20"-22" Kids Bikes (Ages 6-9)

A note on sizing.

20-inch or 50cm bikes are officially sized using their wheel size.

But sizing a new 20-inch bike also depends on the frame size.

What makes it hard is frame sizes are not well (if at all) advertised.

For example:

The Mongoose Racer X is a longer and taller bike than the Cannondale Quick, even though they are both the same wheel size.

What this means:

Taller riders will get more use, more growth range out of the taller frame than the smaller one.

Just something to consider.

Single-speed 20-inch bikes.

These bikes have 1 gear. They also have a front hand-brake and rear foot-brake.

Within the single-speed type, there's 2 styles:

BMX style 20-inch bikes are (slightly) bigger than average.

Then there's the Lightweight options from ByK's E450 range.

These bikes have a lower frame and lower bars and are easily one of the lightest in our range.

Not only do they have a front hand-brake and rear foot-brake, Byk builds the E450s with a rear hand-brake as well.

Helping kids develop the skill of using their left hand to brake at an earlier age.

Note:

If you need training wheels, this is the only 20-inch bike option that will work. And only if the axle is long enough (most are).

3-speed bikes. An easy intro to gears.

Like the single-speed bikes above, this type of 20-inch bike has a front hand-brake and rear foot-brake.

But, there are also 3 gears.

Gear 1 is used for riding uphill. Gear 2 for cruising on flat terrain. Gear 3 for going a little faster downhill.

They're super easy to use.

Kids don't need to be pedaling forwards for the gears to change. Less thinking and coordination is needed.

The other benefit is that the gears are completely enclosed inside the rear hub.

Water, dust and mud can't get into the gears. It's sealed. So consistent maintenance is not needed.

Multiple speed bikes. A better long term option?

Multi-speed bikes use at least 6 gears.

These bikes do not have a foot-brake. Only front and back hand-brakes.

The pedals spin backwards (called a freewheel).

And most don't work with training wheels.

So, these bikes are a little more complex than the other 2 options.

But:

They are also the most popular type of bike we sell.

Kids are like sponges.

They adapt and learn so quickly in the shop.

Once we teach them how the gears and brakes work, they are totally fine.

Some advantages:

The pedals can be positioned anywhere in the pedal stroke for take off, cornering and body adjustments. This is not easy to do when there's a foot brake.

Gears make it easier to take off from a stop. And tackle hills (perfect if you live in an elevated area).

Kids learn how to use their hands to slow down. Hand brakes allow kids to have better control slowing down.

Plus, every other bike they're going to get will have hand brakes.