Best 20″ kids’ bikes

Quick picks: for parents in a hurry

To save you time on scrolling through a long list of suggestions, these are the absolute best options for different budgets.

• Best budget option: BTwin 20″ Riverside 120 (£199.99)
• Best range of gears: YOMO 20 (£400.00)
• Best for biking to school: woom Original 4 (£479.00)
• Best for serious MTB: woom OFF AIR 4 (£949.00

Top tips: choosing the best 20” kids’ bike

Even if you’re short on time, these are the absolute essentials to know before buying a 20-inch bike for your child.

• Size: Children grow at different rates, and it’s crucial that you measure yours so you buy the correct size bike. Too big, and it’ll be too scary to ride. Too small, and it won’t last very long. Here’s how to easily measure your child for a new bike.
• Weight: Pay attention to the materials a bike is made from, and how much it weighs. Your child needs to be able to lift it and manoeuvre it easily so the lighter the bike, the better. Plus it helps you if you’re putting it into the back of a car or mounting it to a rack.
• Gears: 20” bikes are typically the first size in the kids’ range to come with gears. Some bikes will have twist shifters (like a motorbike), while others will have thumb shifters. Make sure the shifter is sized for small hands.
• Price: We’ve done our best to cater for a range of budgets here. We know there are much cheaper bikes available, but once they reach a certain price, they’re more of a toy than a serviceable bike. Here’s why you shouldn’t buy a REALLY cheap new kids’ bike, and if money is tight, consider buying a second hand bike.
• Type: At this stage you’ll start to see different types of bikes available, and may need to choose between a regular hybrid bike (the kind that does a bit of everything), and more purpose-built mountain bikes, designed for riding on light trails and uneven surfaces. Generally we recommend hybrids, unless you’re frequently heading to trail centres, in which case check out our guide to the best 20” mountain bikes.

Best 20” kids' bikes

Here’s our roundup of the best 20-inch wheel kids’ bikes, in ascending price order.

We only ever recommend good quality bikes we’d be happy to recommend to our friends and family, so you won’t find the very cheap bikes you might see advertised elsewhere, because these rarely meet safety standards and tend to break very quickly.

Buying advice: how to choose from the best 20” kids’ bikes

If you need a bit more guidance before taking the plunge, then here are some answers to some common questions.

What makes a good 20" wheel kids bike?

A good quality 20" kids' bike should be lightweight and durable, ideally weighing under 10kg for easy handling and a fun riding experience. High-quality construction is important for longevity, which means the bike can be passed down to siblings or resold to recoup the cost of upsizing to the next model. Versatile performance is also key, so unless they’re exclusively riding mountain bike trails, it’s better to choose a hybrid bike that performs well on both tarmac and off-road surfaces like gravel and grass.

The bike should have a wide range of gears that are easy to operate with one hand, so that it’s suitable for both flat and hilly terrain. Gear shifters should be appropriately sized for small hands, which are typically found on higher-end components. Flat handlebars are common and effective, providing a comfortable ride and good steering control.

Additionally, consider the type of gear shifters; some bikes feature twist-grip shifters, while others use thumb triggers. It's important to have your child try both to see which they prefer, and you can always swap them if needed for better usability.

What age child is a 20" wheel bike for?

20" wheel bikes vary greatly in their sizing, and some brands even have several frame sizes, so there's something for shorter and taller kids ready to move onto their first geared bike.
Some have an inside leg as short as 47cm, although the majority start at about 52cm.
This roughly equates to between the ages of 6 and 7, but some 5 year-olds may be ready to move up to this wheel size.
It’s important to measure your child carefully, and if possible, test ride the bike if you're worried it won't fit. Don't buy a bike that's too big for them, as they won't enjoy riding it, plus it could be dangerous. Here’s how to easily measure your child for a new bike, and we’ve also got a guide called, is my kid's bike the right size for them?

Does my child need a 20” mountain bike?

When you get to size 20” in the kids’ bike range, you start to see more diversity among bike types, with more specialised mountain bikes becoming available. While we've rounded up our pick of the best 20” mountain bikes on the market, they tend to be pricey because they feature additional technology and components to make the ride as safe and comfortable as possible on bumpy terrain. 

So unless your child is a serious mountain biker, who’s likely to be spending their weekends at trail centres, we’d usually recommend opting for a hybrid bike that can do a bit of everything. 

By their very nature, hybrid bikes combine the best of both worlds, featuring the flat bars, lower gearing and wider tyres of mountain biking, with the efficient geometry and light weight of commuter/road riding. Mountain bikes tend to be much heavier and less efficient on paved surfaces.

