For most parents, cycling tops the list of all the exciting hobbies they want their kids to develop. While it seems like a nice idea to go with almost all types of children’s bicycles for kids between 2 to 5 years old, your child should take this hobby seriously once they are 6 to 7 years old.
Once your kid is six years old and has enough experience cycling, it is the perfect time for you to invest in a 20″ bike for them. These bikes will kick-start your little one’s journey to professional cycling while being sturdy enough to bear their growing weight and body. There are millions of low-quality manufacturers out there endorsing their offerings as the best 20-inch bike for children. These bikes often turn out to be heavy, pathetically built, and uncomfortable for a growing child.
We don’t want this to happen to you; hence, we set out to try and experience every reasonable bike endorsed as a lightweight 20-inch bike for kids. Thankfully, we could find some amazing ones that we can easily suggest to all the parents and adults trying to find the best 20-inch bike for kids.
Below, we are sharing the top 15 such bikes with their pros and cons while sharing with you a readers’ guide on choosing the best 20in bike for your child. So, read on:
How To Choose A Kids 20 Inch Bicycle
If this is your first time trying to find the best 20in bike for a child, it is natural to be worried and feel lost as a parent. Don’t worry; below we are sharing some essential features and elements of every 20 inch bike that define whether it is a good bike or not. Keep these features and the relevant details on your checklist the next time you buy a solid yet lightweight 20 inch bike for your little one, and you’ll surely return home successfully.
Budget
There is no perfect estimate for how much the best 20 inch bike would cost you. There are many brands out there, and all of them are providing their bikes at price tags. Of course, in most cases, the high price tag is explainable by the brand’s name or the bike’s high-end features.
However, a 6-7 years old child won’t need anything other than stability and comfort from their bike. So, it is best not to overspend on their bikes at such a young age and rather to fix a realistic budget to search for the best 20 inch bike. Ideally, try not to go lower than $200 and don’t exceed $500 for such a bike.
Age Range
While almost all 20 inch bikes suit a child between 6 to 8 years old decently, every bike is built differently than others. Similarly, not all six years old children have the same body stature. Hence, it is best to inquire about every bike for the kind of body and age range that bike suits them best and then invest in it only if it suits your child’s needs.
Weight
While many parents don’t realize this, the weight of your child’s bike needs to correspond to your child’s body weight. Whether it’s a mountain bike or a simple city bike, you need to make sure that it isn’t too heavy for your child and that they can maneuver it without having to apply a lot of force. If a seemingly perfect bike needs your child to exert a lot of force to run it, it is not the best 20 inch bike for your child and hence not worth the money.
Brakes
Most of the 20-inch bikes for children either offer a V-brake (also known as rim brake) or a coaster brake. We strongly suggest you favor the former and try to avoid the latter unless you find it necessary to buy a bike with a coaster brake system. This is because the coaster brakes are quite dangerous and have little control and modulation and, therefore, aren’t perfect for your little one.
Tires
The kind of tires your child’s bike needs depends entirely on the terrain they will be riding their bike. If your child is not going to take their bike anywhere away from the street and pavements in your neighborhood, you should try to find slick, stable, and fast-rolling tires with minimal thickness. On the other hand, if your child is an adventure lover and you’re brave enough to let them ride their bike off-road, and on hilly sides of the town, we suggest you try to find the best 20 inch mountain bike with wide and thick tires.
Drivetrain And Gearing
If you have even a bit of knowledge about bikes, you would know that those with defined drive trains and gearboxes are way more advanced than bikes without a gear shift system. Now, if your child is a confident rider and has been riding a bike without training wheels since they were 2 or 3, you can go for gear and drivetrains in their bike. However, if they are an amateur, we suggest you wait a bit before introducing them to a bike with multiple speeds.
Fork
For kids who are just going to use their bikes around the streets and in subtly hilly regions, you don’t need to go with a suspension fork, no matter how cool you think it is or how much your kid wants it. We would always prefer a rigid fork for your child because of the high safety levels it can ensure.
Best 20 Inch Bike Under $200
RoyalBaby Explorer Kids Bike
If you are looking for a bike for your child that won’t cost you a lot, this easily affordable 20″ wheeler road bike is for you. With a rigid front suspension system, this safe and easy-to-ride bike gives your child an ultimate cycling experience on bumpy roads and on smooth garden tracks. There is no gear or speed box, and the bike will keep going at a consistent speed, making it even safer for your amateur cyclist.
