All of the bikes on this list are for boys or girls, with the same frames and components. They do offer different color options, which are in an array of typical girl colors and gender neutral colors. Guardian’s unique patented braking system allows kids to activate both the rear and front brake with ONE brake lever. Upon activating the single brake lever, the rear brake is activated, which is turn activates the front wheel’s brake. In regards to weight, be cautious about purchasing a 24 inch bike with a shock as they can add a lot of unnecessary weight to a bike.
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 huffy beach cruiser 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.
Parents sometimes get a little sticker shock when they start shopping for a 24 inch bike. A larger bike is just going to cost more in general, and as kids get older, components often get more advanced to keep up with a child’s more advanced riding. With thinner road/gravel huffy scout bike tires, the ByK isn’t quite as trail-ready as other bikes on our list, but performed just fine on the compact dirt trails we put it to work on. Offering the look of a “mountain bike” yet with the ease-of-use of a city bike, the ByK E-540 is the perfect hybrid.
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 beach cruiser 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.
24 inch kids’ bikes are generally the best fit for 8, 9, and 10-year-olds or any child between 49″ and 59″ tall. If your child is already 11 or is a very tall 10-year-old, also consider 26″ bikes as they would offer more room for growth (although very few kids’ bikes come in 26″ tires). If a child starts on a 24 inch bike when they are 8 to 10, they can likely continue to ride it while they are 11 or even 12 years old. From paved bike trails to smooth-rolling single-track, the Reyes is the ultimate multi-trick pony for the adventurous 8 to 10-year olds. The Riverside comes standard with 6-gears with a grip shifter as well as a kickstand. The front suspension is precision-crafted for a responsive ride, while the 3-piece steel crank remains durable for many years of use.
We’ll help you understand what features you need for the best riding experience and why investing in a nicer bike really does make a huge difference. From the cheapest bikes to the most expensive, we’ve tested all the major brands out there. The height adjustability of 24 inch bike range from 5″ – 8″, which allows kids to ride 24 inch bikes much longer than other sizes. For example, the average 8-year-old should have plenty of room to grow with the bike until he turns 10 or even 11. Taking it one step further, the Reyes comes equipped with 24 x 1.95″ Kenda Small Block 8 tires that offer plenty of bite for dirt trails, but are low profile enough to provide a smooth ride on pavement. With its lower-end components and “casual-use only” fork, the Precaliber is not designed for hitting true single track trails, but it excels at neighborhood dirt trails as well as jumping curbs and small jumps.
Hailing from bike enthusiast parents in the UK, Frog Bikes is another kid-focused bike brand that designs their bikes top-to-bottom for kids. For a more detailed comparison of these bikes, jump down to our 24 inch Bike Comparison Chart below. This bike is also an affordable option for families who want a good “base bike” for upgrading to make it more trail-worthy.
With 2.25″ wide tires and an optional front suspension fork, the Precaliber is the perfect ride for the adventurous neighborhood rider who is eager to tackle both paved and dirt trails. With top-notch Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that are usually reserved for true mountain bikes, the Meerkat offers plenty of stopping power for added confidence and safety. To smooth the ride, the Meerkat is the only bike on this list to feature a steel frame that helps to absorb vibrations and chatter from the trail. The heavier frame, however, makes it less suitable for really timid riders. Built on a durable frame equipped with mechanical disc brakes and 2.6″ wide cushioning tires, the REI Co-Op Cycles REV 24 Plus is a great entry-level trail bike that also excels around the neighborhood.