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When the training wheels come off and the old bike is getting too small, you may face the challenge of finding the best bikes for a 7-year-old.
Like any other expensive purchases, I always ensure the price reflects the quality when buying a bike for my kids. In addition, there's also the safety issue: if the bike isn't the correct size, the child's safety and comfort may be compromised. In light of that, the following are some of the best bikes suited for a 7-year-old.
In light of that, the following are some of the best bikes suited for a 7-year-old:
- Cannondale Trail 20” Bike
- Decathlon 20” Btwin Rockrider ST100 Bike
- Prevelo 24" Alpha Four Bike
- Woom 4 20" Bike
- Raleigh MXR 20" Bike
- Polygon Premier Ultralight 24"
- Trek Roscoe 20" Bike
- Rei Co-Op REV 20" Bike
- Commencal Meta HT 24
- Redline MX Junior
Choosing the best bike for your seven-year-old is just as crucial as selecting your own bike. Whether it's your child's first or second bike, you want to ensure that their first ride is a happy beginning or continuation of life on two wheels.
As a result, I have researched the best choices for 20" and 24" inch bikes ideal for 7-year-olds by consulting with specialists and reviewing sites like REI Co-Op and more. That said, this is what I found.
Best Bikes For A 7-Year-Old
There's no better way to break a child's habit of looking at a screen than to put them on a bicycle. It's a lifelong pastime that benefits everything from hand-eye coordination to cardiovascular health in the long run.
Cycling among youth has recently experienced a resurgence. Since the 1970s and 1980s has been such a focus on providing venues for kids to learn and practice their talents. Fun locations for kids to ride are being created near you, including parks, pump tracks, skateparks, and lift-serviced mountain bike parks.
Because of the increasing diversity and complexity of children's riding conditions, it's never been more important to choose a bike that fits properly and has the required capabilities for the task.
The first step is to determine what kind of riding your child will perform and then choose the appropriate bicycle for that activity. After that, you'll want to acquire the lightest bike in the right size for your budget and situation. As a result, starting with the Cannondale brand, here's what value these bikes may bring to the life on two wheels for 7-year-olds.
1. Cannondale Trail 20” Bike
Cannondale is an excellent choice for 7-year-olds who want a bike that has the capability of a branded bike worth $4000 - $8000 but at a fraction of the price.
The Cannondale Trail 20 children's bike has a twist shifter to assist children in adjusting to a multi-speed transmission and a short-travel suspension up front to cope with pebbles and roots.
In addition, the Trail 20's Lower range gear ratios make it easy to get started pedaling, climbing hills and running alongside with a steadying hand (for the parent).
It's not too heavy, weighing at 20lbs (lighter than most on this list), and should be able to withstand a lot of wear. Moreover, it makes a tremendous difference because the cranks are developed exclusively for young riders.
Finally, every Cannondale kids' range model has been engineered to place the rider in the best possible position for control and comfort, making learning and riding more manageable and enjoyable.
2. Decathlon 20” Btwin Rockrider ST100 Bike
The Btwin Rockrider ST100 bikes from Decathlon have an excellent build quality and overall performance at a low price. Decathlon's bikes are more like mid-range bikes masquerading as inexpensive bikes, from their smooth handling and high-quality, responsive handbrakes to their lifetime frame guarantee.
The Rockrider bike models have a typical mountain bike frame, knobby air tires, and dual-hand brakes without a coaster brake. Furthermore, the Rockrider ST100 series is fully equipped with bells and reflectors for public road use. The ST100 is a single-speed variant, but the ST500 and ST900 types are geared.
However, compared to the Cannondale Trail 20, the Btwin Rockrider ST100 series is slightly heavier, weighing 24.3lbs.
However, Decathlon also offers an original 100 series model, which is a more typical city bike with a step-through frame and smaller tires. Furthermore, the base Original 100 model, like the Rockrider series, is single speed, but the higher-end 500 variants are geared.
