Girls’ bikes have changed a lot since we were young enough to ride them. While most of us learned using training wheels (or the close-your-eyes-and-pray method), kids today have balance bikes, which teach them to keep a bike upright without having to give up the safety net of putting their feet on the ground.
Today’s kids’ bikes are not only safer, more comfortable, and higher quality, but they’re also just more fun to ride. They have geometry that’s better-designed for a more stable ride, higher-quality parts, lighter frames, more size options, wider tires, and hand brakes—all of which add up to a better experience for growing riders. There are even kids’ bikes with suspension forks and disc brakes for young girls who really want to shred.
Here’s what to look for when shopping for a girls’ bike, plus 10 rides we recommend—for everyone from toddlers just learning how to balance, to young rippers looking to send it, and teenagers almost ready to move up to a full-size women’s bike.
More From Bicycling
Sometimes Color Is the Only Difference, But Not Always
If you look at some of the bigger brands’ websites—Trek, Specialized, Liv, Giant—you’ll notice the kids’ category is typically “youth” rather than “girls” and “boys.” And it seems that there’s often no distinction between girls’ and boys’ bikes other than color.
Trek’s website, for example, shows different versions for boys and girls for all six models in its Precaliber line (from the 12-inch up to the 8-speed 24-inch model with suspension). But if you compare the bikes’ components, they’re identical, the only difference being frame-color options. Put the Liv Enchant 20 Lite next to the Giant XTC Jr. 20 Lite, however, and though they might appear to be the same bike with different paint—they have all the same components, after all—you’ll see their geometries are slightly different. The Liv has a longer seat tube, shorter reach, and lower standover height.
“When purchasing a bike for a youth rider, regardless of gender, the most important things to consider are comfort, the rider’s ability to control the bike, and that the bike isn’t too heavy for the rider,” says John Munhall, director of bike product at Liv Cycling. “Much of what leads to different demands and functional nuances for product design between both genders generally doesn’t take place until after the puberty stage for both men and women,” he says.
So if the blue unisex Giant XTC feels and fits her better than the purple girls’ Liv Enchant, go with the more comfortable ride. A bike that feels good and safe will encourage her to get out there more than an uncomfortable one that coincidentally happens to be her favorite color.
Make Sure the Bike Fits, or She Won’t Ride It
Not every bike manufacturer sizes its youth bikes the same way, so it’s important to understand what you’re looking at when perusing different websites. For example, Trek, Cannondale, and Giant use wheel size to group their kids’ bikes, but Trek goes one step further and includes an age group and height range. Specialized breaks down sizing as Toddler, Little Kids, and Big Kids, each followed by an age range.
But any elementary school class photo will show you that kids in the same age group don’t necessarily fall within the same height range. The best plan is to find the size you think works best and use it as a starting point (in addition to the manufacturer’s sizing method, use this handy wheel-size chart). If you can, also have your kid try different sizes at a local shop before buying. One thing you don’t want to do is buy a bike she can grow into—this isn’t her sister’s Easter dress hand-me-down. If the bike is too big, it will, at best, sit unused in the garage. At worst, it will be hard to control and dangerous to ride.
Other Features to Consider
Modern Geometry
Kids’ bikes, like adult models, are getting lower and longer. A bottom bracket that is closer to the ground lowers the bike’s center of gravity, providing more stability and an easier time getting on and off. A longer wheelbase makes the bike less twitchy, which is a bonus as kids begin to develop handling skills.
Wider Tires
For younger girls, look for options with wider, mountain bike-style tires, which offer more grip and can be run at lower pressures for better traction. Save the skinny tires for when she’s ready to start shopping in the “women’s road bikes” category.
Aluminum Frame
Just as you wouldn’t want to pedal a 40-pound road bike uphill, your little one—with her developing leg muscles—doesn’t want to schlep around a heavy bike. Fortunately, there are lighter aluminum options available today than the steel ones we had as kids. Also, some brands hide a lot of weight in the wheels. A bike with aluminum rims and fewer spokes can save another pound.
Gearing
Most kids’ bikes are singlespeed and use a variety of gear combinations. Some are easier to pedal (better for hills), while others are set up with a slightly harder gear (faster on the flats). Most manufacturers list chainring and rear cog sizes so you can compare.
