Easy-to-ride geometry, customer service | 94 |
| Early Rider Belter 14 | Low maintenance belt drive | 92 |
| Spawn Yogi | Mountain bike geometry | 88 |
| Biky 14 | Lightweight, stable | 87 |
| BEST BUDGET | ||
| Guardian 14 | SureStop braking system | 67 |
Woom Go 2
Price: ﹩459 | Our Score: 99
Weight: 12.2 lbs (with coaster) I Minimum seatpost height: 15.7″ I Freehub option: yes
Pros:
✅ Lightweight, child-appropriate geometry
✅ High quality components
✅ Color-coded brake levers
✅ Good resale value
Cons:
❌ Too big for the very youngest riders
The Woom 2 was without a doubt my son’s favorite bike when he was learning to ride, and we aren’t afraid to call it THE BEST 14 inch kids bike on the market.
While the price tag is a bit higher than many parents may prefer to pay, the quality of the bike is worth every penny. No detail has been overlooked—from the color-coded brake levers to the upright geometry and featherlight weight, the Woom Go 2 is perfection.
Our kiddo also preferred the
Is there anything negative to say about the Woom 2? Not really. The only reasons you might not want to choose this bike is if it’s out your price range OR if your child is still too small.
Make sure to order the freewheel kit ($26) if you prefer that to a coaster brake. (We highly recommend it). It also shaves the weight down by another pound or so.
Read Our Review: Woom Go 2
Prevelo Alpha One
Price: ﹩489 | Our Score: 94
Weight: 11.3 lbs (with coaster) I Minimum seatpost height: 14.5″ I Freehub option: yes
Pros:
✅ Low seatpost height
✅ Well suited for all terrain riding
✅ Upright geometry
✅ Can convert from a balance bike
Cons:
❌ No extras (kickstand, bell, etc)
The Prevelo Alpha One is a bike we recommend for new riders time and time again thanks to its child-appropriate geometry. Your child will be pedaling in no time on this bike. (And if they’re not quite ready to pedal yet, the bike can also be used as a balance bike via the Balance Tec conversion kit).
The Alpha One can be fitted with an optional–and highly recommended–freewheel kit ($29). The rest of the bike is built up with high-quality components including Kenda tires and easy-to-operate Tektro v-brakes.
The bike has also recently been redesigned in order to have a super low seatpost height–the lowest of all the bikes on our list–but also a long seatpost so it can grow. This makes the Alpha One a solid investment and a bike that will last a while.
Is there anything negative to say about the bike? We wish that it had a steering limiter (helpful when kids are just learning to ride). It also lacks some of the “extras” that other bikes come with–bells, kickstand, etc–but they are available as add-ons.
Read Review: Prevelo Alpha One
Early Rider Belter 14
Price: ﹩649 | Our Score: 92
Weight: 12.1 lbs (without coaster) I Minimum seatpost height: 14.5″ I Freehub option: yes
Pros:
✅ Low maintenance belt drive
✅ Wide, high volume tires
✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
❌ Aggressive riding position
❌ Most expensive bike on this list
The Early Rider Belter 14 is unique in that it has a belt drive rather than a traditional chain. This makes it low maintenance and is ideal for a kids bike that will likely get used, abused, and left out in all sorts of weather.
In addition to the belt drive, the Belter 14 stands out thanks to its brushed aluminum (or powder coated) frame. Of all the bikes on this list, the Belter is probably the most head turning.
Early Rider has aimed to make a bike that’s environmentally sustainable and that’s clear with the durable, long-lasting components. All the parts are top-notch including the pedals. (Most kids bikes come with sub-par plastic pedals).
While the bike does have a narrow q-factor, appropriately sized cranks and handlebars, and other child-friendly design, the riding position is more learned over and aggressive than the Woom or Prevelo. This makes it less ideal for kids just learning how to ride. If you have a super athletic kiddo, you might not need to worry about this, but more timid kids will be better suited by a bike that’s more upright.
Read Review: Early Rider Belter
Spawn Yoji
Price: ﹩475 | Our Score: 88
Weight: 13 lbs (with freewheel) I Minimum seatpost height: 16″ I Freehub option: yes
Pros:
✅ Freewheel already installed
✅ Comes with all the extras
✅ Brood in-house components
Cons:
❌ Expensive
❌ May require tweaking out of the box
If you are a mountain biking family (like we are!), the Spawn Yoji should definitely be on your shortlist. It’s a bit pricey (like all good mountain bikes are), but the high-quality components and low weight make it worth the price.
