Mountain bikes are some of the most versatile and fun toys that a child can have. It’s a good habit that ensures your kid’s better health, and great outdoor activity to enjoy nature’s beauty at the same time with fun.
Choosing the best mountain bike for a 12-year-old is not always easy. We have to consider some important factors, know about the brand’s and many more before making the decision.
And have to ensure the bike is safe, comfortable, and easy to balance. But checking each of the kid’s bikes isn’t possible, hundreds of kids’ mountain bikes are available in the market, and not each one is the best.
Are you looking for a mountain bike for your 12-year old? Find out which is the best mountain bike for your kid and learn how to choose a mountain bike for a 12-year old boy.
What Is The Best Mountain Bike For A 12-Year-Old?
This question is too broad. There are several types of mountain bikes such as hardtail, full suspension, carbon fiber, and others. You can choose the best one according to your budget, requirements, and age.
Our top pick for a 12-year-old boy is Schwinn High Timber and Huffy Hardtail Stone Hardtail and for a girl is Mongoose Exlipse. Our expert team has done an extensive test on these bikes and we found these bikes best for your money.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Mountain Bike:
The purpose of this mountain bike buyer’s guide is to help you buy a mountain bike that you will love.
Pick The Right Size
Size is the most important factor one should consider when purchasing a mountain bike. Make sure the bike you choose is a perfect fit for the rider. If not, the rider may end up with weird angles, poor posture, strained back.
There are two primary sizes that you should consider when choosing a new bike – frame size and wheel size. Both are vital in terms of the performance and overall feel of your ride.
Bike Size Chart
| Wheel Size (in inches) | Rider Height (in Cm.) | Age (Approximately) |
| 12 | 76 – 99 | 2 – 4 |
| 14 | 94 – 111 | 3 – 5 |
| 16 | 99 – 122 | 5 – 8 |
| 20 | 106 – 132 | 6 – 10 |
| 24 | 127 – 147.3 | 8 – 12 |
| 26 | 142+ | 10+ |
Bike Fit
Adjusting a cycling position takes some getting used to and experimentation. Try out different stem and handlebar options until you find something you like.
Comfortability
It’s a good idea to give a new bike a test ride before buying it. This gives your kid a chance to experience the bike and make sure it fits their needs and preferences. And, once you find the perfect fit, you can rest assured that your child will enjoy riding it.
But if he feels uncomfortable and faces problems in balancing and handling speed, you can look for another one.
Weight
Weight can be a big factor in a child’s choice of a bicycle. If the bike is too heavy, your child may not have the strength to keep the bike upright and moving forward. This could lead to injuries or even result in the bike crashing.
Components And Quality Of The Mountain Bike
But the most important factor of all is the quality of the mountain bike you want to purchase. When choosing a Mountain bike, it is very important to pay attention to the quality of the components and construction of the frame.
There are many components and features in an average bicycle but the quality of the overall bike is determined by the components and features that the frame is equipped with. So pay close attention to this aspect of your product!
Frame
What material is in the frame of a mountain bike? We’re going to give you the skinny on the different materials used to create mountain bike frames today.
Mountain bike frames majorly come into three types:
- Aluminum
For bike frames it’s usually the cheapest and easiest material to work with – 6061 aluminum is commonly used. Alloy is corrosion-resistant and lightweight. And because it’s so popular, you’ll find lots of great designs made in aluminum. More and more bikes are being made out of 6061 alloys because of their reliability, affordability, and weight.
- Steel
Steel is a metal that’s dense, strong, durable, and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. But, it costs more to produce than aluminum. Steel frames are heavier as compared to aluminum frames.
- Carbon
Carbon is a composite material made out of layers of carbon weave. Carbon is an incredibly versatile material that can be used in a variety of different applications. It is strong, lightweight, and more durable than steel and aluminum. While carbon fiber can look amazing, it’s also prone to cracking. However, its biggest downside is that once you crack your frame, it is no longer safe to ride.
Fork
There are essentially two types of forks for kids’ mountain bikes – rigid and suspension. Suspension is a way of adding comfort to a bicycle.