How We Selected
I’ve been riding bikes for decades—and reviewing them for almost as long—but only since becoming a parent have I started to recognize how important bike quality and fit are for even the youngest riders. We tend to think about kids’ bikes as cheap, almost-interchangeable “toys,” but having a lightweight, well-designed bicycle that’s easy to mount and dismount has made all the difference in whether or not my daughter is fired up about going for a ride. I brought that consideration to this selection of bikes, as well as input from the kids of Bicycling’s test editors, who rode many of these bikes and gave feedback about their experiences. We included others based on market research, user reviews, interviews with product managers and designers, and our own thoughts from riding adult bikes from the same brands. Before recommending these bikes, we considered weight, geometry, gearing, quality, value—and because kids grow out of bikes quickly, resale value. These are the nine girls’ bikes we recommend.
Co-op Cycles REV CTY Step-Through Kids’ Bike
Frame: Aluminum | Wheel Size: 24 in. | Gearing: 42/34/24, Shimano Tourney, 14-34, 7-speed | Tires: Kenda Cosmos, 24 x 1.5 in. | Weight: Not listed (Estimated: 26 pounds)
Co-op Cycles Co-op Cycles REV CTY Step-Through Kids' Bike
Co-op Cycles Co-op Cycles REV CTY Step-Through Kids' Bike
Pros
- Step-through frame
- 21 speeds
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Seatpost isn’t quick release
- No kickstand
Step-through frames are easy to mount and dismount due to their sloping or down-angled top tubes, which can go a long way in building kids’ early bike confidence and sense of handling. This unisex kids’ model is a great first multi-speed bike that can grow with your budding cyclist. It has a fairly lightweight aluminum frame and a triple crankset, so it’s ready to tackle the biggest climbs in the neighborhood. Shimano Tourney trigger shifters are easy to operate for kids who are new to shifting or accustomed to twist shifters. The bike feels smooth and stable on both roads and dirt paths.
Spawn Cycles Yogi 16
Frame: Aluminum | Wheel Size: 16 in. | Gearing: Singlespeed | Tires: 16 x 1.90 in. Spawn Cycles Loam Star | Weight: 14 lb.
Pros
- Ultra-low seat height for kids 3 to 5 years old
Cons
- Intermittent stock issues
If you have a mini-ripper in the making, she’ll love the Yoji for its burly frame and beefy tires. Plus, with the bike’s huge range of fun neon options from which to choose, she’ll be the talk of the playground. Made with 6061-T6 aluminum and a streamlined chromoly fork, with Tektro mini V-brakes and kid-size brake levers, the 16-inch Yoji builds on the brand’s best seller, the 16-inch Banshee. Spawn Cycles even made its own custom tires—the 16 x 1.90-inch Spawn Cycles Loam Stars—to really help her shred the gnar. Bonus: It can grow with your daughter, thanks to a stem that can flip to raise the handlebar height, and multiple headset spacers to add even more incremental height.
Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
Frame: Steel | Wheel Size: 12 in. | Gearing: None | Tires: 12-inch foam rubber | Weight: 6.7 lb.
Strider Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
Pros
- Good entryway to riding
- Adjustable seatpost and handlebar height
- Foam tires are flat-proof
Cons
- Balance bikes don't teach pedaling
Bikes without pedals allow tiny riders to learn to balance while pushing off the ground with their feet, before introducing the secondary skill of pedaling. This version in particular is made with flat-proof foam rubber tires and has an adjustable seat height to fit riders with 12- to 20-inch inseams (typically kids from ages two to five years old). The handlebar can be raised, along with the seat, as your little girl grows. It’s also available in red, green, blue, and pink.
Schwinn Elm 20
Frame: Steel | Wheel Size: 20 in. | Gearing: Singlespeed | Tires: Not listed | Weight: Not listed
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Has both hand and coaster brake
- Ground is easy to reach while seated
Cons
- Possible quality control issues
- Flimsy basket
The 20-inch-wheeled Elm, designed for riders 44 to 45 inches tall, is a great next step for when she outgrows her balance bike. A rear-leaning seat tube allows her to put her feet on the ground while seated and still keep the pedals at a comfortable distance, an important confidence-booster for new riders. Hand levers let her hone her skill of controlled braking, but a coaster brake is also present as backup while she learns. A built-in chain guard helps protect her fingers and feet, and keeps the chain in place through falls and careless tosses in the driveway. A tool-free, adjustable seatpost makes it easy to accommodate her as she grows (or passes it down to a sibling), and the included front basket adds charm and carrying capacity.
Electra Sprocket 16 Kids Bike
Frame: Aluminum | Wheel Size: 16 in. | Gearing: Singlespeed | Tires: 16 x 2.15 in. | Weight: 20 lb.
