What is the best gift you could give a 12-year-old boy on his birthday? Every boy likes biking, even if they never said it before. Buying bikes is confusing due to the many brands available that offer distinct features. Bikes seem to be equal but some are more equal than others.
It can be bothersome choosing the best bike from all these brands. Some bikes are durable, while others offer unmatched comfort, speed, help you cycle with ease, and are lightweight. All these are merits of bikes but you need to get the fairest. Although your son might help you get the most suitable bike, he might not identify the best bike because of the first-time excitement.
In my short guide, I can help you take the best shot of the most enthusiastic model. I reviewed my choices in terms of price, comfort, terrain, weight, and safety. Of course, 12-year-old kids are yet to learn how to bike intensely, so be certain to get a bike with easy-shifting gears.
Just before you get to learn my top picks, consider this chart to guide you in identifying the right size for a 12-year boy.
| Kids Bike Size Chart | |||
| Wheels size (inches) | Age range (years) | Boy’s inseam (inches) | Boy’s height (inches) |
| 20 | 8 -12 years | 22′ – 25′ | 48′ – 56′ |
| 24 | 12+ years | 24′ – 28′ | 56′ – 62′ |
So, the ideal size of a 12-year-old boy is a 24-inch wheel-size bike. If your boy is around, let him choose the bike he’s most comfortable with.
Here are the top picks for best bike for 12 year old boy:
Best Mountain Bike: Dynacraft Vertical Alpine Eagle 24″ Bike
Has a full suspension frame, quick release seat, and a steel kickstand.
Best lightest: Schwinn High Timber Youth Mountain Bike, Steel Frame, 24-Inch Wheels, 21-Speed
Lightweight
Best cheapest: Dynacraft Magna Front Shock Mountain Bike
Cheapest price for the best deal
Best first-time MTB: Raleigh bikes Rowdy 24
Easy to hop on and off
Best rugged steel frame: Elecony Saver100 24 Inch Mountain Bike Boys Girls Shimano 21 Speed Mountain Bicycle with Daul Disc Brakes and Front Suspension MTB
The rugged steel frame provides strong support strength, ergonomic design, and protects against wear resistance.
Mongoose Exlipse Full Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike for Kids
Dual suspension and includes a kickstand
Guardian Kids Bikes Ethos. 16/20/24 Inch
Easy assembly, and safe brake system.
Road bike LZ-550 Steel Bicycle disc Brake 21 Speed
Easy assembly, comes 85% assembled.
Best Hybrid Bike: Raleigh Bikes Cadent Hybrid Bikes
Lightweight, aluminum frame
Lightweight, aluminum frame
Raleigh Bikes Tokul 24 Kids Mountain Bike
Simple gear shifting and little maintenance
10 Best Bike For 12-year-old Boy
Best mountain bike: Dynacraft Vertical Alpine Eagle 24″ Bike
Specifications:
- Brand: Dynacraft
- Wheel Size: 24 Inches
- Specific Uses For Product: Trail
- Special Feature: Dual Suspension, Mountain bike, BMX
- Number of Speeds: 18
Pros:
- Great full suspension
- Easy assembly
Cons:
- Cheap tires
The Vertical Alpine Eagle 24″ bicycle is the ideal bike for the roughest roads! It includes a full suspension outline ensured to gobble up the knocks. The yellow and dark choice paint wraps up with high contrast subtleties makes it certain to grab the attention with a smart attractiveness. Highlighting an 18-speed record derailleur with grasp shifters, this bicycle will make any terrain appear to be level, while front and back v-brakes make diving simple with protected and strong stops.
Its seat offers a very fast set-up and adjustment. The cushioned seat gives a very enjoyable ride and the strong steel kickstand makes resting the bicycle a snap. Riders will appreciate long moments of fun flying along with the ways and trails on their Vertical Alpine Eagle 24″ bicycle
Best lightest: Schwinn High Timber Youth Mountain Bike, Steel Frame, 24-Inch Wheels, 21-Speed
Specifications:
- Brand: Schwinn
- Wheel Size: 24 Inches
- Specific Uses For Product: Trail
- Suspension Type: Front
- Special Feature: Lightweight, Mountain bike
- Number of Speeds: 21
Pros:
- Shifts gears smoothly
- Two size options of 24-inch and 29-inch wheels to allow riders of different heights
- Front and rear linear-pull brakes for safe stopping
- Easy to change gears with precision
- Wheels have alloy rims that offer strength
- Schwinn alloy crank provides smooth gearing and less maintenance
Cons:
- The seat may be a little uncomfortable
- Does not come assembled
The American bike is a durable mountain bike designed for trails and neighborhood rides. It has an alloy crank, provides steady gearing, and requires less maintenance. Its 21-Speed shifters with rear derailleur bring quick gear changes on the trail.