Only you can know if a ‘proper’ mountain bike is right for your child. Just don’t feel pressured to buy more bike than they’ll actually need.

What’s the difference between twist-grip and thumb trigger shifters?

You’ll notice that some bikes come with a twist-grip gear shifter (a bit like a motorbike), while others have a thumb trigger, which is more similar to an adult’s gear shifter.

It’s up to you (and your child) which one you go for, but here are some things to consider before choosing. Twist-grip shifters are generally easier for young children to get used to as they learn to ride with gears, because they can visualise the ‘up’ and ‘down’ movement. Plus, they don’t need to move their hands very much to reach them. The downside is that it’s easy to accidentally over- or under-shift, and can take some trial and error to find the right gear. It also doesn’t prepare them for adult gear shifters later down the line.

Thumb triggers can be a bit more complex, because they’re operated with the thumb and index finger, but they’re more accurate. One press of the button equals one gear up or down. These tend to be found in higher-end bikes, and if your child is ready to master them, it will put them in better stead for when they’re older. However, they do require more hand strength and coordination, plus they may need to momentarily remove a hand from the handlebars to use them, so they won’t work for every child at this age.

How can I adjust the bike to fit my child as they grow?

Most bikes have an element of adjustability built into them. You can elevate the saddle height (but don’t go above the minimum insert marker), making sure your child can touch their toes to the ground while seated on the saddle. Most kids' bikes come with quick-release seatposts, making it easy to adjust the saddle height without tools.

Next, check the handlebars. Many bikes have adjustable handlebars that can be raised or lowered to suit your child's height. If the bike has an adjustable stem, you can change the reach and angle of the handlebars for a more comfortable fit.

If you’re concerned about size adjustment and want a bike that will get you through a growth spurt or two, consider investing in the Black Mountain HÜTTO.

How do I teach my child to use gears?

Teaching your child to use gears effectively starts with explaining the basics of how gears work. Demonstrate how shifting to a lower gear makes pedalling easier on hills, while higher gears are better for flat surfaces and faster speeds.

Begin with practice sessions on flat, safe terrain. Encourage your child to experiment with shifting gears while riding to feel the difference. Start with simple instructions, like "shift to an easier gear before climbing a hill" or "shift to a harder gear when you want to go faster."

Supervise their initial rides, providing guidance and reminders as needed. 

Is an expensive kids' bike worth it?

With the cost of living crisis, it’s understandable that everyone’s looking to save money where they can, and kids’ bikes can get expensive. While we love the amazing quality of kids’ bikes on offer these days, we also appreciate that not everyone can afford them, or justify the expense. So we’d say it’s always best to consider your family’s budget first. 

Even if you can’t stretch to the most premium bikes on the market, if you have got some wiggle room to opt for something more mid-range, you’ll still see some huge benefits.

Higher-quality bikes are typically lighter, making them easier for children to handle and ride. They often have better components, more reliable brakes, smoother gear shifting, and more puncture-protected tyres.

Expensive bikes are also usually built to last, meaning they can be passed down to younger siblings or resold, so they have better long-term value. 

Rather than feeling pressured to buy the most expensive bike, consider buying the most expensive bike that your family can afford. 

There are plenty of deals to be had if you shop around online, and buying a second hand bike is a great way to get something that’s high quality, for less than its usual retail price.

We just beg you not to buy a ridiculously cheap bike that’s plastered all over with cartoon characters, because these are effectively bike-shaped toys that will break very quickly. Here’s why you shouldn’t buy a REALLY cheap new kids’ bike.

What accessories should I get with the bike?

When buying a bike for your child, there are some very useful accessories that can make cycling easier, safer and more fun for everyone. 

First of all, consider getting them one of the best kids’ bike helmets to protect their head if they take a tumble. Some younger or less experienced riders might also benefit from knee pads and elbow pads if they’re frightened of falling, but not all kids will want to wear them.

If you’re all riding into town together and leaving your bikes unattended, we’ve got a great list of the best kids’ bike locks so you can rest assured that they’ll still be where you left them. 

For riding in low-light conditions, most bikes will come fitted with reflectors, but you should consider grabbing some of the best kids’ bike lights, that will both help light the way and keep you visible to other road users and pedestrians.

If the bike has the appropriate mounting points, you can fit them with a water bottle cage, mudguards, a kickstand and a rear rack. These are particularly useful accessories if they’re cycling to school.