With disc brakes, this bike allows the use of wider tires for maximum traction in wet or dry conditions, and for greater rolling momentum. Kids on 24 inch bikes are generally confident enough riders to set their seat about 2 – 3″ above the child’s inseam. At this height, a child can touch the ground with their tiptoes, which produces the best knee bend angle for pedaling with maximum efficiency. With a 5-speed internally geared hub, hydraulic disc brakes, and a durable steel frame, the Meerkat is a uniquely rugged bike that has a lot to offer kids riding on various terrains. The Meerkat is derailleur-free, which allows for more time for riding and a lot less time doing maintenance. Whether your child simply loves the look of a suspension fork or if they are all about hitting small jumps and blasting over curbs, the Polygon Premier MTB is right up their alley.
Get that adrenaline pumping as you ride this Huffy Scout 26-inch mountain bike. The 21-speed shifting system with a rear indexed derailleur consistently shifts for quick adjustments when venturing uphill or accelerating on level ground. The front suspension frame provides a responsive ride whether you chose an exhilarating ride on a trail or a more relaxed ride through the neighborhood.
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.
In the past few years, a select few budget-friendly brands have produced much needed change in the kids bike market. The Decathlon and Polygon bikes you see below are significantly better than any bike you will find at Walmart. They are lighter-weight, have better quality components, and are designed to make riding easier for kids. This ratio is more important when a child is younger and just learning to ride, but is still applicable for your 8 and 9-year-olds! The more aggressive and longer your child rides, the more important weight becomes as well. If trail riding or any type of riding with varied elevation is in your child’s future, aim for a bike that is less than 30% of their weight.
And as they grow with the bike at 10 and 11-years-old, those gears will eventually become second nature. As with all kids’ bikes, within a given wheel size category, the minimum and maximum seat heights of 24 inch bikes can vary. The average minimum seat height of a 24 inch bike is around 25″ while the maximum average is about 31″.
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 huffy scout bike 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.
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 huffy bicycle 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.
When it comes time to slow down, the Alpha’s Tektro v-brakes offer quick and responsive stopping power. 24 inch bikes are typically available with 7 or 8 gears that are shifted with one shifter. Unlike most adult bikes that have two shifters, one for each derailleur, kids’ bikes typically have fewer gears and just one derailleur. Having to only worry about one shifter is much easier for kids as they can simply shift up or down without having to worry about which hand and which shifter to use. The woom 5’s combination of a super lightweight frame, a more upright body position, and a wide gearing range make this bike the most natural and easy ride of any 24 inch bike we’ve tested.