Being all-terrain, it has wide knobby mountain tires that sit on light and durable alloy wheels for added stability. Its seat is one of a kind that offers quick release seat for easy height adjustment
Best cheapest: Dynacraft Magna Front Shock Mountain Bike
Specifications:
- Brand: Dynacraft
- Wheel Size: 24 Inches
- Specific Uses For Product: Trail
- Suspension Type: Front
- Special Feature: Mountain bike
- Number of Speeds: 18
Pros:
- Steel frame
- Quick-release seat post
- Good quality components at a phenomenal price
- Strong and sturdy
Cons:
- Break system requires an expert technician
- Hard saddle
This smooth ride includes a strong steel outline with an exclusive red paint finish. It comes with custom designs and blue, dark, and white accents. It’s an intense bicycle outfitted with a front shock to gobble up the knocks, front and back direct force brakes to make stopping a breeze, and 18-speed record shifter cogwheels to make climbing an impact. What’s more, with a super cushioned seat with a speedy change seat post clip, this 24″ bicycle isn’t just safeguarded but much more comfortable and simple to assemble. If you want the best experience, get the 24″ Echo Ridge bicycle and experience fun on wheels more than ever!
The bike rides great. You can order a bigger, more comfortable saddle (cheap on Amazon). This bike is a no-brainer at this price.
Best first-time MTB: Raleigh bikes Rowdy 24
Specifications:
- Weight: 23.3 lbs
- Frame: Aluminum low standover
- Wheel Size: 24”
- Brakes Alloy: V-brake Mechanical disc
- Shifters: Shimano Revo 7-speed
- Gears: Shimano Tourney, 1 front & 7 rear gears
Pros:
- Easy to shift gears
- Aluminum frame for lightweight durability; fits ages 12 perfectly
- Offers 7 speeds to choose from to go faster and make hill climbing easier
- 24-inch wheels keep the bike sized just right for bigger kids
- Alloy V brakes for speed control and easy stopping
Cons
- The aluminum frame is prone to breaking down.
The Raleigh Rowdy 24 is a convenient muddy and shallow soil trails cruiser. At the places where kids enjoy playing with sand, the 24-inch bike is worth giving credit for by keeping their euphoria for riding alive. A contort shifter assists them with working on tracking down the right gear for the right circumstance.
Bumpy 1.95 inch tires to hold on soil ways and add some trailblazing bicycle style. The Raleigh Jr. Mountain seat and Jr. holds might resemble those found on a grown-up bicycle, however, they are intended to fit the extents of a maturing youngster. The Rowdy 24 will keep them dashing around with a colossal smile.
Elecony Saver100 24 Inch Mountain Bike Boys Girls Shimano 21 Speed Mountain Bicycle
Specifications:
- Weight: 33 lbs
- Frame Material: High-carbon Steel, Optimize Routing
- Derailleur: SHIMANO TZ500
- Brake Front and Rear: Mechanical Disc Brakes
- Saddle Foam: Saddle Can Adjust Height and Inclination
- Rim: 24*1.75 AV Aluminum
Pros:
- Great braking system
- Wonderful tires
- Imperial bike frame
Cons:
- No rear shock
This is the bike that increases the desire to ride. Made to be stronger than ever, it has a Resistant Suspension Fork and shock-absorbing front forks. Its thickened outer wall is a better shock absorber. Your boy is lucky to sit on a thick ergonomic Rapid-Release Saddle comfort saddle that’s adjustable according to the height of the rider.
Its tire design; 24*1.75″ Low Resistance Tread (EAKIA) gives low resistance, strong grip, and non-slip, Brand EAKIA, for smooth speeds.
Elecony Saver comes with a Full Shimano Drivetrain that offers comfortable gearing for starters and pro riders alike. It includes Dual Disc Brakes which coordinate both front and back wheels to make stopping a breeze. The mechanical disc brakes offer safety better than V-brakes.
Without forgetting the strong Rugged Frame design for unmatched strength, ergonomic design, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, you’re guaranteed maximum safety and a reliable bike to serve all day.
Mongoose Exlipse Full Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike for Kids,
Specifications:
- Item Weight: 15 Kgs
- Brand: Mongoose
- Warranty: Limited time
- Model Name: Mongoose Exlipse Full Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike
- Material: Steel
- Style: 15-inch Steel Frame and a 21-speed Shimano Drivetrain Wi
Pros:
- The steel frame is lightweight and strong
- Alloy wheels
- 21 speeds with Shimano rear derailleur
- 3 piece cranks
- Front & rear linear-pull brakes
- Adjust the brake cables and shoe position during assembly
- Includes a kickstand
Cons:
- Not-so-good brakes that use linear pull hand brakes.
