Best Kids’ Mountain Bikes — Top Choices for Casual Riders and Young Pros

Mountain biking is one of the most exciting and rewarding sports you can do as a child, and learning from a young age will make riding as an adult safer and more enjoyable. 

The best kids’ mountain bikes make off-road riding fun, safe, and comfortable. In addition, these bikes should be able to take a beating and keep going. 

There are three styles in our list of the best mountain bikes for kids, each with pros and cons. These styles include rigid mountain bikes, hardtails (front suspension), and full-suspension MTBs. 

This article will outline how to choose the perfect mountain bike for your child, followed by a selection of bikes with varying designs and prices to suit a wide range of riders. 

Best Kids’ Mountain Bikes

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Co-op Cycles REV 20 Plus 6-Speed Kids’ Bike

• Price: $399
• Wheel Size: 20″
• Weight: 24lbs
• Gears: 6
• Recommended for: Kids aged 6-8

Co-op Cycles’ REV Plus 20″ is the best beginner mountain bike for kids who want to learn to ride off-road on easy trails. 

Some of the highlights of this bike include the wide 2.6″ Slant Six Sport tires which provide excellent traction, the mechanical disc brakes for reliable stopping power, and the comfortable and stable trail geometry. 

Other notable features are the adjustable Revo twist shifter and simple 1×6-speed drivetrain that make shifting quick and straightforward. 

Unfortunately, the REV Plus 20″ isn’t capable of anything more than light trails as it is pretty heavy (24lbs), and the derailleur hangs relatively low, increasing the risk of striking obstacles. 

For just $400, this is definitely one of the best kids’ mountain bikes worth considering for any child aged six to eight years who wants to try out light off-road riding.

Buy from REI

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Specialized Riprock 24″ Kids’ Bike

• Price: $700
• Wheel Size: 24″
• Weight: 23 lb, 9.4 oz
• Gears: 9-speed
• Recommended for: Kids 47″ – 56″ tall

The Specialized Riprock 24″ model is a rigid mountain bike for kids that would make a great neighborhood cruiser or introductory trail bike. 

One benefit of this bike is the child-specific componentry, including the handlebar, saddle, grips, and stem. These features provide a more comfortable, controlled, and enjoyable ride quality for young kids. 

The lightweight, responsive aluminum frame is easy to handle and fast when riding uphill. Similarly, the high-power hydraulic disc brakes enhance the Riprock’s capabilities on mountain trails. 

Related: 24-Inch Bike for What Size Person?

The 24 x 2.35″ tires are fast on pavement and provide sufficient traction on light off-road terrains. In addition, a 9-speed microSHIFT Advent rear derailleur simplifies gearing but ensures enough range to tackle moderate hills. 

In summary, the stylish Specialized RipRock would make a fun and long-lasting bike for any child who wants versatility and comfort. 

Buy from Specialized.com

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woom OFF 4, 5, and 6

• Price: $799 – $899
• Wheel Size: 20″, 24″, 26″
• Weight: 17.2, 18.9, 20.5lbs
• Gears: 9
• Recommended for: Kids aged 6-8, 7-11, 10-14 years

Woom’s OFF series is up there with the best kids’ mountain bikes you can buy in terms of price, versatility, and quality. 

Each component on woom bikes is specifically designed for children to provide the most comfortable, safe, and tailored ride experience.

The ergonomic, child-specific components include the saddle, handlebars, grips, brake levers, cranks, and bottom bracket. The only downside of these components is that they are hard to replace. 

The OFF bikes are impressively lightweight, weighing 17.2, 18.9, and 20.5lbs. Their low weight and shock-absorbing carbon fiber forks make them the perfect entry-level trail bike. However, the lack of suspension means serious trail riders should upgrade to the OFF Air to advance their off-road riding. 

Other notable features of the OFF bikes include the powerful Promax hydraulic disc brakes, wide Schwalbe Rocket Ron tires that provide exceptional traction and comfort, and the broad 9-speed trigger-shift drivetrain. 

It’s also worth noting that the OFF Air is available to select from the same page. The Air is a hardtail mountain bike option of the regular woom OFF bikes and the perfect upgrade for any ambitious mountain bikers.

All in all, if you want to buy the ultimate kids’ bike for your child to fall in love with off-road riding, look no further than the woom’s OFF. 

