5 Things to Know Before Buying Best 16 Kids Bike

03 Apr.,2024

 

Mountain biking with your kids is fun, challenging and healthy. Buying a kids mountain bike can be overwhelming. We all want our kids to love being out in nature on their bikes – but that enjoyment is dependent on having the right equipment. Choosing the best mountain bike for your kid can be difficult. Here’s our list of things to consider so you can choose the right kids mountain bike:

Quality Kids Bikes Can Be Expensive

Well-made kids’ bikes can be expensive! When our kids were finally old enough to join us on the trails, we were shocked at the sticker prices of the quality kids bikes.  $900 for a bike for a 7-year old?!? That’s more than I spent on my first car!

It can be hard to justify a spending large amount of money on a kid’s bike when  you could buy a bike with the same size wheels online for $99. You know that buying a mountain bike for your kid promotes fitness, time outside, adventure and family memories that last. But is it necessary to buy an expensive bike for that to happen?

What is the Real Value?

First off, let’s put the price of buying a kids mountain bike in perspective. A new Xbox costs $400-500 – even before you buy games at $30-$60 each (wouldn’t you rather be outside?) Or compare the price of a bike to what you might spend on sports teams or lessons. In our city, people will pay $190 for 8-weeks of gymnastics lessons ($1140 for a year of lessons!). Participating on a club soccer team can cost upwards of $1200 per year. $1200 would definitely buy a quality mountain bike to last your growing kid a while.

One perk of buying a good kids’ mountain bike is the potential to sell it that after your kiddo out grows it.  After you enjoy a season or two of quality family time and your kid grows taller from all the fresh air and exercise, you can re-sell your kid’s used bike for 50-75% of what you paid for it!

While the prices for new kids’ bikes still make me gasp, we have learned that a well-made bike can make all the difference in whether mountain biking is enjoyable for your kid. Good kid’s bikes are expensive because they have frames, geometry and components designed with to fit the needs of smaller riders.

When It Comes to Kids’ Mountain Bikes – Fit Is It!

There are many variables to weigh, but in our opinion, getting a mountain bike that fits your child is the most important element. Proper fit directly affects ease-of-use and safety. Although the temptation is understandable, we don’t recommend buying a bike for your son or daughter to grow into. If your kid cannot safely ride the bike, because she can’t reach the ground or comfortably squeeze the brakes, the financial “value” decreases dramatically. You’ll minimize crashing and increase fun by choosing a bike that fits your kid.

Things to consider when buying a kids mountain bike:

Stand-Over Height: Regardless of wheel size, your kid should be able to straddle the bike with both feet flat on the ground.

Wheel Size: Not all 7-year old kids are the same size, jus as not all 20-inch bikes are the same,. Geometry can be dramatically different. A bike that doesn’t fit your kid IS a waste of money, so don’t just go by the listed age of use. Bigger wheels roll over bumps more easily than smaller wheels. Look for a bike that has the biggest wheels available for your kid’s stand-over height. A bike with larger diameter wheels will be more stable and more efficient for longer rides than smaller wheels because they require less effort to keep their momentum going.

Seat height: Your child needs to be able to touch the balls of her feet on the ground while seated on the saddle.

Reach: Your kid should be able to comfortably reach the handlebars with elbows slightly bent when sitting on the seat. Handbrakes should be easily reachable and squeezable while seated.

If your 4 or 5 year old loves biking (or perhaps YOU love biking), then you want to make sure that you are getting them a bike that they can grow their skills on.  With all the 16 inch bikes on the market, however, it can be confusing to know which bike to buy and how they stack up against each other.

To help you out, we’ve tested dozens of 16 inch bikes over the years to help find the very best ones. 

The very best 16 inch bike is the Woom 3. It is lightweight, well-designed, and built to withstand abuse. 

The best budget 16 inch bike is the Guardian 16. Not only is it affordable, it also has the proprietary SureStop braking system to help kids avoid over-the-bars accidents.

Want more options? We’ve put together a list of the ten best 16 inch bikes.