Pros
- Removable training wheels
- Flat-resistant tires
- Has both hand and coaster brake
Cons
- Likely to be outgrown quickly
If you decide to go the old-school, training-wheels route instead of the balance-bike route when teaching your kid to ride, this cute little singlespeed is the perfect place to start. Sporting removable training wheels and both a rear coaster brake and front hand brake, the Sprocket 16 makes it easy for preschoolers and kindergartners to embark on their first two-wheeled adventures. Plus, Electra builds its bikes with another confidence-boosting feature: geometry that allows the rider to sit on the saddle while planting her feet on the ground. Once she’s ready to balance on her own, just remove the training wheels and watch her go on the bike’s cushy, smooth-rolling Kevlar tires—ideal for cruising the neighborhood, nearby park trails, and wherever else her heart takes her.
Cannondale Girls Trail Single-Speed 20
Frame: Aluminum | Wheel Size: 20 in. | Gearing: Singlespeed | Tires: Not listed | Weight: 20.4 lb.
Cannondale Cannondale Girl's Kids Trail Single-Speed 20
Cannondale Cannondale Girl's Kids Trail Single-Speed 20
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Lightweight frame
Cons
- Limited stock and colors available
- Single gear can be limiting
- Has only a coaster brake
This singlespeed bike will get your kid excited to ride. With just the single gear and a coaster brake, all she has to do is pedal forward to go and backward to stop. The stable tires (20 x 1.75 inches) help her stay balanced and planted on sidewalks and bike paths, and a kickstand lets her park wherever she wants. This 20-inch bike is best suited for girls ages 5 through 8. Though the aluminum bike might feel relatively light to you, the single gear restricts her ability to pedal up steeper hills, so it’s best to stick to flat routes on this one.
Cannondale Quick 24
Frame: Aluminum | Wheel Size: 24 in. | Gearing: Sunrace, 11-28, 7-speed | Tires: Kenda Small Block 8, 24 x 1.5 in. | Weight: 20 lb.
Pros
- Good quality
- Reliable rim brakes
- 7 speeds with a twist shifter
Cons
- Available in acid red color only
This 7-speed bike will get your kid excited to ride and foster her love of cycling for the long-term. The stable tires (24 x 1.5 inches) help her stay balanced and planted on sidewalks, bike lanes, and dirt paths. The Shimano Tourney twist shifter is intuitive for a new rider, and gives her access to seven gears for tackling all the neighborhood’s ups and downs. Best suited for girls ages 7 through 11—who should have no trouble mounting, dismounting, and handling the low-standover frame—this bike is the perfect transition from first singlespeed to big-kid bike. We only wish they made girls bikes this high-quality and cool when we were learning to ride.
Trek Precaliber 24
Frame: Aluminum | Wheel Size: 24 in. | Gearing: 32t, SunRace MFM56I, 13-34, 8-speed | Tires: Bontrager XR1, wire bead, 27 tpi, 24 x 2.25 in. | Weight: 26.31 lb.
Pros
- Suspension fork
- Relatively lightweight
Cons
- Magenta is currently the only color in stock
This 24-inch-wheeled bike is suited for most riders ages 8 to 12. It has a sturdy, light aluminum frame with a 45mm-travel suspension fork to smooth out the sidewalk and soak up small bumps on the trail. Yep, trail. This bike can handle some tame singletrack and dirt paths. The 8-speed Shimano drivetrain has a 32-tooth chainring up front and a 13-34 cassette, which offers a super-light range, is easy on little legs, and still provides enough gears that she can hold her own when you challenge her to a mother-daughter race to the park. Bonus: Along with those of most bikes on this list, the parts on the Precaliber 24 are replaceable, including the derailleur hanger.
Public Bikes C7 24”
Frame: Steel | Wheel Size: 24 in. | Gearing: 7-speed | Tires: Not listed | Weight: Not listed
Pros
- Comfortable, upright cruiser
- 7-speed shifting for hilly routes
Cons
- Not meant for off-road
The Public Bikes C7 is just plain adorable. It has a classic steel frame designed to let her comfortably sit upright for mellow rides through the neighborhood, and smooth tires more ideal for cruising pavement than dirt. Splashing through puddles can still be fun thanks to fenders that keep rain water off her backside. The 7-speed Shimano Tourney shifters make hills easier, especially with this heavier steel frame, and 24-inch wheels help her keep up with friends and family who have bigger bikes. Public offers three ways to receive your bike: unassembled and straight to your door at no charge, 99 percent assembled and direct to your door along with the tools to finish the job (starting at $149), and to one of its assembly partners near you who will have it ready to ride within 10 days (starting at $50). The C7 comes with a kickstand, if you should choose to use it, and is also available in seafoam and saffron. Looking for a little flair or an add-on gift for later?
