Kids Bike

The BTwin 14 is sold exclusively at Decathlon (who are huge in Europe), which probably explains the more continental style “step through” frame design, and the ability to deliver this bike at such a low price.

The frame is steel, which usually means a very heavy bike. However, the style of this one, with the low step over and lack of cross bar helps keep the weight down to 8.7kg.

This is still a lot heavier than the more expensive aluminium framed 14″ wheel bikes –  but it’s a lot less than the 10kg plus bikes you get elsewhere, and it has “proper” tyres – beware other 14″ wheel cheap bikes with foam or plastic tyres.

The very low frame itself will be easy for children to get on and off – especially important for children who would struggle to lift their leg over a higher frame. The braking system is designed specifically for smaller hands.
The bike comes with front and rear lights too, plus the 500 model has mudguards fitted, which the 100 model doesn’t.

The stabilisers unscrew easily – although if your child isn’t ready to pedal we’d recommend a balance bike instead.

While a lot of the 16 inch kids’ bikes from Halfords are heavy and difficult to ride, the Carrera Cosmos 16 is a good example of an exception. It’s built with a lightweight aluminium frame that makes it much easier for a child to control and handle. This focus on a lighter build means it’s less of a struggle for them to learn and ride, which can make cycling a lot more fun and help them feel more confident.

With its 16-inch wheels, the bike is designed for a child who has already grasped the basics of riding and is ready for the next step. It’s suited for riding on a variety of surfaces, from pavements to park trails. The V-brakes offer reliable stopping power, and the single-speed gear system keeps the mechanics simple and easy to maintain.

Overall, the Carrera Cosmos is a good, straightforward bike for a young rider ready to take on new challenges. Its design prioritises a solid, reliable build that is easier to ride than many heavier 16 inch kids bikes at Halfords.

The Squish 16 is a good quality kids’ bike built with a focus on being light and easy to handle.

It features a lightweight frame made of triple-butted aluminium, making it easy for a child to control and manoeuvre. All the components, from the shorter cranks to the junior-specific grips and stem, have been designed to fit a young rider’s proportions.

With a weight of just 6.30 kg, this bike is a good option for a child aged 4 and up, or with a minimum inside leg of 47 cm. It is equipped with responsive alloy V-brakes with adjustable reach levers, which offer reliable stopping power for small hands.

This bike is a solid choice for a young rider, providing a straightforward and enjoyable cycling experience. It comes with a 10-year warranty on the frame and forks, and a free sticker set, making it a durable and customisable option for a child’s first or second bike.

Whilst we’ve not reviewed this particular bike you can read our opinion on it’s slightly larger sibling here: Review of the Squish 18 kids bike

The Shyre Hopton 16 is an excellent choice for a child’s first bike, designed to make the transition from a balance bike to pedals as smooth as possible. It’s incredibly lightweight, weighing just 7kg, so it’s easy for little ones to handle and for you to carry. All the parts, from the frame to the handlebars, are shaped to fit a smaller child, giving them a comfortable and balanced feel right from the start.

This bike is intended for children aged 4 to 6 years. The single, simple gear means there’s nothing complicated to learn—your child can focus purely on pedalling and steering. It also comes with easy-to-use brakes that are perfect for small hands, along with soft grips and grippy pedals to build confidence.

As a bonus, every bike purchase comes with a free branded helmet while stocks last, so you can make sure your little rider is safe and ready to go from day one.

The Cubley 16 has all the features we’re used to seeing on a good quality, lightweight 16 inch kids bike.

It tips the scales at just 6.64kg and is fitted with all-terrain tyres plus it has an integrated headset where the bearings are hidden to protect from the rain and give you peace of mind that your Sprog can enjoy year-round riding whatever the weather.

Other features on this bike include a size specific crankset for little legs, narrow bars, short-reach stem and smaller pedals.

Note: This bike has now been discontinued and is only available secondhand

woom are an Austrian kids bike company and their products are now available in the UK. Think of them as the central European equivalent of Islabikes in terms of attention to detail, and you’re not far off the mark.

The woom Original 3 weighs in at just 5.5 kg making it one of the lightest 16″ wheel bike we’ve reviewed. This is due to almost every part on the woom 3 being made from lightweight aluminium.

The bike can be upgraded to have a kickstand – ideal for neat storage and preventing the bike from getting thrown on the ground.

A nice touch is that the rear brake block and the rear brake lever both have green on them, so you can call out to your child to pull on the green brake – simple but effective!

Our 4 year old reviewer loved riding the woom Original 3 – you can read her dad’s thoughts here woom Original 3 Automagic Review