You’ll also find tips on how to choose the very best bike for YOUR 4 or 5 year old, as well as a comparison chart so you can see how they all the bikes stack up.

Note: The bikes on this list are perfect for 99% of our readers. If, however, you are a serious mountain bike family, check out our list of 16 Inch Mountain Bikes instead.

In This Article

Best 16 Inch Kids Bikes

 Woom 3

Overall Score: 99

Weight10/10Quality Of Components10/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding10/10Customer Service10/10Aesthetics9/10

Weight: 13.1 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 19.3″ I Freehub: yes

Woom Bikes are hands down my favorite bike brand for young kids.  The Woom 3 boasts color-coded dual handbrakes, no coaster brake, a super lightweight build, and child-specific geometry that makes learning to ride easy.

All the components on the Woom 3 are top-notch. They include sealed bearings, Jagwire cable, a quick-release seatpost collar, and stainless steel spokes. The bike will last through multiple children and catch a good resale value, or alternatively, trade it in as part of the Woom Upcycle program.

The bike weighs a mere 13 pounds, which can make a huge difference in a child’s enjoyment and endurance. The other thing that sets the Woom 3 apart from others is the opportunity to add the Automagic hub. It does cost an additional $50, but provides an automatic, internally-geared two speed hub.

We literally have nothing negative to say about the Woom 3. The only thing that could make it better would be if it was cheaper, but it’s super competitively priced for what you get.

Read Review: Woom 3

Price: $449 List

Buy at Woom.com

Prevelo Alpha Two

Overall Score: 93

Weight9/10Quality Of Components9/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding10/10Customer Service10/10Aesthetics9/10

Weight: 14.4 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 17″ I Freehub: yes

The Prevelo Alpha Two is a bike for bike snobs.  This little package looks good, comes with top-notch components, and is super light. 

It has everything we look for in a kids bike–child-specific geometry, no coaster brake, and a lightweight build. The parts are quality and include custom, in-house HEIR brand three-piece cranks, stem, and saddle.

If your rider is on the smaller side, note the extremely low minimum seatpost height of 17 inches. That’s the lowest of any 16 inch bike that we’re aware of, which makes this a great option for parents wishing to skip over a 14 inch bike.

Like the Woom, Prevelo also offers a trade-up program to take a bit of a bite out of the price. You can buy it for $69 at checkout, and it gives you 40% of the price of this bike back when you buy the next size bike.

Speaking of price, keep in mind that the Prevelo Alpha Two does NOT come with all the extras (kickstand, bell, etc) that some of the other bikes on this list do. You can add them at checkout, but consider that when comparing cost.

Read Review: Prevelo Alpha Two

Price: $399 List

Buy at PreveloBikes.com

Early Rider Belter 16


Overall Score: 93

Weight10/10Quality Of Components10/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding8/10Customer Service7/10Aesthetics10/10

Weight: 13.1 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 17.5″ I Freehub: yes

The Early Rider Belter is a grown-up bike for little riders.  The Belter boasts a beautiful hand brushed aluminum frame, belt drive (instead of a chain), and high-quality components. 

Every little feature is top notch. The faux leather saddle even has rivets that make it look like a fancy Brooks saddle. The aluminum pedals are both narrower and lower profile than the typical plastic pedals found stock on kids bikes.

The only negative is that this head-turning little bike costs a pretty penny; in fact, it’s the most expensive bike on this list by quite a bit. Is it worth it? Sure, if you have extra cash burning a hole in your pocket.

Read Review: Early Rider Belter 16

Price: $479 List

Pello Revo

Overall Score: 90

Weight9/10Quality Of Components10/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding8/10Customer Service8/10Aesthetics9/10

Weight: 14.6 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 19″ I Freehub: yes

If your child likes riding off-road, consider the Pello Revo.  The Revo has a mountain bike feel with beefy tires and a rock-solid build.  The “ride right geometry” makes both learning to ride and mastering technical skills easy. 

Virtually all the components are brand-name so you know what you’re buying is high-quality. These parts include a Cane Creek heaset, Kenda tires, Tektro brakes, and Alex rims.

