What Frustrates You About Your Experiences with Kids Bikes? [Survey]

Whether you're a parent or just a big kid who still remembers their first bike, chances are you've noticed most kids bikes aren't perfect.

By Jeff Barber for woom bikes
December 1, 2019

7 comments

Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article. This sponsored article was written and/or published on behalf of our partner, woom bikes.

woom kids bike full face helmet — photo: woom bikes

Whether you’re a parent or just a big kid who still remembers their first bike, chances are you’ve noticed kids bikes are rarely perfect. Cost considerations, durability, and even geometry get tricky when trying to shrink grown-up bikes down to size.

Thank you to our sponsor, woom! woom’s mission is to inspire kids to love riding their bikes, so the brand makes lightweight, easy-to-learn-on, high-quality bikes that are tailor-made for a child’s anatomy and needs. woom bikes are often half the weight of kids’ bikes found at traditional retail stores, and attention to detail is what truly sets them apart. From the careful selection of materials to the commitment to safety and performance, woom strives to develop the ideal kids bike and the ideal riding experience for kids of all ages.

Family owned and operated, woom USA opened in Austin, Texas, in 2014, and is helmed by founder/CEO and father of two, Mathias Ihlenfeld. In 2019, woom USA was named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., ranked No. 259 overall and 20th in Texas. woom ships directly to customers, and assembly is quick and simple. woom offers top-notch customer service at every step—and every pedal stroke—along the way. For more information, visit us.woombikes.com or call 855-966-6872.

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Entrenador California // 2015
Dec 27, 2019

12" Specialized Hotrock:
Steel KT coaster brake hubs and no rim brake bosses
Steel front hub
Steel 100m 1pc cranks
Steel handlebar
Steel chainring
1/8" chain

Getting a Specialized bike at a Specialized price should mean a way better bike than one from Walmart. It does mean an alloy frame and rims, which saves some weight. Considering the best kids bikes in this size run around the 11lb mark, I think Spesh could spec some lighter bits for the LBS prices they charge. No reason at all they can't spec a 3/32" chain, alloy front hub and handlebars at the same price.

1 reply

John Fisch Colorado // 2006
Dec 5, 2019

For me it was weight. Junior was not experienced enough to be able to feel lower quality components
and he would outgrow the bike before reliability became an issue (and actually they held up very well even though he rode hard).

But theres no reason his 24" hardtail should have weighed more than my size large 6" travel heavy duty all mountain rig.

Bud418 Alabama // 2016
Dec 7, 2019

I have purchased hundreds of kids bikes over the last several years as a personal mission to provide underserved kids with bikes - most went to the Salvation Army or the Boys and Girls Club of AL. The inexpensive bike from Walmart and Academy are trash. They are set up poorly by the bike builders at the stores and there is nowhere for kids to take them in a few weeks to get the brake cables and gear cables adjusted. Probably 50% the bikes I took off the rack had either untrue wheels are grinding bottom brackets. Almost every bike I purchased through my non-profit I had to bring home and fix or take to the bike shop before delivering to the kids. I finally gave up with them mission because of the poor quality of the bikes and the frustrations with the recipients regarding the ability to service the bikes after only a few weeks.

0 reply

Ron Callahan Ohio // 2016
Dec 1, 2019

If you're talking the Wal-Mart and Target type of kid's bikes, basically too much heavy and unnecessary crap like suspension at the expense of decent drivetrain components. Almost every kids bike that I work on over a couple of years old costs more to tune up and fix than another bike of the same ilk.

redduck1963 2018
Dec 5, 2019

Parental percieption of value. Too often children are put on department store bikes that are heavy, function poorly and are not assembled/tuned properly becasue it is inexpensive and the kid will just outgrow it anyway. I try to price children's bikes at the minimum the brand will allow just in hopes of starting them out on a decent bike that can be maintained at a reasonable cost.

Oldandrolling South Carolina // 2018
Dec 1, 2019

The components are typically very low quality. I am sure this is an attempt to keep costs low. This combined with an already relative high price tag and the fact that the bike will be out grown in a couple of years makes investing in kid's bikes kind of painful. Like other comments I have read before, this is a perfect example of when to buy a used bike for a lot less than the cost of a one one and possibly add a few upgrades to make it more fun and comfortable to ride.

Biggs427 Quebec // 2018
Dec 6, 2019

Weight and cockpit components that are hard to use. For example, until I got a Roscoe 20 for my daughter had lot of difficulties shifting with grip shifter. She wasn't strong enough.

This is like company doesn't actually test their bikes with actual kids.

What works for an adult on a commuter bike might not work on a kids specific bike.

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