In this post, I have reviewed the best 20-inch kids’ bikes you can find in the market today.
Most kids love having their own bikes, but the problem comes when trying to choose from the many brands and types in the market. Choosing a 20 inch bike is even more challenging because they have more complicated features than the smaller bikes your child used previously. If you prefer a safer tag-along bike, you can read the reviews here.
In this review, we are going to make your search easier by offering you our list of the best 20 inch kids’ bikes we selected from the market, and hopefully, they will suit your child’s needs and your pocket. So, let’s dive right in without further delay.
Reviews of Best 20-inch Kid Bikes
1. Guardian Original
Our top choice and the overall best 20-inch bike is the Guardian Original which is packed with features that don’t compromise the safety of the bike.
Guardian bikes come with all the bells and whistles you would love on a kid’s bike, but the unique SureStop braking system is what has won the heart of many parents. With this unique system, both front and rear brakes are engaged from just one pull on the lever. This gives the rider more control and enables them to stop faster. It also helps prevent flip-over accidents for inexperienced kids. But even for kids who are used to engaging the dual brakes independently, the Guardian braking system is so much fun.
Guardian Original features premium quality components as they come. We are talking about an upgraded threadless headset, plush padded seat, Kenda tires with premium traction, and Shimano shifters which are easiest to use. It also uses a lightweight aluminium frame (21 pounds), making it easy for kids to maneuver and control. Additionally, the handles sit a bit low, allowing the rider to be in a more aggressive position.
One of the hardest tasks when choosing a bike for your child is getting the right size, and some kids never get the right fit when they graduate from 16″ to 20″ bikes. That’s why Guardian 20 inch bikes have two models: small and large. The small size provides a better fit and manageability for little riders who are transitioning from 16 inch bike while the larger model is more suitable for kids aged 6 and above. If you are confused about sizing, Guardian have a RiderSizer tool which is very helpful.
If your kid is an average rider who mainly just explores the neighborhood, you can buy the model with single speed gears. But, if they are adventurous riders covering long distances, hills, curbs, etc., the larger model with six speeds may be more suitable. It is also the one with an aggressive body positioning.
All in all, Guardian Original is lightweight, fun, and safe. With this bike, your child can stop faster and shift gears easily.
Features
- Aluminium frame
- Threadless headsets
- SureStop dual hand
- Small model has single speed gears
- Large model has 6 speed gears
Pros
- SureStop braking system allows faster and safer braking
- Optional single speed and six speed models to cater to riders of differing capabilities
- Easy to assemble, less than 15 minutes
- Excellent quality for reasonable pricing
Cons
- Not for mountain bike trails where the rider needs to engage the front and rear brakes separately
- Expensive
2. Woom 4
Our second best 20-inch bike on this list is the Woom 4, which is perhaps the most versatile bike in the market today. It is designed to provide fun for the beginner and experienced rider alike. It is also built to handle all kinds of terrains from pavements to hills and curbs and even dirt roads with 8 speed gears making the transition smooth and enjoyable.
This bike is designed for kids between 6 to 8 years (45 inches to 51inches in height). One of the greatest benefits of the Woom 4 is the ease with which a child can ride. At just 16.3 pounds, it is first and foremost one of the lightest 20 inch bikes, so it is easier for the rider to handle. Compared to other brands, the Woom bikes are narrower and smaller, giving young riders a better fit and allowing them to pedal without using a lot of force.
The Woom 4 also has a low center of gravity and adjustable handle bars stem. Handlebars can be set at the highest setting for an aggressive riding position or in the lowest setting to give an upright position ideal for a beginner.
Again, this bike is suitable for a variety of terrains with Kenda tires. These tires have excellent traction and low rolling resistance. As a bonus, each tire has a reflective strip for visibility in low lighting or bad weather. It also has a unique kickstand that mounts on the bike’s rear to avoid interfering with the pedals. Traditional kickstands are placed behind the crank arms and interfere with the crank arms when kids forget to put them up.
