Best kids' bikes 2024

Kids Bike Search

149 bikes match

Choosing one of the best kids' bikes can be daunting, especially if you're new to cycling with kids. To help, we've handpicked our favourite brands that we've reviewed and loved over the years.

Of course, the best bike for a 3 year-old beginner will differ from what suits a 13 year-old mountain biker or a 9 year-old cyclocross racer. Your budget and how often the bike will be used will also play a role.

That’s why we’ve created a kids bike buying checklist to help you find the perfect match for your child’s riding style.

Unlike other guides that promote sub-par bikes just because they’re bestsellers, every bike we recommend has been tested by our family reviews panel, with photos and bike reviews to prove it!

Some brands have affiliate links, but others don’t – this is purely a collection of brilliant bikes we trust for our kids (and yours).

Still unsure? Check out the buying advice at the end, or see our cheapest kids' bikes guide for budget options.

Once your child is all set, be sure to invest in one of the best kids' bike helmets, and if you have siblings to consider, see our guides to cycling with teenagers and cycling with babies and toddlers.

Quick picks: best kids' bikes for parents in a hurry

If you're in a rush, here are the links to the top kids’ bike brands we've reviewed.

Scroll down to read more about them and lots of other options too.

Best budget kids’ bike brand:

B’Twin offers the best range of kids’ bikes suiting all budgets, ages and riding styles. Home delivery or click & collect from your local Decathlon store.
Decathlon also has a buy-back scheme and sells pre-loved refurbished bikes for a lower price.

Best mid-range kids’ bike brands:

Kidvelo are the best if your child is learning to pedal, as they offer balance-to-pedal conversion bikes.

YOMO Bikes are top quality at a mid-range price, with a buy-back scheme for when it's time to size up, PLUS a free helmet with every bike purchase.

Best premium kids’ bike brand:

woom Bikes make the best overall quality kids’ bikes with brilliant design features that will give your kids years of cycling fun.

Best online retailers to buy kids' bikes:

Tredz and Wheelbase both have really good choices of kids' bikes at a variety of price points, all from very reputable brands.

Top tips: to help you choose the best kids’ bike

These are the key things to consider before making a purchase. For more detailed advice, head to the FAQs section.

Size: Make sure to choose the right wheel size based on your child’s height. It's important for comfort and safety – a bike that's too big or too small will be difficult to ride. Here’s how to choose the right size bike for your child’s age.
Weight: A lighter bike is easier for kids to handle and pedal, especially on hills. Heavier bikes can be harder to control, making riding less enjoyable. Opt for the lightest bike within your budget.
Budget: Cheaper bikes often weigh more and have lower-quality components, while premium bikes are lighter, more durable, and provide a smoother ride. For budget-friendly options that are actually worth buying, read our cheapest kids’ bikes guide.
Materials: Aluminium bikes are lighter and rust-resistant, while steel bikes are heavier, though they can be stronger and more affordable.
Brakes: For younger kids on starter pedal bikes, simple rim brake levers are fine to learn on. Some come with coaster brakes, where you pedal backwards to stop. Premium bikes for older riders may benefit from disc brakes for better stopping power in the wet, especially on mountain bikes. Look for child-sized brake levers suitable for small hands.
Gears: Most kids start learning to shift gears around age 7 or 8. Younger riders may not need them so much, and while a wider range of gears allow for easier climbing, too many can be confusing for a 7 year-old. If you're buying a geared bike, aim for 7 or 8 gears.
Secondhand availability: Buying second hand can save money, especially for fast-growing kids. Look for well-maintained bikes from reputable brands, and read our guide to buying a secondhand kids’ bike.
Accessories: Think about whether your child needs mudguards, a rack, or a bottle cage. Check the bike's compatibility with these accessories, as not all models come with mounting points. You can use these as search criteria in our kids' bike search, so be sure to check that out!

B’Twin

Best value kids’ bikes

Wheel size: 12–26”
Bike types: Balance, first pedal, hybrid, mountain bike, city bike
Typical age range: 2–12+ years, plus a wide range of adult bikes for teens
Warranty: Lifetime on frame, stem, handlebars. Other parts: 2 years
Geographical availability: All countries that have Decathlon stores

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B'Twin, Decathlon’s in-house brand, offers a broad range of kids' bikes with models numbered from 100 to 900, indicating higher specs as the numbers increase.

The 900 and some 500 series bikes are impressively built, while even the lower-numbered models offer excellent value compared to similarly priced bikes.

Specialised ranges include Rockriders for mountain biking and Riversides for urban and leisure rides. B'Twin also caters to younger kids with balance and smaller pedal bikes.

