Best Mountain Bike For 12 Year Old – Affordable Kids Bike

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. 

But, choosing the right mountain bike for a 12-year kid 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. 

So, making the right decision without having enough knowledge about mountain biking is kind of a blind decision. To make your blind decision the right one, we have made an attempt. 

We have brought only a handful of brands that are fulfilling their promises and manufacturing fantastic mountain bikes for your little one according to their size and age. We have shortlisted the list with different mountain bikes, so you can easily make the perfect decision.

What is The Best Mountain Bike For 12 Year Old Boy?

We’ve also put together a comprehensive guide that will help you make an informed decision.

Things To Consider Before Choosing The Best Kids Mountain Bike

Your kid’s bike doesn’t need to be the fanciest but it needs to be comfortable, perfectly fit your kid’s size, perform well, and lightweight for easy handling. And the most important thing, safety, can’t be compromised. 

So before I jump into the best 12-year kids mountain bike list, I would like to give you a little information about those things to consider that need your attention before you choose the best mountain bike for your kids. I hope this will help you more in making the right choice. 

Be accurate about the size

Size is the most important factor one should consider before he buys a mountain bike, especially for his 12-year kids. You should be strict about the size, if your child’s size doesn’t match with the bike’s size he will feel uncomfortable riding it, and will face several problems like weird angles, poor posture, strained back, etc that can lead to serious injuries. 

Here Is The Kids Bike Sizes Chart

Kids Age	Kids Height (Feet)	Wheel Size
2-5	2.6-3.4 Feet	12 inch
5-8	3.4-4.1 Feet	16 inch
8-11	4.1-4.9 Feet	18 -20 inch
12+	4.9 + Feet	20 inch / 24 inch

Comfortability

There is no other way to test comfortability rather than driving the mountain bike and feeling the comfortability. So what can you do now? For better-assured comfort, you can allow your child a test drive. It will help him to know about the seat, handlebars, and grips. If they find all are okay and he is comfortable with this seat, can easily reach the handlebar, and grip then this bike can be a comfortable one for him. But if he feels uncomfortable and faces problems in balancing and handling speed, you can look for another one.

In this case, bikes like the Guardian Kids Bike Ethos can be a great choice. They give you the option to take the bike to your home and if you don’t fit it accurately or face any other problem you can return it. Isn’t this a good deal?

Bike weight

Bike weight also matters. If the bike weight is too much than your kid’s weight, he won’t be able to handle this let alone ride. There are some kid’s bikes available that weigh more than 40lbs. If your kid’s weight is normal, I mean he isn’t overweight, find a mountain bike that weighs between 20-30lbs. 

Don’t just go on the overall weight, make sure the bike frame is made of steel, not of aluminum. An aluminum frame weighs more than a steel frame.  And steel frame costs a little more than the aluminum frame, but it is worth the price because it’s lighter and more durable.

So choose a steel frame rather than an aluminum frame. 

Check the brakes and speed

Are you sure the brake and speed of the bike you are gonna purchase are made for a child? Or for an adult. Some bikes are there that are child-size but contain gears of adult bikes. These bikes are specially manufactured for the shorter people, who are very short according to their age, due to physical disability or some other reason. 

If you purchase a bike without checking the brakes and speeds are friendly to your child’s age or not, your kids will experience several problems during the ride. 21 speed is quite good for kids of 12 years, but the best is 8-9 speed which costs much more than a 21-speed bike. So if you are on a tight budget you can go with a 21-speed mountain bike.  

Quality of the Mountain Bike

Some parents give a thought, as the bike is gonna be unused just after a few months, then why not just buy a mountain bike of lower quality. This is the mistake almost every middle-class parent makes. You may buy a mountain bike at a lower price but in the end, it’s gonna make you spend more than a quality bike. A lower-quality bike will demand replacement, and repair, which will make you spend more. Because it doesn’t come with high-quality bike parts like a steel frame, easy-to-handle handlebars with pads, more safety, padded seats that are adjustable, and many more. A high-quality bike will ensure your kid’s safety, comfortability, and the best experience of riding a mountain bike. That a lower-quality bike just can’t give. 

So don’t make the mistake of buying a lower-quality mountain bike. Add a little more to your budget and purchase a high-quality mountain bike.  The below list follows what I consider to be the best kids’ bike at a lower budget. All the bikes on the list are high-quality bikes at the minimum price you can have. 