The Yoji has real off-road tires, Tektro brakes, and is built up to weight a mere 13 pounds. The Brood (in-house) components are also designed to perfect touchpoints (saddle, grips, and pedals).
While this is a fantastic little bike, we found assembly and brake setup was more challenging than many of the bikes on this list that are basically ready to roll right out of the box. We’ve also had many parents complain about the customer service (or lack thereof) from Spawn.
Read Our Review: Spawn Yoji
Biky 14
Price: ﹩449 | Our Score: 87
Weight: 10.9 lbs (with freewheel) I Minimum seatpost height: 16″ I Freehub option: yes
Pros:
✅ Lightest 14″ bike
✅ Unobtrusive chainguard
✅ Low standover, super stable
Cons:
❌ No extras (kickstand, bell, etc)
The Biky 14 is a lightweight, well-designed bike that’s ideal for young riders ready to explore on two wheels. At just under 11 pounds, this bike is incredibly easy for kids to handle, and the long wheel base makes it extra stable.
Key features include a low stand-over height and narrow design, which make the Biky an excellent choice for children still refining their balance and control. This narrow design also allows the bike to function as a balance bike if needed, simply by removing the pedals.
Since we first reviewed this bike, Biky added dual handbrakes (before it was a single rear brake only). We love this as it teaches kids proper braking technique from day one.
The bike also includes thoughtful details like a full chain guard that keeps kids safe from getting tangled up, a rubber steering limiter to prevent accidents, and quick-release adjustments on the seat and front wheel, making it easy to adapt the fit as a child grows.
However, the bike’s slick tires and lack of a front brake may limit its versatility on rougher, off-road terrain, making it best suited for paved areas or light trail use.
Finally, it lacks the “extras” included on most of the other bikes listed here, such as a kickstand or bell.
Read Review: Biky 14
Guardian 14
Price: ﹩249 | Our Score: 67
Weight: 16 lbs (with freewheel) I Minimum seatpost height: 16.1″ I Freehub option: yes
Pros:
✅ SureStop proprietary brakes
✅ Great value
✅ Appropriate geometry
Cons:
❌ Heavier
❌ Exposed bolts
For under $250, the Guardian 14 is a great pick. Its big differentiating feature is the proprietary SureStop braking system that helps prevent over-the-bars accidents. For kids just learning to ride a bike, in particular, we love this design.
The bike comes sans coaster brake, sans training wheels, and with child-appropriate geometry. It also has features usually only found on higher end bikes like internal cable routing and a removable steering limiter.
Our only complaints about the Guardian 14 are the weight (heavier than the more expensive bikes on this list) and the exposed axle bolts.
Read Our Review: Guardian 14
How To Choose The Best Bike For YOUR Child
We just gave you a list of all the best bikes on the market, but how do you know which one is best for YOUR child? Consider these factors, and then use the comparison chart below to help you choose.
Understand What Size Bike They Need
Each child is different. For instance, my son and his cousin who are only a few months apart are nearly six inches apart in height. Therefore, it is really very important to measure your child before buying a bike. What may fit one child at 3 years old may not fit another until 4.
For details on how to measure your child and pick the right size bike, read our Kids Bike Size Guide.
For maximum comfort and stability, I recommend that your child’s inseam be at least as long as the minimum seat height. While technically their inseam can be slightly shorter than the minimum seat height (it will fit on their tippy-toes), kids this young who are just learning to ride do best if they can put their feet flat on the ground.
Of the bikes on this list, the Prevelo Alpha One is the smallest. It is a great option for kiddos who are ready to move from a balance bike to a pedal bike at a very young age. On the other side of the spectrum, the Guardian 14 is a little bigger so is a good choice for little one’s with longer legs but not quite ready for 16 inch wheels.
This chart shows the minimum seat post height of our top picks.
Weight is the Single Most Important Factor
After ensuring a bike is the right size, the next most important thing to consider is the weight. When comparing two bikes, I will *almost* always pick the lightest one.
It makes a huge difference in a child’s enjoyment level and in how long they can ride. Look for a bike that is no more than 30% of your child’s body weight (tough isn’t it)?
