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Best 18″ kids’ bikes for a 5-6 year old

While it's not one of the most commonly used sizes, an 18" wheel bike can be a great idea to plug the gap between a small starter bike and a larger geared bike. They're becoming more and more popular, especially for children who don't quite have the right size, age or ability to move up to a 20" geared bike yet. They tend to cost less as well, so if you think this might be right for your youngster, then here are our recommendations for the best 18" kids' bikes.

A word of warning, though: 18" is a wheel size that has traditionally been dominated by the very cheap 'toy' bikes that aren't actually built for lots of riding. That's why we only recommend what we think are the best kids' bikes, which are designed for everyday use and constructed from quality materials and components. If you're unsure about the difference, then this is why you shouldn't buy a REALLY cheap kids' bike.

Thankfully there are plenty of excellent quality 18" kids' bikes available now. Read on for our pick of the best.

Best 18" kids' bikes: a girl in a pink dress riding her kidvelo rookie 18 bike

What age child is an 18" wheel bike for?

All children are different, so it's not always easy to assign age groups to particular bike sizes. However as a general rule of thumb, an 18" bike is suitable for kids aged around 5 or 6 years old. They tend to fit children with a minimum inside leg measurement of around 50cm, and a minimum height of around 110cm.

Among the best 18" kids' bikes listed here, there will be a variety in their sizing and geometry, so wherever possible we've provided the manufacturer's measurements, to help you choose the one that will best fit your child. It's important to measure them carefully, so here's how to easily measure your child for a new bike.

Contents: best 18" kids' bikes

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Quick picks: for parents in a hurry

If you're short on time and don't want to scroll through the whole list, then here are our top three recommendations for the best 18" kids' bikes to cover a range of budgets.

  • Best for learning to ride: Kidvelo Rookie 18 (£275) - Converts from balance bike to pedal bike, perfect for older children who haven't learned to ride yet.
  • Best pedal bike option: Frog 47 (£400 + free helmet) - A single speed easy-to-ride bike that's great if they're too tall for standard 16" pedal bikes but aren't ready for a 20" bike with gears.
  • Best long-term investment: Black Mountain HÜTTO (£599) - A unique design with an extending frame so it grows with your child. Pricier but will last a long time.

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Top tips: choosing the best 18" kids' bikes

Not sure where to start? Get going with some key things to consider before you make a purchase. If you want a more detailed breakdown, check out our FAQs section.

  1. Size: While 18-inch bikes are generally designed for 5-6 year-olds, children grow at different rates, so you should always measure your child first. Follow our step-by-step guide to how to easily measure your child for a new bike. 
  2. Price: There’s a bike for every budget, but quality matters. While you shouldn't need to break the bank to get your child a bike, don't just go for the cheapest thing you can find, which are often bike-shaped toys that will break almost immediately. For more on this, here's why you shouldn't buy a REALLY cheap new kids’ bike.
  3. Weight: A lightweight bike can make all the difference for children when they're learning to ride. If it’s easier to manoeuvre then it will feel less exhausting to ride. Don't forget, you may also find yourself carrying it home at some point, so think about that as well!
  4. Gears: Most 18” bikes are single-speed, because they're designed to bridge the gap between starter pedal bikes and bigger geared bikes. 
  5. Long-term investments: With the rate that kids grow, it's often not long after buying a bike that you find yourself having to get another size up. Look for bikes with extendable frames like the Black Mountain HÜTTO if you want a long-term investment that grows with your child.
  6. Buy back schemes: If you go for a standard bike frame, then look out for buy-back schemes where you can trade in your child’s old bike for a discount on the next size up. 
  7. Consider buying second hand: If you're looking to spend less but still want a quality bike, you can often find a good bargain on Ebay. Check out our guide to buying a second hand kids' bike for more help with this.
best 18" kids' bikes: A girl in a pink cardigan and bunchies riding the kidvelo rookie 18 in her garden

Best 18” kids’ bikes

Here's our round-up of the best 18" kids' bikes, starting with the lowest price and working up to the more premium options.

 

 

Kidvelo Rookie 18 Balance/Pedal Bike

Best for learning to pedal

Best 18" kids' bikes: a Kidvelo Rookie 18 bike on a blank background

  • Price: £275
  • Weight: 7 kg 
  • Rider inseam: 50-69cm
  • Colours: Blue, green, pink, red

Buy if: Your child has outgrown their balance bike but isn’t quite ready for pedals 

The Kidvelo Rookie 18 is a great bike for slightly older children who may not have learnt to ride yet and will likely start pedalling soon.

It is aimed at ages 5 to 8 years old and starts off as a large balance bike and then if and when your child is ready to try out pedals the Rookie 18 then easily converts to a pedal bike, with a simple-to-fit pedal conversion kit. So you essentially get 2 bikes for the price of one.

You can convert easily if your child needs to try pedals for a short time and then revert back to a balance bike for a while longer. It’s designed to work effortlessly in either balance bike or pedal bike mode.

It's also a popular choice for children with additional needs who may want to learn their balance using the balance bike mode and then have the opportunity to progress to using pedals.

Take a look at our Kidvelo Rookie 18 review to read about how it helped Edie, an autistic child with sensory triggers and communication difficulties, to learn to ride a bike.

Squish 18

Most lightweight option

Best 18" kids' bikes: The Squish 18 on a blank background

  • Price: £339.99
  • Weight: 6.66 kg 
  • Rider inseam: 50-60cm
  • Rider height: 110-130cm
  • Colours: Light blue, dark blue

Buy if: You're likely to end up carrying it a lot

The Squish 18 is a good choice if your child isn’t quite ready to move up to a geared bike. It has a long wheelbase to give confidence and easy-to-use ‘child-sized’ brakes that are perfect for smaller hands.