The suspension is there to absorb the bumps and rough stuff of the trail, but it does nothing for the ride if you are on smooth asphalt.
A rigid fork is recommended for all-around riding, especially cross-country riding. A suspension fork works best for downhill riding on rough paths. A rigid fork is the traditional form of a fork. They are maintenance-free, lightweight, and come at a cheaper price.
Tires
Tires on a mountain bike should provide the best traction, comfort, and stability. Wide tires are best for rough terrain while narrow tires are best for smooth paved areas. You’ll want a tire that has a good “profile” for your terrain.
Gears
While it’s important to have gears on a kid’s mountain bike, it can become a nuisance for younger riders to understand just how to use them.
Knowing how to use the right gearing will help to make your cycling experience more efficient and comfortable.
Brakes
Mountain bikes commonly use either rim brakes or disc brakes. With rim brakes, you squeeze the rubber brake pads on the side of the wheels.
In comparison to rim brakes, disc brakes feature rotors mounted on the wheels with special brake pads. They work by applying pressure by hand or pneumatically.
Kids’ bikes have been fine with regular normal brakes for a long time. You don’t need disc brakes on your kid’s bike. In fact, you might want to consider replacing them entirely.
Budget
When buying a kid’s bike for your little one, don’t feel pressured to overspend. If your kids want a new bike, make sure it fits their needs and budget. There are some great, affordable kid’s bikes available. You’re going to want to make sure you get a bike that works for your child and will serve them well.
Top 5 Best Mountain Bikes For 12 Year Old In 2023
1. Mongoose Exlipse
Mongoose’s Exlipse is a full-suspension mountain bike that’s designed to be a versatile ride for all-day adventures on or off the trail.
The Mongoose Exlipse mountain bike is equipped with a strong but lightweight steel frame with front and rear suspension, the front & rear linear-pull brakes provide all-condition braking for sure stops and the 21 speeds provide smooth and precise shifting.
It features a 21-speed Shimano drivetrain with three chainrings, a 3-piece crankset, and alloy wheels for all-around durability. The front and rear linear-pull brakes deliver precise braking power, while the ergonomic seat, handlebars, and Seatpost offer a comfortable riding position.
The Exlipse is designed with an upright geometry to keep you balanced and comfortable, and it features a steel frame that’s lightweight and durable. It’s ready to take on your favorite singletrack and trail routes in comfort and style.
2. Diamondback Cobra
The Diamondback Cobra Youth Mountain Bike is a well-made mountain bike with great features that makes it perfect for beginners and young riders who want to start their journey with a more affordable but quality bike.
The Diamondback Cobra Mountain Bike features a Shimano 21-speed drivetrain, which allows children to ride the bike on dirt trails and roads without getting lost. The frame is made from durable 6061-T6 aluminum and is designed for stability and durability.
The Hl Zoom 40mm travel fork is made from lightweight and durable carbon fiber, which absorbs vibrations. This mountain bike also comes with a linear-pull brake that has adjustable-reach levers so that young riders can adjust the reach of their brake as they get older and taller.
These brakes are easy to operate and have good braking power. Kids who like riding dirt roads can learn about the mechanics of cycling by using this bike.
3. Dynacraft Vertical Alpine Eagle
The Dynacraft Alpine Eagle mountain bike will help you explore the mountains and trails in a comfortable way. This dual suspension bike has a suspension fork for better handling and a suspension Seatpost for extra comfort while riding. This bike is suitable for kids and adults with short height.
The front fork of the bike has a shock absorber in it that absorbs shocks and vibration. This allows the rider to enjoy smooth rides even on rough terrain. The suspension Seatpost of this bike absorbs shocks for a comfortable ride. This bike has a large gear ratio, which means that the bike is easier to ride and is more responsive than a small gear ratio.
The adjustable seat post of the bike can be used with a saddle or an in-line seat tube, which allows for versatility. This mountain bike is equipped with a top-of-the-line Shimano drivetrain that provides smooth, precise shifts from an 18-speed Shimano index derailleur and brake levers, which ensure hassle-free operation.