That said, when comparing the weight of different bikes recognize it may not be an apples-to-oranges comparison. Several bikes advertise their weight with a freewheel while others use their weight with a coaster.
Let’s compare the Biky 14 and Woom 2 for example. The Biky 14 appears lighter in the chart below BUT if you ordered the Woom 2 with the freewheel rather than coaster and removed the kickstand and front brake to be comparable, it would be even lighter than the Biky.
Bigger Wheels are Better (Most of the Time)
We used to have some 12 inch bikes on this list, but over time, the best bike brands have moved toward 14 inch wheels for their smallest pedal bikes. Why?
The larger wheel size makes it significantly easier to roll over obstacles—cracks in the sidewalk, rocks
To understand kids bike sizing and wheel size a little better, read our post on kids bike sizes.
You Get What You Pay For (Mostly)
Unfortunately, just like most things in life, the more you spend on a bike the better quality it is going to be. Buy a cheaper bike from a big box store and it will be heavy and fall apart quickly.
Read: Why Not to Buy a Kids Bike at Walmart
The good news is that when you buy a high-quality bike, like any of those at the top of our list, it will last thru several children. This makes it a good investment if you have younger kids it can be passed on to or to sell on Craiglist.
Similarly, brands like Woom and Prevelo offer trade-up programs. When your child outgrows their first bike, you can trade it in for the next size and a significant discount.
While we do believe that you should invest in a good point, there is a tipping point in terms of value. In the following chart you can see how these bikes stack up in terms of price vs. overall score. While the Spawn and Early Rider are both fantastic bikes, they are overpriced when compared to offerings from Woom and Biky.
Consider Geometry
A lot of kids bikes are poorly designed. The bikes on our list of best kids bikes below have been specifically designed to have stable and child appropriate geometry.
This means that they have a longer wheelbase, narrower Q-factor (the distance between the pedals), and a lower center of gravity when compared to most kids bikes. All of this equates to a more stable and comfortable ride.
The other thing to consider when it comes to bike geometry is how aggressive the child’s position on the bike is. For most young kids just learning to ride, we prefer a bike with relaxed, upright geometry. This instills confidence and provides easier handling.
Still, there may be some kids who are athletic and confident on a bike right off the bat. If that’s your child, you can consider a bike with more aggressive geometry.
The Woom 2 (left) has more upright and relaxed geometry than the more aggressive Cleary Gecko (right).
Finally, you’ll want to pay attention to both the stand over height and the minimum seatpost height. Not all 14 inch bikes are sized the same!
The lower the stand over and minimum seatpost height are, the smaller the child that will fit on the bike. (And similarly, the less room your child will have to grow with the bike). Choose a bike that’s the right size for where your child is NOW with some room to grow.
Say No to Coaster Brakes
I’m a huge proponent of teaching children to use hand brakes and bypassing coaster brakes. I’m at a point now where I won’t even put my son on a bike with a coaster brake, or teach another child to ride using one.
Why? When kids are learning to pedal, they naturally tend to backpedal as well. With a coaster brake, a back pedal causes a sudden stop. This is incredibly frustrating for little ones. (There are other reasons to skip a coaster brake, chief amongst them is the weight).
The tough thing is that in the U.S., manufacturers are required by law to put a coaster brake on all bikes with wheels that are 20 inches or less. This isn’t a thing in the rest of the world.
Fortunately, the law only applies to manufacturers, so parents can modify the bike if they choose. Brands (like those that sell or favorite bikes below) have after market modification kits that allow you to put a wheel with a freehub on your child’s bike. This is easy to do.
To decide whether a freewheel or coaster brake set-up is best for you, and more about both options, read our article on coaster brakes vs. handbrakes.
Brake Levers Should Be Easy to Pull
If you do choose to skip a bike with a coaster brake, you need to make sure the handbrakes are easy to pull and easy to operate. This is soooo important for young kids just learning to ride.
Our favorite brake levers are the color coded levers on the Woom 2 (listed #1 in our list below). They are easy to operate and fit small hands well. The color coding also helps kids learn the difference between their right (rear) and left (front) brakes.
Skip the Training Wheels
Training wheels? Just don’t do it!
