![How much does a Kid’s Bicycle Weigh? [Weight Chart]](https://theridingkid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-much-does-a-Kids-Bicycle-Weigh-Weight-Chart-1.png-1.png)
When I was a kid, I was surprised on my second birthday with a kids’ bicycle that weighed just below 8 pounds. Riding that bicycle around the neighborhood and park is one of the first treasured memories I have of my childhood.
In this modern world of technology, kids are mostly hooked on their smartphones and tablet.
As a parent, or even a stranger couple sitting on a park bench enjoying their coffee, nothing would bring one joy other than seeing a child get out there and enjoy riding their bicycle.
The stranger couple in the park goes to a kids’ bicycle store on their way home and picks one bicycle for their kid. Upon the kid’s arrival from school, the couple unveils the bicycle.
Naturally, the kid is overjoyed on seeing a big gift and starts riding it. The kid enjoys riding the bicycle for half an hour and stops. “Dad, the bicycle is too heavy for me,” says the kid after getting inside the house.
It is essential to find a bicycle that weighs suitable for their kids so that they can enjoy riding thoroughly for hours and hours long.
Generally speaking, kids' bicycles weigh around 25 – 40% of the child's weight. For example, if a child weighs 30 kilograms, the child's ideal bicycle weight would be no more than 12 kilograms.
Multiple factors directly contribute to the weight of the bicycle. It is a parent’s job to find the bicycle that weighs right. Let’s get to know more about a kids’ bicycle together.
Why Are Kids’ Bicycles Heavy?
Back in the day, manufacturers used cheap steel as bicycle frames instead of premium steel or aluminum as the market was soaring for more inexpensive bicycles.
Predicting that the kid will not be using the bicycle long-term, parents went for a much cheaper option.
Manufacturers were happy to learn that their bicycles perform routine tasks like running around the neighborhood and ride around the park with ease.
It got the job done, so they did not think of using better materials to escalate their performance levels.
The Importance of Weight
But just because the bicycles packed a bunch of weight does not mean it is terrible.
On average, kids’ bicycles weigh 18 to 26 pounds in comparison to adult road bicycles, which are the lightest weighing bicycles and weigh around 17 pounds.
Surprisingly, kids’ bicycles are heavier than an adult’s bicycle; but there are mainly two reasons behind it.
The first reason: Kids, being kids, do not usually care to put the stand on their bicycles. Kids toss their bicycles a lot. Also, on a learning curve, everybody is bound to make mistakes or fall once or twice.
Kids sometimes fall, which could damage the bicycle. Manufacturers add weight to kids’ bicycles to withstand damage and to ensure very minimal maintenance is required.
The second reason: Bicycles are topped with weight to help keep the bicycle stable. The weight of the bicycle will keep the child grounded while the kids learn to ride a bicycle.
The Unimportance of Weight
Yes, a heavier bicycle can be great if your kid is learning to ride one, but the kid will run out of joy and enthusiasm for riding a bicycle in the long run.
The weight will be too tiresome and sometimes infuriating. When we watch a child ride their bicycle, we often see them ride straight, and when a turn approaches, they simply stop, pick the front end of the bicycle, turn it in the direction and ride away.
Types of Bicycles and their Weight
The following are the different types of bicycles for kids based on their age:
Balance Bikes
A small kids’ bicycle with no pedals or cranks is a balance bicycle. Balance bikes are often called glider bikes, run bikes, runner bikes, pedal-less bikes, and strider bikes (strider is also a brand name of the bike).
Balance bikes are for the age group of 18 months – 3-year-olds.
Children push balance bikes with their feet. Unlike traditional bicycles with pedals, balance bikes teach kids how to use the weight of their bodies to control a bicycle.
Balance bikes usually consist of a bicycle frame, set of wheels, saddle, and handlebar. A balance bike should be as light as possible so a kid can push it around easily.
The frame of the balance bikes is usually made from aluminum alloy, steel, wood, or plastic. Aluminum alloy is the best material for a bicycle frame as it is rust-proof and much lighter than steel.
To make it easier for parents to find the best balance bike on the market, we have prepared a table of the 10 best balance bikes on the market.
| S.N. | Bicycle Name | Weight in Pounds | Weight in Kilograms | Seat Height in Inches | Tire Type | Frame | Price |
| 1 | Woom 1 | 6.6 | 2.9 | 10 – 14 | Air | Aluminum Alloy | $199 |
| 2 | Frog Tadpole Mini | 7.5 | 3.4 | 10 | Air | Aluminum Alloy | $210 |
| 3 | Strider Sport | 6.7 | 3 | 11 – 19 | Foam | Steel | $179 |
| 4 | Prevelo Alpha Zero | 8.5 | 3.85 | 11.4 – 14.6 | Air | Aluminum Alloy | $199 |
| 5 | Bixe 12 | 4.6 | 2 | 11.5 – 15.5 | Foam | Aluminum Alloy | $69 |
| 6 | Early Rider Lite | 8.5 | 3.8 | 11.6 – 16 | Air | Aluminum Alloy | $170 |
| 7 | Pello Ripple | 9 | 4 | 11.3 – 15.5 | Air | Aluminum Alloy | $198 |
| 8 | Yeedoo Too Too | 8.2 | 3.7 | 12 – 18 | Air | Aluminum Alloy | $160 |
| 9 | Swagtron K3 | 6.5 | 2.9 | 12.3 – 15.3 | Air | Aluminum Alloy | $59 |
| 10 | Vitus Smoothly | 7 | 3.17 | 12.8 – 17.5 | Air | Magnesium | $99 |
We found out that balance bikes usually weigh around 6 – 8 pounds on average from our research.