The plastic chainguard is flimsy and easy to break, which is fine if you plan on removing it (we would), but less than ideal if you were hoping to keep it on.

Read Review: Pello Romper (same bike just a bit smaller)

Price: $389 List

Buy at PelloBikes.com

Frog 44

Overall Score: 90

Weight9/10Quality Of Components10/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding8/10Customer Service8/10Aesthetics9/10

Weight: 14.1 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 18.5″ I Freehub: yes

The Frog 44 comes in a variety of bright, fun colors sure to please any child. We love that the spokes on either side of the valve are colored as well.

But enough about the way the bike looks! The Frog 44, like all the offerings from this UK company, are designed for performance. It is lightweight, has a low center of gravity, and appropriate gearing for most riding conditions.

The bike comes standard with fenders (a plus for folks who live in wet climates) as well as a bell.

Our only complaint is that while we appreciate the built-in steering limiter, we don’t love that it’s not removable. Kids who already have the biking thing down pat don’t need one.

Read Review: Frog 44

Price: $519 List

Buy at ReadySetPedal.comBuy at FrogBikesUSA.com

Spawn Yoji 16


Overall Score: 90

Weight9/10Quality Of Components10/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding8/10Customer Service6/10Aesthetics9/10

Weight: 14.7 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 19″ I Freehub: yes

The Spawn Yoji 16 is a high-quality kids’ bike from the mountain biking Mecca of Squamish, British Columbia. The Yoji is a lightweight bike with a durable aluminum frame that can withstand the challenges of trail riding.

The in-house designed components are child-specific, making the bike fit perfectly for little bodies. The wheels are off-road ready and the Loam Star tires offer puncture protection, making it easy for children to handle dirt, gravel, and grass with ease.

Some parents may find the brake setup intimidating, and the factory communication can be spotty. Additionally, the wheels attach via 15mm bolts, which are prone to leading to scrapes when kids inevitably crash.

Read Our Review: Spawn Yogi

Price: $495 List

Buy at SpawnCycles.com

Cleary Hedgehog


Overall Score: 85

Weight7/10Quality Of Components10/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding8/10Customer Service9/10Aesthetics9/10

Weight: 16 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 20″ I Freehub: yes

The Cleary Hedgehog is a gorgeous 16 inch bike designed for parents who take looks AND quality seriously.  The classic steel frame is durable and will last thru several children. 

Cleary offers a freehub option, and the Hedgehog comes with easy-to-pull child-sized Tektro handbrakes.

One thing that makes the Hedgehog unique is the inclusion of a flip-flop hub with the option to install different sized cogs on each side. You have to actually uninstall and flip the wheel to make this gear change so it is still a singlespeed bike, but one that offers slightly more flexibility.

The only thing dragging down our score on this bike is the weight. At 16 pounds, it is heftier than our other faves.

Read Review: Cleary Hedgehog

Price: $378 List

Buy at ClearyBikes.comBuy at ReadySetPedal.com*

Belsize 16

Overall Score: 82

Weight10/10Quality Of Components8/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding7/10Customer Service5/10Aesthetics9/10

Weight: 12.5 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 20″ I Freehub: yes

When we first heard about the Belsize 16, we were skeptical. How could a bike with that light of a weight and those good of components have a price tag so low?!

After testing the bike, however, we were convinced. This bike is nothing less than amazing for the price.

It has a continental belt drive, weighs in at a shockingly low 12.5 pounds, and has dual hand brakes (no coaster).

Complaints? Not many. The Belsize 16 does NOT have quick-release seatpost collar, and there’s the fact that the bike isn’t produced by a bike company (it’s produced by a Chinese sporting goods brand) so there’s always the concern of after-market customer support.

Read Our Review: Belsize 16 and Belsize 16 Pro

Price: $339 (Regular) /$359 (Pro) List

Buy at BelsizeBike.comBuy at Amazon.com*

Guardian 16

Overall Score: 69

Weight6/10Quality Of Components6/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding7/10Customer Service10/10Aesthetics8/10

Weight: 17.5 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 20″ I Freehub: yes

Looking for the safest bike around? Guardian uses proprietary SureStop technology to create a safer braking experience. No longer can kids grab too much brake and fly over the handlebar, as the bike’s braking system controls the force going to the front wheel.