If your child hasn’t mastered a balance bike yet, start there and then transition to a pedal bike later. (You can also remove the pedals from a pedal bike and have your child use it like a balance bike).
You can find out more about why we don’t recommend training wheels in this article: Training Wheels: 7 Things You Need To Know.
If you absolutely do have to have training wheels, opt for the Guardian 14. It’s the only one of the bikes on our list that has optional training wheels that you can add.
This little bike tester has removed the pedals from her Spawn Yogi and is using it like a balance bike. She had the pedals back on and was riding in no time.
Frame Material is a Personal Choice
This is a highly personal choice—some people have a clear preference for aluminum or steel. I don’t personally. Aluminum is the lighter material, and we all know how important saving weight is on kids bikes, but steel is super durable (and classic).
Customer Service
A high level of customer service might be important to you, or it might not. The more mechanically inclined and bike-savvy you are, the more you’ll be able to deal with issues that arise on your own.
If you aren’t as great with bikes, look for a company that has good customer service. They will make sure that your bike is assembled correctly and double and triple checked before shipping. They will help you with replacement parts when and if you need them.
How We Came Up With This List
We first started testing kids bikes 9 years ago when our son was 2 years old! We’ve tested and reviewed a ton of bikes in that time, and experienced even more out and about riding with other families.
The bikes here are those that we have first hand experience with and can whole-heartedly recommend to other parents. There’s not a bad bike on the list–although we like some better than others!
How We Tested The Bikes
We rode them! Well no, we’re too big for that. We had our kids and our friend’s kids and our neighbor’s kids ride the bikes for us.
These bikes have been ridden how they were most often intended to be ridden, but also ridden down trails, off ramps, and through the snow. We live to bike and bike year round, so bikes get used and abused.
In addition to first hand testing, we also listen to our community. We get soooo many emails from y’all. We have a Facebook group. We talk to parents in real life at the pump track. You all tell us all kinds of things about your children’s experiences on bikes and your experiences with the companies that sell them. This feedback counts too.
How We Scored The Bikes
Putting a numeric score to a bike is a tough thing; although it helps make our ratings more accurate, it’s still subjective. We urge you not to spend too much time belaboring these scores, and instead look for a bike that seems like it would be a good fit for YOUR child.
All that said, here is what we were looking for when ranking the bikes.
- Weight: We mentioned it early and we’ll mention it again, for very young kids weight is the single most important factor in choosing a bike. We’ve given it 30% of our overall score.
- Quality components: Durable and high end parts mean that a bike will be enjoyable and fun to ride AND that it will last through multiple children. We don’t recommend any bikes that will end up in a landfill anytime soon. We gave this another 30% of the total score.
- Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding: Here we looked at things like the frame geometry, wheelbase length, and crank length. It also takes into account how easily our testers were able to get riding on the bike–no easy feat for kids hopping on their first pedal bikes. This was 20% of our score.
- Customer service: Many of the bikes on our list are direct to consumer, meaning you order them online rather than buying thru a local bike shop. This makes it really important that the bike is properly assembled and thoroughly inspected before shipping. It also means that we look for brands that actually answer email and phone calls with issues and questions. This accounted for 10% of our total score.
- Aesthetics: The way a bike LOOKS shouldn’t really matter, but it does. Kids are more likely to ride bikes they think look awesome, and we’re more likely to spend our hard earned money on things that look nice too. This was the final 10% of our score.
| Weight (30%) | Quality Of Components (30%) | Child Appropriate Geo / Ease Of Riding (20%) | Customer Service (10%) | Aesthetics (10%) | |
| Woom Go 2 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Early Rider Belter 14 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| Biky 14 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 |
| Spawn Yogi | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| Prevelo Alpha One | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Guardian 14 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 7 |
Let Us Help You Find The Perfect Bike For YOUR Child!
You’ve been reading all the articles and doing all the research. But there are things that make YOUR child and your family’s situation unique.
That’s why we offer 1:1 help. Fill out our FREE “bike help” form, and we will hand pick a bike that would be a good fit for your child (and your budget).
More Reading to Help You Make the Best Choice
Still need help making your decision? Here are a couple articles to help. Also, sign up below to receive your free, printable bike buying cheat sheet to help you when shopping.
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 added other families to our team and have tested hundreds of kids bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and more.
