YOMO 14 Review: Is this the perfect first pedal bike?

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Finding the perfect first pedal bike for your child can feel like a daunting task. With so many options on the market, it’s hard to know which of the best kids’ bikes will set them up for a love of cycling that lasts a lifetime. Get it right, and you’ll see them flying along with confidence and joy! If you’re still in the research phase, check out our FREE Bike Buying Guide.

We’ve previously tested the larger YOMO 20 and were seriously impressed, so we’re excited to see how its smaller sibling fares. In this review of the YOMO 14, we’ll cover everything from first impressions and assembly to specifications and, most importantly, how our young reviewer got on with the bike.

Disclosure: Cycle Sprog were sent the YOMO 14 to review. We were not paid to write this review, and all opinions are our own. We do use affiliate links, so may get a small commission if you choose to buy through the links on this page. This funds the website, and we thank you for your support.

YOMO 14 scores

Quality - 5/5 - A top of the range kids' bike with high-quality components.
Weight - 4/5 - Very lightweight, almost a whole kg lighter than an equivalent Frog bike.
Value for money - 4/5 - Good specification of components for the cost.
Customisability - 3/5 - Unfortunately, YOMO's range doesn't include any accessories other than helmets at this point. But the bike has mounting points for mudguards and a bottle cage.
Resale value - TBC - As YOMO is such a new brand on the market, we aren't sure of its resale value yet, but they do have an excellent bike trade scheme.

Final verdict - The YOMO 14 is a lightweight, well-made, confidience inspiring first pedal bike, suitable for young children eager to pedal.

Find out more about the Cycle Sprog review process

About our reviewer:

Harry, our test rider, is a tall 3-and-a-half year-old with a big appetite for adventure on two wheels.

Before getting to grips with the YOMO 14, Harry had a few tries on a Frog 43 pedal bike and was already a very confident balance bike rider.

He’s happiest when the terrain is bumpy and loves whizzing along gravel paths, almost keeping pace with his 5 year-old sister, who has just graduated to a Frog 48 pedal bike.

Harry is the perfect tester for this lightweight and lively first pedal bike.

YOMO bikes: brand overview

YOMO is a relatively new brand making waves in the kids' bike market with its focus on lightweight, well-designed bikes that help children develop a real passion for cycling.

Based in the UK, YOMO is dedicated to crafting bikes that match the needs of young riders, using quality materials and child-specific geometry.

Their range includes balance bikes and first pedal bikes like the YOMO 14 and YOMO 16 and progressing to larger sizes with gears, the YOMO 20, YOMO 24 and YOMO 26.

First Impressions of the YOMO 14

Harry took an immediate liking to the YOMO 14. The standout features for him were the vibrant colour and the handlebars, which have a clever design with bumps that help keep his hands centred and prevent them from slipping off the ends.

From our perspective, the bike looked very smart straight out of the box. The simple, clean graphics add to the premium feel of the bike.

Assembly was refreshingly straightforward, as the bike came mostly pre-assembled. We only needed to add the pedals and adjust the handlebar height, both of which were simple tasks.

Other parents and friends have been quick to compliment the YOMO 14 when they’ve seen it. One friend even commented on how well the bike’s geometry suited Harry and was impressed by how light it felt when picking it up, both great signs for a first pedal bike!

YOMO 14 Specifications

The YOMO 14 is built around a lightweight aluminium frame with a super low standover height, making it easy for young riders to get on and off confidently. It's equipped with 14-inch wheels fitted with Kenda tyres that not only provide a reassuring grip across a range of surfaces but also come with reflective detailing to help boost visibility in low-light conditions. This is a handy safety feature for family rides that stretch into the evening.

A real highlight of the YOMO 14’s design is the attention to pedalling ergonomics. The bike has a narrow Q factor, meaning the space between the pedals is optimised for children’s hips, making pedalling feel more natural and efficient. This helps reduce the risk of awkward knee positioning and makes it easier for young riders to develop a smooth, comfortable pedalling style.

Riding the YOMO 14

Harry's experiences with the YOMO 14 have given him plenty of opportunities to explore different terrains, and the bike has performed impressively across a variety of surfaces.

Over the past five months, it’s been ridden on everything from muddy gravel tracks to smooth tarmac and slight inclines. Most of these rides have been in winter conditions, with the muddy paths and chillier weather adding an extra challenge.

Despite being a single-speed bike, the YOMO 14 has handled the varied surfaces well, although steeper hills can pose a challenge when there's no gear to help maintain momentum.

On the longest ride so far, a 5km journey along the Keswick to Threlkeld path, Harry was able to ride comfortably on the flat sections but required some assistance when the path steepened, which is to be expected at this age and on a bike without gears!

On downhill sections, the YOMO 14 really came into its own. Harry found himself zooming down the short descents at Sizergh with far more confidence than we anticipated for a bike that was still new to him.

This smooth and stable performance was particularly notable given that, on his previous balance bike, Harry wasn’t used to handling descents.

The YOMO 14’s geometry and lightweight design seem to inspire confidence, making those downhill stretches feel like part of the fun and less intimidating.

Over the course of the review, we've made a couple of small adjustments to the bike. Initially, Harry was on the shorter end of the bike’s recommended height range, so we lowered the handlebars switching the spacers, which allowed for a more comfortable riding position.

The bike has held up extremely well, with no issues of rust so far. While the brakes have remained aligned and in perfect working order, there is a slight issue with the right pedal, which doesn’t spin as smoothly as the left. This could be an alignment issue or an early sign of wear, but considering the bike’s rough and tumble use, it's a minor issue that hasn’t affected its overall performance.

Braking is a crucial part of any first pedal bike experience, and the YOMO 14’s Tektro brakes were up to the task. Harry found the levers easy to reach and pull, and they offered reliable stopping power when he needed it most (usually when he spotted a particularly exciting stick or stone to investigate!).

On gravel tracks, pavements, and even a few gentle off-road paths, the YOMO 14 handled beautifully. The tyres offered good grip without adding excess rolling resistance, meaning Harry could keep pace with his big sister - a huge win in his eyes!

The chainguard is a continuous design, which may look a bit unusual, but it’s highly effective at keeping little fingers safe. It’s also more durable than traditional chainguards, as it’s less likely to break during transport, unlike my daughter’s Frog 43 chainguard, which broke almost immediately when we placed the bike in the boot of the car. That said, I’m not sure what impact this design will have on future maintenance.

Most recently, the bike has come on our Easter family holiday to the French Alps, Harry is loving riding on pump tracks, skate parks and traffic-free trails with his confidence and speed growing with every ride- and some beautiful views of Mont Blanc for the adults!

Overall verdict: Is the YOMO 14 a good first pedal bike?

Absolutely. The YOMO 14 ticks all the right boxes for a first pedal bike: it’s lightweight, well-proportioned for small riders, and designed with child-specific features that genuinely make a difference.

Harry loved it, and as parents, we appreciated the thoughtful design choices that helped him build his skills and confidence quickly. The attention to detail, from the comfy saddle to the grippy handlebars and easy-to-use brakes, all contributed to a positive riding experience.

If you’re on the hunt for a bike that will help your child make a smooth transition from a balance bike to pedals, the YOMO 14 is a fantastic option. It’s clear that YOMO understands what young riders need, and this bike delivers on all fronts. The only current niggle with the pedals can easily be rectified with a switch to different pedals.

I would have only considered a Frog or Islabike before (having introduced our first child to riding on a Frog 43) but am pleased to report that the YOMO 14 is a serious alternative to the market for those looking for a quality first pedal bike.

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