What age child is a 24" wheel bike for?
The majority of 7 and 8 year olds will be getting ready to move onto a kids bike with 24″ wheels - although there is such a range of different sizes of 24" wheel bikes and different size children there's no one bike that will fit every child.
There are bikes on this page that have a minimum inside leg of 57cm and other bikes that go up to a maximum inside leg of 75cm - and loads inbetween!
Do make sure that you measure very carefully, or even better, test out a bike before you buy.
Please don’t be tempted to buy big so your child can grow into it. They will struggle to control the bike, feel unsafe and not want to ride it. A total waste of money!
You’re much better buying a bike that fits them and then selling it on to fund the purchase of the next, correctly sized bike, as they get older.
These articles will help you:
How much should I spend on a 24" wheel bike for my child?
If you're wondering how much to spend on a bike for your child, remember that a bike at this age is something that is going to keep them fit, active and can provide a cheap and environmentally friendly way of getting around.
The bike you buy them now will help give them independence as they grow, plus you're giving them a tool to support their mental and physical health.
Think how much you pay for their phone or games console, or other big ticket items, and remember that you want to buy a bike that's reliable and safe to ride (which is all the bikes listed in this article - and why we don't suggest buying a really cheap new bike).
We've recommended second hand classics and Bike Club subscriptions which are both great ways of keeping costs lower.
Further reading:
Comments
@Paul the Bonaly deliberately doesn’t have QR skewers to avoid little people loosening stuff that they shouldn’t!
If they’re required then they can be bought for peanuts and fitted with ease.
(most people find it useful to carry a multi-tool with hex keys – when you buy a Bonaly from Evans they include one for free!)
I’m planning to buy second hand, and trying to decide between frog 62 and Beinn 26 small for my long-legged 7 and a half year old. He’s currently WAY too big for his 20” ridgeback. I’m looking forward to him having a lighter bike, and don’t want to put him off with a bike that is too big. Anyone got any advice?
Hi Bea
Thank you for your comment. We’d always recommend getting a bike that is the right size for them to ride now, as you say, you don’t want to put him off with a bike that is too big. With regards to advice on a specific bike (both the Frog 62 & Beinn 26 are brilliant, we love both!), it is definitely worth you asking the question on the Family Cycling UK page on Facebook. They have a huge community of cycling families and someone will be able to advise from first hand experience, we’re sure! Hope this helps. Kind regards, Penny
I just wanted to inform your followers about one of the bikes on this list.
I currently have 3 kids on 24’s, 2 are Marin’s and 1 is a Hoy Bonaly 24.
The Bonaly in my opinion is sized very small compared to most 24’s, it’s a very nice bike in many ways but it has a few shortfalls that folk need to consider.
Firstly, it’s a small 24 and a lot of kids will be half way through its size range when they outgrow a 20″.
My son’s 24 had still got room for growth but the Bonaly is too small for him, this is something others find when we compare their bikes too.
The cockpit is too compact and the bars are too narrow meaning the handling is squirrelly and the front tucks under itself too readily. (There’s been more handling related falls on this bike compared to all the others we’ve had).
It also doesn’t come with QR skewers and seatpost clamp which are essential on kids bikes. These are easily sorted but should be included at this price point.
My Daughter has had this bike for 8 months and is now getting too big for it, My son is 12cm taller than her and his bike still fits and is 18months old.
So be careful about buying it, perhaps it’s a better upgrade when your child is still well inside a 20″ bike, not a good bike if they’re outgrowing it though.
Hi Paul, Thanks so much for sharing this information. It goes to highlight the differences with sizing between brands – it certainly sounds as if the Hoys are sized for smaller kids than the Marins. Much appreciated, Karen
Just found your website and this article was really useful. Many are the bikes I’m considering. Currently several friends families have loved the islabikes up to 20” size but are going towards Orbea. Have you seen or tried any of these? How do you rate them against Islabikes as a known benchmark? My eldest is on a Beinn 20 with mtb tyres.
Many thanks
Hi Robin, Thanks for getting in touch, and glad you’ve found the website useful. In the past two years there have been some great deals on Orbea kids bikes – particularly their mountain bikes – which made them a lot more affordable than Islabikes. It really does come down to your budget, the amount and type of cycling you’re planning to do (plus which bike you can find in stock at the current time). In general Orbea are a reputable brand, and parents I’ve spoken to have been happy with their choice. Hope this helps. Karen
My son has had Isla bikes to date, but I’m not sure I can stomach the cost of the beinn 24. My local bike shop is recommending a forme kinder 24 but I can’t find mention of it on your site. Should I consider the others above?
Hi Mary, Thanks for getting in touch. We’ve not had a chance to review the new Forme kids bike range yet, but they are a reputable brand and I can see no reason why it shouldn’t be a reliable bike. Given the low stock of kids bikes everywhere at the moment, if your bike shop has one available you’re lucky! Hope this helps, Karen
1st choice 24″ Giant ARX unavailable
2nd Cannondale Quick
3rd Frog red which I bought from Cambridge Cycles.
I bought it for nephew in Newmarket and mother collected it two days later. Brilliant Boy loves it.
Saracen 16 6.24kg for little brother and little big bike coming for 2 1/2 sister
Hi Mary – great that you’ve been able to find a bike and that your nephew is enjoying riding it. There’s a real shortage of bikes at the moment so you did well to find one. Kind regards Karen