Kristen is a licensed USA Cycling coach and NICA coach, and loves to share her passion for biking with other families. Blair is a bike geek, mechanic, and mountain bike junkie. Parker is 13 now and is our resident shredder.
If you see us out on the trail, make sure to say hi!
IG: @rascal_rides
YT: @rascalrides
I really appreciate your insight into bikes for little people, but all the bikes you recommend cost 200 plus. I would love to be in a position to buy my nephews those, but they are triplets , age 9, and still need to learn to ride a bike, my niece age 4 can do a balance bike well, but is outgrowing it. and I can’t invest that much. Can you recommend which of the bikes under $100, would be best? I am looking for a bike that can last say 2 years, as a starter. But I already have trouble paying my mortgage and do not see and bike companies with discount programs. Thanks in advance
Hi Kat,
For under $100, your best bet is to look for used bikes on Craigslist/Facebook marketplace, etc. You might also be able to find a local shop, o second-hand sports store, or second-hand kids gear store that sells used bikes. You should be able to find a pretty nice bike for under $100 by looking used.
Hi Kat,
For under $100, your best bet is to look for used bikes on Craigslist/Facebook marketplace, etc. You might also be able to find a local shop, o second-hand sports store, or second-hand kids gear store that sells used bikes. You should be able to find a pretty nice bike for under $100 by looking used.
Thank you so much for this! Best info out there! I’m still having trouble choosing for my almost-4yo. Her inseam is about 16”, so she’s still a bit short for a lot of the bikes, but I don’t want to invest in a 12” that won’t last long. (I’d also like to stay under $300.)
I’m looking at the Norco 14” bikes, but can’t find ANY reviews for them. We mostly ride the pump track or dirt trails, so I like the MTB features of it. Do you know anything about it?
Hi Brynn, I haven’t personally tested the Norco 14″ but I know a lot of parents like it, especially the fact that it can be purchased at a local bike shop. I would definitely go for the freewheel, not coaster, version. My other concern would be the weight. Norco doesn’t list it, and some of their other kids bikes are pretty heavy. I would ask the bike shop to put it on a scale and weigh it for you before buying…..If you end up getting it and like it, let us know. Sounds like its one we might need to do a review on!
I found your article very insightful, but I am having trouble understanding how 30+ years ago kids were able to learn to ride bikes on heavier clunkier and cheaper versions. I understand these bikes may make it easier for the kids, but they will still learn on “cheaper” bikes. So what is the point in buying an expensive bike if the goal can be accomplished by buying something more economical? I am not the sort of person who resist change or is scared of change. I just don’t think a 4 year old needs $200+ bike to learn how to ride.
Hi Amanda,
I was one of those kids! Kids can learn to ride (and have fun) on any bike–heavy, clunky, whatever. The difference is that on modern lightweight bikes with kid appropriate geometry kids are able to do a few things they generally weren’t able to on those bikes 30 years ago: (1) learn to ride a pedal bike at 2 or 3 years old with no training wheels, (2) learn to ride a pedal bike with no training wheels in a single day, (3) ride long distances easily. Yes, kids can have fun on any bike. But there is no doubt a lightweight, well-designed, high-quality bike makes a huge difference in how young and how easily kids are able to learn to ride. And then how fast and far they are able to ride once they’re pedaling….
I somewhat agree if an adult is riding alongside with them, otherwise I wouldn’t want my 3 year old riding long distance or super fast anyway as they can not be supervised.
My son is turning 3 years old and has done amazing on his push bike! We are so excited to get him his first big boy bike. I really appreciate your website it has been a great resource.
I am glad we found it! I too feel that getting a good quality bike that is lighter in weight is worth the money. I see how well my son does on single track trails and the distance he rides on his push bike… this tells me that paying $300 dollars is worth every penny for a family that rides a lot, but I do understand it to be a lot for a family that doesn’t ride often together!
Another, Amanda
Well said “another” Amanda. 🙂 Hope your son loves his new bike.
Just wondering what you think of the strider 14x?
Hi Kim, The Strider 14x is a decent enough bike and makes sense for kids who aren’t quite ready to pedal yet, but are close. That said, I would still prefer one of the bikes on this list and just temporarily remove the pedals. The Strider 14x doesn’t have handbrake which I prefer.
