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.
But what really sets the Alpha Two apart is its super low minimum seat height of 17″. As the smallest 16″ bike that we know of, this Prevelo is uniquely sized to allow younger riders to reap the benefits of larger 16″ wheels at a younger age. What’s the difference between the Koda 2 16 and the Koda 2 Plus 16? A few things, but the biggest is that the Plus model has a hand brake. After extensive testing, we’ve found that the hand brake doesn’t offer much stopping power for little ones, so they will need to rely on the coaster brake. While Guardian bikes boast lightweight frames and a kid-specific design, what really makes Guardian stand out is their proprietary braking system called SureStop.
On the other hand, Mongoose has BMX bikes and cargo bikes but does not have electric bikes. Therefore, first, think of why you want to buy a bike and then go for the brand that offers what you need. There are 19 bikes under Schwinn explicitly designed for children. These bikes are affordable, durable, and will help your child, to build confidence in cycling at a young age. Commuter bikes are similar to the urban bike category of Mongoose.
These bikes serve dual purposes, one being a mountain bike, and the other being a road bike. They offer impressive versatility and are perfect for city commutes. Every bike on this list is significantly better than a bike you’ll find at Walmart, but also costs more. High gain ratios mongoose kids bikes (3.7+) are harder to get started pedaling but can more easily maintain higher speeds. Lower gain ratios (3.3 and below) are really easy to start pedaling but can’t reach high maximum speeds. For 16 inch bikes, we generally prefer mid-range gain ratios from about 3.3 to 3.7.
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.
Part fixie (or single speed), part road plus, the Maurice Plus looks like one of those bikes you would build ‘just because’ – and it looks like it could be a lot of fun at $499. However, the change in fork to aluminum means the Guide Sport has the largest tire clearance at 29 x 2.0″ and more braze ons for the fork. The Radio Flyer is a classic tricycle that, thanks to three different settings, can grow with your child.
They offer comfortable bikes that you can ride for hours and not feel exhausted. What we mean by urban bikes are those bikes that you can use to commute daily from home to work or any other place. mongoose bmx Under this category, Mongoose offers two types of bikes, namely adventure bikes or gravel bikes for commuting, and cargo bikes which can have much more carrying capacity than regular bikes.
The drivetrain features a Shimano rear derailleur that is super smooth thanks to its 3-piece crank system. The dual suspension system is well-balanced and designed to deal with kid’s weights, smoothing out the bumps whilst letting the rider maintain control with confidence. The 20×3″ and 24×3″ tires make a lot of sense for kids just learning to ride rougher terrain.
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 mongoose mountain bike – 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.
Mongoose Hi-Ten steel BMX frame and fork is sturdy and ready for action. Tough machined aluminum mag wheels with sealed bearings gives a look that will turn heads. 4 freestyle pegs offer unlimited trick potential, along with a cable detangler for 360 degree handlebar spins.