The Mongoose Exlipse 24″ unisex full suspension mountain bike is one of the best-selling bikes on Amazon rated with over 1000 5 stars. It’s the ideal bike for your young man to drift around, have fun, get candy cakes, or enjoy with friends. Its steel frame is attached to the front & rear linear-pull brakes to give all accurate braking for safe stops while the 21 speeds with Shimano derailleur deliver smooth and cutting-edge shifting.
Best road bike: Guardian Kids Bikes Ethos. 16/20/24 Inch
Specifications:
- Brand: Guardian Bikes
- Wheel Size: 24 Inches
- Specific Uses For Product: Road
- Suspension Type: Rigid
- Special Feature: Easy Assembly
- Number of Speeds: 7
Pros:
- Multiple Colors for Boys Safer Brake System for Kids. Lightweight Steel Construction. Easy Assembly. ASO SharkTank.
- Easy assembly
- Better control
Cons:
- Has a little gear shift difficulty.
Guardian Kids Bikes Ethos provides a safer, smarter, and simpler ride. Differently from others, this bike is developed to use a brake lever to manage both the front and rear wheels, making the breakage 45% faster. This is an intelligent sure stop that applies a brake to both wheels to keep your son away from head-over-handlebar accidents.
It has a huge focus on kid-specific geometry, offering both a low center of gravity and safety
This is the bike that won’t let you down when it comes to safety plus an additional feature that includes a custom geometry to keep your child lower to the ground. Additionally, the extended wheelbase helps to improve stability. Since it fits kid-specific interests, riding on this bike becomes more soft, safe, and fun.
Finally, being lightweight, there’s better control and easier jumping.
Road bike LZ-550 Steel Bicycle disc Brake 21 Speed
Specifications:
- Product Name: Road Bike
- Frame material: steel
- Wheel: spoke wheel
- Speed: 21 speed
- Brake: disc brake
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- After-sales service and quality assurance.
- Great for the price.
Cons:
- No rear shock
Even for a first-time bike technician, you’ll not lose your way because it comes 85% assembled, just minor tune adjustment is needed. It’s a smooth and stable ride for a 12-year-old.
Being sturdy, it’s a beautiful bike, and costs a fraction of what other look-alike bikes cost. Its brakes aren’t compromised because they are the best design, disk brakes. It’s strongly recommended for beginner and mid-level riders.
Best Hybrid Bike: Raleigh Bikes Cadent Hybrid Bikes
Specifications:
- Brand: RALEIGH
- Wheel Size: 24 Inches
- Specific Uses For Product: Road
- Special Feature: Lightweight, Aluminum Frame
- Number of Speeds: 7
- Frame Material: Aluminum
Pros:
- Has a low standover aluminum frame for easy hopping on and off.
- Its 24-inch wheels keep the bike sized just right for bigger kids
- Features Shimano Revo shifters roll with a cool 7 gears with an easy twist of the wrist
- Has alloy V brakes for speed control and easy stopping
Cons:
- Handlebars are low and unadjustable
- Hard to Assemble
- Aluminum body
The Raleigh Cadent 24 is a 24-inch bike designed for boys who are mid-level bikes and all set to explore the neighborhood. It’s made from durable aluminum to ensure it rolls fast and is light enough to easily lift onto a bike stand. More just like adult-size flat bar road bikes, the Cadent 24 kid bike comes with flat bars, an impressive Raleigh design, and high-quality Shimano parts.
You need not worry about the slippery grip anymore, its soft rubber handlebar gives the best grasp. Road bike saddles ensure young riders are comfortable enough to maintain them for longer rides. You can ride with your son for its smooth-rolling 24×1.75 inch tires lets you keep up with its speed. The Cadent 24 is a goal setter that can be used as a school ride and as a weekend getaway sailor to cruise the pavement or cruise around town with friends or family.
