The best bike for your 5 year old will have a quality frame, thicker wheels for better balance, and will very simple. As their first bike, it shouldn’t be complicated by gear systems and shifting. At this stage, it’s all about learning to balance.
After you get the basics right, you want to let your kid decide on the aesthetic. Nothing worse than buying a bike they don’t like. After all, learning how to ride a bike is all about practice - this requires time, and the more your 5 year old uses their bike the better they will become.
If you’re looking to buy a bike for your 5 year old, here are your best options:
1. Vuly 16" Bike
The Vuly 16” Bike is a quality bike designed for kids between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. It’s a great little bike that comes with an ergonomic saddle, soft compound grips and small pedals designed for little feet.
This bike is perfect for 5 year olds and is one of the best bikes for toddlers and kids. It’s very safe and provides a great platform for learning how to ride. It’s a single gear bike, which means that there’s no gear changing or shifting required. They come in 2 different colours: red and blue, and white and pink - giving suitable options for every child.
The frame on the Vuly 16” Bike is made from aluminium, which makes these bikes light and resistant to corrosion. Aluminium bike frames are generally considered to be the best in value, weight and durability.
The drivetrain is found in sealed cartridge, which prevents leaves and dirt from damaging the internal components. These bikes are designed to last and will be around well after your 5 year old has outgrown them.
Vuly sells a number of useful bike accessories including bike lights, tassels, bike locks and a protection pad kit. For first timers, there’s also the option to attach training wheels to make this little bike even safer. Training wheels are included with the bike.
2. Cleary Gecko
The Clearly Gecko is another great bike for 5 year old kids. This kids bike is longer and lower. It’s extremely durable, which is a must for kids learning how to ride. The frame is made out of steel, however. This makes a bit heavier and less resistant to the elements.
For added safety, V-brakes are included which give the bike better stopping power for inexperienced riders. This is an important safety feature to keep your little one out of trouble.
The saddle is made out of synthetic leather, which reduces chaffing over longer rides and provides a more comfortable riding experience. This is a more premium finish, and makes the bike stand out amongst its peers.
If your five year old fancies a more unique bike, then this is the one to get them.
3. Rev 16
The Rev 16 is a middle of the road kids bike which provides great value. It’s a great 5 year old bike, which comes with training wheels. It has a new generation chain guard which protects legs from dirt and pinching.
The Rev 16 has an aluminium frame which makes it lighter and more resistant to corrosion. It’s a single gear bike, which simplifies the learning process.
This 5 year old bike has no suspension, which is common for kids bikes, but would make rocky trails untenable. The bike employs rim brakes, which provide decent breaking power, but not quite as much as V-brakes.
The major setback for this bike is that it has a 80-pound weight limit, which might limit bigger kids from riding this bike.
4. Anaconda's Huffy 16 Inch Pro Thunder
The Huffy 16 Inch Pro Thunder is a great little bike made by Anaconda. This bike comes with training wheels as well. A Rear Coaster Brake gives this bike some extra stopping power for inexperienced riders.
This kids bike is made from steel, which makes it heavier than some of the other bikes on this list. Steel is also prone to rusting, so it's recommended to store this bike indoors. On the flip side, the steel frame makes this bike more affordable than some of the other options on the list.
