Choosing the right bike for your child can be tricky. It can be hard to know if you should choose a road bike, BMX or mountain bike. The type of bike needed depends on how your child will be using it. The best kids bike will grow with your child and be multifunctional. We are helping you by looking at some of the most popular requests for kids bikes, including; best balance bikes, best first bike for kids, best mountain bikes and best BMX bikes.
Contents
Best Kids Bike 2018 - Top 10 Kids Bike Comparison Chart
| Name | Image | Type | Age Range | Rating /5 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruzee Two |  | Balance Bike | 18m - 5yr | 5 | Check price |
| Alloy Kids |  | Balance Bike | 18m - 5yr | 4.5 | Check Price |
| Hip Kids Wooden Balance Bike |  | Balance Bike | 18m - 5 yr | 4.5 | Check Price |
| Kinderfeets Tiny Tot 2-in-1 |  | Balance Bike | 12m - 24m | 4 | Check Price |
| Jamis Lazer 16 inch BMX |  | BMX | 4 - 6 yr | 4.5 | Check Price |
| RoyalBaby BMX |  | BMX | 3 - 5 yr | 4.5 | Check Price |
| KHE BMX |  | BMX | 8 - 15 yr | 4.5 | CheckCheck Price Price |
| XDS XLITE |  | BMX | 3 - 6 yr | 4.5 | Get Price |
| ByK E-450 Kids Mountain Bike |  | Mountain Bike | 6 - 9 yr | 5 | Check Price |
| HASA Kids Mountain Bike |  | Mountain Bike | 9 - 12 yr | 4.5 | Check Price |
How to choose the best bike for your child
There are a number of things you need to look at when choosing the best bike for your child. The best kids bike will fit your child's height, weight and ability level. Here is what you need to look for.
Choosing the right size bike
The right sized bike will make all the difference to your child. Getting the right fit is essential and you want to make sure you are buying something that suits your child now, rather than something they can 'grow into'. Below is a general age range for each bike. The best way to get the right fit when ordering online is to measure your child's inseam. The bike is a good fit if they can stand with about 3-5cm clearance from the top bar of the bike that runs under the seat.
| Size Guide | Age |
|---|---|
| 12 inches | 2 - 4 yr |
| 14 inches | 4 - 6 yr |
| 16 inches | 5 - 8 yr |
| 18 inches | 6 - 9 yr |
| 20 inches | 7 - 10 yr |
| 24 inches | 9 yr + |
Brakes
Whichever bike you choose should have two braking systems. Back brakes, where, if you reverse the pedals the bike brakes, and handlebar brakes. These are the safest brakes for small children are the back brakes as they may not have the strength or coordination in their hands to fully brake with the handlebar brakes.
Check that the handlebar brakes are made of strong, quality plastic or metal and don't feel flimsy.
Seat
The best kids bike seats are adjustable so that the bike can grow with your child. An adjustable seat also gives you flexibility if your child doesn't quite fit the bike. The seat ideally should be 2.5 - 3.5cm higher than the child's inseam (ankle to crotch measurement).
Chain Guard
All the best kids bikes should come with a chain guard. This is a plastic cover protecting them from the chain operating the bike. This protects little fingers and toes and the chain guard should only be able to be removed with a tool. You shouldn't be able to just pop it off.
Wheels
Choice in the US ran a test and found that aluminum rims are the safest option for kids' bikes. They tested aluminium and chrome plated steel rims and found that the braking distance for steel rims was five times longer than for aluminium.
Gears
You may be deciding whether or not to buy a kids bike with gears. Gears are for children with a lot more biking experience. If your child is a learner rider then it's best to choose a bike with no gears. However, if you have an older child who is using their bike for transport with friends or to and from school then gears can help them in different conditions.
Handlebars
Make sure the handlebars are covered in rubber, to protect your child's hands. If you are opting for a second-hand bike, make sure the rubber handles are still covered and the rubber isn't split or decomposing.
Pedals
The pedals on any bike you choose should have good tread. The type of tread where it's uncomfortable to put your bare feet on the pedals. If the tread isn't rough enough your child's foot can slip while riding.
