Kids mountain bikes enable young riders to explore new trails or ride off-road places that regular bikes can’t go. Both girls and boys alike will enjoy being able to go off road with their bike.

Getting the best kids mountain bike for boys or girls does not have to cost a fortune to allow them to ride comfortably and safely.

With a mountain bike they can work off energy, go on uphill and downhill adventures or follow the biking passion of their parents even if it’s offroad!

Best Kids Mountain Bikes

	Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike	Raleigh Bikes Tokul Kids Mountain Bike	Diamondback Bicycles Cobra Kids Mountain Bike
For:	Boys	Boys	Boys
Ages:	5-9	8-12	4-9
Gears:	6 speed	7 speed	7 speed
Size/Weight:	20", 25 lbs	24", 28 lbs	20", 28 lbs
Brakes:	Rim	Disc brakes	Rim
Rating:	4.6 / 5.0	4.6 / 5.0	5.0 / 5.0

For more of my biking gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits guide links: Bike Helmets, Bike Locks, Bike Lights.

Quick Answer: The Best Rated Mountain Bikes For Kids

1. Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike
2. Raleigh Tokul Kids Mountain Bike
3. Diamondback Bicycles Cobra Kids Mountain Bike
4. Mongoose Girls Exlipse Mountain Bike
5. Diamondback Tess 20 Complete Youth Bike
6. Schwinn High Timber Kids Mountain Bike

Our reviews of the top rated kids mountain bikes with our comparison table and buyers guide will help you choose the right bike for your child.

Kids Mountain Bike Reviews

We have reviewed some great mountain bikes for boys and girls. First we’ll cover the boys mountain bikes followed by the girls. Let’s get to it!

Best Boys Mountain Bikes

#1 Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike

Most everyone has heard of the Huffy brand. They have a reputation for making decent quality bikes at very reasonable prices.

This 20” bike (several sizes are available) features a very slanted frame made from aluminum alloy and optimized for riders 5 to 9.

With a suspension fork, aspiring mountain bikers can take the Huffy on bumpy trails and rocky terrain. 6 gears leave plenty of options for uphill pedaling and downhill speeding with all Shimano parts.

The tires are standard 1.95″ width with an all-terrain profile with “V” brakes will allow your child to stop quickly.

Compared to other bikes you will see on Amazon of a similar price, the parts and components are better quality.

The 6 speeds are a simple, uncomplicated setup that will provide enough range for most riding conditions.

The Huffy speed kids mountain bike is available in several colors and comes almost completely assembled: you’ll have to put on the front wheel, stem, seatpost and pedals.

You also get a limited one-year warranty on parts and a lifetime warranty on the frame.

#2 Raleigh Bikes Tokul Kids Mountain Bike

The Raleigh Tokul is a slightly higher-priced kids mountain bike that offers good value for the money.

This 24” model weighs around 28 pounds and comes with a low standover height of 25.1”. Recommended ages are 8 to 12 years with a rider’s height of 53” to 61”.

The frame is made from aluminum with a very slanted top tube, paired with a suspension fork with 50mm of travel to make any trail less rocky.

The tires are 1.95” wide that can attack any terrain, and the 7 speeds ensures sufficient gears yet easy shifting with Shimano parts. This bike pays attention to detail with a chain guard on the crank wheel.

This is the only model around $400 in our selection that comes with disc brakes. They are mechanical and provide plenty of stopping power, making the Tokul mountain bike perfect for young downhill riders.

At the same time, this feature is a minor downside since they require more initial setup and a little more maintenance than rim brakes in order to function properly.

All in all, this is one of the best boys mountain bikes in it’s price range. Due to a low frame height, boys as young as 8 years can ride this bike, and use it for years because the seat height can be raised quite a bit to accommodate them as they grow!

#3 Diamondback Bicycles Cobra Kids Mountain Bike

The Diamondback Bicycles Cobra is a 20” boy’s mountain bike designed for younger riders. Despite the wheel size, the recommended age is 4 to 9 years with a rider’s height from 44” to 54”.