Buy from Woom

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Prevelo Zulu Three

• Price: $969
• Wheel Size: 20″
• Weight: 23lbs
• Gears: 10
• Recommended for: Kids aged 5.5 – 9 years / Inseam 21″ – 26″

The Prevelo Zulu Three is the first hardtail on this list and is a strong option for kids who want the confidence and performance to ride on more difficult mountain trails.

The Zulu Three is versatile enough to be a comfy neighborhood cruiser or singletrack shredder. It has a lightweight, durable triple-butted aluminum frame, slack geometry, a low bottom bracket for improved stability and control, and a child-specific HEIR 80mm travel air fork.

Other features that increase off-road performance include the tubeless-ready wheelset, Stealth dropper post compatibility for improved descending, Kenda Small Block 2.1″ tires, and powerful hydraulic disc brakes.

Prevelo paid attention to every detail of this bike, making essential modifications such as using a short derailleur to avoid rock strikes and tailored crank sizes to ensure the perfect fit for each bike size. 

The Prevelo Zulu Three comes at a high price for a kids’ MTB, but it over-delivers on performance and versatility, making it one of the best kids’ mountain bikes for aspiring mountain bikers who want to test their limits.

Buy from Prevelo

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Co-op Cycles REV DRT Kids’ Bike

• Price: $529
• Wheel Size: 24″
• Weight: 31lbs
• Gears: 8
• Recommended for: Kids aged 8-12

Co-op Cycles’ REV DRT kids bike is an affordable off-roader with reliable components and a durable build. 

The standout features of this boy’s mountain bike are the powerful Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, 80mm SR Suntour XCT fork suspension, and extra-wide 2.6″ Slant Six Sport tires. This combination ensures good trail performance, but the fork is very heavy and may not perform well for light riders. 

While the REV DRT does have great off-road features and a broad 8-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain, the heavy weight of 31lbs makes it cumbersome for climbing and tricky to maneuver for smaller kids. In addition, the derailleur hangs low to the ground, which increases the chance of damage. 

Choose the REV DRT as a reliable workhorse for older kids who want more from their mountain bike; however, be aware of the high weight.

Buy from REI

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Cannondale Habit 26

• Price: $1,650
• Wheel Size: 26″
• Weight: N/A
• Gears: 10-speed
• Recommended for: Kids 4’6″ – 5’2″

The Cannondale Habit 26″ is the first kids’ full-suspension mountain bike on this list. It is a stylish and capable bike that will allow any child to take their mountain biking skills to the next level. 

The Habit 26 is all about performance off-road. As such, it’s built upon a lightweight aluminum frame with Cannondale’s SmartForm C3 alloy, combining a 120mm SR Suntour XCR34 fork with a 120mm X-Fusion O2 Pro rear shock. 

The high-travel suspension, 2.4″ WTB Vigilante tires, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, and dropper post compatibility ensure excellent control, speed, and performance even on advanced singletrack trails. 

The drivetrain chosen by Cannondale combines a smooth-shifting microSHIFT Advent X 1×10-speed derailleur with an 11-48t cassette and MicroSHIFT shifters. The combination of a 1×10 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes means that the Cannondale Habit 26 offers real mountain biking performance, making it a great choice for aspiring pros.

If you want to give your child a confidence-inspiring ride that will allow them to grow and develop as a mountain biker, look no further than the Cannondale Habit 26. 

Buy from REI

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Priority Start 20

• Price: $379
• Wheel Size: 20″
• Weight: 19.5 lb
• Gears: 3-speed rear hub
• Recommended for: 3’9″-4’3″

The Priority Start 20 is a 3-speed rigid mountain bike with unique component choices, comfortable geometry, and a versatile design. 

This bike is built on a lightweight aluminum frame with a rigid fork that keeps the weight down, but doesn’t offer too much vibration absorption. This means that the Start 20 is not suitable for harsh trail rides, but it’s a good choice for light trails and light off-road riding.

This bike also comes with simple front and rear V-brakes, multi-surface 20″ tires, and a comfortable child-specific saddle. 

The star of the show is the belt drivetrain paired with a 3-speed internal gear hub. This setup lowers maintenance and increases durability, which means that the Priority Start 20 is resistant to trail abuse.

All in all, Priority has thought of everything when making this rigid kids’ MTB. You won’t be able to tackle advanced trails, but it would make a great beginner trail bike for kids, and it won’t break the bank. 

Buy from PriorityBicycles.com

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Schwinn High Timber 24″

• Price: Check on Amazon
• Wheel Size: 24″
• Weight: 30lbs
• Gears: 21
• Recommended for: Kids size 56″+

Schwinn’s High Timber 24″ is a cheap kids’ mountain bike with front suspension and lots of gearing.