Decathlon’s UK buy-back and refurbish scheme makes their B'Twin bikes an environmentally friendly and cost-effective option too.

For a detailed look at one of their bikes, check out our B'Twin Riverside 900 review.

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woom

Best overall quality

Wheel size: 12–26”
Bike types: Balance, first pedal, hybrid, mountain bikes, e-bikes and city bikes
Typical age range: 2–14 years
Warranty: 10 years (frames, rigid forks, handlebars, stem), 2 years (everything else)
Geographical availability: International

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If you’re looking for high-quality, durable kids' bikes, woom is a great choice. We’ve reviewed many woom bikes and are consistently impressed by their design, style, and longevity. These bikes hold their value well, due to their robust construction, and still look nearly new after lots of use.

woom stands out with innovations like colour-coded brake levers, and automatic gear shifting on the 16" woom Original 3 Automagic.

Their Now Urban range is also pushing boundaries in kids' bike design.

They offer sizes from the 12” woom Original 1 to the 26” woom Original 6, plus woom OFF mountain bikes, and the woom UP e-bike model.

For more details, check out our comprehensive guide to woom kids bikes and our woom bike reviews.

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YOMO

Best mid-range brand

Wheel size: 12–26”
Bike types: Balance, first pedal, hybrid
Typical age range: 2–12+ years
Warranty: Lifetime frame and forks, 1-year parts
Geographical availability: UK

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YOMO, a new kids' bike brand for 2024, has really impressed us at Cycle Sprog with its attention to detail and high-quality ride experience. As a brand, YOMO excels in both style and performance, making their bikes perfect for everything from weekend rides to the daily school run.

We recently reviewed the YOMO 20, and found its lightweight frame, quality components, and smooth ride ideal for families seeking a top-tier bike. You can read our full impressions in the YOMO 20 review for more details.

While YOMO sits at the higher end, their buy-back scheme makes it easier to size up, so they're a solid long-term investment.

YOMO offer: free helmet with every bike purchase!

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Kidvelo

Best for learning to ride

Wheel size: 12, 14 and 18”
Bike types: Balance bikes, and balance to pedal conversions
Typical age range: 18 months – 7 years
Warranty: Lifetime on frame and fork
Geographical availability: UK, Australia and New Zealand. International on request

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Kidvelo, launched in 2022, has quickly gained a reputation for high-quality, lightweight balance bikes that make learning to ride fun and easy.

Their bikes grow with your child, thanks to adjustable seat heights and handlebar reach, offering years of use.

The standout feature is the 2-in-1 design—both the 14" and 18" models can convert from balance to pedal bikes with a simple pedal kit, making the transition from balancing to pedalling seamless.

Kidvelo bikes are perfect for kids aged 18 months to 7 years, with lightweight alloy frames and child-specific components. Our Kidvelo Rookie 14 review highlights highlights their lightweight build and retro styling, popular with both kids and parents.

With a lifetime warranty on frames and forks, Kidvelo is a great choice for durability and ease of learning.

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Hornit

Best for stylish simplicity

Wheel size: 12-24"
Bike types: Balance bikes, first pedal
Typical age range: 18 months–10 years
Warranty: Lifetime on frame and fork
Geographical availability: UK and US

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Hornit Bikes are known for their lightweight, lightweight, durable, and sleek designs. Their larger models, the HERO 20 and HERO 24, are ideal for older kids ready to learn gear-shifting, thanks to their easy-to-use 3-speed gearing.

With just three speeds, these bikes offer enough variety for tackling hills without overwhelming younger riders who might struggle with too many options.

The lightweight aluminium frame and child-specific geometry ensure easy handling, making longer rides more comfortable and enjoyable.

While they also offer some of the best balance bikes, the HERO 20 and 24 are standout choices for kids ready for more advanced riding, whether for everyday commutes or light off-road adventures.

With their clean, minimalist designs, these bikes are as stylish as they are practical.

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Black Mountain Bikes

Best for engineering enthusiasts

Wheel size: 14–20” with ‘growing frames’
Bike types: Balance, first pedal, hybrid, MTB
Typical age range: 2–8 years
Warranty: 3-years frame and forks; 2-years non-consumable components. Warranty transferable
Geographical availability: International

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Black Mountain is a Welsh brand revolutionising premium kids' with their innovative grow-with-your-child designs. Their durable bikes adapt through multiple growth stages, cutting waste, hassle, and cost for families.

The range includes four models: the PINTO (14”) and SKOG (16”) start as balance bikes and transition into two sizes of pedal bikes, replacing up to three bikes. This creates a smoother learning experience and saves money in the long run.

For older kids, the KAPEL (18”) and HÜTTO (20”) come with gears, with the HÜTTO offering disc brake and suspension upgrades. Both can convert to balance bikes if needed.