This is due to the frame design: the standover height is 19.5”, whereas the top tube is only 16” long. This allows shorter riders to comfortably reach the handlebars.

Diamondback Bicycles uses a steel frame, which can take lot of abuse, but makes for a heavier bike.

At 2” width, the wheels are slightly thicker and feature a great knobby profile, perfect for all sorts of terrain and good traction. The suspension fork shocks have 40mm of travel.

Shifting is straightforward because there is only one crank wheel with a double chain guard. The system uses all Shimano parts and the total of 7 gears are plenty for most hills and speed.

The Cobra offers good value for a low price with durable parts and makes mountain biking easily accessible for adventurous riders and off-roaders.

Small downsides are that it’s less suitable for taller kids and that the handlebars seem to require maintenance in the form of tightening now and then. Overall it’s one of the best mountain bikes for kids for a very reasonable price!

Best Mountain Bikes For Girls

#4 Mongoose Girls Exlipse Kids Mountain Bike

The Mongoose Exlipse girl’s mountain bike is a budget model but even at its low price point it features a full suspension with front and rear shock absorbers on the steel frame.

Recommended for ages 8 to 11 years, this mountain bike is perfect for first off-road experiences, general cruising and light trails.

The durable steel frame makes makes for a slightly heavier bike and has a lower standover height. With a total of 21 gears pedaling there is a gear for any situation.

The front crankset is protected by an outer chain guard, and a Shimano cassette in the rear provides smooth shifting. The SRAM grip shifters are straightforward and easy to use for kids while the linear side-pull brakes provide plenty of stopping power.

The Mongoose Exlipse girl’s mountain bike is a great everyday ride for a low price.

Cons for the bike are the extra weight due to the steel frame, and the fact that the dual suspension needs more maintenance than a rigid frame model. Overall, it may be the best 24 inch mountain bike in its price range!

#5 Diamondback Lustre 20 Complete Mountain Bike

The Diamondback Lustre Bike is competitively priced and geared towards girls with a nifty design in pink with comfort features.

Easy shifting, a dual suspension system and smooth riding, this 20” model is built for girls aged 7 to 10 years with an inseam of 22” to 25”.

The steel frame comes with a shock absorber in the rear and a suspension fork. The tires feature a knobby profile for good traction in any environment.

The seat can easily be adjusted to find the right riding position.

The crank wheel comes with a dual chain guard, and a total of 6 gears allows for a variety of pedaling with sufficient speeds. Thanks to a simple trigger shifter, young riders can easily learn the technique of shifting.

The rim brakes in the front and rear making stops reliable and safe. For less than $150, the Lustre is a kids mountain bike suitable for beginners as well as more advanced girl riders.

#6 Schwinn High Timber Kids Mountain Bike

The Schwinn High Timber kids mountain bike is great for young trail enthusiasts. At 24”, this bicycle is made for girls 8 to 12. It comes with front suspension and many small features that make it a good value for just under $250.

Schwinn uses a low steel frame that is nearly step-through for this mountain bike, which results in a very low standover height and almost a city bike look.

Yet the features of this bike tells you it’s ready for mountain biking: the suspension fork will smooth out rough trails, and the seat is athletic yet comfortable. The standard mountain bike tires provide traction thanks to an all-terrain profile.

With 21 speeds, shifting through the large number of gears is easy with the high end SRAM grip shifters. Both wheels and seat can be adjusted quickly without tools for height adjustment on the go and varying pedal positions.

With the Schwinn High Timber, girls can enjoy riding to school, trails, gravel, mud and pavement adventures with one of the best kids MTB!

Kids Mountain Bike Comparison Table

How to Choose the Best Kids Mountain Bike

• Deciding on the Right Model
• Size & Fit
• Frame
• Fork
• Tires
• Gears
• Brakes
• FAQs: About Kids Mountain Bikes
• Conclusion

Deciding on the Right Model

Size and fit of the bike are the most important aspects, so the child can handle the bike securely and ergonomically. We’ve noted the recommended height and age for each model.