Before you purchase the bike, check the manufacturer guide. Be assured –

• The bike has a warranty or not.
• How is the quality of the bike parts?
• What is the material of the bike?
• What brake and speed the bike has?

Everything will be clearly explained in the manufacturer guide. So check before you make the decision. Last but not the least, ask for your child’s opinion. After all, he is gonna be the rider, so ultimately he should be the decider.

In Hurry? Top Bike List For 12 Year Old Boy

If you don’t have enough time to read the full details of each bike feature. No problem, We have made your task easier. We have listed down some top Kids Bike for 12 years old boys including major features. You can just pick any bike that meets your requirement.

1. Diamondback Cobra Mountain Bike For 12 Year Old

Diamondback has a large selection of small-sized bikes that are lightweight and easy to maneuver on the trails or around town and this one is on the list. Whether you’re planning a weekend ride or getting into downhill mountain biking, this Cobra youth mountain bike is perfect for junior riders.

Your little rider won’t be lifted off the ground by the bike until they can pedal it themselves! This kid’s bike is designed specifically to fit little riders at ten years old, and since its frame is super low to the ground and its seat is lowered 12 inches, parents can stop worrying about those pedals getting stuck in the spokes! It’s also equipped with a Shimano Tourney 3×7 speed drivetrain that allows small riders to conquer dirt trails with ease. 

Safety and control: This cobra bicycle has a linear-pull brake with adjustable-reach levers to keep your child safe and in control. It not only offers the ability to brake consistently and effectively but also ensures getting the best of investment! With linear-pull brakes, the whole handlebar moves with the brake lever without having to move the hand at all.

Front Suspension Fork: Diamondback Bicycles offers a soft suspension design with HI Zoom 40 mm travel fork. This Youth Mountain Bike has an adjustable back-pedal suspension so that even the kids can ride in comfort. It can easily soak up the rocks and roots and give you a smooth ride on mud, dirt, and even on rocks.

Size matching: The 24-inch wheel size matches kids of 8-12years ( 53inch-62 inches). If your child is ready to move on from their little tricycle, the 24″ Diamondback Cobra Youth Mountain Bike is the perfect choice for them. With a help of the three-speed shifter, the Diamondback Cobra makes it easy to ride and has more fun than ever before. 

Speed:  Shimano Tourney 3×7 shifter that locks up at any speed, providing precise and smooth shifting in dirt trails without any trouble. It’s made to tackle the harshest terrains, where large-scale approaches won’t work. With its intuitive design, this bike places your kids in control of their workflow so that they can have fun on their next bike ride!

Lightweight Steel Frame: It’s a tough mountain bike made up of aluminum and carbon fiber, making it light and easy to handle for kids. It’s the perfect first bike for kids, as well as back-to-school or summer rides. This bike is durable enough to withstand the toughest of terrain. Height adjustable: Cobra bicycles are built with a lower standover height so that your kids can see over the bike and get an easier climb on and off the bike. But if needed you can rise or adjust its height.

2. Guardian Ethos Mountain Bike For 11-12 Old Kids

Guardian Bikes are made to the highest safety standards, they offer more fun, more adventure, and are ready to go at a moment’s notice. Guardian ethos is specially designed for kids, featuring a wide seat, low seat height, and adjustable handlebars. They make bike riding a breeze for kids of all ages, perform exactly how the manufacturer claims and provide peace of mind when you’re getting your kids ready to ride. 

Its special safety feature will protect your child no matter how fast they are pedaling. This bike’s unique push mode gives kids faster control with their feet, so they can stop or go as fast as they want. Their steel frame is meticulously designed for lightweight durability, making them durable enough for daily use. 

Braking system: The SureStop bike brake system locks securely to every bike, ensuring that you’re always in control and that your brakes will never malfunction, even in the event of an emergency. 

Sure-Stop Technology: Guardian Bikes are one of the safest products that you can choose for your children. It comes equipped with the industry’s first and only integrated SureStop Technology, which allows you to use one brake pedal to stop the bike 44% faster. They offer safety through this new technology and the use of steel construction. 

Free Trial:  How will you feel if you can return your used bike? Yes, this guardian brand allows you to do so. Each bike comes with a 30-day free trial with a lifetime guarantee frame. So you can enjoy a ride with this bike without worrying about the risk. 

Construction: The lightweight steel frame gives more stability and control. Its construction is so flexible that girls can also ride this mountain bike. A kid of 12 years can easily manage and ride it. You can say it’s a beginner-friendly kids bike that is the best suggestion for a kid under 12 years. 

