The Best Bike for 9 to 12 Year-Olds in 2021

Buying a bike for your pre-teen can be a confusing experience. 

Children in the nine to twelve age bracket grow so fast and are becoming increasingly independent. It’s hard for parents to know what bike models are most suitable physically, and which features are age-appropriate.  

There are so many questions to ask when looking for the best bikes for nine to 12-year-olds. 

Does your tween need a bike with more advanced features, such as kickstands and gears? 

They’re growing up so quickly; what should you do if they’re between sizes? 

And let’s not forget the scariest question of all – is it time for an adult bike?

Everything about the pre-teen phase seems to be difficult and awkward. Your kid isn’t little anymore, but they’re not entirely independent either.

This bike guide will answer all your questions and help you find the best bikes for older children aged nine to twelve. We’ll cover everything from finding the right size bike to choosing age-appropriate features and bike models.

How to Choose a Bike for 9 to 12 Year-Olds

As your child reaches their early teens, you may be wondering if it’s time to make that big move to an adult bike. 

At first glance, a larger children’s bike and an adult bike may not seem that different. But children’s bikes are made and measured differently from adult bikes. A 26-inch kid’s bicycle is very different from an XS adult bike.

Weight, features, size, and bike geometry also differ between adult and children’s bikes. You’ll want to consider all of the following factors when choosing a bike for your child.

Picking the right size

Pre-teens grow fast. Growth spurts can differ widely from one child to another; not every ten-year-old will be the same height and weight. That’s why Cleary doesn’t size our bikes based on age alone. 

When a bike is too small, your child will feel cramped and may even be embarrassed when riding. But bikes that are too large put your child at risk of losing control of the bike. Age brackets can guide you or narrow your options. But, to find your pre-teen their perfect bike, you should measure them and get a bike that fits.

To measure your child, have them stand with their back flat against a wall with their shoes on. Measure your child’s inseam – the distance from the crotch of your child’s pants down to the floor – then compare it against the seat height of the bike. Your child’s inseam measurement will help you find the most suitable bike.

Older children and pre-teens in the nine to twelve age group usually have an inseam somewhere in the range of 23 – 28 inches. These inseam measurements align to a bike model with 24-26 inch wheels. However, if your child is taller or shorter than average, you may want to explore different bike sizes. Check out our bike size chart to find the perfect match.

It’s always best to take your kid bike shopping with you and have them try out the bike for size. You can have them sit and test the pedal height and get a feel for the bike’s weight. If you’re looking for a boy’s bike, have your child straddle the top bar, Boys should have a 1-inch clearance.

Adjustable

An adjustable bike is a must-have for growing tweens. Bikes with adjustable seats and handlebars allow your child to use their bike longer, even as they grow. 

When measuring the height of the bike, the seat should be fully down, allowing for growth as you raise it over time. If the bike only fits with the seat already raised, it’s a sign that your child will quickly outgrow it.

Weight

A bike’s weight is an important consideration if you’re debating between a children’s bicycle or a small adult bike. Children’s bikes are much lighter than adult bikes, which is the main reason we recommend a 26-inch kids’ bike over an XS adult bike. A bike that is too heavy for a child can affect their balance or make getting quickly on and off difficult or dangerous. 

Gears

Once children reach this age group, they will have the skills and maturity to manage gears. Introducing gears in the nine to twelve age groups helps prepare children to move to an adult bike in a few years. 

Gears are usually standard with 24 and 26-inch bikes unless you choose a beach cruiser with a single-speed drivetrain. Gears allow your child to tackle various surfaces and inclines, allowing them more scope for riding and adventure.

Tires

Older children love exploring a variety of rougher terrains, including gravel, dirt, and grass. A durable tire that offers more grip, such as deeply treaded tires, will ensure your child has superb traction.

Pedals

You should always check pedal height when choosing a child’s bike. Most children in this age group will have already learned to ride a bike and feel confident enough to balance the bike without putting their feet on the ground. If that’s the case, have your child sit on the bike’s saddle and check that only their tiptoes touch the ground. 

