Safest Kids Mountain Bikes

Mountain biking can of course be quite a dangerous sport. Whether you’re an experienced biker or you’re brand new, young or old, really going for it during a race or just cruising around some tracks at Moab, there’s always the chance that you’ll have a fall in the wrong place, or that something will simply go wrong. We’ve known friends who’ve gotten compression fractures from casual downhill races, given themselves concussions out at Moab, and broken ribs. You get going pretty fast, and any wrong move could cause you to hit the ground. It can seem sometimes that all of your mountain biker friends are either training for races or injured. But this doesn’t mean your kids can’t get into the sport, does it? This is what makes biking so fun—the adrenaline rush. Making split-second decisions is good for the brain, and the grit and level of physical fitness it takes to get to the top of a hill can create a sense of discipline that lasts your kid for years to come. And there are ways to mitigate the risk, so that you and your children stay safe.

We’d recommend starting out with a safe children’s mountain bike. After all, your kid is going to bike somehow, whether you want him or her to or not. You may as well support them.

A lot of people want to buy a bike for their kid even though she’s growing like a weed, so they buy a big bike that the kid will grow into. This isn’t the best way to go when it comes to mountain bikes. For winter coats, maybe. But a mountain bike that’s too big makes it tough to reach the pedals and uncomfortable. Not to mention it makes the bike more dangerous for your kid to ride. Buy a good one that fits her (or his) size, and sell it once the kiddo grows out of it, or give it to the next youngest child.

Sometimes if you make a rash or unwise purchase, it works perfectly acceptably for a while and then politely breaks down. If you do a little homework, however, you’ll get much better results.

Here are a few of our favorite options for kids’ mountain bikes. These have been field tested and found up to the challenge of reliably transporting your young children up and down the peaks surrounding your home. We've kept in mind some important safety features like front suspension, rim brakes, wheel sizes, and hydration packs. Of course, the safety of the bike depends upon its rider, so we do recommend you sit down with your kids and try to at least give them a little information on the safe use of this bike, even if packs of boys and girls roaming around on two wheels will certainly undo at least some of this information. And this is great; when kids choose to bike outside of their comfort zones, they will grow as riders. A little guy trying to keep up with his older brother and his friends may get a few scraped knees, but will also get used to knowing how fast is too fast for him. He’ll become a better rider. Especially with suitable boys bikes. A nine-year-old girl following her older friends off a few of the smaller jumps at the bike park may end up with a broken arm, but she’ll also learn to assess for herself what’s within her limits and what’s not, and will be able to apply this information to future endeavors.

These options are the most stable, and they’re made specifically with kids’ bodies and measurements in mind. So without further edu, here are our favorite mountain bikes for kids.

1. Raleigh

We love this brand of bikes, and think Raleigh is one of the best companies out there when it comes to crafting high-quality, durable, and affordable kids’ bikes.

2. Diamondback Bicycles Atroz Dual Suspension Mountain Bike

For its price, this bike is a great deal. The tires are solid, and it has 24 speeds to choose from. The frame is aluminum, and it weighs just under 45 pounds.

3. Kent Super 20 Boys Bike

This bike has 20-inch wheels, 7 speeds, and dual suspension. It also has a convenient quick-release clamp for the seat. It’s a great choice for beginners, and it weighs a little less than the previous bike, 36 pounds.

4. Raleigh Girls Jazzi

We love Raleigh bikes; this model is a great option for the kids. Assembly is required, though they’ll do it for you for a fee. This model is great for those who want to ride hard on rocky trails. Users found that the parts were high quality and that it works great for both the more experienced and for beginners.

5. Roadmaster Granite Peak Boys Mountain Bike

This bike is a great buy if you want something cheaper than the models we previously mentioned. Some assembly required. Users found it durable and a great option for the price, though some found the seat uncomfortable. We’d recommend purchasing a different seat and attaching it to the bike, if your child likes the bike otherwise.

We can’t emphasize enough that you should buy a bike that fits your child right now, rather than spending money on a larger bike that he or she will grow into. It’s easy enough to sell used mountain bikes once your child grows out of them. Biking will be a lot safer and more pleasant for your kids if they can reach the pedals properly, or comfortably stand at a traffic light without having to stretch their legs too much. Getting kids cycling while they're young is important. Remember how valuable the bike will be to your kids’ confidence as they get older, and how you’re teaching them to embrace a lifetime of heading outside for some exercise and fun.

Once you’ve bought the bike, sit down and talk with your children about how to bike safely, and what to pay attention to. They should be aware of the rules of the trails as well as the streets, so that they aren’t putting themselves or others in unnecessary danger. And make sure to be a good role model for them as well!