Finally, the single-speed Rockrider ST100 is the right balance of simplicity and brawn, and it won't be too much bike for hesitant beginners while also providing enough "spunk" for more skilled riders.
3. Prevelo 24" Alpha Four Bike
Our next bike is the Prevelo Alpha 4, a 24-inch bike best suited to taller 7-year-olds who have already started their growth spurt.
The Prevelo Alpha Four is a lot of fun, especially with its simple gears, and it is of excellent quality and demands attention. Moreover, it's designed for young riders since the seat height may be adjusted easily.
It features a nine-range geared by trigger shifters, making it ideal for your child's outing. Its geometry instills confidence in children by ensuring that they are well-balanced, and it also contains an indication display, making it simple to use for youngsters.
Furthermore, to ensure that kids have the best pedal ergonomics, Prevelo crank lengths are custom-sized for each size bike. They also have ultra-thin Q-factors to fit children's small hips and a comfortable padded seat suited for a full day of riding.
Compared to the other models on this list, the Prevelo Alpha Four comes in a restricted range of colors, making it less appealing to youngsters.
Finally, even though trigger shifters do not need as much work as grip shifters, little cyclists must be able to use them with a great deal of experience and coordination. Fortunately, the handlebars include ultra-thin grips and short-reach brake levers designed specifically for little hands.
4. Woom 4 20" Bike
Woom's well-made, high-component bikes are known for their simple (but robust) aluminum frames, according to the kids' cycling experts I talked with. They went on to say that every Woom they've worked with has been well-made and lightweight. The Woom 4 is also the lightest choice on this list, at only 17.9lbs.
Wooms are available in wheel sizes 1 through 6 and are designed for local riding. The Woom 4 is a 20-inch toy that will introduce 6- to 8-year-olds to the notion of gears.
Because the bike's stand-over height is 19.5 inches, if you're going to spend your money on just one Woom during the life of your child's riding trip, I feel it makes sense to acquire them a Woom 4 after they reach the suitable height range of 45 to 51 inches tall.
In addition, according to the Prevolo Alpha 4, the Woom 4 comes with a selection of bright, flashy colors.
Furthermore, according to the instructors, it's ideal for converting kids into adult-style riding as soon as possible, and knowing how to swap gears is crucial. This bike, which has eight speeds and a twist mechanism built for little hands, will help kids grasp and apply the idea.
While Woom bikes are pricey, they have a high resale value, so they are well worth it if you can afford the initial expenditure.
Investing a bit extra for better results is a great idea, especially for experience for our little ones. As a result, you want bicycling to be as simple and enjoyable for the child as possible, which a high-component bike may assist with.
5. Raleigh MXR 20" Bike
The Raleigh MXR 20 is an excellent value for the money, with a more upright riding position and a coaster brake plus a V brake system, making it ideal for neighborhood riders aged 7 to 9.
The Raleigh MXR 20 is a terrific choice when your child is ready to advance training wheels to a big-kid bike with pedals and two types of brakes.
The MXR 20 is a 20-inch bike with a low stand-over height for easy on and off, and its unique BMX-inspired appearance is guaranteed to get kids psyched.
In addition, it also offers a solid, durable design and a smooth ride at a reasonable price for the ordinary neighborhood riding fan. In addition, kids bike instructors praised the MXR's mobility and general performance compared to comparable priced sub-$200 bikes.
While the MXR isn't made for lengthy bike trips or hitting the trails like the other bikes on this list, it's ideal for the regular rider who only rides around the neighborhood streets. In addition, the MXR 20 is a single-speed bike with no shifting necessary, allowing them to concentrate on riding.
Comfort is provided with a cushioned bike seat and soft grips, while 2. 1-inch tires provide stability and are far broader and more cushioned than the standard tires seen on most 16′′ bikes from which the youngster is likely graduating.
Overall, the MXR is ready for action, whether it's breaking speed records or going down curbs; and offers a smoother, more comfortable ride and will get kids excited about biking.