Environment Friendly: As an added bonus, Guardian Bike is made of recycled materials, so they save you both money and the environment! You are getting the best one for your investment!

3. Mongoose Exlipse Dual Suspension Mountain Bike for Kids

Your kids are lucky to have you by their side, but you have to be careful when it comes to transportation. It’s possible to find a bike that is comfortable for any rider and terrain, but finding one free of annoying features, or an adjustable seat is a challenge. The Mongoose Exlipse solves both problems by offering an adjustable seat post that adjusts to fit a range of riders, an adjustable handlebar for comfort and style, and an adjustable suspension fork for the smoothest ride.

For every child that loves to start from the bottom, Mongoose Exlipse is the perfect beginner bike. It is designed for your child’s size and comfort. A Mongoose Exlipse is sure to keep kids happy as they pedal up the hill on their way to chasing a bee or enjoying nature around the corner.

Material: If you’re in need of a quality, lightweight dual-suspension bike for your child, this Mongoose bike definitely does the trick. With its durable steel frame and heavy-duty components, you can rest assured that your child will be comfortable and secure on their bike ride all day long.

Braking System: It has an easy-to-activate brake to control the bike on the wet surface. The front and rear linear-pull brakes allow sure & quick stops in all conditions, that ensure the safety of your boy/girl. You can adjust the brake cables and shoe position as needed. 

Gearbox: The Shimano 21-speed gearbox ensures shifting smoothly and precisely to make it more user-friendly. This speed is perfect for kids to cruise around and enjoy the fun of a mountain bike ride. 

Tires: The 24-inch alloy wheels and knobby tires help in proper gripping on both on and off-road rides. Another feature is its 3 piece cranks that ensure an easy and smooth gear transition.

Adjustable handlebar: The Mongoose Exlipse Full Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike for Kids is the perfect choice for your kids as it has adjustable handlebars, a quick-release seat post, and a durable frame. Your children will love racing around the park with their wheels attached to this sturdy bike.

4. Huffy Hardtail Teenager Mountain Bike

Everyone loves a little action and adventure in their life!. 

Huffy brings you the same great frame geometry and refinement as its top-of-the-line Hardtail Mountain Bikes but in a more affordable price range!  It’s lightweight, compact, and perfect for beginners and experts alike. This huffy’s young adult mountain bike is specifically designed with the needs of teens in mind. It is ideal for parents wanting to let their kids ride their bikes and have fun, no matter where they are. It will help keep your child in shape and boost their self-confidence as well. 

This bike features a lightweight frame and components that are designed to provide riders with the comfort they need while they enjoy adventures of their own. This model includes a steel frame, 24-inch wheels, and a 21-speed drivetrain, making it suitable for riders ages 12-19 and a height of 58 to 70 inches.

Material: Outfitted with a glossy steel frame, Huffy’s Stone Mountain Hardtail Mountain Bike is built to withstand the bumps and jumps of your every day, as well as the all-out shredding of your very own backyard or trail. The lightweight steel frame is so durable and strong that the manufacturer has propped a lifetime warranty. When you purchase this mountain bike check the owner’s manual and don’t forget to get your warranty card.

Gearbox: This mountain bike ensures your kid’s safety by merging a micro shift twist shifter that delivers 21 speeds to the gearbox to try different trails like climb uphill, downhill, or any acceleration. The steady rear gear shift allows you to remove it whenever you need to adjust the gear performance. 

Age range: A light and versatile bike for ages 12-19 and a rider height of 58-70 inches, it is ideal for young riders who are just starting out and want to have fun and learn new skills.

Knobby Tires: The fine 24 inch knobby tires keep the riding smooth and intact anywhere you go, making it a great choice for casual riders and experienced bikers alike. Braking System: Thanks to their lightweight suspension, you’ll be able to ride this Huffy Stone Mountain Hardtail Mountain Bike for hours without getting tired. Easy-to-use linear pull hand brakes make it easy for you to stop when the time comes. It’s flexible and approves stable stopping moves.

5. Dynacraft Vertical Perfect Mountain Bike For 12 Year Old

Enjoy the thrill of riding a bike that can take you fast and far with Dynacraft Vertical Alpine Eagle. This rugged mountain bike is comfortable, safe, and super enjoyable.  With front and rear suspension, the Dynacraft Alpine Eagle 24″ Bike will keep your kid out on the trails all day. If you’re looking for a bike for your child that will help them develop their coordination, then look no further than the Dynacraft Vertical Alpine Eagle 24″ Bike! It’s the ideal bike for improving your child’s bicycling skills and confidence while they enjoy a wide range of exciting activities.

