We’ve put over forty 16 inch pedal bikes to the test with real kids! As result, we have learned firsthand that there isn’t one best bike, but rather bikes that are better for different types of riders. More often than not, it will be front suspension with only a couple of inches of travel. Most kids, especially younger kids, aren’t heavy enough to need suspension as they are often too light for it to activate.
To do that, your child will need a strong, lightweight bike, and the Mongoose Legion L16 fits the bill. Plus, the aluminum rims and chunky tires absorb every impact, keeping your child comfortable as they master new moves. The Hooligan series is perfect; whether you’re a heritage BMX biker or a young ripper on a ride out, you’ll be right at home on Hooligan. It is available with either steel or aluminum frames, the Hooligan features 29″ wheels and modern geometry for the perfect fusion of stoke and comfort. The Mongoose L500 BMX bike comes in a single black colour option with a full Chromoly body, long chainstay, double-walled rims and better 20″ x 2.4″ tires. This bike is a mid to semi-advanced-level bike for everyone starting to ride bmx bikes or experienced riders who ride on streets and do dirt circuits.
Due to limitations set on local bike shops by larger manufacturers such as Specialized and Trek, these new breed child-specific brands are rarely, if ever, available in local bike shops. Besides NO coaster brake, we also love the Forth Bikes’ all-terrain tires which make it an ideal fit for aggressive little riders who will be adventuring off the beaten path. While the overall design is still a lower-quality budget build, the price tag is much more affordable for many parents. The SmartStart Series does come with a handbrake, but it’s poorly made and riders will have to rely on the coaster brake to stop.
To help with your search, we spent hours researching the best kids’ bikes, considering a child’s age, size, and strength level. Mongoose is a well-known brand of bicycles around the globe for making durable, high-quality bmx bikes mongoose mountain bike at affordable prices. When selecting a kids’ bike, one of the most important things to get right is the size. Kids grow fast, and it can be tempting to buy a larger bike than they need because you expect them to grow into it.
More often than not, child-specific brands are lighter and provide a higher level of quality and performance for the price. For more detailed differences, please read Bike Shop Bikes vs. Online Bikes – Why Online is Often a Better Deal. If you’re raising a little shredder and are looking for a dedicated 16 inch mountain bike, be sure to check out our favorite 16″ bikes for single track.
A great first “real” kids bike with more sophisticated adult styling, the Start will have your child craving adventure on two wheels in no time. An added bonus – kids think the super quiet belt drive is ninja cool for stealth mode, and parents love that the belt drive requires basically no maintenance, and won’t get hands or pants greasy. Wondering what all of our favorite 16 inch bikes look like in action? Check out our video summary below to watch our kid bike riders put them to the test.