Are all the bikes on this list handbreak bikes? I saw you commented that you didn’t like to recommend coaster bikes which is exactly what I’m trying to avoid, but I was wondering if any of these were exceptions to your recommendation (so I can street away from the coasters). I love this list and will likely choose one from your review!
Hi Jean,
All the bikes on the “Top 5” list have hand brakes and come with the option of a freewheel rather than a coaster. Just pay attention when ordering, as most of them you have to add the freewheel as an option at checkout.
Cheers,
KB
My daughter learned just fine on a Strider 14x, and for the price, you really can’t go wrong under $200. A lot of people don’t like coaster breaks because it stops their momentum when they pedal backwards.
However, it’s been my experience with several kids that a freewheel bike sometimes gives smaller children a false expectation that if they’re pedaling (even backwards) the bike will still go. I’ve known children that have had just as much of a hard time with pedaling a freewheel bike.
In a nutshell, don’t fear a coaster brake. They make more sense to children cognitively: Back = stop, Forward = go. You can freewheel it up if coaster brakes drive you mad.
Hi Jessica,
I’m also kind of on the fence when it comes to coaster brake versus hand brakes. On one hand it’s important to know how to brake and I believe it’s a little easier learn using a coaster brake. (plus its easier and fun to do skids, but hey, maybe that’s just me). I’m drawing from my own bike experience and I remember it took me a while to learn how to effectively use both the front and rear brake without falling. I remember it took me a while but eventually I got it. For reference, I learned to ride a bike at about 5/6 years old and I’m 49 now. I also work on all of my bikes and I love, love, love bikes.
I’m leaning more towards getting my son (he’s 2 and 1/2) a 12″ pedal bike with a coaster brake and once he’s in the 14″ bike range, a bike with hand brakes. I want him to enjoy biking (and skidding, lol) and then learning the more technical aspects of braking.
Just my thoughts! Thank you for the video and all the awesome information!
Ray
Hi Kristen,
My daughter is 3 years old. She never had balance bike and didn’t express much interest in riding push bike a year ago either. Should we get balance bike first, bike with training wheels or regular bike ( i like woom)? I appreciate your advice!
Thank you !
Hi Tatiana,
I would go with a balance bike. She’s still young enough that she’ll get plenty of use out of it. If she is a really athletic kid that picks things up quickly, you could go with a pedal bike (Woom) right away and just remove the pedals until she gets the hang of balancing. In any case, skip the training wheels.
Cheers,
KB
I’m looking for a bike for my son’s fourth birthday in a little over a month. It will be his first bike, so I want to take the pedals off and start off using it as a balance bike. He has short legs and only a 16″ inseam, which eliminates several bikes on this list. I almost eliminated the Woom 2, but then I noticed that on their website the minimum seat height is listed as 15.94″ which should work, I think. Have they changed the specs since this article was written? Do you think this bike would work for him? He’s also not very heavy, only around 33 lbs right now so we need something very light. We were also considering the Cleary Gecko, but my husband thinks the low handlebars would be difficult for him as a complete beginner.
Hi Heather,
You’re right, the min seatpost height has changed. I’ll make sure to update it here. I think the Woom 2 would work great for him, especially if he still has another month of growing to do. It’s my favorite bike for kids this age, hands down.
What are some good bikes for a 5 year old girl to learn as a balance bike (I.e take the pedals off)
Hi Liz,
Due to their upright geometry, the Woom bikes make a great bike to use first as a balance bike (with no pedals) and then as a pedal bike. Without knowing your daugher’s inseam, I cant say which model (Woom 2 vs Woom 3) would be best for her, but just make sure that you pick a bike where the minimum seatpost height is at least as low as your daugherts inseam length. This will allow her to put her feet flat on the ground and scoot the bike like a balance bike.
Hi Kristen, many thanks for this article.
i’m looking for a bike for my 3 years old son. He has an old specialized Hotrock 12 (without training wheels) but he is already at max speed with it, so i think it’s time to move to something else. So i read a lot of reviews, articles, and so on.