The Squish 18 is fitted with lightweight components, and our 6 year old tester was impressed when she reviewed this bike for us. At 6.66kg it's the lightest bike on this list, making it easily manoeuvrable for one thing, and much easier to carry if that's what you're likely to end up doing.

Small block tyres are fitted to give good grip on a variety of surfaces, so the Squish 18 can be used for fun in the mud too.

Take a look at our Squish 18 review for more details.

Frog 47

Best for shorter legs

Best 18" kids' bikes: Frog 47 in red on a blank background

  • Price: £400
  • Weight: 6.75 kg 
  • Rider inseam: 43-54cm
  • Colours: Blue, green, red

Buy if: Your child has shorter legs and would benefit from a lower standover height

The Frog 47 has a minimum inside leg of 43cm, making it a great option if your child has shorter legs and would benefit from that lower standover height in the frame. It comes with all the features you’d expect from one of the best known premium kids bike brands, including a lightweight aluminium frame, grippy tyres and child-proportioned components.

We’ve not reviewed this particular Frog bike but we have reviewed a number of other sizes and they’ve all been great, long lasting and fun to ride. Take a look at our Frog MTB 62 review for a closer look at the kind of quality they offer.

Black Mountain HÜTTO

Best long term investment

Best 18" kids' bikes: The Black Mountain HUTTO on a blank background

  • Price: £599
  • Weight: 8.6 kg 
  • Rider height: 118-134cm
  • Colours: Blue, green, orange, purple

Buy if: Your child has shorter legs and would benefit from a lower standover height

The Black Mountain HÜTTO is actually a 20" wheel bike, but we've included in this article because it's designed to replace an 18" wheel and a 20" wheel bike, due to its growing frame design, so may suit a taller child better than the 18" wheel KAPĒL would.

The HÜTTO comes in three different versions - the standard version is adequate for most types of riding, but if you're planning on getting out on the trails there's two mountain bike versions available. The HÜTTO Trail has front suspension and the HÜTTO Disc has the added benefit of disc brakes.

If your child is not pedalling yet, you can buy a separate balance bike conversion kit for the HÜTTO, which will see it lasting even longer, taking them on the full journey from balance biking to pedalling.

For a closer look, read our Black Mountain HÜTTO review.

How to choose from the best 18” kids’ bikes

If you need a bit more guidance to help you make a decision, then read on for our FAQs. 

What age child is an 18" wheel bike for?

It's difficult to say exactly which size bike a child needs, because they all grow at different rates. However bikes with 18" wheels generally tend to be designed for 5-6 year-olds who are at least 105cm tall, and have an inside leg measurement of at least 40cm. But these measurements are only a rough guide, and depending on the geometry and size of an individual bike frame, some models will size up differently to others.

That's why it's so important to pay attention to the measurements provided by the manufacturers, and to measure your child's height and inseam. We've got a guide that talks you through how to easily measure your child for a new bike, so be sure to make good use of it.

 

Best 18" kids' bikes: A little girl seen from behind gliding along a paved path on a red bike, with both legs sticking out

Do 18" wheel bikes have gears?

Some children can cope with gears on an 18″ wheel bike, while others won't be ready for them. As 18" is a cross-over size, some brands offer gears on their 18" models and others don't.

For many parents it's not just a question of whether or not a bike should have gears, but whether or not their child actually needs them. If they're still in the early stages of their cycling journey, they may find them confusing, and that complexity is just another barrier. Plus, gears add extra weight and inflate the price tag, which is why for many brands, they don't make an appearance until you get to 20" wheels.

Some children are ready for them earlier, however, and they can also be useful if you live in a very hilly area (even if you need to change them yourself at the bottom of the hill!).

What makes a good 18″ wheel kids bike for a 5-6 year old?

If you need a bit more of a deep-dive than what we covered in the top tips section above, then these are the key things to look for in a good 18-inch wheel bike, and why:

  1. Size: 18-inch wheel bikes generally tend to suit children aged around 5 or 6 years old, but all kids grow at different rates. To ensure this is the right size bike for your child, follow the instructions in our handy guide to how to easily measure your child for a new bike. You can also check out our article on how to choose the right size bike for your child’s age.
  2. Price: How much you spend on your child’s bike depends on your budget and how much riding they’ll be doing. If this is your child’s first pedal bike, or if they’re still gaining confidence, a more budget-friendly model could be a great choice. All the bikes we recommend offer good quality at their respective price points.If you’re looking for a longer-term investment, premium bikes come with better components, lighter frames, and adjustable features to grow with your child. Many high-quality bikes also retain their resale value, and options like Decathlon’s Buy Back scheme can help make upgrading to the next size more affordable. Don’t forget to check our guide to buying a second hand kids' bike if you’re considering a pre-loved option.
  3. Weight: A heavy bike can be difficult for children to control and tiring to ride, taking the fun out of cycling. Lightweight aluminium frames are much easier for little riders to manoeuvre, so we recommend choosing the lightest bike your budget allows. It’s worth it for their confidence and enjoyment.
  4. Proper bike, not a toy: While it might be tempting to buy a character-themed bike with bells and whistles, these tend to be heavier and made with lower-quality components that can rust quickly. Investing in a ‘proper’ bike with a lightweight frame, child-specific components, and reliable brakes will give your child a far better riding experience.
  5. Brakes and gears: Most 18-inch bikes are single-speed and come with either a coaster brake (where kids pedal backwards to stop) or rear V-brakes with levers designed for small hands. Single-speed bikes are simple and easy to ride, making them ideal for young cyclists. However, if your child is already confident and eager to tackle more challenging rides, you might want to consider a geared bike for more versatility.
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