 It is designed for performance and efficiency, so you can expect smooth shifting and high levels of overall performance. This bike features an extremely low standover height, making it perfect to fit limited space. The Shimano parts on this bike have made it one of the most reliable bikes out here.

Gear: With the powerful Shimano shifting system, this bike will help you climb any mountain with ease! The Monodrive 24-speed drivetrain offers you a strong, reliable gear system that will help support your effort on the trail and deliver smooth, efficient shifting. The bike is made for mountain climbing and leisurely bicycle rides. Your kids can enjoy the high-class bike in a safe way by installing the best quality Shimano derailleur to it.

Wheels: Dynacraft is full of upgraded components. The 21-speed SR Suntour fork offers plenty of responsiveness for both up and down hills, and the Shimano wheels provide a smooth ride that is ideal for long-distance paths and roll over anything you see in your path. The tires make sure you can maneuver through any terrain with ease.

Brakes: Up front, Dynacraft has the V-brakes that you’ve come to love: powerful, reliable, and proven to perform. At the rear are Shimano disc brakes, with a lever that’s more responsive than ever before. And the handlebars make sure that you can reach all of your favorite shortcuts while on the trail! This baby’s got all the right stuff.

Speed: Comfort and safety are essential to any bike rider. This bike is built for speed and lift. How fast you go is how fast you can stop. This bike features V-brakes, giving you the ability to stop instantly without having to use your feet. Adjustable seat:  The bike’s seat post can be adjusted. You can climb steep slopes with ease. It also converts into a bike which is great for going on short train rides or biking to school or work! And to ensure better comfortability the brand has made padded seat posts as a quick release one. Adjust the seat as the kids need it.

6. Huffy Extent 24″ Mountain Bike For Kids

When you’re on a mission to be the fastest kid on the block, speed is your friend. Go fast and go far with Huffy’s Extent 24″ mountain bike! This fantastically fun bike has all the features you need to conquer hills and finish the race with style and flair. Parents love to bring their kids to all sorts of adventures on this bike because it can handle all terrain beautifully. By combining features and durability with beauty, Huffy offers the perfect companion for all our adventures. With a brilliant neon blue frame that runs like a dream, this is the road bike for kids who want to win races. Huffy makes sure that your kiddo will love this bike with its easy-to-use handlebars, and lightweight aluminum frame. 

With a solid front wheel and wide platform, your little one will be able to ride around town or play on the playground. The Huffy Extent is a great bike for kids because it can be used in various ways such as being a regular bike or a scooter, which makes it easier for your child to transition from one mode to another. The bike features a 24-inch frame, single-speed transmission, coaster brake, and a very comfortable seat that adjusts to any child’s height. The Huffy mountain bike is also great for various terrain, from getting around town to outdoor adventures.

Twist Shifter: The twist shifter enables you to shift between the front, rear, and chain-drive gear faster than ever. You’ll love the efficient gear configuration that keeps your chain in a perfect position for shredding down your favorite trails! The twist-shifting system changes between gears with ease for easy control

Durable frame: This Huffy bike features a durable frame and a front suspension fork that offers great support for your growing little one. It’s easy for any child to get on and off and it offers the child the enjoyment of riding without breaking the bank. The Huffy Extent 24″ Mountain Bike for Kids has a high-quality design that protects your child from bumps, bruises, and falls. Huffy also has its own special frame design that reduces vibration, with unconventional shapes that give a lightweight feeling, allowing children to climb with ease.

Knobby Tires: This bike has its own special perks, like extra-wide tires that are perfect for all-terrain riding, a special locking mechanism for added security, and special training wheels on the front and rear wheels that headlights are included in this new model. The Extent has single-speed, air-filled tires for easy rolling and all the basic controls to become familiar with. It allows you to ride over solid traction. 

Brakes: Keeping in mind the needs of the youth, the model features a 24-inch wheel and hydraulic disc brakes with front and rear linear-pull brakes so it delivers great control over bumps, potholes, and ruts. When these two come along, they can serve great control.  

Gearbox: Equipped with Shimano 18 speed gearbox that allows twist shifting and better control with comfortability makes this mountain bike more powerful.  It has a front shock fork that absorbs the strike of rugged terrain and makes it ideal to use any type of available surface to ride on.