Schwinn chose a 3×7-speed drivetrain to ensure riders can tackle steep gradients without issue. The downside of this setup is the added complexity for shifting and the increased maintenance and repair requirements. 

The High Timber comes with wide, knobbly tires that provide traction and control on loose off-road surfaces and in wet weather. In addition, the upright geometry ensures a high degree of comfort when cruising around the neighborhood. 

Unfortunately, many reviewers highlight the difficulty in assembling the bike and that the brake levers aren’t ideal for smaller hands. Nonetheless, the step-through frame is perfect for a girls’ mountain bike.

We think the High Timber is one of the best kids’ mountain bikes in the sub-$400 category but doesn’t quite live up to some of the other similarly-priced models on this list. 

Buy on Amazon

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Trek Wahoo Trail 24

• Price: $700
• Wheel Size: 24″
• Weight: 23.59 lbs
• Gears: 9-speed
• Recommended for: Kids 4’3″ – 4’11”

The Trek Wahoo 24 Trail is the best kids 24″ mountain bike, thanks to its affordability, versatility, and fun, confidence-inspiring ride quality. 

Trek’s mountain bike design expertise is evident in the lightweight aluminum frame with a modern trail geometry that delivers a stable and comfortable feel on rough trails. 

To complement the geometry, you have a combination of a lightweight and vibration-absorbing carbon fork, Kenda Amrak 2.2″ tires, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with child-specific levers.

The drivetrain of choice is microSHIFT Advent 9-speed, with an 11-42t cassette. This drivetrain makes shifting simple and quick, with more than sufficient gearing for climbing hills. 

All things considered, the Trek Wahoo 24 Trail is among the best kids’ mountain bikes as it delivers a balance between off-road performance and urban comfort that would allow any child to fall in love with trail riding and cycling in general (without the huge price tag). 

Buy from Trekbikes.com

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Diamondback Line 24

• Price: $800
• Wheel Size: 24″
• Weight: ~29 lbs
• Gears: 8-speed
• Recommended for: 53”-62” tall

The Diamondback Line 24″ kids’ bike is a budget-friendly option with a front suspension fork and simple but reliable components. 

This kids’ hardtail mountain bike is an excellent choice for ages eight to twelve who want to rip up their local trails. Just be aware of the heavier design for smaller kids. 

The suspension used is an SR Suntour XCT fork with 80 mm of travel, which is enough to tackle light trails and gravel roads. This setup comes with low, slack geometry to ensure control and comfort on difficult trails. In addition, Diamondback included powerful Tektro mechanical disc brakes and CST 2.25″ tires that improve grip and control on rough terrain. 

The drivetrain on the Line 24 is a reliable SRAM X4 8-speed setup with an 11-32t cassette designed for crushing moderately steep gradients. 

This Diamondback kids’ mountain bike is affordable and a solid option if you want to nurture your young aspiring mountain biker. 

Buy from Diamondback.com

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Cannondale Trail Plus 24″

• Price: $550
• Wheel Size: 24″
• Weight: 24 lbs. 8.2 oz.
• Gears: 8-speed
• Recommended for: 24″-28″ inseam (8-12 years)

The Cannondale Trail Plus is a 24″ bike designed to give children an introduction to tackling mountain trails at a very young age. 

Children switching from a balance bike or training wheels for the first time will love the Trail Plus as it is optimized for control and stability.

The 2.6″ Kenda Slant Six tires provide incredible traction off-road and in wet weather, and Tektro mechanical disc brakes ensure safe stopping no matter the conditions.

Each of the components used is made by Cannondale and designed to be ergonomic and comfortable for young kids, helping to foster their love for riding trails. The downside of this bike is that it could be heavy for some children, weighing over 24 lbs. 

This bike is not too expensive considering the list of components it comes with, so it would make a great introductory mountain bike for your child so that they can fall in love with mountain biking. 

Buy from REI

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Diamondback El Oso Nino 20

• Price: $675
• Wheel Size: 20″
• Weight: 30lbs
• Gears: 7
• Recommended for: Kids aged 4-9 / 44-54″ tall

The Diamondback El Oso Nino 20″ is a fat tire mountain bike for young kids who are ready to hit the trails.

The El Oso Nino has a durable steel frame and fork. The benefit of this steel fork is it adds extra shock absorption, making trail riding less fatiguing. However, it means this bike weighs more, coming in at 30 lbs, far too much for a young child.

