Many reviewers loved this bike, with a few commenting on how sturdy the bike was. One reviewer noted that the assembly was really easy and the assembled product was comfortable to ride and of the quality to be expected from Mongoose. For aspiring to intermediate BMX riders, this bike ticks all the boxes and more. The frame is manufactured from lightweight T1 Aluminum, with the frame of the bike weighing in at just over 3lbs.
Lighter than those bikes, the SmartStart Series also provides a high-end, child-specific geometry which allows for a more stable and comfortable ride for kids. Compared to other bikes on this list, the Rowdy 16 is a bit larger. For example, the minimum seat height of the Rowdy is 21.5″, while the minimum seat height of the Prevelo Alpha Two is 17″.
The Tyax has high-quality components throughout, it features a Shimano-based drive train features the Altus RD-M2000 rear derailleur and Acera SL-M3000 trigger shifters. Front suspension is provided using the SR Suntour XCT-JR fork, with 100mm of movement this is more than ample to provide plenty of dampening for kids of this size. Kids get in on the action too with a new Tyax 24 with a 2x drivetrain, kid tuned suspension fork, standard 24″ wheels and tires, and a light weight build at $599.
Mongoose Downhill mountain bikes are perfect for downhill racing. You can test your skills and limits out at the park with them too. Dirt jump rides can withstand even greater toll mongoose fat tire bike on dirt roads. Last but not least, the fat bikes will give you a taste of adventure in any weather or climate. The BMX bikes that mongoose designs are for riders of any age.
What We Look for in a Neighborhood BikeMost kids on 16 inch bikes stick to riding around the neighborhood. Stable and lightweight, high-quality neighborhood bikes should also be be easy to ride, easy to balance, and perform consistently. Dual hand brakes and NO coaster brake are also a requirement to make our list.
Although both Mongoose and Schwinn are bike brands, we know Mongoose for its BMX bikes and the Schwinn for their excellent commuter and road bikes. If your child has already mastered pedaling, you should set the bike’s seat about 2″ above the child’s inseam to allow for maximum efficiency while pedaling. Not every bike we test can make our Top 10, but here are a few honorable mention bikes you should also consider.
In my eyes, this is the perfect bike for youngsters hitting the trails for the first time. There are no separate brake controls to worry about either, the brakes are of the coaster design, and are activated by pedaling backward. Although these don’t have the stopping power of other braking types, they are a perfect system for that first cycling experience.
More lightweight than other low-price kids bikes, Btwin kids bikes offer the best quality for the price. If you’re on a tight budget, it doesn’t get better than Btwin. While more expensive, the Btwin bikes are easier to ride and are better quality than the popular Schwinn Elm or Koen. Many bikes designed for kids this age offer training wheels, which can be removed once kids gain the confidence to pedal without balance assistance.
Better quality construction, more durable, a lighter-weight aluminum frame, and a lower seat height to better fit the age of child the bike is meant for. This allows riders to easily shift their weight to maintain balance on uneven surfaces, jumps, curbs, etc. Wider and/or knobbier tires, as well as dual-hand brakes and no coaster brakes, also help little adventurers to maneuver safely through technical terrain. Small and lower-end kids’ bikes tend to have a single coaster brake.
Bike shop bikes, however, always come 100% assembled, tuned up, and come with a bike shop mechanic to help you keep it in top shape. With the purchase of an optional shorter seat post, the Hedgehog’s seat can be lowered to 17.5″, making it one of the smallest 16″ bikes on the market. The Cleary Owl, which is the 20-inch version of this bike, is sized like a larger 16 inch bike and is often a great fit for taller 4, 5 or 6-year-olds. If your neighborhood rider decides to get aggressive and take their love of riding off-road, the Revo’s all-terrain tires are ready for the job! If they happen to fall in love with the dirt, the Revo is also compatible with up to 2.1″ wide tires (1.5″ is standard). The 2022 update to the REV 16 was a big improvement over the previous version.