After the balance bike, tricycle and possibly 16 inch bike, the time has finally come: The first “real” 20 inch children’s bike! The selection is now almost limitless – but there are still a few things to consider. In an extensive test field, we took a closer look at 13 of the most exciting 20-inch bikes of 2023 - practical, child-friendly and above all with children of different ages and heights. Are you about to make a decision to buy a 20-inch children's bike? We have all the information!
The choice of the first 20 inch children's bike can sometimes be quite difficult, after all you want to provide your child with a (long) suitable bike. Do you need full equipment with lights, side stands and possibly mudguards? What role does the weight of the wheels play? From what age is the 20 inch wheel suitable? Does expensive always mean good? Our colorfully mixed test field should clarify all of this and give an overview of what to look out for. At the end of the article we have listed the tests of all 13 children's bikes for you!
At what age can my child ride a 20 inch bike?
Does a 20 inch children's bike have to be StVZO compliant?
Does my child need gears on the 20 inch bike?
What role does the weight of 20 inch children's bikes play?
Does a suspension fork make sense on a 20-inch children's bike?
Are narrow tires better on 20 inch children's bikes?
What is the best 20 inch kids bike?
At what age can my child ride a 20 inch bike?
This is indeed a difficult question and often varies from bike to bike. Basically, one can say that children from the age of 5 usually get along well with a 20-inch bike. But that doesn't mean that children as young as 4 can't drive 20 inches. The most important thing is that they can safely reach the ground with their feet when stopping! In order to give you the best possible starting point, we have always listed the age and height of our little test pilots in every test.
Does a 20 inch children's bike have to be StVZO compliant?
Legally - if they are used on public roads - 20-inch children's bikes must of course comply with the legal requirements and be equipped with a light system, reflectors and a bell. BUT: Children up to the age of 7 are not actually allowed to ride a bicycle on public roads! So the question is actually superfluous. Of course, reflectors or a lighting system are certainly a "must have" for many people - for example for the way home from the playground in autumn - but at the same time they also increase the weight of the bikes. Not to forget, 4-year-old children often handle the bikes improperly and unintentionally, and it is often the attachments such as lights and mudguards that are the first to be affected. And let's be honest: A mountain bike or a racing bike doesn't comply with the StVZO either...
Does my child need gears on the 20 inch bike?
Yes. At around the age of 5, children get the hang of it very quickly – regardless of whether it’s with a classic gear lever or a twist grip. Once they have internalized the switching processes, the joy of cycling increases immensely. As a parent, it's hard to understand how much fun it is for children to learn how to change gears. But be careful: Some shifters can only be operated with a little more effort, which can cause problems for the children at the beginning.
What role does the weight of 20 inch children's bikes play?
Basically, the lighter the better! However, weight is not everything. A suitable geometry and safe driving characteristics are at least equivalent. It is important to find a healthy mix for your child. A visit to a specialist dealer and a test drive(s) is always recommended and is also a great experience for the children. In each of our tests you will always find the weighed weights of the bikes.
Does a suspension fork make sense on a 20-inch children's bike?
No. On the one hand, suspension forks are significantly heavier than rigid forks, on the other hand, they often don't work properly with the light weight of the children. If you want to ensure more driving comfort and safety off the asphalt, you should do this with the air pressure and the damping properties of the tires. Depending on the weight of the children, there is no need to worry about air pressures below 0,5 bar!
The only exception: the air suspension fork in the Woom Off 4 Air! Adjustable via a damper pump, the suspension fork still worked even with a rider weight of 15 kg. Class!
Are narrow tires better on 20 inch children's bikes?
No. Although narrow 20-inch tires generally roll better than their large-volume counterparts, this is negligible from our point of view. Much more important is the increase in comfort and safety! With the lowest air pressures, the maximum can be achieved for the little ones. Depending on the surface you are driving, you can then decide whether you want a rough tread or a little less profile.
What is the best 20 inch kids bike?
That is the crucial question and our extensive test has shown that it is not that easy to answer either. But what we noticed: The quality of 20-inch children's bikes has improved significantly in recent years. The manufacturers attach much more importance to child-friendly equipment and cleverly try to keep the weight of the small bikes low. Bulls, KUBikes, Woom and Corratec knew how to impress in different ways.
Here you can find all 20 inch children's bikes from our extensive test 2023:
BBF Bulls Centurion corratec frog bikes Giant KU Bikes puky Pyro S'cool Specialized woom