Diamondback chose 7-speed gearing with a 14-28t cassette and 40t crank, sufficient for climbing light hills. The twist shifters also make shifting simple.

Chaoyang 4″ tires are huge a knobbly to provide confidence and stability on any terrain you encounter. Other helpful features include the mechanical disc brakes and child-specific touchpoints.

All in all, choose the El Oso Nino 20 is an affordable fat tire choice to help your child fall in love with hitting the trails and last a long time. 

Buy from REI

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LIV STP 20 FS

• Price: $600
• Wheel Size: 20″
• Weight: N/A
• Gears: 7-speed
• Recommended for: 3’9″ – 4’3″

The Liv STP 20 FS is one of the best kids’ mountain bikes for girls you’ll find. It’s an affordable hardtail mountain bike with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to smart component choice and frame design. 

Liv’s ALUXX-Grade Aluminum frameset is lightweight and responsive, and is designed with slack geometry to ensure a high degree of stability off-road. This stability is boosted further by the wide 2.2″ Kenda Amrak tires.

The 7-speed Shimano drivetrain comes with an Altus derailleur and Revo twist shifters. Additionally, a 12-32t cassette and 30T crank provide enough gearing for climbing steep sections on the trail. The one downside is that it’s a little heavy for hill climbing. 

Tektro hydraulic disc brakes complete the groupset, delivering enough power for most kids and providing reliable stopping no matter the conditions. Additionally, kid-specific levers make it easy to reach and modulate the brakes. 

There’s no doubt that Liv bikes are high quality, so be sure to consider the STP 20 FS if you’re looking for a long-lasting girls’ mountain bike for your seven to twelve-year-old. 

Buy from MikesBikes.com

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Prevelo Alpha Four

• Price: $449
• Wheel Size: 24″
• Weight: 21.1lbs
• Gears: 9
• Recommended for: Kids 7-11 years old / Inseam 23″ – 28″

The Prevelo Alpha Four is an exceptionally versatile and fun rigid mountain bike for children. Its lightweight design and child-specific components make riding a joy.

Prevelo chose a low and stable rider position for this bike to ensure control and confidence when riding off-road. The narrow Q-factor also makes each pedal stroke comfortable and efficient.

The tires used are Kenda Small Block Eight Pro 1.5″ all-terrain models, which balance fast rolling speeds on pavement with durability and traction when venturing onto light trails. 

The drivetrain is a MicroSHIFT 9-speed that pairs with precise trigger shifters and an 11-36t cassette. Another benefit of this drivetrain is the short hangar and derailleur cage, providing more ground clearance.  

The one weak point of this bike is the rim brakes. These aren’t as safe in wet weather, but all in all, this is an impressive bike by Prevelo with an affordable price tag, perfect for kids who enjoy riding on a wide range of terrains. 

Buy from Prevelo

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BMC Twostroke 20

• Price: $740
• Wheel Size: 20″
• Weight limit: 132 lb
• Gears: 8-speed
• Recommended for: Kids 3’7″ – 4’5″ tall

The BMC Twostroke 20 is the best rigid European-made mountain bike for kids, with tons of capability and an affordable price to match.

The aluminum frame is lightweight and makes riding trails safe, controlled, and fun. In addition, the 1x drivetrain makes pedaling more efficient and fun.

Kenda Booster 20 x 2.4″ tires with deep tread provide tons of traction and durability on rough trails, and they are tubeless-ready for when you want to boost capabilities further.

The groupset is by SRAM, with a slightly underwhelming 8-speed drivetrain. Nonetheless, the 11-34t cassette provides plenty of range for tackling steep gradients, and powerful Tektro hydraulic disc brakes ensure reliable and powerful stopping. 

Overall, this kids’ mountain bike offers good value for the money, making it one of the best kids’ mountain bikes on this list. So pick the BMC Twostroke 20 if you’ve got an ambitious young mountain biker at home and it fits your budget. 

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Buyer’s Guide for Best Kids’ Mountain Bikes

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Sizing

Sizing is the most important consideration when choosing a kids’ bike; the best kids’ mountain bike is the one that fits perfectly. A good fit means more comfort and control and, as a result, safety and fun. Conversely, riding a bike that’s too big or small makes pedaling difficult and could lead to crashes or injuries.