As a general rule of thumb, the weight of the balance bike should not be more than 30% of the kid’s weight.
Beginner Bikes
Bicycles from here forth will start consisting of a pedal and a chain to drive the wheels.
Kids’ bicycles should be selected based on their age and weight. After choosing the right sized bicycle for your kid, the next step is to find the weight of the bike.
Choosing the lightest bike can help boost your kids’ enjoyment level and ride time.
While choosing a bicycle, be sure to choose a bicycle with handbrakes instead of coaster brakes. You can never go wrong if you choose handbrakes over coaster brakes as it reduces the bicycle’s weight significantly.
12″ inch and 14″ inch Bikes
12 inch and 14-inch bikes are for the age group of 3 – 5-year-olds.
Confused about choosing the best bicycle for your kid? Don’t you worry about it; we are here to assist you.
We have prepared a table of the 5 best 12-inch beginner bikes and 5 14-inch beginner bikes on the market.
| S.N. | Bicycle Name | Size in Inches | Weight in Pounds | Weight in Kilograms | Frame | Price |
| 1 | Woom 2 | 14 | 12.3 | 5.6 | Aluminum | $359 |
| 2 | Early Rider Belter 14 | 14 | 12 | 5.4 | Aluminum | $399 |
| 3 | Prevelo Alpha One | 14 | 14.4 | 6.5 | Aluminum | $359 |
| 4 | Pello Romper | 14 | 15 | 6.8 | Aluminum | $319 |
| 5 | Vitus 14 | 14 | 14.1 | 6.4 | Aluminum | $226 |
| 6 | Cleary Gecko | 12 | 13 | 5.9 | Steel | $310 |
| 7 | Specialized Riprock | 12 | 15 | 6.8 | Steel | $230 |
| 8 | Norco Coaster 12 | 12 | 15 | 6.8 | Aluminum | $229 |
| 9 | Trek Precaliber 12 | 12 | 15 | 6.8 | Aluminum | $229 |
| 10 | Co-Op Cycles REV 12 | 12 | 16 | 7.2 | Aluminum | $149 |
From our research, we found that beginner bikes weigh around 12 – 15 pounds on average.
16″ inch Bikes
As your child grows, so does their need for bigger and better bicycles. A slightly bigger beginner bike will take your kid’s cycling skills to a new height.
16-inch bikes are for age groups 4 – 6-year-olds.
We have prepared a table of the 10 best 16-inch beginner bikes on the market.
| S.N. | Bicycle Name | Weight in Pounds | Weight in Kilograms | Frame | Price |
| 1 | Woom 3 | 13.1 | 5.9 | Aluminum | $389 |
| 2 | Prevelo Alpha Two | 14.9 | 6.7 | Aluminum | $379 |
| 3 | Cleary Hedgehog | 16 | 7.2 | Aluminum | $375 |
| 4 | Frog 48 | 14.8 | 6.7 | Aluminum | $395 |
| 5 | Pello Revo | 16.2 | 7.3 | Aluminum | $359 |
| 6 | Vitus 16 | 15.9 | 7.2 | Aluminum | $238 |
| 7 | Bellsize 16 | 12.5 | 5.6 | Aluminum | $299 |
| 8 | Park 16 | 16.5 | 7.5 | Aluminum | $255 |
| 9 | Guardian Ethos 16 | 16 | 7.2 | Aluminum | $279 |
| 10 | Co-Op Cycles 16 | 16 | 7.2 | Aluminum | $179 |
From our research, we found that 16-inch bikes usually weigh around 12 – 15 pounds on average.
20” inch Bikes
Bikes from 20 inches start coming with gears, which they might be ready for if they have been biking for a while.
As your kid grows, so does their endurance for bicycle weights. Although 7-year-olds can get used to heavier weights than 3-year-olds. Be that as it may, it is still important to get a lighter bicycle if possible.
Unfortunately, parents are reluctant to pay more for a lighter bicycle so they make the trade-off for a heavier bicycle. In that case, choose the lightest bicycle that you can afford.
A thing to keep in mind is that the lighter the bike is, the easier it is for a kid to maneuver, the easier to pedal, and most importantly, the more enjoyable for kids to ride for a long while.
The 20-inch bikes are for age groups 6 – 8-year-olds.