I just wonder : did you have the opportunity to test the Canyon Offspring Al 16 ? it’s a ‘weird’, beautiful (expensive) bike that fits childrens between 98 and 110 cm, so in the range of the bikes you compare on this page, but has 16” rear wheel and 18” front wheel ! It has also disc brakes !! and a sram automatix hub… I wonder if the automatix hub is good on this kind of bike ?… maybe the first speed is too short and the second two long, or maybe the speed change is too weird for 3-5 years old childrens ?… any thought about this ?
thanks a lot, best regards from France
Hi Stephane,
Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to test any of the Canyon kids bikes, as they aren’t offered (yet) in the U.S. market. (Though their adult bikes are). In any case, what I’ve seen of them makes them look super attractive….We have tested several bikes with the SRAM Automatix hub and really like it. Kids can feel when it shifts, but it doesn’t seem to bother them and certainly adds extra capability. I’m suprised thought that Canyon is offering the Automatix hub–as far as I know it’s been discontinued in both the US and Europe, so they might be using old stock?….Let us know if you end up getting one and what you think; always looking for guest reviews too!
Cheers,
KB
Hi Kristen,
Finally, I have one (canyon offspring). It’s a beautiful bike. A little heavy for young children but it’s ok. The big front wheel is nice, the bike is very stable. The brakes are very powerful but the levers are a little far for small hands. Happily, They can be moved a little.
It’s hard for me to see when the sram automatix goes to the 2nd speed but i think i managed to see it sometimes. As you said, it does not seem to bother my son when it shifts.
Due to the weird frame and disk brakes, the bike is no so easy to transport. The follow me cannot be used and not all of the bike racks can handle it. i’m still looking fot the best way to carry it. The front wheel can be removed easily (with allen wrench). The rear wheel is harder to remove.
At last, i think it’s possible to put a smaller sprocket, but you need to reduce the chain length. I’ll see later when my son will be taller.
regards
Hi Stephane,
Thanks for following up and for the thoughtful recommendation. It sounds like you made a good choice. I’m hoping that Canyon will choose to offer these bikes in the USA sooner than later. As for not being able to use the FollowMeTandem, you could always try a Tow-Whee; that’s what we use in our family.
Cheers,
KB
Oh crud we just bought the Trek Jet 12. It has coaster brakes and weighs l8 pounds. Our son is 2.5 but he’s taking big hills and jumps and flying down the trails and getting air on the strider, daily in season (we live in Montana and go hiking every day) and at the bike park so when he started telling us he wanted a pedal bike we said yes. I wish I’d done more research. Should I return it? He figured out how to do the pedals in the store. We have no pavement around us so no use for the training wheels. He loves it…
If he’s already figured out how to ride it without training wheels and is having fun, it doesn’t matter much! Though when he grows out of it and you upgrade him, his skills will probably take off even more. If he’s struggling to learn on it or not able to get up hills, then totally return it now.
My son FLIES down the Montana forest trails every day on his little strider, also he tackles campgrounds and the bike park weekly. He wants a pedal bike but his inseam is 13.5, he’s 37″ tall, 2 and a half years old. We don’t do pavement, its mostly packed dirt with some rocks and a bit of crushed rocks, pine needles and tree roots here and there. He’s had the balance bike over a year, before that the pewi Ybike, which he flew around the house on before he could walk. Which one do you recommend?
Hi Monica, I’d go with the Cleary Gecko. It’s sized best for the under 3 crowd and works well off-road.
Hi, what is the minimum seat height for the Vitus 14″? I see that space is left blank in the chart. I am considering purchasing this bike for my son, but would like to know before buying.
Hi Kaitlyn,
I haven’t measure it myself, but a friend with the bike said it’s 16″.
Hello, I am planning to purchase a Vitus 14″ or 16″ for my my daughter. She seems to be at the top range for the 14″ and just below the bottom size requirements for the 16″. She is 3’4″ and her inseam is 16.5″. Of course I don’t want to go with the 14″ and have her quickly outgrow it but I don’t want to buy something that is too big either. Either way it will get handed down to her little brother at some point. Any thoughts on which I should go with? Thanks!
Hi Jeff,
It depends on whether she’s already a confident pedaler already or still learning. If she’s still just learning to ride, stick with the smaller size bike. It will allow her to place both feet flat on the ground and will weigh a little less. Both will increase her confidence. If she’s already riding a pedal bike (and is fairly confident), then I would probably go with bigger bike.
Hope that helps!
KB
She is on a balance bike now, so not a confident pedaler yet. Thanks so much for the advice!
Glad to help!
