Over the past few years, BMX brands have really started putting some attention towards creating some quality complete bikes for the young guns that have really pushed the level of riding that we see from the kids that are 4-12 years old. Not to say that 12″, 16″ and 18″ bikes weren’t a thing before that, but there really wasn’t that much emphasis on it and the quality or options weren’t exactly that beneficial for actually doing tricks and progressing.
It’s pretty easy to see that these bikes have been awesome because we have seen some insane progression from the kids lately and it seems like every day we see a new video that just blows our mind. We got looking around at all of the options that are available these days and it’s pretty amazing what is currently available in the 2015 and now 2016 complete bike ranges that are available or soon to be released.
We decided to compile a handful of the best options that are out there for those of you who are looking to get your kid into BMX. I mean, let’s be real, who doesn’t want their kid riding the skatepark, trails or even street with them on a bike that doesn’t suck? Let’s take a look!
Balance Bikes
Balance bikes have been gaining popularity and it’s no surprise. Kids love them and they are actually a really good alternative to teaching your kid how to balance on a bike versus having training wheels to rely on that takes the work out of actually trying to figure out how to stay upright on two wheels.
Above is a look at the 2015 Scout from Verde. This bike is designed to look like a regular 20″ bike and uses quality construction to ensure it’s not going to break after a few spills or running into things. Plus, the bike comes in 3 colors; mint green, red and blue.
More photos and information can be found on the Verde website
For 2016, Kink Bike Co. have a new balance bike called the Coast that will be available starting in May 2015. This bike is similar to the Scout in simplicity and design. They have even gone as far as giving the bike similar geometry to their 20″ complete bikes and aftermarket frames. This bike is made from 100% Hi-Ten Steel and features a 74-degree head tube angle, 70-degree seat tube angle, 5″ stand over height, 7.5″ bottom bracket height and 12″ chainstay length. The bike will be available in matte Reflex blue only.
More photos and information can found on the Kink website
The Recruit from United Bike Co. is a third option in the balance bike line up. This bike is similar to the Scout and Coast, but uses the retro style mag wheels that are looking too good on this bike. This bike also comes with 2.25″ tires that will help keep the balance with that wider tread which is not a bad thing when just starting out. The Recruit is available in gloss light blue and gloss red.
More photos and information can found on the United website
Haro Bikes is another brand that is offering balance bikes in their 2015 line up. Haro actually have the most extensive line of balance bikes with 5 different options between 10″ and 12″ bikes. These are a little less designed to look like the bigger 20″ BMX bikes with the dropped tubing to give the kids a little more room to move if they pop off the seat and stand over the frame. They have multiple color options available between all 5 bikes that you can check out on their website.
More photos and information on the full range of PreWheelz line of bikes can be found on the Haro Bikes website
The final balance bike we’ll look at for this one. Subrosa’s 2015 Altus balance bike. This bike is similar to the options from Verde, Kink and United with a bike that is styled to look like a 20″ BMX bike, but designed to fit children around the 2 year range. The Altus comes in colors of gloss blue and gloss purple! Here’s a video they produced giving you a look at how the bike looks in action.
12″ Complete BMX Bikes
Once the balance is figured out, the next level up from that is the 12″ complete BMX bike. Now, this bike is designed with similar geometry to the balance bikes, just these incorporate the pedals, cranks, sprocket and chain. Above is a look at Wethepeople’s 2015 Prime that is designed like a 20″ bike but completely scaled down to a 12″ build. This bike is one of the higher quality bikes with features like 3-piece cranks in this range and looks absolutely dialed. The Prime comes in colors of red and blue.
More photos and information on the Prime can be found on the Wethepeople website
Another option in the 12″ complete BMX bike range is Kink’s 2016 Roaster that will be available in May 2015. This bike is similar to their Coast but also incorporates the pedaling aspect that isn’t found on the balance bikes. This one isn’t spec’d quite a detailed as Wethepeople’s Prime which helps keep costs down. Overall still a dialed bike. This bike will be available in gloss translucent red only.
More photos and information on the 2016 Roaster can be found on the Kink website
The 2015 Juvenile 12″ complete bike from Cult is another option for the young guns just starting to pedal on their own. This bike is spec’d with 3-piece cranks, a 3/8″ rear hub with 9-tooth driver and more that makes it looks and feel just like the bigger options they have available. This bike also comes with brakes which is never a bad time to start teaching kids how to use since a lot of kids rely on coaster brakes at a young age. This bike is available in red and silver color options.
More photos and information on the 2015 Juvenile 12″ can be found on the Cult website
Haro Bikes also offer their Z12 12″ bike that is designed to be more affordable. This one doesn’t have quite as much detail as the options above, but it will still get the job done right for the young guns just getting into BMX. This bike is available in color options of blue and pink for the girls out there who don’t want to be rocking a “boys bike”!