6. Polygon Premier Ultralight 24"
The Polygon Premier Ultralight 24-inch bike is a little bigger bike for taller 7-year-olds. Polygon Kids bikes are relatively new to the United States, and the Polygon Premiere will undoubtedly wow you right out of the box.
The Polygon Premiere is everything a great kid's bike should be, at prices that parents will love. From its vividly colored colors to its kid-friendly geometry and solid-quality components.
While the Polygon isn't as light as some of the other bikes on our list and doesn't have as high-end components, it offers a lot for the money.
Furthermore, the Ultralight has alloy V-Brakes that are both strong and effective and smaller brake levers that are better suited to little hands. It also has a lower minimum seat height, comes with a kickstand, and is simple to put together.
The bike also features a Revoshift 7-speed drivetrain which offers better weight control and eliminates confusion. The frame is composed of lightweight 6061 Aluminum tubing and has confidence-inspiring geometry, with a low center of gravity and a 70-degree head angle that give the perfect blend of low-speed agility and high-speed stability; "look, Dad, no hands!"
Finally, the 1.75-inch tires with tiny knobs provide the ideal blend of speed on the road and off-road traction for your youngster. So, if you're searching for a geared 24′′ bike for under $400, you won't find a better bike than the Polygon.
7. Trek Roscoe 20" Bike
Compared with other bikes that feature V-brakes and lower-quality components, the Trek's Roscoe 20 is a bit more expensive. However, in terms of price, it's still much less than some major brands that provide similar features. It has a Shimano 18-speed drivetrain, a branded cassette, and mechanical disc brakes.
Furthermore, to prevent damage in the event of an unavoidable drop on its side, the rear caliper brake is safely tucked away behind the frame. Furthermore, the kid-specific frame geometry has a sloping top tube that simplifies getting on and off.
A sealed front dropout ensures that the wheel won't soar out and cause a catastrophe even if the skewer isn't correctly closed.
However, it's not the most lightweight, weighing at 25.58lbs, but that's partly due to the 2.8-inch broad tires, which provide plenty of grips and excellent compliance.
A trial biking session is the best way to spend time with your family, and Roscoe is the perfect kids' bike for creating lasting memories
8. Rei Co-Op REV 20" Bike
The Co-op REV 20 is the ideal kids' bike for those on a tight budget or with longer legs that are still getting used to life on two wheels.
Of course, it's not for youngsters who are already tackling ultra-technical singletrack, but it's plenty of bike for kids who want to shred about the neighborhood both on and off-road. The Co-Op Rev 20" wheel bike has an aluminum frame and two braking options for the user, a hand and a coaster brake, as the rider adjusts to manual control.
With only one gear, the REV 20 is excellent for riders who don't want the extra difficulty of shifting gears just yet, and it will also keep adult maintenance to a minimum.
There is also a Co-op REV 20 6-speed option, which raises the price by around $130 and adds roughly 4lbs to the weight, but adds highly praised Shimano Tourney gears and mechanical disc brakes.
Color options are restricted to green in the REV 20 and blue in the REV 20 6-speed; however, the former comes with a personal sticker pack.
9. Commencal Meta HT 24
The next model is the Meta HT 24, by Commencal, which is slightly more expensive and heavier than its competitors. However, it has a rigid aluminum rear with a customized kid's light J-UNIT Manitou Machete 120mm fork and is a slightly taller bike for taller 7-year-olds.
Furthermore, the Meta line has three models with different wheel sizes: 20-inch, 24-inch, and 27.5-inch, all of which are aimed at young riders.
This bike can handle whatever you throw at it and is fun to ride on flow trails and challenging terrain. Its contemporary yet modest design and its 24" wheels and tires make things exciting and agile for the kids.
While most children's bikes employ Shimano parts, SRAM fans will like Commencal's use of the SRAM NX gear, hydraulic disc brakes, a dropper seat post, and 2.3" to 2.4′′ Maxxis DHR tires.
