The 5 Best Pedal Bikes for Your 3 to 5 Year Old (12 Inch and 14 Inch Kids Bikes)

With so many different kids bikes on the market, it can be confusing to figure out which ones are best.  You want a bicycle for your child (or grandchild) that will be easy to learn to pedal on, durable enough to be handed down, and lightweight enough to make biking fun.

The bad news is that there are a lot of awful, heavy bikes out there; the good news is that there are more and more child-specific bike companies coming on the market producing some seriously awesome bikes. I’ve compiled a list of the best bikes for your 3 to 5-year-old (i.e. 12 inch and 14 inch bicycles). Many of these bikes we have tested and reviewed; some of them we haven’t but they are so universally known as a great purchase, I’ve included them as well.

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.  If you are short on time, scroll straight down to our top picks.

Note: These bikes are best for 3-year-olds, with the intent that they will be able to ride them for a few years.  If your child is closer to 5 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.  

How to Choose the Absolute Best Bike for Your 3 or 4-Year-Old

We’re about to give you a list of all the good 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 at the end of this article 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, read our article on How to Pick the Best Bike for Your Child.

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.

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 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)? Of all the bikes on my list, the Woom 2 is the lightest. It’s also my son’s favorite—I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

Bigger Wheels are Better (Most of the Time)

The plus of the 12-inch bikes on this list (the Cleary Gecko and the Specialized Hotrock) is that they fit really young riders (as young as 2.5 years old). If your child has been on a balance bike since a super early age and is ready to graduate to a pedal bike earlier than most, go for a 12 inch bike for sure. On the other hand, if your kiddo is 3.5+, I would recommend choosing a bike with 14” wheels instead. Why? The larger wheel size makes it significantly easier to roll over obstacles—cracks in the sidewalk, rocks and bumps at the bike park, etc. I’ve seen firsthand my son do much better on a 14 inch bike compared to a 12 inch bike.

You Get What You Pay For

Unfortunately, just like most things in life, the more you spend on a bike the better quality it is going to be. The good news is that when you buy a high-quality bike, like any of those on our Top 5 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.

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. 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. 

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. If you MUST have training wheels, I’ve listed those bikes that offer them in the table below, but you’ll notice most of the best kids bikes don’t even offer them anymore.

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).

Top 5 Bicycles for Your 3 to 5-year-old (12 Inch and 14 Inch Bikes)

Woom 2: The BEST 14 Inch Bike on the Market

The Woom 2 is without a doubt my son’s favorite bike, 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 of the other bikes on this list, 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 2 is perfection. He also prefers the 14 inch wheels of the Woom 2 (compared to a bike with 12 inch wheels) as they allow him to roll over bigger obstacles.

To learn more, read my full review of the Woom 2.

Price and Where to Buy:

• $339 at Woombikes.com

Cleary Gecko: The Best 12 Inch Bike for Tiny Riders

Oh, how I love this little bike. Its small frame makes it the perfect first pedal bike for early balance bike graduates, and the easy-to-pull Tektro brake levers make learning to operate handbrakes possible even for the youngest riders. My little guy loves this bike for riding singletrack, and the beefy Kenda tires make it possible.

To learn more, read my full review of the Cleary Gecko.

Price and Where to Buy:

• $310 at ClearyBikes.com
• $310 at CompetitiveCyclist.com

Prevelo Alpha One: The Best First Pedal Bike for Bicycle Snobs

The Prevelo Alpha One is a newcomer to this list, but it deserves its spot on the top 5.  This 14″ beauty rides well and looks good.   It can be fitted with an optional–and highly recommended–freewheel kit.   The rest of the bike is built up with high-quality components including Kenda tires and easy-to-operate Tektro v-brakes.

Price and Where to Buy:

• $359 at PreveloBikes.com

Spawn Yoji: Best for Mountain Bike Families

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.

Price and Where to Buy:

• $370 at SpawnCycles.com

Pello Romper

This 14″ beauty is one of my son’s favorites due to the beefy mountain bike style tires. The paint job is gorgeous and the components are top notch: Cane Creek headseat, Kenda tires, aluminum Ahead stem.  The only drawback to an otherwise fantastic bike is the fact that it only has a rear hand-brake (not dual handbrakes).

Read my full review of the Pello Romper.

Price and Where to Buy:

• $319 at PelloBikes.com

Honorable Mentions: More 12 Inch and 14 Inch Bikes to Consider

While these bikes aren’t in my Top 5, they are worth taking a look at.

Frog 43

Frog bikes are now available in the U.S.! The Frog bikes are absolutely adorable, come in fun colors, and are easy to learn to ride. They also come with two sets of Kenda tires: one for road and one for dirt.

Price and Where to Buy:

• $340 at ReadySetPedal.com

Islabikes Cnoc: Best for Resale Value

As of fall 2018, Islabikes has discontinued sales in the U.S.  If you are lucky enough to live in a market where they are still sold or if you can find one used, the Islabikes Cnoc is a top pick.  This 14” bike is a cult favorite among parents in the know, and if you are looking for a bike with good resale value, this bike is it. The bike is lightweight, fast, and durable.

Read my full review of the Islabikes Cnoc 14.

Price and Where to Buy:

• No longer for sale in the U.S.  You might be able to find one used.

Specialized Hotrock

Most of the bikes on this list are only sold online and aren’t available at your local bike shop. Specialized, on the other hand, sells only thru local bike shops which means this is an easy bike to find locally and your child can try it on for size prior to purchasing. While this is a solid first bike (literally, it’s super durable), it is not quite as nice as some of the other bikes on this list.  It also comes with training wheels, so we recommend taking those off.

Learn more by reading my full review of the Specialized Hotrock.

Price and Where to Buy:

• • • $210 at Your Local Specialized Dealer

Byk E-250

While this company is popular in their home country of Australia, it’s not as common to see a Byk in the U.S. Child appropriate geometry and 14” wheels for rolling over obstacles make the Byk E-250 a decent choice. That said, the lack of a freewheel option and the hard-to-pull brake levers puts this bike lower on my list of faves.

Price and Where to Buy:

• $269 at ReadySetPedal.com

Ridgeback MX-14

This rad-looking little bike is made by Ridgeback, a UK bicycle company. Decent components and a freewheel make this bike a viable choice, although the weight (17 lbs) would give me pause. For the price, you can find a much lighter bike for your little one.

Price and Where to Buy:

• • • MSRP: $300

Comparison Chart – 12 Inch and 14 Inch Pedal Bikes

Not sure which of these bikes is best for YOUR child?  Here’s how they stack up.  We’ve also linked to our detailed reviews where we have one.