More photos and information on the 2015 Z12 complete bike can be found on the Haro Bikes website
One more from the 12″ bikes. This is United’s step up from their balance bike. The Recruit is designed like the balance bike but incorporates the cranks as well as brakes, spoked wheels and a railed seat for adjustment. This bike is available in Purple only and they have a quick video for you to see it close up.
More photos and information on the Recruit can be found on the United website
16″ Complete BMX Bikes
There is a bit of a jump from the 12″ bikes to 16″, but there are some 14″ options floating around. However, for the most part once a kid grows out of a 12″ bike, they are generally growing fast enough to make the transition to 16″ without much of an issue. Plus, with the help of balance bikes and the 12″ bikes giving them practice they shouldn’t have too much of an issue getting used to a bigger bike.
The first option we’ll look at in the 16″ range is Kink’s 2016 Carve that will be available in May! This bike is still spec’d to help keep the price tag down, but features more of a traditional BMX bike look but scaled down slightly to fit more appropriately to the 16″ design. The Carve frame features a 74.5-degree head tube angle, 71-degree seat tube angle, 6.75″ stand over height, 9.75″ bottom bracket height, an 11.25″ chain stay length and a 16.5″ top tube length. The Carve will be available in matte gold flake only.
More photos and information on the 2016 Carve 16″ can be found on the Kink Bike Co. website
There’s no denying that Wethepeople definitely put a lot of detail into their range of complete bikes and the 16″ Seed is no different. This bike is spec’d a little higher than most bikes in this size which can lead to a slightly higher price tag, but the quality is definitely worth it. This bike still features a hi-ten steel frame and is decked out with Salt aftermarket parts that are scaled to fit the bike appropriately.
More photos and information on the 2015 Seed can be found on the Wethepeople website
Subrosa’s Alta 16″ has some of the same looks as far as color goes to their Alta balance bike, but is designed to be scaled down from their 20″ options. This bike features the hi-ten steel frame and Shadow Conspiracy and Rant parts to help it keep rolling smooth.
More photos and information on the 2015 Alta 16″ can be found on the Subrosa website
Cult is another brand that offer a solid 16″ complete bike option! The Juvenile 16″ features a clean and simple design that has features similar to their higher end complete bikes without the added price. This bike is available in blue and silver!
More photos and information on the 2015 Juvenile 16 can be found on the Cult website
Sunday offer two 16″ options in their 2015 line. The Blueprint is more of an ideal option for an entry level bike, where their Primer 16 features slightly higher quality components.. This bike still features a coaster brake (but comes with regular brakes as well), one-piece cranks and more basic components that help keep the price down and an easy transition for kids to get on. This bike is available in Military blue only.
More photos and information on the 2015 Blueprint can be found on the Sunday Bikes website
More photos and information on the 2015 Primer 16 can be found on the Sunday Bikes website
Haro Bikes also offer a 16″ complete bike option. Their 2015 Downtown 16 is setup with a good mix of price point and quality. This bike features three piece cranks and a cassette rear hub. You can find things like an unsealed bottom bracket to help keep the price tag down a bit. The Downtown 16 comes in color options of black with blue accents and red with black.
More photos and information on the 2015 Downtown 16 can be found on the Haro Bikes website
Stolen Bike Co. offer two options of 16″ complete bikes in their 2015 line up. Above is the higher quality option, the Agent 16. This bike is similar to the other options with the hi-ten steel frame, but have options like chromoly tubular cranks and a sealed MID bottom bracket. This bike is available in ED black only.
More photos and information on the Agent 16 can be found on the Stolen Bikes website
You can find information and photos on the more affordable Legend 16 on the Stolen Bikes website
Another option in the 16″ range is the Supreme from United Bike Co.. This bike is similar to the Agent with a hi-ten steel frame, but offers higher end options like the tubular chromoly cranks, sealed MID bottom bracket and 9-tooth cassette hub in the rear. Of course these parts are also scaled down to fit the smaller design of the bike making it easier for kids to ride and ultimately learn tricks on. This bike is available in red only.
More photos and information on the 2015 Supreme 16 can be found on the United Bike Co. website
18″ Complete BMX Bikes
Alright, let’s level up one more time! The 18″ bikes that we’ve seen apart of BMX for a while has the most options available when it comes to smaller bikes. Above is a look at the 2016 Kicker from Kink Bike Co. that will be available in May. This bike, similar to the 16″ options above, features a hi-ten steel frame and components, but is scaled to be bigger as part of that transition between 16″ and moving on to the 20″ range. This bike is available in matte Almost black only.