But, if your child is nervous or new to riding, size down to a model where they can put their feet flat. As they grow, raise the seat to allow for proper leg extension, allowing more confident riders to pedal faster.

Assembly

As soon as their new bike arrives, your child will be itching to ride it. So, choosing a bike that’s easy to put together is a bonus and will save you the headache of complex assembly. Cleary bikes are so easy to put together; your kids can even help you do it! You can watch our assembly video to see how easy it is to assemble a Cleary bike.

Best Bike Size for 9 to 12 Year-Olds

Children’s bikes are the best option for most kids in this age group. Children’s bikes use kid specifications; they have narrower seats, smaller-reach brake levers, and narrower handlebars. 

A bike designed for children makes riding easier and safer for tweens who are not yet full-grown adults. Unless your child is very tall and can handle the weight of an adult bike, a children’s model is still your best bet for pre-teens. 

The Best Bikes for 9-12 Year-Olds in 2021

24 Inch Meerkat 

Shorter or petite children in the nine to twelve-year-old age range may be best suited to a 24-inch bike. The Cleary 24-inch Meerkat has similar features to a 26-inch model, so your child won’t feel they’re missing out on anything if you choose this smaller model.

This 24-inch model has a trigger shifter and a five-speed internally geared Sturmey Archer hub. These features allow you to make quick, efficient shifts, but you won’t have to worry about chain drops or being out of gear. These more advanced features will give your child a taste of what it’s like to ride an adult bike.

The lightweight Meerkat is seriously fun for 7 to 10-year-olds. Front and rear rack mounts grant your child more independence for adventures. You can easily add a basket or rear rack so your child can take a backpack to school or take some sports equipment and snacks to the park. 

With your kids growing fast and racing about at increased speeds, it’s easy to worry about spills. Every child needs to be able to stop safely and surely. You can be confident that Meerkat’s sealed hydraulic disc brakes can stop safely, regardless of the weather.

The 24 inch Meerkat fits riders with an inseam of 22″ to 26″. It has a low bottom bracket height, so a rider with a 22″ inseam can comfortably start on the Meerkat. The seat tube angle on the Meerkat allows the bike to grow alongside your little rider. So even a rider who is 5″ taller will still fit this bike model well.

26 Inch Meerkat

The 26-inch Meerkat bike is the biggest kids’ bike in the Cleary range. Although this is taller and heavier than our smaller models, it’s still a lightweight bike designed for a child’s proportions and weight. 

A lightweight bike of this size is an excellent choice for taller grade-schoolers and middle schoolers. This model is a perfect choice for tweens and teens who are mature and confident enough to handle an adult bike’s features – but not quite the right build for adult sizes. 

The 26 inch Meerkat is an all-terrain bike that comes with 5-speeds. It’s fast, sleek, and stylish, designed to appeal to discerning young riders! It’s your child’s ticket to adventure and independence.

26-inch wheels roll that much faster than 24’s, so this size is best suited for taller and more confident riders who can maintain control of a heavier bike at greater speed.

You can add a kickstand to this model for urban use, and it’s easy to lock up, so older children can ride to school or visit friends. There is no derailleur to get bent in a bike rack, and the tires roll smoothly over even pothole-filled city roads. If you want to head out on the trails, swap in knobby tires up to 2.35″ for day trips out in the backcountry.

26 Inch Scout

The 26 inch Scout kids bike is our children’s mountain bike model. This kids MTB has ten speeds for confident kids. The Scout bike allows kids to hit the trails with confidence and tackle uneven terrain. 

Saddle Up!

Pre-teens are quickly growing out of childhood, making this one of the most challenging ages for bike buying. It’s essential to pick a bike with features that give your child independence and a sense of challenge while still being safe. 

By following the guidance in this article, you’ll be able to confidently choose a bike that they’ll love and can safely handle.