It is essentially the children-sized counterpart of adult hardtail bikes for the young enthusiastic mountain bikers. The bike is remarkably light at 26.4lbs, and the frame and components are of excellent quality. Overall, the price is excellent considering the quality of the bike.
10. Redline MX Junior
Redline's MX brand of BMX race bikes has been quite popular with rookie racers for quite some time. The Redline MX Junior is designed for riders with a height ranging between 4'6" and 5'1" tall. Consider the MX mini if your child is small; taller children can move right to the MX 20.
For kids, off-road sports or BMX bikes can be used for racing or stunt riding. They are lightweight, give a lot of stability and control, and are a lot of fun to ride. These bikes feature a one-of-a-kind design and are built for challenging urban excursions.
However, compared to its competitors on the list, the MX comes with tires suited for street and stunt tracks but may also ride on compacted dirt. Unfortunately, they were not built or developed to be used on dirt tracks with steep jumps, rough terrains, or pump tracks.
That said, they are suited for BMX racing and stunts on a BMX court. If your little one is interested in BMX racing, you won't need to make any adjustments to the bike to race; simply put a number plate, and you're good to go.
The narrow-diameter wheels and tires boost the speed at the expense of durability in everyday usage. Furthermore, the Redline MX Mini and Junior are ideal entry-level BMX race bikes, thanks to their aluminum frame and integrated head tube.
Finally, for convenience, it has a high-quality 3-piece crankset, integrated headset, 20-inch wheels, and an integrated saddle and seat post combination.
Best Bikes For A 7-Year-Old: What To Consider
When choosing the best bike for your seven-year-old, a few checkboxes need to be ticked before buying. It includes the wheel size, weight, breaks, brand quality, and safety and comfort. That said, here's what you should know.
What To Consider When Choosing The Right Wheel Size
Unlike adult bikes, which are classified based on frame height, children's bikes are classified based on wheel size. As a result, the table below will assist you in determining what your child needs.
While wheel size might indicate what age range a bike is appropriate for, it's crucial to be more precise when selecting a bike for your child. Although some manufacturers provide guidelines on the minimum and maximum rider heights for each model, you're better off going by your child's inseam measurement (their inside leg length).
Even youngsters of the same overall height will have different proportions. So once you've got your inseam measurement, double-check the bike's stand-over height to ensure they'll fit.
A child should be able to touch the ground on tiptoe when sitting in the saddle (or on level ground) on a correctly suited bike.
When seated on a correctly suited bike, a child should be able to touch the ground on tiptoe or flat feet for novices who are still gaining confidence. Additionally, they should be able to pedal with a minor bend in their knee at the lowest position.
Consider The Weight Of The Bike
Biking uphill, especially for smaller children, can be challenging. As a result, buying a bike composed of lightweight materials might make bicycling for your youngster a bit simpler. You also want a sturdy metal that will weather all of your children's playdates.
Look for carbon steel, aluminum, or titanium bike frames. All of these items are lightweight and long-lasting.
Consider The Breaks And Safety Features
Different bikes have different braking systems, so it's essential to know which one your child prefers.
Handle brakes, where you press a lever to brake, pedal brakes ( aka coaster breaks), pedal in reverse to brake, or a combination of both, commonly known as a dual-braking system, are available on children's bikes.
As a result, I included all the various break types in this list to ensure that you pick the best type of bike while also considering your child's preferable breaking option.
Additionally, bikes with bright, flashy colors that may also have reflector panels to keep youngsters safe at night should be considered. Additional safety measures, like chain guards, are required for bikes geared for novices.
Consider The Brand Quality Of The Bike
Spending a few hundred dollars on a child's bike may seem excessive, but it is well worth it. Spending a little more money on a reputable brand (such as those listed above) ensures high-quality materials and long-term durability.
Furthermore, these bikes are either professionally constructed or come with a simple step-by-step instruction manual and a warranty.
Finally, good brands last longer and may take a beating, and when your child outgrows their bicycle, you may expect to resell a name-brand bike for far more than a generic bike.
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