Apart from wheel size, also pay attention to components such as frame and fork, tires, gears and brakes.

It’s most important to get the size right for a kids mountain bike. Compared to adult bicycles, these models are already more affordable, so there is no need to attempt to get a better value by letting a child “grow into a bike.”

This will only overwhelm them with an unwieldy machine they can’t control. Less is more, which goes for other features as well. Children don’t need all the fancy extras adult bikes have – a lower weight is better.

In the following guide, we’ll go over the basics of sizing and fitting a kids mountain bike as well as other important features so you can make an informed decision for your child.

Size & Fit

For kids bikes, the wheels largely determine the proportions of the bicycle, more so than for adult bikes. Bike sizes specified in the review above refer to wheel size.

Models for children range between 12” and 24”, with 26” being the standard adult size. The bike is a good fit if the rider can easily stand across the frame, comfortably reach the pedals from the saddle and grab the handlebar without having to overreach.

The saddle is too high if the child is “squirming” in the seat while pedaling, that is if they have to move their and the legs are straight or overextended on the downturn.

Frame

The frame is the largest part of any kids mountain bike, and it adds considerably to the overall mass. For children, that can easily make up a significant percentage of their bodyweight.

A too heavy kids mountain bike becomes unwieldy to push, difficult to handle and clumsy to ride. Most manufacturers strike a balance between durability and weight by selecting aluminum or aluminum alloy as a strong yet light material.

It comes with good flexibility for absorbing bumps, is lightweight and resistant to corrosion and quite affordable. Steel parts are heavier and even stronger, but a full steel frame is rare for a kids mountain bike.

Fork

You basically have the choice between a rigid or suspension fork for a kids mountain bike. Suspension makes for a smoother ride, but really is only called for if your child will move on to more technical trails over the lifetime of the bike.

For cross-country riding, a rigid fork is absolutely sufficient. A suspension fork is great for steep downhill paths with many bumpy patches. But keep in mind that a rigid fork teaches young riders to look for the “smoothest” path.

They’ll learn how to handle a bike well. A rigid fork is maintenance-free and comes at lower cost and weight than a suspension fork.

Tires

The tires on a kids mountain bike influence comfort and stability. A wider tire means more surface area and more contact with the ground, as well as more cushion.

The profile should fit the terrain the child will encounter most, whether that is gravel, dust and dirt paths, wet mud or rocky trails.

Your best bet will be an all-around model – most manufacturers put a decent set of tires on children’s bike that fit a range of riding situations.

Gears

While it’s useful to have gears on a kids mountain bike, it can confuse the youngest of riders, especially the finer notions of shifting.

An array of gears will make it that much easier to pedal uphill or sustain a higher speed over time, but not knowing how to shift properly can introduce stress on the chain or make it jump the wheels.

The most common configurations for kids mountain bikes are either a triple chainset or a single gear wheel in front, with a larger cassette in the back, resulting in drivetrains such as 1×7, 1×9, or 3×7, 3×8, and 3×9.

With only one wheel in front, shifting is simplified to only one shifter for one hand. Selecting the right gear becomes considerably easier for children that way, while still giving sufficient options for any terrain.

Cheaper bikes still often feature a 3×7 configuration.

Brakes

Mountain bike commonly use either rim brakes or disc brakes. With rim brakes or linear brakes, you pull to apply rubber brake pads directly on the metal rim of the wheels.

Disc brakes feature rotors mounted on the wheels with special brake pads. Pressure is applied by hand or pneumatically. While disc brakes are technically superior, they tend to be overkill for a child’s bike.

Kids bikes have been fine with regular brakes for a long time. Unless your child is going on very technical trails, fast downhill paths or is en route to become a true mountain biking professional, you can forego disc brakes for now.