The Guardian 16 is a more affordable high quality bike. It’s a great buy for parents who want a good bike, but don’t want to spend a fortune either.

Just remember that the more affordable price tag does come at a cost — the Guardian is heavier than the bikes further up our list.

Read Review: Guardian 16

Price: $289 List

Buy at GuardianBikes.com

Forth Park 16

Overall Score: 69

Weight7/10Quality Of Components6/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding7/10Customer Service8/10Aesthetics8/10

Weight: 16.9 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 18.5″ I Freehub: yes

For many kids, a 16 inch bike is the first time they will be pedaling without training wheels. The Forth Park 16 is a good bike to do it on.

The bicycle has good child-appropriate geometry that will inspire confidence, and mimics the geo found on more expensive kids bikes. It also has dual handbrakes (no coaster), a wide handlebar, and high-volume tires.

The trade-off to keep the price low is that none of the components are brand-name and it’s a bit heavier. Still, it’s a worthwhile choice for many parents on a budget.

Price: $260 List

Buy at ForthBikes.com

Glerc 16

Overall Score: 62

Weight7/10Quality Of Components5/10Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding7/10Customer Service5/10Aesthetics7/10

Weight: 16.5 lbs I Minimum seatpost height: 18.5″ I Freehub: yes

The Glerc 16 is one of those rare Amazon finds we’d actually recommend. It’s Chinese made so lacks the brand name recognition of other bikes on this list, but comes with high quality components.

These include Kenda tires and a belt drive–unheard of at this point! Everything about the bike values simplicity including internally routed cables, the singlespeed drivetrain, and easy assembly.

The only thing we weren’t crazy about were the sharp (not rounded) bolts.

Read Review: Glerc

Price: Price not available (Last updated: 2024-03-23 at 09:14 – More Info)

Buy at Amazon.com*

Honorable Mentions

There are too many great 16″ kids bikes nowadays to limit a list to just five. While these bikes didn’t make it onto our short-list, they are worth a look as well.

* Amazon price last updated: – More Info

Vitus 16

Bargain hunters sit up and pay attention. Vitus, a UK brand, is offering some of the best kids bikes around at a budget price.

The Vitus 16 has brand-name components–Tektro brakes, Kenda tires–and a respectable weight (15.9 lbs), for a couple of hundred dollars less than many of the bikes on this list.

In fact, the only thing that keeps it from our top 10 list is that it’s no longer being shipped to the U.S. But if you’re in Europe, you’re in luck.

Price: $299 List

Raleigh MXR 16

Unlike most bikes at this price point, the Raleigh MXR 16 is durable and isn’t going to fall apart any time soon. This is a great bike for families on a tight budget who don’t want to fall victim to a poorly built kids bike.

The upright geometry is comfortable for kids and helps create confidence. At 18 pounds, it isn’t the lightest bike, but it certainly isn’t the heaviest either.

Price: Price not available (Last updated: 2024-03-17 at 08:16 – More Info)

Co-Op Cycles 16

If you have a big fat REI dividend, the Co-Op Cycles 16 is worth a look.

It’s one of our favorite “budget” bikes. It weighs under 17 lbs (great for a bike at this pricepoint), has intelligent geometry and a solid build.

Like the ByK E-350 below, it is also one of the only bikes we’ve chosen that has the option to use training wheels. If you don’t want the training wheels, it’s even lighter.

Price: $229 List

Batch Bicycles 16 Inch

The Batch Bicycles kids bicycle comes is affordable, simple for parents to maintain, and available from your local bike shop. If you don’t want to deal with bike assembly or maintenance, then this is a great option.

The bike has good child specific geometry and a durable build. It does weigh more than the higher priced bikes on this list, which means it isn’t ideal for petite and lightweight kids.

Training wheels are optional.