The bikes come with a kickstand, tools to assemble them, and a small tool kit to help your child learn their bike’s maintenance on their own. This bike is as sturdy as it looks, with its strong aluminum body being able to stay firm despite being light in weight. As for the braking system, this bike has coaster brakes that are stable enough for you to trust.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with all the tools
- Rigid body
- Very easily affordable
Cons
- Many parents don’t like the braking system
- The adjustable seat sometimes feels loose
Dynacraft Magna Kids Bike
Next up, we have another affordable bike you can get in the color of your kid’s choice. The Dynacraft bike looks nothing less than a high-end hybrid bike while being very easy and simple. This road bike has rigid forks coupled with its sturdy BMX frame, nicely padded seats, and coaster brakes. There is no gearbox to stick your child to a single safe speed. The padded handlebar is easy to grip and resists slipping even in hot weather. The bike is suited for a boy’s use, but girls can ride it easily too. We were initially a bit hesitant about its steel frame, but its rust-resistant nature has made us recommend it to everyone.
Pros
- Durable
- Rust-resistant
- Thickly padded seats and handlebars for added comfort
- Comes with a lifetime warranty for the frame
Cons
- Has average-quality coaster brakes
RoyalBaby Freestyle Kids Bike
Suitable for a child with a heavier than normal body and tall stature, this road bike offers a rigid suspension style with no gearbox that makes it fit for a naughty child’s cycling. This bike has a premium and sporty look with a dual handbrake system and comes largely pre-assembled, so you don’t have to worry about setting it up. The bike has a kickstand, mudguards, a bell, and all the needed tools. This sporty bicycle has the lightest weighing body, perfect for kids, and is sure to help you train your child for professional cycling.
Pros
- Sturdy body
- Safe and reliable
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- The brake system could have been better
Best 20 Inch Bike For Boy
Schwinn Childrens Road Bicycles
Here is another bike for boys that offers safe, rigid suspension while boasting a beautiful basket at its front. The bike has no gearbox to ensure a consistent speed and comes with a chain guard and kickstand alongside the basket. The bike is perfect for children over six and can be adjusted to suit those with smaller or bigger stature.
To make everything safer for kids, the bike has a very light body weight, forward-facing cranks and pedals, narrow pedal positions, and gripping handles. There is a rear coaster brake with a front caliper brake to make the ride safer for younger riders who are just starting. Overall, this one is a very flexible and long-lasting bike that can get your child for adult cycling better.
Pros
- Offers high adjustability
- Designed with kids’ needs in mind
- Sturdy and lightweight
Cons
- Should offer better brakes considering the price tag
- Seats are too narrow for some
Tony Hawk Jargon Freestyle BMX Bike
Just like its name, this bike is a very cool thing your child would surely love to own. Offering rigid forks, this bike is a freestyle BMX dirty riding option for all adventurous kids. There are front and rear caliper brakes, dual pegs, and custom grip options to give the rider better control over this trail and road bike. The bike comes with custom brand graphics and design and has 48″ spoke wheels to make it easier and safer for a child to hit those hilly off-road tracks confidently.
Pros
- Custom grips
- Comes assembled
- Very stylish
- Sturdy build
Cons
- Not a very reliable option if you don’t prefer freestyle cycling
Huffy Valcon 20″ Mountain Bike for Boys
Next up, we have this best 20 inch mountain bike for boys that offers dual suspension and is perfectly suited for tricky trails. The bike comes with a gearbox with six different speeds, and its 20″ wide wheels are thick enough to resist the rocks and bumps easily.
The bike’s design is made to follow a quick-connect feature that makes it very quick and easy for everyone to assemble it. You can get it for children aged 5 to 9 years. The frame of this bike is lightweight, sleek, and yet very sturdy and is made out of high-grade steel to last long. As for the brakes, you get reliable dual handbrakes, making this bike a good option for parents who cannot accompany their kids to all their mountain biking sessions.
Pros
- Advanced gearbox for adept riders
- Sturdy frame
- Lightweight
- Easy to assemble
- Reliable brakes
Cons
- Some parents won’t prefer six different speeds for these kids
Diamondback Bicycles Cobra 20
Here is another mountain bike in a rusty-orange body that stands out and can be recognized from a distance. The bike is good for almost all terrains but would suit the best for mountain biking. There are six different speeds and a standard Shimano drivetrain for easier shifting. With several other features perfect for a child’s riding, this bike is surely something you need to consider.
Pros
- Reliable brakes
- Adjustable seating
Cons
- Expensive
Best 20 Inch Bike For Girl
RoyalBaby Stargirl Kids Bike
This is another amazing rigid fork-styled bike for little girls who love nothing but the color on their bike while their parents search for sturdiness and safety in a good 20″ bike for kids. This one has a dual braking system with a cute basket at its front and comes with a bell, kickstand, and a kit with basic bike tools.
There is no gearbox to ensure minimal risk for the rider in the absence of someone to keep an eye on them. The bike has a delicate curve frame that makes it easier for the child to hop on and off the bike. There are also detachable training wheels for a first-time rider with solid brakes to help keep the bike safe.
Pros
- Comes with a bell and basket
- Looks cute
- Has training wheels
Cons
- The frame should have been a bit more solid
Dynacraft Children’s Bicycles Magna
Here is a bike you can get for older and bulkier kids up to 12 years old. This bike has a BMX style that gives it a sporty touch, while its thick 20″ wide wheels make it stable for all terrains. The bike offers rigid forks with a glossy finish, a dual coaster brake set, adjustable seating, and padded handlebars. Getting this one means you get a lifetime warranty on your child’s bike that surely saves you a lot of stress.