FAQs: About Kids Mountain Bikes

Q: How do I know which kids mountain bike size to get?

A: Matching children with a mountain bike is straightforward if you go by wheel diameter: with increasing age, they’ll need a larger size such as 12, 16, 20 or 24 inch.

As for standover height: measure the inseam of their pants, add an inch, and compare it to the specification some models have. An inch clearance over the top bar allows a child to stand comfortably over the mountain bike.

• 2-3 years: 12” wheels
• 3-4 years: 14” wheels
• 4-5 years: 16″ wheels
• 6-7 years: 20″ wheels
• 8-10 years: 24” wheels
• 12+ years: 26” wheels
• Tall teenagers & adults: 26”, 27.5”, 28”, 29” wheels

Q: When will a child outgrow their bike?

A: Depending on their size, metabolism and growth spurts, children tend to outgrow their bicycles from one year to two and half years. It can vary with age and bike size, and you can’t really plan for nature.

Q: Should I get a slightly larger model to allow for some growing room?

A: Same as with shoes and clothes, it can be a pain to see a child outgrow something quickly, especially when it’s a slightly more expensive item such as a kids mountain bike.

But same as with clothes, your kid will be uncomfortable with something too big. Don’t compromise their safety and confidence – the size and weight of a mountain bike should be adequate for a child so they can handle and ride it well.

This is doubly important if you go riding together and they’ll be matched with your skill and larger size.

Q: Does a kids mountain bike need gears?

A: Gears make it easier to pedal uphill and more comfortable to ride long distances. It’s good practice to learn shifting early and approach riding with the versatility mountain bike gears give you.

Children commonly have little problems learning how to handle shifting and most shifters on kid mountain bikes are design so the rider doesn’t have to take their hands of the bars.

Q: Is a suspension or rigid fork better for children?

A: In terms of safety, both versions are suitable for kids. A suspension fork or a suspension system can take the bumps and shocks out of more rocky terrain, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go off-road with a rigid fork.

What matters is that children learn to approach trails and their parts bit by bit and slowly build their skills. When riding together, you can help through uphill or trough muddy terrain by lowering their saddle slightly beforehand, making it easier to pedal.

A rigid fork is great for learner as it gives you direct feedback.

Q: Should I put training wheels on a kids mountain bike?

A: Everyone has an opinion about training wheels. Training wheels are not inherently bad. Properly mounted training wheels on any bike allow a kid to focus more on pedaling instead of having to pedal and balance at the same time.

But each child is different, and today many children learn balancing on wheels from balance bikes and scooters long before they sit on their first bicycle saddle.

Learning to ride a bike without training wheels seems much easier that way: a toddler running around with a balance bike at one and a half years can be pedaling at age two and half or three.

As with anything, it’s a learning process during which you should encourage but not pressure the child and allow them to naturally develop their abilities.

Conclusion

With our selection of the top mountain bikes for kids, we present you with a variety of choices for different ages and in diverse styles. With our guide, you should be able to narrow it down and pick a model that’s best for your boy or girl.

Remember to diligently choose the correct size and fit and determine the mountain biking activity they’ll primarily do. From there you can work out individual features that are important to them.

Finally, when you go cycling together, always encourage young riders to go outside their comfort zone bit by bit, but don’t push them beyond what’s safe or adequate for their age, bike, and skill level.

If they can go at their own pace, they’ll be asking for challenges soon enough and will want to go on longer and more adventurous rides with you.

How We Researched

To come up with the top mountain bikes for kids, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as CompetitiveCyclist, JensenUSA, REI, EVO along with our own personal experience.

We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.

With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options were for the price. The staff authors have a wide and varied background in road cycling, racing and bike packing.

The authors have decades of experience in cycling and eager to share their knowledge with readers.

To help narrow down the selection we used personal experiences along with recommendations from fellow cyclists, bloggers and bike shops.

After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.

Sources