My 8-year-old son and his neighborhood buddies (ages 6 to 8) were also naturally drawn to the bikes as they went from box to assembly, beckoning like little alloy sirens. The boys were generally beyond these bikes in terms of size, but they still helped by testing toughness and durability—blasting around our neighborhood, locking up the brakes, and launching sweet jumps from our driveway quarterpipe. The Core range is based around a 6061 aluminium tube set that is butted where needed with some gentle manipulation to ovalise the down tube as it meets the seat tube at the bottom bracket shell. There are strengthening gussets where the down tube and top tube meet the tapered head tube and the seat stays are an old school wishbone style, the lack of a bridge gives ample mud genesis mountain bike clearance. For beginners, a bike saddle’s minimum height should be right at the top of the child’s inseam, so that they can get their feet flat on the ground. The handlebars should be at a level where the child is comfortable—generally around belly button height—with the child standing flat on the ground straddling the bike. If the seat is set at the lowest height, the bars should be, too. Aside from its pedals, which you have to screw onto the cranks, the REV 16 comes completely assembled and ready to ride. Like many higher-end kids bikes, the Rev 16’s shape is unisex; it’s available in green, blue, and pink. The REV 16 comes nearly completely assembled and ready to ride within a few minutes—unlike two-thirds of the other bikes we tested, which required more wrenching (or possibly a bike shop visit). The 1.75-inch, semi-knobby tires perform well on dirt or pavement, and the 1.5-plus inches of adjustability on the handlebar stem and a seatpost that ranges between 20.5 and 25 inches means this bike will fit a wide array of kids. With a slogan like “Excellence Begins Here”, there was no way we could pass up the chance to review the Genesis V2100 mountain bike. This $149 full suspension, 26? bike has it all – aluminum frame, at least one disc brake, Shimano drivetrain, and even a padded seat. Plus, buying a bike at your LBS allows you to get fitted for the proper frame size. More than one review indicated a longer post or stem was needed, neither of which addresses the fact that the frame is a “one size fits most”. The Equilibrium and Equilibrium Disc are also endurance/sportive-focused bikes, and come with a steel frame and carbon fork. The steel makes for a super comfortable ride, while the carbon reduces some of the weight. You can add one yourself by purchasing it at a shop for a few bucks. We sent our six finalists up to then Wirecutter editor Ali Carr, who lives in the hills in Woodstock, New York. She employed a gang of eight 4- to 8-year-olds to pedal in parking lots and on trails—paved and not—and determine how our brakes worked down long inclines. The REI Co-op Cycles REV 16 Kids’ Bike is a nicely designed, mid-price bike from REI, a nationwide retailer run by actual outdoor enthusiasts. Then we handed the bikes off to eager young testers and let the steel and alloy cream rise to the top. Lightweight and highly adjustable in size, it comes pretty much pre-assembled, with removable training wheels, a midrange price tag, and REI’s reputable customer service. Given the lack of functionality of the Genesis V2100’s rear suspension, this actually makes a lot more sense. A 1-inch narrower Q factor—the distance between the pedals—could also help the bikes almost-too-quick responsiveness. The Ozone 500 Exhilarate 27.5-inch Mountain Bike stands out in both style and functionality. This sturdy mountain bike with a matte paint finish is designed for exploring the road less traveled. An 18-speed Shimano derailleur with grip shifters gives you the ability to navigate different types of terrain and inclines at your own pace and with ease. When you’re riding through a rugged environment, you’ll find that the full suspension design and lightweight alloy rims will make your ride much smoother and more comfortable. But if your Genesis V1200 needs a new rim, now may be a good time to consider cutting your losses and sell it for scrap instead. When it comes time to hit the trail, the effectiveness of the coil spring suspension on the Genesis V2100 caught a lot of owners by surprise. Advertised as 80mm (3.14?) of travel, most couldn’t get more than one inch of movement. Having a non-progressive spring rate means that it’s unlikely they’ll ever get the full travel out of either end.