Weight of Bike
You want your child's bike to be as lightweight as possible. If the child falls and their bike lands on them then you want it light enough to cause no damage. If the bike is lightweight it will also help your child hold it up when they are learning to ride. Ideally, you want a bike that weighs less than 50% of their body weight.
Best kids bike - reviews
Best Balance Bike for kids
Balance bikes are a new way of learning to ride a bike and from a much younger age. Traditionally kids learned to ride their bike with training wheels around three or four years old. Balance bikes encourage children as young as 12 months to learn to balance. They have no pedals and are low to the ground. Children use their feet to scoot and then glide, and their feet act as brakes as well. They are lightweight and made of aluminium or wood. Children use their feet to develop balance and eventually graduate to a bike without training wheels, usually about two years after beginning on a balance bike.
Cruzee Two Balance Bike Review
The Cruzee is the number one balance bike on the market. It weighs only 1.9kg and is made of aircraft grade aluminium. It has punctureless foam rubber tires and the handlebars and seat are easily height adjustable, without the need for tools.
The Cruzee will get your child balancing easily and is designed for children from 60cm - 125cm high. It comes in a range of colours and is for children on average from age 18 months - 3 years.
Alloy Kids Balance Bike review
One of the most affordable balance bikes on the market, the Alloy Kids Balance Bike is a great option for families looking for a sturdy, easy to use balance bike on a budget. It weighs 2kg and is suitable for children aged 2 - 6 years.
The Alloy Kids Balance Bike is made from aluminium, with a blast saded surface. It has a lifetime warranty on the frame and a fully adjustable seat and handlebars to accommodate growth.
Hip Kids Wooden Balance Bike Review
If you are looking for a balance bike made of more natural products then the Hip Kids Wooden Balance Bike is ideal. The frame is made of varnished birchwood and the package includes a stand and a detachable canvas basket. This stand is ideal for getting your child used to sitting on the bike before they begin moving.
The Hip Kids Wooden Balance Bike has a safety bell, inflatable rubber tires, rubber handlebar grips, and an adjustable cushioned leather seat. Something to note though is that the handlebars are at a set height so they are not adjustable as your child grows. It is suitable for children aged 2 - 5 years.
Kinderfeets Tiny Tot 2-in-1 Trike Balance Bike review
The Kinderfeets Tiny Tot 2-in-1 Trike Balance Bike is a great solution if you want a bit more longevity from your balance bike. It starts off as a tricycle (suitable for 12 months and up) and then, as your child grows, you can adapt it to a two wheel balance bike. An award-winning design, crafted from bamboo and varnished, the Kinderfeets Tiny Tot 2-in-1 Trike is one of the best looking trikes and balance bikes on the market. It has a Dutch-inspired, low, step-through frame which places children's feet closer to the ground so they feel safe. Voted Preschool Toy of the Year by Australian retailers in 2016.
Best BMX Bike For Kids
A BMX bike is the most popular bike for children. They are a great bike for learning to ride and are perfect for older children. They are smaller and more compact than mountain or road bikes, with chunkier tires. They are perfect for riding on dirt and grass, as well as footpaths and roads. They are often preferred by kids that love to ride as they are used for tricks and stunts, as well as regular riding.
The best kids BMX bikes are lightweight, have back and front brakes and are made of sturdy aluminium. There are three main types of BMX bike, and each of these is slightly different, depending on their purpose. A classic BMX is what you want if your child is looking to race on dirt tracks but still wants to do some tricks and jump riding. It is also the best choice for kids looking o ride quite far, such as to school. A freestyle BMX is the best choice if your child wants to learn street tricks or ride in skateparks. A jumper BMX is best if your child is very into stunts and wants to jump and get air.
It's also important to choose the right size BMX for your child. They are a small make but it's important they are sized correctly and that you choose the right size frame for your child's body. BMX sizes are usually grouped into age ranges.
Mini- suitable for young beginners of between four and six years old.
Junior- is designed for seven to nine-year-olds.
Expert - is designed to suit kids from nine to 13.
