Ridgeback kids’ bikes: a parent’s guide to the MX and Dimension ranges
Choosing a bike for your child sounds simple until you start looking. Two children the same age can be a head apart in height, the sizes don't line up neatly, and every brand seems to describe its bikes differently.
Add in the heavy, badly built 'toy' bikes sold cheaply in stores and online, and it's no wonder parents and grandparents tell us they find the whole thing confusing.
Ridgeback is one of the names we're happy to point families towards, because they make proper bikes rather than toys.
This guide walks through the new Ridgeback kids bike range, explains the key differences between the MX and Dimension ranges, and covers how to choose the right size and where to buy.
Disclosure: this article has been created in partnership with Ridgeback and contains affiliate links. If you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission.
Who are Ridgeback?
Ridgeback is a UK brand, based out of Milton Keynes, which has been designing bikes since 1983, and children's bikes specifically for more than two decades.
Their entire kids bike range has just had a complete redesign and we’re impressed with the result.
Their kids bikes are all based around a single idea they call Proper Fit: bikes built specifically for the way children ride and grow, rather than shrunk-down adult bikes.
This is important, because children are lighter, have different proportions, and are still building the strength and coordination that adults take for granted.
A bike that's too heavy or badly proportioned is harder for a small child to control, and that knocks their confidence.
Every bike in the current kids' range uses a lightweight aluminium frame and is sized and set up around growing riders.
The aim is a bike that feels comfortable and controllable from the very first ride, so children want to get back on it.
What's the difference between the Ridgeback MX and Dimension ranges?
Each Ridgeback kids pedal bike is available as either an MX or a Dimension model.
The important thing to understand is that MX and Dimension are not different types of bike for different uses.
They are not "one for road, one for off-road."
Every MX and Dimension model shares the same frame and the same Proper Fit, so whichever you choose, your child gets exactly the same riding position, the same handling and the same fundamental bike underneath them.
The difference is the components and, as a result, the weight and the price.
- MX is the more accessible range. Aluminium frame, Proper fit, great ride, at an great value price.
- Dimension builds on that with lighter, higher-specification components, so the bike weighs less overall. That extra quality costs a bit more,
It's the same logic you'll find with Ridgeback’s adult bikes: one well-designed frame, offered in a couple of specifications.
This means you can spend a bit less or a bit more without compromising on the things that actually matter for a child, namely fit, weight and confidence.
A word from the designer
"When we designed the current Ridgeback Kids range, the priority wasn't to create two different bikes – it was to create one great bike that more families could enjoy.
That's why every MX and Dimension model shares the same frame and the same Proper Fit philosophy. We wanted every child to benefit from a comfortable fit and confident handling, whatever their family's budget.
The components may differ, but the thinking behind every Ridgeback Kids bike stays the same: every child deserves a bike that fits properly, feels great to ride and inspires them to keep cycling."
James Olsen
Ridgeback Product Designer
The Ridgeback kids' range, stage by stage
The range is built to take a child from their very first push right through to longer family rides.
Balance bikes: Scoot and Scoot XL - from £149.99
Learning to balance is the real foundation of cycling, which is why we recommend a balance bike over stabilisers for most children. It lets them learn to balance and steer first, so moving on to pedals is far less daunting later.
The 12” wheel Scoot and the 14” Scoot XL are Ridgeback's entry point, designed to build coordination and confidence naturally.
First pedal bikes: 14" and 16" - from £229.99
These are the bikes where it all clicks and a child discovers they can actually ride.
Lightweight and easy to handle, they're built to let a child concentrate on pedalling rather than wrestling a bike that's too big or too heavy.
Both sizes come in MX and Dimension, so you can pick the spec that suits your budget knowing the fit is identical.
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Geared bikes: 20", 24" and 27.5" - from £289.99
As children grow in confidence they want to go further, keep up on family rides and tackle new routes. Gears allow that, making hills and longer rides much easier and enjoyable.
Every Ridgeback geared model comes in both MX and Dimension, with the same comfortable fit they've had from the start.
You can read our review of the new Ridgeback Dimension 20 for more details.
Choosing the right size Ridgeback bike for your child
Always start with your child's height, not their age.
This is because children of the same age vary enormously, so age is only ever a rough guide.
