Buying a bicycle can be confusing, especially when looking for a bicycle for your baby. You want to get one of the best bikes for 12 year olds, but you don’t decision where to start. We can help you with it.
The most suitable bikes for this age group are usually 24-26 inch bikes. However, these are bulky and can be hard to find with kid-friendly features.
Whether your preteen wants something fun or a little more grown-up, the best 24-26 inch kids bike has something for everyone. We’ve put together a buying guide for you and reviewed the 8 best bikes in this category for inspiration.
The Best Bikes for 12 Year Olds in 2022
1. Kent Double Suspension Mountain Bike
Check out this bike if you want to see the definition of cool. This bike not only has front and rear suspension, it also has blue tires on the sidewall, 21 speeds and front disc brakes. It’s really a header. A high quality bike for kids who just want to have fun.
2. Mongoose Mens and Womens Mountain Bike
Do your kids want to go out and walk the trails and ride the mountains on their bikes? If so, look no further than this lightweight 21-speed mountain bike. You can trust the build quality of this great bike from Mongoose. Great gift idea.
3. Huffy Fairmont Cruiser Bike
The Huffy Fairmont is a cruising bike that kids all over the world want to have. Incredibly bright in color, this fantastic cruiser features a retractable handlebar with kickstand and rear coaster brakes, allowing the rider to stop by pressing a pedal. A really fun bike.
4. Dynacraft Speed Alpine Eagle women’s bike
This hybrid kids bike is a great way for little ones to take off-road action on comfortable road cycling without the need for two separate bikes. Designed by Dynacraft, it features a 21-speed Shimano shifting, alloy wheel and kickstand for added style and fit.
5. Complete road bike Diamond back gloss
Do your kids need a bike that will keep them hooked up and entertained as they roam your neighborhood? This Diamondback is a bike for them, so stop searching now. With the front suspension and 21-speed gearbox, they wouldn’t want to get off the mount.
6. Kulana Hiku Cruiser Bike
This classic looking bike promises all the classic fun. The simple steel frames, wide handlebars, and extra wide saddles are all reminiscent of traditional bikes that have been loved for decades, with kids riding in and around the block for years.
7. Youth Cruiser Mountain Bike
Children don’t necessarily need the largest bike available to have fun. This particular bike is lower than the ground, allowing for a safer and more comfortable riding position. Check out this shiny bike here and check out its stats completely.
8. Northwoods Aluminum Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Bikes for 12 years don’t have to be boring. Kids can experience adrenaline and fast off-road action on this fun mountain bike. With front and rear suspension, an aluminum frame and 21 speeds, this lightweight bike is ready for extreme situations. Check this out!
How to choose a bike for 12 years?
When your child reaches early teens, you may wonder if it’s time to switch to an adult bike.
At first glance, older children and adults may not make much of a difference. However, children’s bikes are manufactured and measured differently than adult bikes. The 26 inch kids bike is very different from the adult XS bike.
The weight, function, size and shape of the bicycle also vary between adult and children’s bicycles. You will need to consider all of the following when choosing a bike for your child:
Please Choose the Correct size
The preteen is growing rapidly. Growth peaks vary widely from child to child. Not all 10-year-olds are the same height and weight. Cleary therefore does not only size your bike according to age.
If the bike is too small, the child will feel tight and even embarrassed while riding. However, if the bicycle is too large, the child may lose control of the bicycle. The age group can guide you or narrow down your options. But to find the best bike for your tween, you need to measure them and get the right bike.
To measure your baby, have him stand flat on the wall with his shoes on. Measure your child’s inside seam (the distance between your child’s crotch and the ground) and compare it to the height of your bike saddle. By measuring your child’s crotch, you can find the perfect bike.
Older children and teens between the ages of 9 and 12 typically have interior seams between 23 and 28 inches. The sizes of these horses are comparable to models of 24 to 26 inch wheeled bikes. However, if your child is taller or smaller than average, it is advisable to explore bikes of different sizes. Consult the bike size chart to find the perfect combination.
It is always best to take your child’s bike with you and have them try out their bikes by size. You can let them sit and test the height of the pedals and get a feel for the weight of the bike. If you are searching for a boy’s bike, have your child get on the top bar, the boy should have 1 inch clearance.
Also See: Best Outdoor Toys For 10-Year-Olds
Adjustable
Adjustable bikes are a must have for growing tweens. Bikes with adjustable seats and handlebars allow the bike to be used for longer, even as the child grows.
When measuring the height of your bike, you need to lower the saddle completely so that it can grow taller as you raise it. If the bike only fits in an already high seat, this indicates that your child will soon outgrow it.
Weight
When discussing between a kid’s bike and a small adult bike, the weight of the bike is an important consideration. Kids ‘bikes are much lighter than adult bikes, so we recommend a 26 inch kids’ bike over the XS adult bike. Bikes that are too heavy for children can be unbalanced and difficult or dangerous to get on and off quickly.
Gear As children reach this age group, they acquire gear management skills and maturity. The introduction of the equipment in the 9-12 age group will prepare the child to switch to an adult bike within a few years.
Unless you choose a beach cruiser with a single speed drivetrain, speeds are usually standard on 24-inch and 26-inch bikes. Gear allows your child to tackle different roads and slopes, expanding the possibilities of horse riding and adventure.
Tire
Older children love to explore a variety of rough terrain, such as gravel, dirt and grass. Durable tires with high grip, such as deep-tread tires, give your child great traction.
Pedal
When choosing a children’s bicycle, you should always check the height of the pedals. Most children in this age group will now learn to ride a bike and be confident enough to balance the bike without having to put their feet on the ground. If so, have your child sit on the bicycle saddle and make sure only the toes touch the ground.
However, if your child is nervous or unfamiliar with horse riding, choose a model that allows you to flatten their feet. As they grow, they raise the seats to allow for adequate leg extensions, allowing safer riders to pedal faster.
Assembly
As soon as his new bike arrives, your child will want to use it. Therefore, choosing an easy-to-assemble bike is an advantage and reduces the headaches of complex assembly. Cleary bikes are very easy to assemble. Your baby can also help you do it! Watch the assembly video to see how easy it is to assemble a Cleary bike.
Optimal bike size for 12 years
Children’s bicycles are the best choice for most children of this age group. Children’s bicycles use children’s specifications. They have narrower seats, smaller brake levers and narrower handlebars.
Designed for children, bicycles make the riding quality of preteens, who are not yet adults, easier and safer. Unless your child is very tall and can carry the weight of an adult bike, the kids model is still the best fit for pre-teens.