Black Mountain bikes combine high-quality engineering, sleek design, and eco-friendliness. If you enjoy hands-on projects, converting these bikes is a fun challenge for parents too!

You can find out more about why they stand out in our Black mountain PINTO review.

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Frog Bikes

Best choice of sizes

Wheel size: 10–26”
Bike types: Balance, first pedal, hybrid, MTB, city, road, track
Typical age range: 18 months–13+ years
Warranty: 2 years - extended to 5 years for frame if you register the bike within 28 days of purchase
Geographical availability: International

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Frog Bikes are known for producing some of the best kids' bikes, with a range covering everything from balance bikes for toddlers to mountain, city, road, and track bikes for older kids.

A key feature is the variety of frame sizes at the 26" wheel level and a ‘mini’ balance bike option, accommodating different growth rates.

Frog stands out for its lightweight aluminium frames and child-specific geometry, making their bikes easier for kids to handle. The range includes hybrid, first pedal, mountain, and road bikes. We've tested many models over the years, and they’ve consistently been reliable and fun to ride.

Their popularity and durability also make them easy to find secondhand, offering great value whether bought new or pre-owned.

To find out more, head over to our Frog Bike reviews for specific insights into different models.

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Squish Bikes

Best for playful designs

Wheel size: 12–27.5”
Bike types: Balance, first pedal, hybrid, MTB
Typical age range: 2–10+ years
Warranty: Frame and Forks - 3 years; components - 1 year (excluding wear and tear)
Geographical availability: UK

Squish Bikes offer a fun alternative to more established kids' bike brands without compromising on quality.

With their playful mascot, Splosh design, and included sticker set, these bikes are ideal for younger riders who want both functionality and fun. For older kids, Squish wisely drops the playful design for a more grown-up look!

We reviewed the Squish 18 single-speed bike, and our 6-year-old tester loved it, transitioning confidently to a bigger bike. Squish’s 26” mountain bike also impressed on local trails, offering a reliable and affordable off-road option.

For more information, check out our Squish 18 review and Squish MTB 26 review.

Where to buy Squish bikes

Tandem Group Cycles - Squish's parent company
Decathlon
Tredz
Squish bikes can also be found in some local bike shops - see the Tandem Group Cycles website for more details.

Cube

Best for mini-me matching

Wheel size: 12–27.5”
Bike types: Balance, first pedal, hybrid, MTB, kids’ e-bikes - plus full range of adult bikes
Typical age range: 2–10+ years (+ adults)
Warranty: Frame 6 years; rest of bike 2 years
Geographical availability: International

Cube offers a vast range of kids' bikes at various price points, from entry-level to high-performance models for all disciplines and ages.

Whether you need step-through city bikes with pannier racks, hybrids, or full-suspension mountain bikes, Cube has something for every young rider—including junior e-bikes for older kids joining longer rides.

As one of the largest adult bike brands, Cube allows parents to match their bike with their child’s, though how the kids feel about that might be a different story!

We've tested Cube's top-end mountain bikes, which inspire confidence on the trails, making them a great choice for young riders ready for serious MTB action. For families with the budget and a child transitioning to adult bikes, Cube’s junior mountain bikes are a great option.

Just note that some smaller Cube bikes come with rear coaster brakes (backpedal to stop), which is common in Europe but less so in the UK—so check the brake type when choosing a model.

Where to buy Cube bikes

UK: In the UK there are lots of local bike shops who are Cube bike dealers. If you prefer to buy online then the following retailers do nationwide shipping:

Europe: Cube are a German based brand and have a very strong presence throughout Europe. On their website you can select which European country you are in for their bespoke website and links to local stores.

International: Use Cube's Store locator to find worldwide stockists of their kids bikes

Islabikes

Best secondhand kids’ bikes

Wheel size: 12–27.5”
Bike types: Balance, first pedal, hybrid, cyclocross/road, MTB
Typical age range: 2–13 years
Warranty: 5 years on frame and forks and a 2 years on parts
Geographical availability: Mainly UK although some bikes in Europe and USA

Islabikes were pioneers in quality kids’ bikes, transforming the market when founder Isla Rowntree showed parents the value of lightweight, well-sized bikes. Their innovative designs set the benchmark for all brands that followed.

In October 2023, Islabikes announced they would cease manufacturing and selling bikes, but they continue to offer spare parts for existing models.

Known for their thoughtful design and child-specific geometry, Islabikes are durable, making them perfect for passing down or reselling.

If you're buying secondhand, an Islabikes are a great option, holding their value and being eco-friendly.

Though mainly sold in the UK, they expanded into the USA and Europe, so secondhand models are a chance to own a piece of cycling history.

