As of: March 13, 2024, 8:07 a.m
By: Nina Dudek
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Cheap children's bikes can also offer safety and fun while cycling.
© tan4ikk/PantherMedia
Are you looking for a cheap children's bike as a gift?
Then buy the test winners from Stiftung Warentest.
In comparison, the cheapest models were ahead.
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The test winning children's bike - safety & durability made in Germany
Test winner number 2 - brand bike from CUBE just behind
Price-performance tip - children's bike from Decathlon for €319.99
Children and young people grow like grass in spring: extremely quickly.
That's why a new, larger bike is often needed.
But not all parents can or want to afford a new children's bike every few years.
They don't have to!
Because as the comparison of twelve children's bikes by Stiftung Warentest last year shows, good doesn't have to be expensive.
On the contrary, the best-rated children's bikes are actually particularly affordable.
Even with the best children's bike helmets from Stiftung Warentest, expensive doesn't always mean good.
The test winning children's bike
Skyride 20-3 Classic © Amazon;
peshkova/PantherMedia
€549.95 on Amazon
The affordable Puky Skyride 20-3 Alu Light is the favorite of Stiftung Warentest.
With a “Very Good” rating for safety and durability, it impressed with the top grade of 2.2 in the test.
🔵 Produced sustainably and regionally in Germany for over 70 years |
🔵 modern, lightweight and ergonomic aluminum frame |
🔵 High-quality StVZO equipment for safe driving in traffic |
🔵 LED headlight with Shimano hub dynamo |
Tip: measure stride length
There is a trick to determine the stride length and thus the optimal bike size.
Place your child with their back against a wall with their legs straight.
Then a book is clamped vertically between the legs at the top.
The distance from the top edge of the book to the floor is the stride length.
Test winner number 2
Cube Acid 200 Street © Cube;
peshkova/PantherMedia
€439.99 instead of €499.00
The Cube Kid 200 Street came in just behind the cheapest test winner.
With an overall grade of 2.3 and also “very good” ratings for safety and durability.
It also performs well in terms of price.
🔵 Aluminum Lite 6061 frame, only 11.3 kg |
🔵 Smooth-running Shimano 7-speed gears |
🔵 High-quality StVZO equipment for safe driving in traffic |
🔵 strong alloy V-brake brake system with power modulator |
🔵 long mudguards, sturdy luggage rack and side stand |
Tip: Pay attention to your sitting position
As cool as a racing bike may look, the bent-over seating position is not for children.
Children only perceive their surroundings in a limited field of vision.
This is particularly dangerous in traffic.
That's why it's important that children sit as upright as possible on their bike.
This means little cyclists can perceive their surroundings in the best possible way - and are safer on the road.
Price-performance tip
City Bike children's bike D4 Rock © Decathlon;
peshkova/PantherMedia
Only €319.99 at Decathlon
Surprising: The city bike D4 Rock from the sports discounter Decathlon received the same test grade as the branded bike from CUBE, a “Good” with 2.3.
🔵 Lifetime guarantee on frame, fork, stem and handlebars |
🔵 Smooth-running Shimano 6-speed gears |
🔵 High-quality StVZO equipment for safe driving in traffic |
🔵 Hub dynamo and parking light |
One problem: How do I find the right children's bike?
Choosing the right bike size is not so easy for children.
In contrast to adults, who have already developed a feeling for “fits” or “doesn’t fit”, children cannot yet really assess the correct wheel size.
It doesn't matter whether it's too big or too small: kids are always thrilled when they can take it for a spin.
That's why parents are asked to determine the correct size.
If you don't buy the bike from a specialist retailer with advice, but order it online, you can roughly use the following list as a guide.
Old |
Size |
Stride length |
Size of the bike |
|---|---|---|---|
from 3 years |
approx. 95 cm |
approx. 40 cm |
12 inches |
4 to 6 years |
95 to 110cm |
40 to 50 cm |
14 inches |
6 to 10 years |
120 to 135cm |
50 to 60 cm |
20 inch |
8 to 12 years |
130 to 145cm |
55 to 65cm |
24 inches |
You can find the entire test from Stiftung Warentest here.