We stock kids bikes from two brands: Specialized and Ridgeback. These are not cheap kids bikes; we are a retailer of high quality bikes, and this extends to our kids bikes range.  

Both of these brands use the same aluminium on their kids bikes as they use on their adult bikes, so that the child isn't punished with a bike heavier than their parents and enjoy their first experience of riding a bike. 

The measurement of kids bikes is mostly based on the wheel size. Whereas an adult mountain bike uses 26 inch wheels, kids bikes range from 12 inch wheel through to 24 inch. Although the manufacturers offer a guideline as to which ages the models are intended to fit, it is just that: a guideline. 

That said, we do not stock the 12 inch wheeled kids bikes - the Hotrock 12, available in either a boys or girls model - we find that these have a very short shelf life before it is outgrown. Should you wish to try one of these, we will happily order one in for you. But generally we try to fit the child to a 14 inch wheeled bike. 

14 Inch Wheel Bikes: Predicted Age Range 3-4 Year Olds

Ridgeback offer a girls and boys bike with 14 inch wheels; the Honey Girls or the MX14 Boys. These bikes are pretty much identical, bar the colour and graphics. Fitted with stabilisers it offers a great and confident first riding experience. 

16 Inch Wheel Bikes: Predicted Age Range 3-6 Year Olds

Both Ridgeback and Specialized offer bikes in this size; Ridgeback the Melody Girls and MX16 Boys, Specialized the Hotrock 16 Girls and Boys models. The big difference between the two brands is that the ridgebacks do not come with stabilisers, whereas the Specialized do. This is partly because the Specialized have a very low standover height, allowing younger children to ride these bikes. 

20 Inch Wheel Bikes: Predicted Age Range 5-8 Year Olds

Both manufacturers offer these bikes with suspension forks and gears, a step up from the 16 inch wheel bikes. Due to the significant increase in componentry, there is a significant step up in price over the 16 inch wheel bikes. The Ridgeback models offered here are the Harmony Girls and the MX20 Boys, Specialized offer the Hotrock 20 Girls and Boys models. 

24 Inch Wheel Bikes: Predicted Age Range 7-11 Year Olds

These are the biggest sizes of kids bikes, Ridgeback offer the Destiny Girls and MX24 Boys, Specialized the Hotrock 24 Girls and Boys. These bikes move onto triple chainset, giving the bikes 21 gears, and a real mini mountain bike feel, complement by the suspension fork and V-Brakes.