We have prepared a table of the 10 best 20-inch bikes on the market.
| S.N. | Bicycle Name | Weight in Pounds | Weight in Kilograms | Frame | Price |
| 1 | Woom 4 | 17.9 | 8.1 | Aluminum Alloy | $499 |
| 2 | Prevelo Alpha Three | 18.9 | 8.5 | Aluminum Alloy | $499 |
| 3 | Cleary Owl | 21 | 9.5 | Aluminum Alloy | $485 |
| 4 | Frog 55 | 19.4 | 8.8 | Aluminum Alloy | $520 |
| 5 | Pello Reddi | 17 | 7.7 | Aluminum Alloy | $399 |
| 6 | Vitus 20 | 20.9 | 9.5 | Aluminum Alloy | $247 |
| 7 | Batch Kids Bicycle 20 | 19.2 | 8.7 | Aluminum Alloy | $210 |
| 8 | Raleigh Rowdy | 20.4 | 9.2 | Aluminum Alloy | $250 |
| 9 | Guardian Ethos 20 | 20.7 | 9.4 | Steel | $359 |
| 10 | Co-Op Cycles REV 20 | 20.2 | 9.1 | Aluminum Alloy | $199 |
From our research, we found that 20-inch bikes usually weigh 16 – 20 pounds on average.
24” Inch Bikes
Yes, the bigger your kid gets, they can handle more weight. Well, that does not mean they can handle any weight.
No matter the age group of the kid, a parent must always try to get the lightest bicycle that they could afford.
The 24-inch bikes are for the age group of 7 – 11-year-olds.
We have prepared a table of the 10 best 24-inch bikes on the market.
| S.N. | Bicycle Name | Weight in Pounds | Weight in Kilograms | Frame | Price |
| 1 | Woom 5 | 20.3 | 9.2 | Aluminum Alloy | $529 |
| 2 | Prevelo Alpha Four | 21.2 | 9.6 | Aluminum Alloy | $499 |
| 3 | Cleary Meerkat 24 | 24 | 10.8 | Steel | $594 |
| 4 | Frog 62 | 20.3 | 9.2 | Aluminum Alloy | $550 |
| 5 | Pello Reyes | 22 | 9.9 | Aluminum Alloy | $359 |
| 6 | Vitus 24 | 22.7 | 10.3 | Aluminum Alloy | $330 |
| 7 | Raleigh Redux 24 | 24 | 10.9 | Aluminum Alloy | $330 |
| 8 | Trek Precaliber 24 | 27 | 12.2 | Aluminum Alloy | $350 |
| 9 | Guardian Ethos 24 | 25.5 | 11.5 | Steel | $379 |
| 10 | Co-Op Cycles Rev Cty | 26.1 | 11.8 | Aluminum Alloy | $349 |
From our research, we found that 24-inch bikes usually weigh 19 – 24 pounds on average.
Factors Determining Bicycle Weight
The overall weight of the bicycle and the experience of a rider gets determined by a number of different aspects. Some of the major components are as follows:
- Bodyweight of the bicycle rider. It determines the speed of the bicycle.
- Accessories like suspensions, brakes, rims, helmets, and luggage.
- Weight of the main parts such as body frames and set of wheels. The materials of main parts can also contribute to additional bicycle weight.
- Calculating total bicycle weight
How to Make A Kid’s Bicycle Lighter
Just like any normal adult, kids do not like riding bicycles that pack a substantial weight. No one, I mean no one, likes to operate heavy machinery.
If you want your kid to enjoy riding their bicycle to the max, follow the hacks given below to shred some weight and launch your kid’s happiness:
Hand Brakes instead of Coaster Brakes
A coaster brake allows a kid to come to a stop by pedaling in the opposite direction to what they usually pedal.
Naturally, while learning to ride a bicycle, kids pedal backward as well as forward (I know I did).
Coming to a sudden stop while riding the bicycle can be both dangerous and frustrating to a new rider.
Coaster brakes add very noticeable weight to the bicycle. Replacing the coaster brakes of the bicycle with hand brakes can help get rid of some unnecessary weight.
Yes, it will take some getting used to with the hand brakes, but it will be very cost-effective and a worthy modification in the long run.
Wheels
To cut the cost of a set of high-end wheels, manufacturers use entry to mid-level bicycle wheels.
The first go-to option on the manufacturers’ minds is alloy hoops, which are usually heavier than carbon fiber.
You will have to do a fair bit of research in order to find the perfect wheels for your kid’s bicycle, as the lower the wheel’s weight, the higher the price.
Saddle
Replacing the default saddle (the bicycle seat) of the kid’s bicycle can have quite the change on your kid’s bicycle weight.
This simple weight shredding measure is cheaper than changing the wheels of the bicycle.
Paint
The majority of the mid-level bicycles are not as light as their high-end counterparts. High-end bicycles are manufactured from ultra-light carbon fiber, which makes the frames lighter.
I know this measure sounds eerie but removing the paint from your bicycle can help you lose about 120 grams of weight, and on top of that, rock that raw carbon fiber finish.
