Despite this, the frame is robust enough to handle the severest of punishment without experiencing anything more than the inevitable scratches. Once again the heritage of this fine company shines through with their Mongoose Title Micro BMX race bike. This bike is designed specifically for beginners, yet is still highly-specced to the degree that it will keep riders happy well after they have mastered the basics of BMXing. The biggest gripe I could find was one reviewer who bought it not realizing it was a kid’s bike! All-in-all this is a superb, sturdy, and safe bike to let kids learn the basics of mountain biking with confidence. The tires and wheels are no afterthought either, double-wall rims and Kendra tires are strong and grippy enough to provide great control on harsher trails.
On the positive side, loads of reviewers loved the smoothness of the ride (a fat tire attribute I personally love too!). Other reviewers noted that although it is a kids’ bike, shorter adults can also ride it with ease. Finally, the frame itself is made from T2 aluminum, making this a lightweight yet robust bike.
Built with high-end components that provide durability and performance, the Priority 16 packs a lot of punch in its price tag. Priority Bicycles got their start with Kickstarter and has grown into a well-respected, innovative bike brand. The bike carried my body weight well, did not flex, and is durable.
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.
However, it’s important to remember that larger bikes can also be heavy, which can make it difficult for your child to maneuver the bike, and can make it more dangerous for them to navigate. Mongoose offers its buyers BMX bikes and cargo bikes, while Schwinn does not. On the other hand, Schwinn has a variety of electric bikes and road bikes, unlike Mongoose. The prices of Mongoose bikes are more affordable than those of Schwinn bikes. Tricycles have three wheels and are ideal for very young children.
With more features comes more maintenance and the potential for breaks and malfunctions, and it’s no different with suspension. If you’re going to get a kid’s bike with suspension, I would recommend spending a little bit more, as a cheap suspension is often more trouble than it’s worth. For bigger, older kids, it might be worth getting suspension if they are mongoose kids bikes planning on using the bike for mountain biking. It’s a good way to get them used to a slightly different riding style that comes with suspension. Aluminum is lighter, and still relatively strong, and I would recommend trying to get a bike with an aluminum frame. Kids’ bikes tend to be a lot heavier compared to their relative body weight than adults’ bikes.
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.
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″.
But as well as always wearing a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads should also be considered, particularly for those taking to the hills or bouncing off pavements on their BMX. With bikes with wheels bigger than 20”, there is a choice of how many gears and what type of shifter to get. Some bikes come with grip shifters, where you twist the grip with the palm of your hand. Other bikes have trigger shifters where you pull or push a lever with your fingers. When it comes to choosing the right size of bike for your child, here are some tips to make sure you get the right one.