Read Our Review: Batch Kids Bicycle

Price: $209 List

Islabikes Cnoc 16

Note: As of fall 2018, Islabikes is no longer selling bikes in the U.S. market.  We’ve left it on this list, in case you are lucky enough to live in Europe or to find one used.

A “best of” kids bikes would not be complete without an Islabike on the list.  Islabikes is well-known for their superb customer service and quality product.  The Cnoc 16 is perfect for families who take biking seriously and want a bike for their child that will be able to make it long distances.  We also love the lightweight, removable chainguard on this bike.

Read Our Review: Islabikes Cnoc

Price: £399 List

Priority Start 16

Kids are not particularly well known for taking care of their bikes–they leave them outside at school, they leave them outside on the driveway at home. Lubing a chain? I’ve never seen my kiddo do that voluntarily.

That’s why we like the Priority Start 16. With its belt drive, rather than a chain, the bike has been designed to be low maintenance. It is the perfect bike for commuting around town.

Read Review: Priority Start

Price: $329 List

Commencal Ramones 16

If your little one wants to head off-road, check out the Commencal Ramones 16. It has beefy Vee Crown Gem tries that can roll over just about anything.

This is also one of the few bigger adult bike brands making great kids bikes. If you want to buy from a local bike shop, this is one you can probably find locally.

Read Review: Commencal Ramones 14 (same bike, just a bit smaller)

Price: $420 List

ByK E-350

The ByK E-350 is unique in that it is sized like a 16 inch bike but actually has 18 inch wheels.  This can be a plus as larger wheels make it easier to roll over obstacles and to go fast. 

The E-350 has dual handbrakes AND a coaster brake. It’s also one of the only bikes on this list that will accept training wheels, so if you have a compelling reason to use them, this could be a top pick.

Price: $289 List

Ridgeback Dimensions 16


For “road cyclists in training,” the Ridgeback Dimensions is a perfect choice.  It is fast, aggressive (but not overly so) geometry, and comes in bright, fun colors.

Price: $389

What About The Local Bike Shop (LBS) Brands?!?!

What’s glaringly missing from this list? The bikes from the big bike brands.

These are also the bikes you are most likely to find at your local bike shop. So, what’s up? Do we hate all the big brand names?

No. It’s just that the bike companies haven’t done that well in creating great kids bikes. They DO create great adult bikes.

This is particularly true in the smaller sizes–12 inch, 14 inch, and 16 inch bikes. The big brands are still offering bikes in these sizes with coaster brakes, really heavy weights, and training wheels. (Two noticeable exception is the Norco Roller 16 and Specialized Jett 16, both listed below).

If for whatever reason you really have to buy a bike from your local bike shop, here are what we think of the 16 inch bikes from the bigger brands.

Specialized Jett 16

The Specialized Jett 16 is a BIG improvement over previous Specialized kid’s bikes. The Jett is designed to maximize the amount of time your child can spend on the bike thanks to a long seatpost and adjustable handlebar.

But our favorite thing about the Jett is that it’s lightweight. If you’re looking for a LBS brand bike that doesn’t weigh a ton, this is the bike you want.

Read Our Review: Specialized Jett

Price: $500

Norco Coaster 16

For a LBS brand, Norco is doing an amazing job The Norco Coaster 16 has dual handbrakes, beefy mountain bike style tires, a reasonably low weight, and good geo. If you’re looking for a LBS brand, go with the Norco!

Price: $309

Cannondale Trail 16

Despite it’s name, the Cannondale Trail 16 is best suited for the road. It has slick tires, coaster brake and training wheels. There’s nothing about this bike that we love, but it is certainly a step up from anything you’ll find at Walmart.

Price: $280 List

Trek Precaliber 16

The new Trek Precaliber 16 is better than prior year’s models. At 18 pounds, it’s lighter than some of the other LBS brands, and it has a low center of gravity. Of course, we’re not crazy about the coaster brake or training wheels.

Price: $299

Comparison Chart: 16 Inch Bikes

How to Choose the Very Best 16 Inch Bike for Your Child

Below, I’ll give you a list of all the good bikes on the market, but how do you know which one is best for YOUR child? Consider these factors.