Before choosing a bike, measure your child’s inseam length and height, and, where possible, use these to find the appropriate size. The manufacturer’s recommended age range is a good starting point, but it is inaccurate. A child should:

• Be able to touch the ground with the balls of their feet while sitting on the saddle.
• Stand over the top tube with an inch of clearance. 
• Reach the handlebars comfortably.

Price

Kids’ bikes should be cheaper than equivalent adult bikes as children grow out of them after two to four years. For this reason, it’s best to purchase an entry to mid-level bicycle, but the more you spend, the longer it is likely to last and the higher the resale value. 

The price of mountain bikes varies primarily based on the style (rigid, hardtail, full-suspension), as suspension components are costly. Therefore, hardtails are more expensive than rigid MTBs, and full-suspension bikes cost the most. 

You can find a mix of excellent rigid MTBs and hardtails for kids from $300 to $1,000. In general, full-suspension models will cost over $1,500. By choosing a reliable manufacturer and maximizing your budget to get one of the best kids’ mountain bikes for the money, you’ll save yourself future headaches. 

Weight

Parents often overlook bike weight, but it contributes hugely to whether or not your child will enjoy riding it.

Weight is particularly significant for mountain bikes as maneuvering the bike over obstacles and riding up steep gradients are much harder with a heavier bike. 

Most kids’ mountain bikes weigh 16 to 28lbs, but cheap off-brand bikes can weigh even more. So try to get the lightest bike possible; your kid will thank you! 

Brakes and Brake Levers

Mountain biking requires frequent, hard braking on different surfaces and in varied weather conditions, so good brakes are essential for staying safe and in control.

Rim brakes are adequate for most riding styles, but their performance degrades significantly in wet weather, and they don’t offer the same power as disc brakes. So to maximize safety and confidence for your child, try to choose a bike with disc brakes (hydraulic discs being the most powerful and consistent).

Additionally, consider the design of the brake levers. Most of the best kids’ mountain bikes come with child-specific brake levers that have shorter reach and are adjustable to fit smaller hands. This design helps ensure your child can brake safely and comfortably at all times. 

Gearing

The best mountain bike for kids should have simple, easy-to-use gearing. Single chainring (1x) drivetrains minimize the complexity of changing gears, and they impart the added benefit of being more durable and easier to maintain.

Look for a bike with six to nine gears, as this is plenty for tackling a variety of gradients and maintaining speed on flats. 

The other consideration is shifting. Trigger shifters are smoother, more precise, and easier to use after some practice. However, their downside is higher cost, so manufacturers are reluctant to use them on cheaper bikes. In contrast, twist shifters cost less and are easier to use but are imprecise. 

Suspension

Adding suspension is usually better for adult MTBs but choosing a kids’ mountain bike with suspension isn’t always better. Cheap suspension components for kids’ bikes add unnecessary weight and maintenance requirements without much benefit.

Children typically don’t ride very rough or advanced trails, and they often aren’t heavy enough to compress the suspension. 

Rigid mountain bikes are adequate for most riders, and they benefit from the lower weight and durability. However, if your child wants to ride more demanding trails or try downhill mountain biking, choose a bike with lightweight suspension components such as the Prevelo Zulu Three or the full-suspension like Marin’s Rift Zone Jr.

Wheels and Tires 

Finally, wheels and tires can make or break the experience of riding a mountain bike. Heavy, cumbersome wheels can make a bike feel sluggish. Look out for lightweight alloy wheels to improve the ride quality of a kids’ bike. Durability shouldn’t be too much of an issue as kids are lighter and are unlikely to be tackling big jumps. 

Likewise, tires heavily impact the way a bike feels. For small diameter wheels, anything around 2″ is wide enough and will benefit by being lighter. Unfortunately, many kids’ bike manufacturers have recently chosen plus-sized tires, which can be pretty heavy without much benefit.

If your child plans to ride a lot on the pavement and trails, choose one of the best kids’ mountain bikes with a narrower tire below so they can keep up with their friends. 

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Parents Also Ask

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About the Author

Jordan Grimes

Jordan Grimes is an avid cyclist who loves to travel and has found his bike to be perfect company on road trips in the USA, through national parks, and in countries such as Canada, Ireland, and Spain.

His passion for travel and work in the tourism and hospitality sector has allowed him to live in incredible places like Ireland, Canada, the USA, and the Cayman Islands. He has since relocated to southern Spain, where he works as a freelance writer, practicing Spanish and cycling in the famous Sierra Nevada mountains. He specializes in writing cycling blog articles, health and performance-related topics, and other informative pieces. You can contact him on Linkedin.