Whether they are designed for the average neighborhood rider (most are), for long distances (road bike), or for single-track trail riding, be sure to know HOW you plan on using the bike before you purchase one. Don’t expect your child’s neighborhood bike to perform well on single-track bike trails, or a mountain bike with front suspension to be a good fit for a 30-mile+ ride on paved surfaces. Featuring the look and feel of a real mountain bike, but without the costly components of a true mountain bike, the Trek Precaliber 24 is a win-win for parents and kids.
A few will have coaster brakes, but for the most part, differences will be between what type of hand brake a bike has. Braking systems include V-pull brakes, disc brakes (mechanical and hydraulic), and Guardian Bikes’ unique SureStop braking system. Our “Best Of” list is mainly comprised of bikes we would classify as neighborhood bikes or light trail use, for which the vast majority of kids use a bike. Some place kids in a more upright position, which is better suited for more timid riders, while others place riders in a more aggressive, leaned forward position, which is better for more adventurous riders. These kids bikes feature either wider and knobby tires for better traction on various surfaces, or a more aggressive positioning on the bike. This positioning on the bike allows kids to more easily shift their weight around while speeding up a jump or going through a tight turn – whether on pavement or dirt.
Standard V-pull brakes work just fine for the mass majority of 8 to 11-year-olds, but the quality and performance of V-brakes varies from bike to bike. High-quality, high-performing brakes are easy for kids to activate and don’t require them to exert a lot of pressure on the lever. You wouldn’t think that brakes on a kid’s huffy scout bike bike would be a big deal, but Guardian Bikes prove otherwise. Their proprietary SureStop braking system helps kids of all riding abilities feel more confident and less anxious, whether they’re riding to their friend’s house or across town. A 24″ mountain youth bike with modest components and mechanical disc brakes.
No question here as mechanical disc brakes offer plenty of responsive stopping power with easy to reach brake levers. All of our testers loved the fun, smooth, and nimble ride of the Jett and preferred it over many other bikes in our test fleet. Both our timid and aggressive riders loved the Jett’s 2.0″ wide tires that help to cushion the ride, as well as the quick and responsive trigger shifters. With a focus more on simplicity for the average kid rider, these 24 inch bikes feature easy to use grip shifters, less gearing options, and v-brakes. They also boast exceptional quality that will allow you to pass these bikes down to several kids, or resell them for a good price. Specced with trigger shifters as well as 9 gears with a wide gain ratio range, the Prevelo is easy to shift on the fly and even easier to power up hills or lay down the speed on long straightaways.
Lightweight and spec’d with high-quality components, the Vitus Kids Bikes are an impressive combo of quality and value. With Kenda Small Block 8 tires, these bikes move effortlessly from paved neighborhoods to basic dirt trails. The trigger shifters make the Vitus especially suited to more aggressive kids who seek after aggressive terrain and local adventures. With 8-gears paired with Shimano Altus trigger shifters, the Rockrider has plenty of gears with reliable shifting.
In most cases, the weight a shock adds to the bike quickly negates the benefits of having a shock. To ensure as much longevity as possible, be sure to compare your child’s inseam to the bike’s minimum seat height before your purchase. The Pello Reyes on the left has a minimum seat height of a little over 25″ while the woom 5 on the right has a 26.4″ minimum seat height. Make sure that you choose a bike that not only fits well now, but allows for plenty of room for growth.
24 inch kids’ bikes are generally the best fit for 8, 9, and 10-year-olds or any child between 49″ and 59″ tall. If your child is already 11 or is a very tall 10-year-old, also consider 26″ bikes as they would offer more room for growth (although very few kids’ bikes come in 26″ tires). If a child starts on a 24 inch bike when they are 8 to 10, they can likely continue to ride it while they huffy beach cruiser are 11 or even 12 years old. From paved bike trails to smooth-rolling single-track, the Reyes is the ultimate multi-trick pony for the adventurous 8 to 10-year olds. The Riverside comes standard with 6-gears with a grip shifter as well as a kickstand. The front suspension is precision-crafted for a responsive ride, while the 3-piece steel crank remains durable for many years of use.
Because it’s so versatile in use, it’s especially great for young riders who have a love for bike riding, but haven’t seriously committed to road or aggressive trail riding. Like adult bikes, kids 24 inch bikes can vary greatly in form and function. To help narrow your search, we have broken down our top picks into three categories. The brakes on higher-end bikes such as woom, Priority, Pello and Cleary are far superior to any handbrake found on a bike at a big box store. These brands also feature short-reach levers that place the brake lever closer to their hand, only requiring kids to barely extend their fingers to activate the brake. Convert the Reyes into the ultimate trail bike by going tubeless (rims are tubeless compatible) and for $249 add on an RST F1RST air fork at purchase (geometry is suspension corrected).
Ride with confidence on this one-of-a-kind bike featuring dual disc brakes. Front and rear dual disc brakes provide reliable stopping action in all types of weather conditions. These brakes are especially handy for climbs and descents, and for a more consistent response in muddy or rocky terrain. Wider tires combined with disc brakes allows for greater traction in wet or dry conditions, and increased rolling momentum. Wider tires increase momentum with less exertion, a characteristic you appreciate more, the further you ride. The front suspension is crafted for a responsive ride, while the 3-piece steel crank remains durable for many years of use.
For adventurous kids who need a bike suitable for occasionally (or frequently!) hitting dirt trails, these multi-use bikes are the perfect choice. After years of study and research, the Jett was uniquely designed to provide about 3″ of additional room for growth as compared to other bikes. After testing the 24″ Jett out on 8 different kids, we found it to properly fit on heights ranging from 51″ to 62″ (many 24″ bikes max out around 59″). It’s important to note that a boys 24 inch bike and a girls 24 inch bike are the same thing.