Size

16 inch bikes are generally appropriate to buy for 4 and 5 year old kids, and you can expect them to last a year or two. That said, each child is different. For instance, my son and his cousin who are only a few months apart are nearly six inches apart in height.

Therefore, it is really very important to measure your child before buying a bike. What may fit one child at 4 may not fit another until 5.

  • Read: 3 Tips To Help You Pick the Right Size Bike For Your Child

For maximum comfort and stability, I recommend that your child’s inseam be at least as long as the minimum seat height. While technically their inseam can be slightly shorter than the minimum seat height (it will fit on their tippy-toes), kids this young who are just learning to ride do best if they can put their feet flat on the ground.

If your child is already a master pedaler, then you can pick a slightly larger bike. In this case, you can choose a bike with a minimum seatpost that is about 2 inches taller than their inseam. Don’t go any bigger than that, or your child will really struggle.

The other thing to consider is the bike’s standover height. If your child is still a bit on the small side for a 16″ inch, look for a bike with a sloped top-tube that allows your child to stand over the frame comfortably.

Finally, check your child’s inseam and height measurements against those recommended by the manufacturer of the bike you are considering. Most of the company’s on this list do a great job of this. Woom, for example, has a tape measure you can get to ensure the right fit. Guardian has gone more high-tech with a virtual fit tool on their website.

Weight

After ensuring a bike is the right size, the next most important thing to consider is the weight. Most kids bikes, especially those from the big box stores, weight WAY too much for young kids.

When comparing two bikes, I will always pick the lightest one. It makes a huge difference in a child’s enjoyment level and in how long they can ride.

Look for a bike that is no more than 30% of your child’s body weight (tough isn’t it)? Of all the bikes on our list, the Belsize 16 is the lightest, followed closely by the Woom 3 and the Early Rider Belter.

Price

Unfortunately, just like most things in life, the more you spend on a bike the better quality it is going to b (generally).

The good news is that when you buy a high-quality bike, like any of those on our Top 10 list, it will last thru several children. This makes it a good investment if you have younger kids it can be passed on to or to sell on Craiglist.

That said, there is a tipping point where spending more doesn’t always equate to a better bike. In the chart below, we compare price vs our overall score.

The Woom 3, for example, has the highest score but not the highest price. In our opinion, you do not get more bike for spending more money for the Early Rider, Spawn, or Frog.

Of course, we realize that not everybody wants to spend over $300 on a kids bike. If that’s you, look at the Guardian, Forth, or Glerc. All provide good value, and the Glerc is a killer deal.

Another option is to familiarize yourself with the bikes on this list and then search for one used. Buying a high quality, used kids bike is the best bang for your buck overall. (The tricky part is finding one).

Brakes

I’m a huge proponent of teaching children to use hand brakes and bypassing coaster brakes. I’m at a point now where I won’t even put my son on a bike with a coaster brake, or teach another child to ride using one.

To decide whether a freewheel or coaster brake set-up is best for you, and more about both options, read this detailed article I’ve written.

You’ll notice that all of the bikes on our top 10 list come with a freewheel rather than a coaster.

Training Wheels

Training wheels? Just don’t do it! If your child hasn’t mastered a balance bike yet, start there and then transition to a pedal bike later.

Alternatively, you can buy a pedal bike and temporarily remove the pedals. Have your child learn to scoot and glide on the bike before putting the pedals back on.

If you go this route, make sure the bike you choose has a minimum seatpost height no larger than your child’s inseam. They need to be able to put their feet flat on the ground!

If you MUST have training wheels, the Byk E-350 and the Co-Op Cycles 16 are two bikess on this list that offer them.

Frame Material

This is a highly personal choice—some people have a clear preference for aluminum or steel. I don’t personally.

Aluminum is the lighter material, and we all know how important saving weight is on kids bikes, but steel is super durable (and classic).

Where To Shop

The easiest place to start is where NOT to shop. Walmart and other big box shops are not bike shops and we wouldn’t recommend buying a bike from them.