Hi, I’m looking at the Woom bike for my son who is turning 4 in June. I’m measuring him as 16 inches inseam and 41 inches tall. He has mastered the balance bike. Should I get the woom 2 or woom 3? Thanks!
Hi Tanja, I’d go with the Woom 3! He’ll outgrow the Woom 2 way too fast.
This and the article on BMX bikes are excellent and really informative- just wish I had read them a year ago before we wasted time with training wheels!
Hi Kristen,
I’m shopping for a bike for my newly turned 3yo son. We made some smart choices with him after learning from mistakes with my daughter and we avoided training wheels and tricycles and pushed his balance bike and he really loved it and learned quickly. At 2.5 he was able to ride his older sister’s 16” bike! Over the summer we knew he was ready for his first pedal bike, but most quality bikes were sold out so we bought him a cheapie Joystar Totem and immediately removed the training wheels. He can ride it and gets excited to ride his big boy bike but we’d still love to get him a quality bike as he has really taken to riding. We’re trying to decide between a Woom 2 and a Prevelo Alpha One. The main use will be our paved street neighborhoods and a flat rail trail. No real mountain bike trails in the immediate future. I lean towards the Woom 2 because I like the upright riding style and it has a higher seat height range so it should last him longer (and it’s lighter), but his inseam is currently only 15.6” so the Woom 2 is just a tad high whereas the Alpha One seems like the perfect height. But it’s late November and will be too cold and snowy here in New England so really I’m buying for next spring/summer and I’m sure he’ll grow a bit. If you were choosing based on all of this info, would you recommend getting him a Woom 2 or Prevelo Alpha One?
Hi Justin,
I’d go with the Woom 2 (he’ll be tall enough for it almost immediately). That said, you can’t go wrong. Both are great bikes!
Hi Kristen,
My 2 year old has been on a balance bike since could walk and is begging (crying) for a pedal bike like the big kids. We tried the Cleary Gecko but it was impossible to pedal with the saddle at the lowest height. We ride most days so want to get the best option. Have you compared the Frog 40 to the Spawn Yoji 14? Hard to tell which is smaller for my tiny rider.
Hi i know this is a very old comment but I’m curious what you mean that he couldn’t pedal with the seat at the lowest height? Because I’m in a nearly identical situation with my 2.5 year old and that’s the bike we were considering.
Hi Kristen, thank you so much for this article , it is so informative!
I have found a bike called Serious Superlite 14 which seems great, very light and reasonably priced. But I cannot find any information in the brand Serious. Do you know it ?
Hi Ivette,
I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the brand at all. Are you in the EU? It doesn’t look like they’re sold here in N. America. Just a quick look at their website makes me curious–they seem like they could be nice!
Cheers,
KB
Hi there,
I noticed the post above and had the same questions regarding the Spawn Yoji 14 and the Frog 40? Do you have an opinion on what would be a better fit for an almost 3 year old who is about 3′ tall and hard to say what his inseam is as its not easy to get that measurement but I am guess its around 15 or so. He weighs around 30lbs. On his balance bike I have his seat around 16″ and he can still touch the ground. Also, any thoughts on sizing up to a Spawn Yoji 16 ( I was told that would be a good fit for him ) but seems like a big bike for a small kid.
What about the Strider bike? When I search for the Woom on Amazon, this is the comparable bike that comes up. A friend also told me it’s been a great bike for her 4 year old. I didn’t see it mentioned in this great blog post of yours, but maybe it’s because the Strider was not on the market yet.
I’d love to know as I’m still shopping and figuring out our budget. Thank you!
Hi Allison,
I assume you’re talking about the Strider 14x. We have it listed on our list of the best convertible balance bikes: https://rascalrides.com/best-convertible-balance-bikes/
It’s an okay bike, but not at all on par with the Woom, for example. With the Woom, you get handbrakes, a freewheel (no coaster), better geometry, and much higher quality quality components.
Cheers,
KB
Have a question: my daughter is 3 on a woom2 we love woom but find it’s not a good sand/trail bike; we live in AZ and are often on them what would you recommend for an upgrade?
Kristen
My great grandson is turning 7yrs old & I want to get him a bike, but everything I’ve read in your information is for the young kids, so how
do I go about buying a bike for him I know he had a smaller bike but has out grown it, any suggestions on what to buy him??