The quick-release Seatpost allows for super-fast set-up and adjustment. The cushy saddle is comfortable for hours on end and the solid steel kickstand makes the bike easy for standing.
The vertical Alpine Eagle is the ideal set of wheels for the rider who wants to climb to the top of a mountain and enjoy the view.
4. Schwinn High Timber
Schwinn is one of the oldest bike brands, and it is still among the top ones in terms of quality and reliability. It has three options: 1.) Aluminum frame 2.) Steel frame 3.) Aluminum frame with disc brakes
The Schwinn High Timber is the perfect choice for riders who want to explore all of their trails. The steel frame is tough and durable and has a 21-speed twist shift mechanism for smooth navigation of all types of terrain alloy cranks that are perfect for long rides and climbs. The other model features a lightweight, yet durable aluminum frame.
The Front and Rear Linear Pull Brake System offers great braking power for tough trail conditions. Plus, it’s equipped with all-terrain tires for extra grip which are wide enough to give you more stability and traction in rough terrain, and a quick-release Seatpost so you can adjust your position quickly and easily.
This model features a sturdy suspension fork for all-terrain performance and a Shimano mountain drivetrain that can handle any trail you want to take on. The alloy pedals also add stability and give you great power transfer. These features are enough to ensure that this mountain bike is ready for anything you want to do.
The High Timber comes with a lifetime warranty from Schwinn, providing peace of mind that your bicycle will be repaired or replaced by them if something should go wrong. Get out and ride with the High Timber.
5. Huffy Stone Hardtail Mountain Bike
The Huffy Stone Mountain is equipped with an array of features to make sure it stays looking great while you ride with performance. The Shimano 21 speed drivetrain offers easy-to-use, and efficient transmission that is sure to make you smile with good gearing for easy climbing and descending, as well as relaxed pedaling. A removable rear derailleur guard prevents accidental damage to the gears of the bicycle chain
The suspension fork takes a beating from road vibrations and the occasional bump, which further helps to keep the front wheel firmly planted on the ground for improved comfort and handling. It has a simple quick-release seat post to adjust the height of your seat. It features Linear pull handbrakes are designed to ensure easy brake application and consistent braking action in all driving conditions
Huffy’s Stone Mountain Hardtail mountain bike delivers outstanding performance and rides quality at an affordable price. The Stone Mountain Hardtail’s ATB (Advanced Technologies Bike) technology ensures that you have a high-performing, high-quality bike that will last you for years to come. It features a slight-rise handlebar for a more upright riding position, which reduces back and shoulder strain.
ATB technology combines the durability of Kraton grips with the responsiveness of resin pedals to deliver a bike that’s comfortable and easy to use. The bike is equipped with alloy wheels in a matte black finish. The kickstand comes with the bike, so you don’t need to buy a separate item. This is a great value for money bike and is suitable for riders of all levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can A 12 Year Old Ride A 24 Inch Bike?
Generally, 24′′ bikes fit children aged 7-11. However, this can vary quite a bit depending on the bike and the child. It is important to check the sizing chart for a specific bike before buying one from this list since many manufacturers cater to kids between the ages of 8 and 12.
What Height Is A 26-inch Bike For?
26-inch bikes are best suited to people between 4’10” and 5’7″ tall (147 – 170 centimeters). These bikes will also work well for people who have leg inseams between 25 and 30 inches, or 63 and 76 centimeters.
What Size Person Can Ride A 29 Inch Bike?
A 26-inch mountain bike is still likely to be a better fit if you are under 5’6″. The 29er model should fit you if you are 5’6′ or taller. With a 29er bike, riders over 6′ tall will have a more natural riding position.
Conclusion
Before buying a mountain bike for your 12-year-old, it is important to consider some important factors. These include the bike’s size, weight, and price. Additionally, you should make sure that the bike is safe and comfortable for your child. After all, mountain biking is an excellent way to get your kid active and enjoy nature. So, don’t hesitate to check out our blog for more information on the best mountain bikes for 12 year olds.