A local bike shop (or REI) is a big step in the right direction. These shops will offer better quality bikes, but beware that not all shops carry a good selection of kids bikes AND not all bike shop staff are well versed in kids bikes or even in fitting the right sized bike. If you are going to go to LBS, know what size and brand you are looking for before you go.

Your final option is to shop online. Many of the best kids bike brands ONLY sell through their websites.

If you do shop online, we recommend buying directly from the brand rather than via Amazon or other websites than might sell knock-offs. This ensures the bikes are properly assembled, and that you get the best after-market customer service support. Which brings us to our next point…

Customer Service

How important good customer service is in picking a bike is a personal matter. If you’re good working on bikes–assembling them and fixing them–then you may be fine buying from a brand with a lower degree of customer service.

However, if you are less confident with bikes, then a reputable company with a strong emphasis on customer service is worth considering. Such a company will guarantee that your bike is assembled correctly and thoroughly inspected before it’s shipped to you.

Additionally, they will help you with obtaining replacement parts if and when required.

How We Came Up Our List Of The Best 16 Inch Bikes

Our journey with kids bikes began 8 years ago when our son was just a toddler! Since then, we have extensively tested and reviewed LOTS of bikes, and also gained valuable insights while riding with other parents and kids.

Rest assured that the bikes listed here are ones that we have personally tried and tested, and we confidently recommend them to fellow parents. Every bike on the list is a top-quality option, though of course, we do have our favorites!

How We Tested The Bikes

We put these bikes through their paces, and while we may be too big to ride them ourselves, we enlisted our kids, as well as our friends’ and neighbors’ little ones, to help us out.

These bikes have been ridden in the ways they were intended, but also tested on more challenging terrain, from singletrack to DIY ramps. We’re passionate about biking and ride year-round, so we know how to push bikes to their limits.

Beyond our own experiences, we also value input from our community. We receive countless emails from all of you and have a thriving Facebook group. We connect with parents in real life, chatting with them at the pump track and the school bike corral. We appreciate and consider all of the feedback we receive.

How We Scored The Bikes

Putting a numeric score to a bike is a tough thing; although it helps make our ratings more accurate, it’s still subjective. We urge you not to spend too much time belaboring these scores, and instead look for a bike that seems like it would be a good fit for YOUR child.

All that said, here is what we were looking for when ranking the bikes.

  • Weight: We mentioned it early and we’ll mention it again, for young kids weight is the single most important factor in choosing a bike. We’ve given it 30% of our overall score.
  • Quality components: Durable and high end parts mean that a bike will be enjoyable and fun to ride AND that it will last through multiple children. We don’t recommend any bikes that will end up in a landfill anytime soon. We gave this another 30% of the total score.
  • Child Appropriate Geometry / Ease Of Riding: Here we looked at things like the frame geometry, wheelbase length, and crank length. It also takes into account how easily our testers were able to get riding on the bike–no easy feat for kids hopping on their first pedal bikes. This was 20% of our score.
  • Customer service: Many of the bikes on our list are direct to consumer, meaning you order them online rather than buying thru a local bike shop. This makes it really important that the bike is properly assembled and thoroughly inspected before shipping. It also means that we look for brands that actually answer email and phone calls with issues and questions. This accounted for 10% of our total score.
  • Aesthetics: The way a bike LOOKS shouldn’t really matter, but it does. Kids are more likely to ride bikes they think look awesome, and we’re more likely to spend our hard earned money on things that look nice too. This was the final 10% of our score.

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    About Us

    The Rascals are a family of three. Kristen (mom), Blair (dad), and Parker (kiddo). We started Rascal Rides when Parker was born and we didn’t want to give up our passion for biking. As we learned, we shared. Over the years, we’ve tested hundreds of kids bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and more.

    Kristen is a USA Cycling certified coach and loves to share her passion for bikinelg with other families. Blair is a bike geek, mechanic, and mountain bike junkie. Parker is our resident tester and inspiration.

    If you see us out on the trail, make sure to say hi!

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