For more insights, check out our Islabike reviews.

Where to buy Islabikes

Islabikes can now only be bought second hand. The best places to look for these bikes are:

What are the key things to look for in a kids' bike?

If you're new to buying a kids' bike, there are three key things to keep in mind:

Can your child lift the bike? Some steel-framed bikes are much too heavy for kids to handle, especially when riding uphill. If it feels heavy to you, imagine how hard it will be for them to ride!
Can they use the brakes and gears? All the bikes in our guide have child-friendly controls, but it's vital to check they can easily operate them. Poorly designed bikes can make riding unsafe.
Is it the right size? Trust us when we say buying a bike that's too big is a false economy. It could scare them off riding altogether, even after they've grown. Use our guide on how to measure your child for a new bike to make sure they can ride safely and confidently now. This way, they'll enjoy their new bike, and you'll get great value for money.

How much should I spend on a kids' bike?

Your budget will dictate how much you spend, and you'll notice that prices for kids' bikes can vary a lot.

We’ve written an entire post about why you shouldn’t buy a really cheap new kids' bike, so here are a couple of quick money-saving tips:

Buy the best bike you can afford – keeping the key points above in mind.
Consider buying secondhand – we’ve included eBay links for all the brands listed. A good quality used lightweight bike will always beat a new heavy one.

Does my child need stabilisers?

Many of us grew up learning to ride with stabilisers, followed by some frustrating and often painful attempts to ride without them. Thankfully, things have moved on!

The issue with stabilisers is they turn the bike into a trike, teaching kids to steer by turning the handlebars, rather than learning to lean and balance. To ride confidently, kids need to adjust their balance while steering, which stabilisers don’t allow.

This is why balance bikes are so popular now – they teach children to control the bike using their whole body, making the transition to pedalling much easier. So, we suggest skipping stabilisers unless your child has specific needs, and opt for one of the best balance bikes instead. For more details, check out our article that answers the question: does my child need stabilisers?

How do I know if my child needs a bigger bike?

Kids grow fast, and not only do they get taller, but their body proportions change too. It's essential to adjust their bike as they grow, and move to a bigger size when necessary.

A poorly fitting bike is dangerous. If it’s too small, they’ll struggle to control it, which could lead to accidents. They’ll also feel uncomfortable, which might put them off cycling.

Making sure their bike is the right size keeps them safe and makes riding enjoyable, encouraging them to keep cycling as they grow up.

Signs that they need a bigger bike include:

Their knees are overly bent when pedalling — they should only have a slight bend at the lowest position of the pedal rotation.
When standing over the bike, there's more than 2 inches of clearance between the top tube and their groin (unless they have a step-through frame or low, staggered top tube).
They're having trouble manoeuvring the bike, even though they used to ride it confidently.

For more details, see our guide: Is my kid's bike the right size for them?

Should I buy a bike my child can grow into?

It's tempting to buy a bigger bike, thinking they'll grow into it, but this can cause more problems than it's worth.

A bike that's too big will be harder to control, which could make them lose confidence or even lead to accidents. It's much better to buy a bike that fits them now.

A properly sized bike will be safer and more enjoyable, encouraging them to ride more often. If you're concerned about outgrowing it too soon, consider buying secondhand or choosing a brand that holds its value well for resale.

If they’re on the younger side, you could also consider convertible bikes that start as balance bikes, convert to pedal bikes when they’re ready, and grow with your child. Kidvelo and Black Mountain Bikes are great brands that offer these.

What’s the difference between a boys' and girls' bike?

The main difference tends to be the colours and designs, with “boys' bikes” often coming in darker colours and “girls' bikes” in pastel shades.

Some girls' bikes may also have a lower top tube to make it easier to step over, but this is mostly a design choice. In reality, there’s no need to focus on whether a bike is for boys or girls.

The most important thing is that the bike fits well and your child loves riding it, regardless of the label.

Should I buy a new or secondhand bike?

Both new and secondhand bikes have their pros and cons.

A new bike will come with a warranty and be in perfect condition, but it will cost more upfront.

On the other hand, a secondhand bike can offer excellent value for money, especially if you choose a high-quality brand.

Many premium kids' bikes are built to last, so even a well-used bike can still perform brilliantly. Just make sure to check it’s in good working order before buying, or factor in the cost of any repairs.

Read our guide to buying a secondhand kids’ bike for more detail on this.

Best kids’ bikes 2024

Contents

Quick picks: best kids' bikes for parents in a hurry

Best budget kids’ bike brand:

Best mid-range kids’ bike brands:

Best premium kids’ bike brand:

Best online retailers to buy kids' bikes:

Top tips: to help you choose the best kids’ bike