Royce Union RTT 24″ Mens 21-Speed Mountain Bike, Aluminum Frame, Trigger Shift, Matte Tangerine (74408)
Specifications:
- Brand: ROYCE UNION
- Wheel Size: 24 Inches
- Suspension Type: Front
- Special Feature: Lightweight, 21 speed, Aluminum Frame, Mountain bike
- Number of Speeds: 21
- Size: 24-inch wheels – 15-inch frame
Pros:
- Fits a 12-year-old boy perfectly
- Raised handlebars for comfort
- Sturdy and fast bike
- Easily adjusted
Cons:
- Somehow overpriced with its aluminum frame
- No kickstand
To make sure you won’t miss a hitch, the Royce Union brand includes an assembly with an image tutorial. Its key features are its lightweight, durable aluminum frame for easier handling on the trails and 21 speeds with smooth trigger shifting, and a glossy silver frame with gloss overcoat looks strong.
Royce Union manufacturers provide tools needed for the bike assembly. This 24-inch wheel bike can be comfortably ridden by young boys with a minimum inseam of 25 inches. Its knobby tread holds into soft terrains for a firm grip on paths and roads.
The Shimano EZ Fire Plus trigger and TY300 rear indexed derailleur deliver 21 speeds to ensure the rider is well covered for ultra-smooth shifting with just your index finger and thumb. It has a full Shimano drivetrain for great, worthwhile performance
The lightweight alloy linear-pull brakes made for alloy wheel rims create a superior brake pad contact for smooth stopping power. For comfort, handlebars are slightly raised for upright riding so with minimal back and shoulder stretch.
It’s padded saddle, designed with quality side coupling is fully adjustable for perfect height and angle. All these features are supplemented by an alloy quick release binder which enables easy customization for a proper fit, and a suspension fork to absorb bumps and portholes with relaxation.
Raleigh Bikes Tokul 24 Kids Mountain Bike
Specifications:
- Brand: RALEIGH
- Specific Uses For Product: Trail
- Special Feature: Basket
- Number of Speeds: 7
- Frame Material: Aluminum
- Brake Style: Disc
Pros:
- Has a low standover aluminum frame for easy hopping on off
- Features SR Suntour 50mm suspension fork to soak up bumps
- Uses mechanical disc brakes to control speeds
- Perfectly fits 12-year-old kids
- Includes a limited lifetime warranty on the frame for as long as the original buyer owns the bicycle
Cons:
- No kickstand
This is a bigger boys’ bike series for boys who want to compete in biking with their parents. It is the recreational bike for the best experience in tooth, rough, and rocky terrain.
It features 7-speed Shimano RevoShift shifters to deliver the best 14 gear combinations while keeping switching reasonable and low-maintenance. Your chain will be forever protected from rocks, logs, or even your legs by a bash guard. Lastly, its large 24 x 1.95-inch tires are made for the toughest terrain there is! Surely, the amazing Tokul 24 is a young series hardtail MTB for young bike enthusiasts ready and eager for an outstanding adventure.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Bike
Size
Before you even think of ordering a bike, start by checking the correct measurement for your son. You should note that Mountain Bikes have different size requirements from Road bikes. That’s why you have to be vigilant especially if ordering a bike online. Note, years alone can’t give the accurate size of a bike as boys can have varying heights.
But with the correct inseam and height measurements, you can choose either a 24 inch or 26-inch version. If you can get to a store face to face, the better. Let your son take a few rides on different bikes and make a purchase for the bike that rides the most comfortable.
Brand
From the picks above, there are a lot of bike manufacturers. Some brands are better than others in terms of durability, comfort, price, and availability. Lucky for you, all the bikes included have a good reputation from past buyers.
Schwinn, for example, is a better brand when compared to most bike brands. Finally, check for the quality of the frames, components, warranty, and service.
Cost
It’s possible to get an exceptional bike at a low price. It depends on how good your research is. Good bikes host great and unique features but cost a little bit more than others. But here, you got to determine the role of the bike, terrain to be ridden on, your budget, and your brand.
Accessories
Sometimes, you might be interested in getting a bike that comes with more accessories like a helmet, tools, rear carriage, bells, locks, shark tanks, and a bike stand.
That’s upon you to confirm if the store or manufacturer offers the list of accessories you’re after.
Compare
If you take your time precisely, you can save yourself from avoidable frustrations. There are a lot of bikes, and each bike stands out differently. Despite the costs, there isn’t any reason to have an inferior bike.
If you’ve biked before, you know that cycling isn’t just cycling with any bike. Some make it more interesting, comfortable, fun, easy, smooth, fast, and exciting.
Nobody would love cycling on a bike whose brakes, derailleur, handlebars, or tires fail occasionally. Neither would you prefer an uncomfortable bike for your son.
I’m sure that if you play your cards right with any of the above top 10 choices, they won’t let you down. However, as aforementioned, it depends on some factors like comfort, type of terrain, number of gears, shock type, brake types, and brand as well.
Go get the best bike for your son, for maximum safety, fun, and health-wise.