Features
- Made from aluminium frame
- Dual hand brakes
- 8 speed
- Kenda tires
Pros
- Comes in a wide variety of colors
- Low seat height allows younger kids to ride
- Low center of gravity for more effortless balance and better maneuverability
- Rear mounted kickstand that prevents interference with pedals
- Adjustable handlebar stem that allows for aggressive or upright riding positions
Cons
- Pricey
3. Clearly Owl
The Clearly Owl is yet another versatile bike that performs well on pavements, trails, hills, curbs, grassy areas, etc. If your kid is an adventurous rider, they will love this bike. You can choose from two models; one with a single speed and the other with three speeds.
It is lightweight (19 pounds) and hence easy for kids to maneuver, yet very sturdy and stable. It has excellent geometry with a low center of gravity. This gives young riders the confidence to try tricky moves that are fun and exciting.
The bike has front and rear Tekro V brakes, which are well-positioned for kids’ easy access and engagement. Great gearing allows smooth transition across various terrains and inclines. The Owl may be more suitable for kids who are beginning to learn how to shift gears because it has only three-speed gears compared to others with more than six.
Features
Pros
- High quality built
- Lightweight yet sturdy
- Fun and exciting
- Four colors to choose from
- Dual hand brakes
Cons
- It is a bit difficult to assemble
4. Raleigh MXR 20
For a price of less than $200, there aren’t any other bikes that can match the quality, lightness, and performance of the Raleigh MXR. That said, the bike is designed for beginners or the average rider who mainly wants to ride around the neighborhood.
With a low weight of 22 pounds and an upright riding position with BMX handlebars, this bike is stable, easy to maneuver, and comfortable to ride. Moreover, it is also easy for beginners with only single speed gears, so they have solely to concentrate on riding.
This bike doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the high end bikes, but it does come with a rear caliper brake and coaster brake, both of which are sufficient for paved trails. The tires are also slightly wider than other 20 inch bikes, which help reduce impact when going over curbs and jumps.
Features
- Aluminium frame
- Coaster brake and rear V-brake
- Single speed
Pros
- Durable construction
- Comfortable with upright body positioning
- The lightest bike for a price less than $200
- Easy and fast assembly
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a kickstand
- Limited color options
5. Guardian Ethos
Guardian Ethos is best for beginners and those who love to ride around paved terrains. It is a lot like the Guardian Original we saw earlier, but comes at a more budget friendly pricing. It features the advanced SureStop braking system (which is easier, faster, and safer for kids than the traditional dual handbrake) but not as high end components as the Original, which explains the price difference.
Ethos has two 20 Inch models, small and large, to provide a better fit just like the Original. The smaller model has a lower seat height and smaller wheels base making it more manageable. Furthermore, single speed gears make the bike simple enough for smaller kids. The larger model with six speed gears is great for taller, experienced riders who love going on long rides.
This bike uses a durable steel frame which is slightly heavier than the Aluminium frame of the Guardian Original, but at 22.9 pounds, it’s still one of the lightest 20 inch bikes in the market. It also boasts a variety of lovely colors and designs for boys and girls.
Features
- Steel frame
- SureStop brake system
- Two models; small and large
- Single speed-small model
- Six speed-large model
Pros
- Attractive with cool designs
- High quality and durable
- Advanced SureStop braking system for faster and safer braking
- Small and large sizes for a perfect fit for those between 16″ and 20″
- Low center of gravity for easier balancing and maneuverability
- Fast and easy to assemble
Cons
- The gear shifters are hard for small hands
6. Raleigh Rowdy 20
Raleigh Rowdy 20 is one of the best bikes you can find at less than $300. It is a lot lighter compared to other bikes with a similar price tag and has high quality components.
You will note that this bike is meant for experienced riders as the handle bars are placed considerably low compared to other bikes. This puts the rider in an aggressive position where they are leaning forward to stabilize themselves as they ride.
Raleigh Rowdy is a tough bike with a sturdy aluminium frame and wide knobby tires which provide excellent traction and stability to tackle hills, curbs, dirt trails, and pavements with ease. It has dual hand brakes with no coaster, which is great for the riders. It also has 6 speed Shimano gearing, enabling a smooth transition from flat roads to hills and curbs.
Features
- Aluminium frame
- 21 pounds
- Dual handbrakes, no coaster
- 6 speed gears
Pros
- Great for adventurous riders
- High quality components
- Great value at affordable pricing
- Lightweight; easy for kids to maneuver
Cons
- Not comfortable for long rides because of the aggressive posture
- Shifters are low quality and not the easiest for kids
7. Schwinn Koen
11 used from $93.71
Schwinn is one of the best rated bike brands on amazon. The Koen is the model for boys and is available in several color options. This bike is designed for rides around the neighborhood, park, visiting friends, school, etc. It has very cool designs for both boys and girls.