Pros
- Looks cute
- Sturdy
- Good brakes
Cons
- Expensive
- Inconsistent speed
20″ Girls Trouble Bike
Perfect for a big-sized kid, this bike from an anonymous brand is surprisingly very good and sturdy while having all the essential features one expects from a children’s bike. With a lightweight body and dual braking system, the bike is good enough to be raced on roads, but we won’t suggest you get it for an adventurous child.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Stable
- Thick tires
Cons
- Not suitable for rocky roads
Best 20 Inch Bike With Training Wheels
Dynacraft Magna Kids Bike
If this is your first time getting your child a bike to ride, then you better consider a bike with training wheels since it is a lot safer for a child to learn to cycle this way. This BMX dirt bike comes with a single-speed, tough steel frame and reliable brakes. This, combined with detachable training wheels, makes it a safe option for confused and scared children to learn to ride a bike.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Safe for all types of riders
- Stylish BMX-suited design
Cons
- Brakes could have been made more solid
RoyalBaby Freestyle Kids Bike
Another bike with a rigid fork style and detachable trainers comes almost fully assembled with premium parts and a nicely rugged body. The bike has a water bottle attached to ensure the child’s hydration during the rides and has all the necessary assembly tools. There is no gearbox, and the 2″ thick tires can easily save your child from every possible damage.
Pros
- Excellent choice for beginners
- Safe
- Excellent design
Cons
- Spare parts aren’t an easy find
JOYSTAR NEO Kids Bike
Looking for a bike that can suit your 4-year-old and 12-year-old alike? This one is your answer. This bike comes with detachable training wheels and dual handbrakes and has a very stylish body with minimal features for an easy and comfortable learning experience. If nothing else, you can rely on this lightweight freestyle bike for its consistent speed gearbox and solid brakes.
Pros
- Stable ride
- Sturdy frame
Cons
- Expensive
Best 20 Inch Mountain Bike
Razor Nebula BMX
This bike also offers a rigid suspension fork with a single-speed gear system with 20″ wide wheels and is a BMX-style bike perfect for sporty kids. The bike has a coaster brake system with well-padded handlebars on a tough, lightweight steel frame that can easily resist rust. You also get a kickstand along with this bike with a lifetime warranty on the frame and fork.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty on frame and fork
- Kickstand included
Cons
- High maintenance
AVANTREK Cybertrack 200 Electric Bike
Here we have a high-end e-bike for kids and adults with a foldable body and an outrigger too. This bike offers seven different speeds in its lightweight aluminum frame and disk brake system. The bike runs on a 480Wh battery with a quick-charge ability and can be filled in no more than 4 hours. This battery can help you cover up to 28 miles in e-mode and 50 miles in case you go with pedal assistance. With this bike, you can achieve a maximum top speed of 28mph while keeping track of its speed and other details on the backlit LCD in its front.
Pros
- E-bike
- Great load capacity
- Silent brushless motor
- Great display
Cons
- Expensive
Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike
Lastly, this trail bike has a front suspension that is very light in weight and comes with a 13-inch frame perfect for petite riders. There is a 6-speed gearbox with a glossy body that can also catch all the attention from a far distance. It is very easy to assemble this bike with a durable steel frame. The shift between speeds is very smooth, and this bike’s brake system makes everything stable and solid throughout the ride.
Pros
- Advanced features
- Great body
- Sturdy
Cons
- Not many parents would like six speeds option on their kid’s ride
What Age Is A 20 Inch Bike Suitable For?
As we have stated before, a child is perfectly ready to get their hands on the best 20 inch bike from when they turn around 6 to 8 years old. However, you need to see for yourself if your child has any experience with riding a bike and whether or not their body weight and height allow them to be comfortable with such a bike before you get your hands on one.
Is A 20 Inch Bike Good For What Height?
Generally, we suggest getting a 20 inch bike for a child whose height ranges between 43″ and 55″. However, some parents are not sure about getting some specific bike models for their kids, even with their normal height. In that case, it is suggested that you match your child’s inseam height with the stand-over height of the bike. If these two are more or less equal and correspond to one another, the bike is the perfect size for your little one.
Is A 20 Inch Bike Good For A 5 Year Old?
Yes. It is generally advised that you only give a 20 inch bike to a child when they are six years old; you can still trust a 5-year-old on its wheels if the child has a strong and tall body stature and has previously been riding bikes regularly.
Is 20 Inch Bike For Adults?
Of course, adults can ride a 20 inch bike if they need to. However, the smaller wheels of this bike make it more difficult for adults to maintain their balance on it. So, you should try to follow all the precautions and have your safety gear on when riding this bike as someone older than 15 to 17 years old child.