More photos and information on the 2016 Kicker complete can be found on the Kink Bike Co. website
As you have probably noticed from the past few bikes we have featured from Wethepeople, their 18″ Curse complete is spec’d a little higher than most options. This bike features a hi-ten frame with a chromoly downtube, 3-piece tubular chromoly cranks, a Spanish sealed bottom bracket and 9-tooth cassette hub. This bike is decked out with Salt parts from top to bottom and scaled to fit like a 20″ bike.
More photos and information on the 2015 Curse 18 can be found on the Wethepeople website
Another option, with a few higher end options, is the 2015 Salvador 18 from Subrosa. This bike features a frame hi-ten steel frame with a seamless chromoly top tube, ovalized down tube and wishbone. This bike also has features like the chromoly 3-piece cranks, tapered legs on the fork, a 9-tooth cassette, a sealed MID bottom bracket and more. This bike is decked out with parts from Rant and The Shadow Conspiracy.
More photos and information on the 2015 Salvador 18 can be found on the Subrosa website
Aesthetically, it’s safe to say that Verde offer some of the best looking BMX bikes. Above is a look at their Cadet 18″ that features a hi-ten steel frame, but comes with top and down tube gussets for strength, tubular 3-piece chromoly cranks, a sealed MID bottom bracket and the 9-tooth cassette in the back.
More photos and information on the 2015 Cadet 18 can be found on the Verde Bikes website
Much like their 12″ and 16″ Juvenile complete bikes, Cult have kept things pretty clean and simple for their 18″ Juvenile. This bike features gussets on the top and down tubes, chrome bars (black version), chromoly 3-piece cranks, a sealed rear hub with a 9-tooth cassette and a sealed MID bottom bracket. Nice and simple. This bike is available in black with chrome bars and black parts or silver with black parts.
More photos and information on the 18″ Juvenile complete can be found on the Cult website
The 2015 Primer 18 from Sunday Bikes is a good mix of quality and price point as well. This bike features a hi-ten steel frame with chromoly drop outs and a gusset on the down tube. This bike is rad because it comes decked out with a lot of Sunday and Odyssey aftermarket components like the Springfield brakes, Freeze front load stem and cloud seat. This bike features unsealed hubs and a sealed MID bottom bracket. The Primer 18 is available in Military blue only.
More photos and information on the 2015 Primer 18 can be found on the Sunday Bikes website
Similar to the Downtown 16 from Haro Bikes, the Downtown 18 is designed to be solid without a hefty price tag. This bike features a full hi-ten steel frame, bars and fork, a 9-tooth cassette in the rear, 3-piece chromoly cranks and unsealed bearings. The Downtown 18 is available in red and black with blue accents.
More photos and information on the Downtown 18 can be found on the Haro Bikes website
Fit Bike Co. jumped in the ring for the 18″ BMX bikes for 2015 and offer their 18 that features a frame that has a chromoly top and down tube and head tube with a hi-ten steel rear end. This bike has a lot of the same features as the other bikes with the 3-piece chromoly cranks, a sealed MID bottom bracket, sealed hubs and a 9-tooth cassette. This bike is available in black and a little flashier chrome with high blue accents.
More photos and information on the 18 can be found on the Fit Bike Co. website
Stolen Bike Co. offer two options for their 18″ bikes similar to their 16″ version. They have the Agent 18″ (above) and then the Legend 18″ that is more of an entry level bike that is more affordable. The Agent features hi-ten steel frame, sealed MID bottom bracket, tubular chromoly 3-piece cranks and a 9-tooth cassette similar to the other bikes. The Agent is available in black only.
More photos and information on the Agent 18 can be found on the Stolen Bike Co. website
Photos and information on the Legend 18 can be found on the Stolen Bike Co. website
Alright, let’s wrap this up with the Supreme 18″ from United Bike Co. This bike features a hi-ten steel frame with a gusset on the down tube. The bike comes with a sealed MID bottom bracket, 3-piece tubular chromoly cranks, sealed front and rear hubs, a 9-tooth driver, a railed seat for adjustment and United’s Direct tires. This bike is available in translucent green only.
More photos and information on the 2015 Supreme 18″ can be found on the United Bike Co. website.
So, that wraps things up! If you’re looking for a quality balance, 12″, 16″ or 18″ complete BMX bike, these are some of the best options available. Sure, you could probably find some cheaper options in chain stores like Wal-Mart and Target, but know that the quality isn’t going to be the same. Plus, supporting core BMX brands and shops are important! There are definitely more options available and we just took a few of the more stand out options to showcase in this! Plus, who doesn’t want to be the cool parents at the skatepark?