Schwinn Koen comes at budget-friendly pricing ($200 range) and is fun for lots of kids. It is built with a durable frame backed by a lifetime warranty, and the seat height is adjustable to grow with your child. It comes with dual hand brakes and coaster brakes to give a learning child more braking options. It also comes with a kickstand.
However, you will find this bike heavy (weighs 27.8 pounds) compared to the more expensive bikes. Koen has both dual hand brakes and coaster, but your rider will undoubtedly use the coaster because the dual hand brakes are of low quality and unreliable. It also comes with a kickstand, which is a plus.
At 27.8 pounds, this is one of the heaviest bikes on this list, but its great geometry makes it a lot more fun for kids to ride than other bikes at the stores. Besides, a little more weight is acceptable at the price point.
Features
- Steel frame
- Dual hand brakes with coaster
- Tool free adjustable seat
Pros
- Attractive designs with number plates for boys
- Decent built with great pricing
- Has comfortable upright riding position
- Easy and fast assembly
- Comes with a kickstand
Cons
- Heavy
- Coaster brake
8. Pello Reddi
Pello Reddi is the perfect bike for an average rider graduating from a 16 inch bike before they ride the more complicated big kid bike. It is simple with a single gear and two automatic speeds allowing fun, fast rides around the neighborhood on pavements.
Featuring components like Cane Creek headset, Tekro front, and rear brakes, and Kenda tires, the Reddi offers superior quality like high end bikes at reasonable pricing, making this a valuable investment.
Weighing just 17 pounds, this bike lightweight, and kids will want to use it daily. It also has a better fit with narrow built and RideRight geometry for an upright position, which is comfortable for the rider. Plus, the Tekro dual gears are very easy for small hands to engage without using a lot of force.
This is a fantastic bike for long ride enthusiasts.
Features
- Aluminium frame
- Dual handbrakes
- Single gear with two automatic speeds
- Kenda tires
Pros
- Simple to use with just a single gear
- High quality components at reasonable pricing
- Dual hand brakes with no coaster
- Easy and comfortable riding with a narrow frame and upright body positioning
Cons
- Limited color options
9. Schwinn Elm
Nice looking and attractive, the Schwinn Elm is a quality and functional bike for girls, and it comes at very affordable pricing. All the features are similar to the Koen model we saw earlier, except the looks, of course.
This bike is best for rides to the park, around the neighborhood, school, and basically paved roads because it has foam tires (not pneumatic air-filled tires) that don’t provide much traction for dirt roads and uneven sidewalks. But, on the bright side, with foam tires, you don’t have to worry about them ever going flat.
This is the heaviest bike on the list, but it does compensate with a narrow frame and an upright riding posture, making it easy to balance pedal, and enjoyable to ride. The bike also has a quick-release seat post that allows you to adjust the height as your child grows taller. Also allows siblings and friends of different heights to swap using the bike.
As with most bikes under $200, the Elm comes with a front and rear caliper brake and coaster brake to allow easy braking even as your child trains on using the hand brakes correctly. It also comes with a detachable front basket to carry some snacks or drinks, etc.
Features
- Steel frame
- Front and rear caliper brake and coaster brake
- Foam tires
Pros
- Cute designs
- Durable construction
- Easy assembly
- Comes with a kickstand
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- The basket is cheap quality
- The dual hand brakes are cheap and unreliable
- Foam tires with no traction for rough ground
- About the Author
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Mary Stephens is our infant development and baby fun activities specialist here at Motherhood HQ. She has over 10 years of experience dealing with kids, previously as a K3 teacher and now as a K9-12 teacher specializing in physical education and Social Studies. She is certified to teach in New York and Massachusetts and when not teaching trampoline jump tricks or giving toddler safety guides, she enjoys writing and providing helpful guides to parents on baby fun activities from infancy to toddlerhood. Mary is also an independent consultant providing parents with fun activities at home and appropriate toys and baby gear for infants and toddler development. She can be reached at her email, mary.s(at)motherhoodhq.com.