QuickRelease Seat: To make the bike more comfortable, it has a padding ATB seat with a quick-release seat cover. The comfortable grips and seats of the Huffy are specially made to provide security for kids and their children. In addition to being safe, this bright bike is built to last.

7. Dynacraft 24″ Mountain Bike For Kids

This all-new Octane Youth Wheel Mountain Bike is the perfect balance of performance, value, and fun. 

By putting together the perfect parts, Dynacraft did what many thought impossible: they made a fully-equipped mountain bike that is actually affordable. And people are loving it. The frame is sturdy and durable but not overbearing, and it comes in tons of beautifully designed colors to match any style of riding.

The Dynacraft Vertical Gauntlet 24″ Bike is one of the popular bikes. Its outstanding look is gonna attract your mind and make you wish to have a mountain bike like this. This deluxe paint finishes mountain bike is available in only one color, the firestorm blue. 

Dual-Suspension: Having dual-suspension means impacts of the rear shock will absorb the rear wheel. And it allows your kids to stay on the bike saddle for a long time and spend lower energy on trail riding. 

Frame: This 20-inch mountain bike is manufactured with a steel frame. It means this bike is super lightweight and easy to handle. And a 20-inch bike is the perfect size for a 12 years kid.

Gearbox: Dynacraft vertical mountain bikes will have a 21-speed index derailleur, which means a multi-speed bike. You can enjoy a comfortable ride on difficult terrains with this bike. You can change the gear combination and try different gears to find out which gear gives you an easy pedaling and comfortable ride and which is giving you a hard pedaling. 

Brake: To make the braking system easy and safe this bike has front and rear v brakes with a linear-pull braking style that gives you excellent stopping power. You can stop the bike during a ride immediately as it has linear-pull brakes. 

Wheels: The 24-inch alloy wheels are made of light metals, like mixed-use of aluminum and magnesium. Don’t think only steel is the best. Alloy wheels also provide good performance, as they are very lightweight.

8. Schwinn HighTimber Youth Mountain Bike

It’s not just about what you ride, but also how you ride it! But with every day becoming more and more of a journey, Schwinn has made it easier than ever to go places and feel good doing it. 

For both biking enthusiasts and kids alike, Schwinn High Timber is a leading brand of high-quality bicycles. The top-quality bike ensures that you will have the most fun out there, while the Schwinn High Timber bike is one of the best in the world. If you want to get the best out of your children’s biking experience, it’s a must to start with a brand that has been around for years and continues to deliver quality (and reliability).

Material: The Schwinn High Timber bike has a strong and sturdy aluminum frame to support the weight of the rider and a suspension fork to absorb bumps and bumps on uneven terrain. 

Performance: The bike is equipped with a full-suspension frame which will help you traverse through any terrain you may encounter on the trail. While you are riding, you’ll find the Shimano shifters making speed changes simple, while the powerful front disc brake will bring you safely to a stop when you need it most.

Wheels: The Schwinn High Timber is also equipped with front and rear 14-inch alloy wheels to give a strong base to the bike. Its wide knobby tires are made with a lightweight alloy that absorbs the bumps of your paths and makes the ride smooth. Its 24-inch wheels are ready to climb uphill, ride on a downhill, or any plain surface.

Quick-release seat post: The Schwinn High Timber Youth/Adult Mountain Bike with a quick-release seat post lets you adjust the seat to fit your personal preference. Otherwise, your experience will be downright unenjoyable, and your time on the trail will feel equally futile.

Colors: Different colors of bikes come with different frame styles and brakes. There are a total of 11 colors on this kid’s mountain bike. Black, blue, white, silver, and teal color bikes are available with a steel frame and its brake is a linear-pull brake.  

Black, blue, coral, yellow, and orange colors are available with an aluminum frame and its braking style is disc brake. Grey, navy-blue, Red, teal color are available with an aluminum frame but it has a linear-pull brake. 

FAQs

Conclusion

A mountain bike for a 12 year old boy can be tough to find. Choosing the right mountain bike for your son can be even harder. After keeping in mind kids’ safety we have presented the best mountain bikes for a 12 year old kid.

We have done enough research about each mountain bike, and have brought all the little information for you. All the bikes we have listed down are high-quality bikes. You can choose any of them without thinking twice.

Yes, some bikes have some drawbacks, that we have shared above, consider them before you select the best mountain bike for your kid.