Pro - the largest frame, which is used by most riders over twelve.
Jamis Laser 16 BMX Kids Bike Review
The Jamis Laser 16 Kids Bike is the perfect starter BMX. Designed for kids from 4 - 6 years old, the Jamis Laser is ideal to start your child on their BMX journey.
It comes with training wheels and a chain guard, perfect for young riders. It is made of lightweight alloy and weighs 26kg. It has an adjustable seat and rear brakes. Every Jamis youth bike enhances comfort and control by providing the best possible bike fit. The grips, saddles, and cranks are all size-specific to fit the age group of the rider it's designed for.
Jamis focus on designing frames with low stand-over, which makes it easy for your child to mount and dismount from their bike.
RoyalBaby Freestyle Kids Bike
RoyalBaby is the most popular brand of kids bike in China, and it's easy to see why. The RoyalBaby BMX Freestyle bike is a unisex bike that comes with a chain guard, a bell, a water bottle, training wheels, and a quick release seat post which makes it easy to adjust the height of the seat.
The RoyalBaby Freestyle BMX weighs 10kg and is for children aged 3 - 5 years. It is made of sturdy steel, features custom RoyalBaby tread on the wheels and has both front and rear brakes.
One of the biggest drawcards for parents is that the RoyalBaby comes 95% preassembled. You just need to add the pedals, handlebar, and seat. (and training wheels if you are using them).
KHE BMX Bike
The KHE is on the pricer side for a bike and is for your beginner BMX rider. It's 20 inches and designed for ages 8 - 15. The KHE is a BMX freestyle design that weighs 11.5kg. It has a 360 ° rotor and U-brakes at the rear. It has large tires, an adjustable seat and is made out of HiTen steel.
This is the bike you are looking for if you have an enthusiastic young BMX rider that wants to upgrade to their first professional bike. It is made from high quality, durable parts and makes a great starter bike.
XDS XLITE 16" Girl's Bike
This cute first BMX is the perfect starter bike for your 4 - 6-year-old daughter. It is a 16 inch, lightweight first bike, with training wheels and a chainguard. Weighing in a 9kg, it has an alloy frame and an adjustable seat.
The XDS Xlite has rear and front brakes so your child can learn to brake both ways, and learn front braking for when they move to their next bike.
Best Mountain Bikes for Kids
While BMX bikes are the most popular bike for kids, the mountain bike can be a great choice as well. A mountain bike has a larger frame than a BMX, with the rider sitting higher. The tires are wide, to navigate off-road, and they are usually for kids aged around six and up, rather than an early, starter bike. Unless you are spending a lot of money for a mountain bike that has great suspension, you want your mountain bike to have a rigid fork. With gears, single gear bikes are fine. If the kids are doing harder biking look for a bike with 7-9 gears. Any more than that is unnecessary and confusing.
ByK E-450 Mountain Bike Review
The ByK E-450 is the top mountain bike for kids. It was rated 10/10 by the Bicycling Australia Magazine. It is the most lightweight kids' mountain bike on the market, coming in at 8.4kg. It's not the cheapest on the market but if you are looking for the best quality, at an affordable price, then this is your bike. It has an alloy frame, increased handlebar height to protect little knees.
The alloy rims lend to faster, safer braking, and the custom-sized V-Brakes they use are calibrated for age, ability and ergonomic fit. There is nothing not to like about this bike - it is the top of the line in both safety and design.
HASA Kids Mountain Bike Review
The HASA kids mountain bike is a midpriced mountain bike developed by the renowned Taiwanese company, Heng Feng Cycles. Designed for 9 - 12-year-olds, The HASA is a 24 inch, 13kg mountain bike. It has a lifetime warranty on the frame and a lightweight alloy frame. It is easy to ride, with chunky tires and is competition level quality. If you are looking for a high-quality bike for an enthusiastic BMX rider then this is the bike you are looking for.
This article contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commision, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through these links.
You may also be interested in Best Scooters for Kids and Adults
Read more comparison and buying guides
[…] bike or scooter might be the perfect choice for them. We have put together comprehensive guides to choosing a new bike and choosing a new […]