Please remember that buying a bike with "plenty of room to grow" usually backfires: a bike that's too big is difficult to control and puts children off.
If you can, get your child measured properly. A good bike shop will do this, and Ridgeback also has an online sizing guide to help you get it right.
Once you've settled on the right wheel size, the MX-versus-Dimension choice is purely about budget and components, because the fit is the same either way.
So which Ridgeback kids bike should you choose?
The most important thing to get right is the sizing of the bike.
At any given wheel size, the Dimension version costs more than the MX because you're paying for the lighter, higher-spec parts, not a different or "better designed" bike.
If budget is the deciding factor, an MX is a proper, well-fitting bike and there's nothing second-rate about it.
If your child rides often or will be putting in longer distances, and your budget stretches to it, the Dimension will provide premium performance.
Either way, you're choosing between two good options, not a good one and a compromise.
Where's the best place to buy a Ridgeback kids' bike?
You've got several routes to buying a Ridgeback bike:
Your local bike shop. If you've got a Ridgeback stockist nearby, it's well worth a visit. We're firm believers that bike shops raise riders: a good shop measures your child properly, builds and sets the bike up correctly, and is there afterwards for the adjustments, servicing and advice you'll want as your child grows. That hands-on support is a big part of why independent bike shops matter. You can find your nearest Ridgeback stockist here.
Order online through Freewheel. If getting to a bike shop is tricky, or you know exactly which bike you want, Ridgeback have partnered with Freewheel so you can order the full kids' range online.
You can choose to have the bike delivered straight to your home, but you can also choose to have it delivered to your local bike shop for collection, so it's still built and checked by a mechanic before your child rides it.
That means you can get the convenience of ordering from the sofa, the reassurance of buying from an authorised Ridgeback retailer, and the bike shop still stays part of the picture.
Whichever way you buy, you get the same bike, the same warranty and the same fit.
Durability of Ridgeback bikes
Children grow out of bikes quickly, so it's sensible to think ahead to what happens next, and a well-made bike will hold its value much better than a cheaper option.
Ridgeback kids' bikes use lightweight aluminium frames and quality components which are built to last, so if you look after it well it should remain in a good, usable condition for years, whether that's handed down to a younger sibling or sold on.
This is backed up by the warranty: every new Ridgeback kids' bike in the current range comes with a transferable lifetime warranty on the frame and fork plus a two-year parts warranty.
"Transferable" means it can pass to the next owner, which is reassuring whether you're keeping the bike in the family or selling it on.
One thing worth knowing if you're considering buying secondhand instead: Ridgeback has just redesigned the current kids' range, so an older used bike won't necessarily have the same frame, fit or specification as the current models, and the lifetime frame warranty only applies to current bikes.
Ridgeback kids bike range - a summary
The new MX and Dimension ranges give you the same great-fitting bike at two price points: MX for accessible value, Dimension for a lighter, higher spec for premium performance.
Get the size right, buy through a local independent bike shop or Freewheel, and you've got a lightweight, great quality bike your child will love to ride.
Frequently asked questions about Ridgeback kids bikes
What's the difference between Ridgeback MX and Dimension kids bikes?
The frame and fit are identical — the difference is the components, which makes the Dimension lighter and higher-spec, and therefore more expensive. MX is the better-value option; Dimension is the one to choose if you want the lightest bike and your budget allows. It's a weight, quality and price difference, not road versus off-road.
Are Ridgeback kids' bikes worth the money?
We think so. A well-made bike like a Ridgeback is lighter and easier for a child to ride than a cheap "toy" bike, holds its value far better, and comes with a transferable lifetime frame warranty, so it works out cheaper over time than replacing a poor bike that gets scrapped after a short time.
What size Ridgeback bike does my child need?
Go by your child's height rather than their age, and avoid buying too big. A local bike shop can measure your child, and Ridgeback has an online sizing guide if you’re buying online.
Where can I buy a Ridgeback kids' bike?
From a local Ridgeback stockist, or online through Freewheel, with the option to collect from a local shop, or delivered direct to your home.
Do Ridgeback kids' bikes hold their value?
Yes, provided you look after it. The lightweight aluminium frame and quality parts wear well, and the transferable lifetime frame-and-fork warranty (plus two-year parts warranty) give peace of mind when handing down or selling on.
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