Children's bike 12 inch test & comparison »top 10 in january 2020

The 10 best 12-inch bikes at a glance.

The first time on a bike is a great moment for every child. From the age of about two to three years and a height of about 95 centimeters your offspring is also big enough for a 12-inch children’s bike.

Choose a children’s bike from our table with all important safety features, including hand and coaster brakes as well as safety handlebar grips and chain guard. Also pay attention to a child-friendly design that your offspring likes. He will be happy to get on the bike again and again in the practical test, even in the event of initial failures.

The quality management for our test and comparison procedure is TÜV-certified according to ISO 9001

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no lighting system
no lighting system
no lighting system
no lighting system
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sold separately
sold separately

Children’s bike 12 inch comparison
Illustration *	Compare winner		Price-performance winner
Model *	Puky ZL 12 Lillifee	Puky children’s bike Z 2	Mountaineers Monaco	Bikestar Classic Edition Multi-Colors	Bikestar Cruiser Edition	TW24 Minnie Bow-Tique	Black Cruiser 21201	Marvel Spiderman 41254-CH	Frozen 51261-CH	Dino Bikes Raptor
valuation at Amazon *	96 reviews	41 reviews	8 reviews	54 reviews	65 reviews	18 reviews	4 reviews	14 reviews	9 reviews
Children Bicycle Type	classical deep entry	classical deep entry	BMX sporty design	classical deep entry	Cruiser extra wide tires	Cruiser extra wide tires	Cruiser extra wide tires	Cruiser extra wide tires	classical deep entry	mountain bike sporty design
Recommended height Recommended age The ages the manufacturers are an approximate guide. In addition, it must be ensured that the height is correct so that the saddle does not sit too high.	from 95 cm from 3 years	from 95 cm from 3 years	from 100 cm from 3 – 4 years	from 95 cm from 3 years	from 95 cm from 3 years	from 95 cm from 3 years	from 92 cm from 3 years	from 92 cm from 3 years	from 95 cm from 3 – 4 years	from 87 cm from 2 years
frame material	aluminum light, stiff	aluminum light, stiff	steel robust, springy	steel robust, springy	steel robust, springy	steel robust, springy	steel robust, springy	steel robust, springy	steel robust, springy	steel robust, springy
Weight	approx.8.9 kg	9.2 kg	approx. 10 kg	approx. 9 kg	approx. 9 kg	approx. 10 kg	no manufacturer information	no manufacturer information	k. A.	6.8 kg
processing
Furnishing & safety
Front brake \| resignation
Road traffic approved Among other things, a children’s bike is approved for road traffic if it is has a lighting system. Otherwise it is only allowed on the pavement be driven.
Safety handlebar grips The handles have a non-slip structure and side borders. This way they guarantee you secure hold hands and prevent slipping.
training wheels
chain guard
Bicycle stand
bell
reflectors
porter
More information
colour design	pink Princess Lillifee	pink	blue racer	Black-Blue racer	violet little heart	pink Minnie mouse	black	red	blue Ice crystals	Orange red motorcycle
Additional colors	et al Blue green	red	Red Green	et al Blue, blue-red	mint green	none available	no other colors available	no other colors available	no	no
benefits	particularly stable handlebar padding and flag	particularly stable handlebar padding and flag	Includes water bottle + holder	easy and quick installation	easy and quick installation with handlebar basket Handlebar grips with decorative ribbons	easy and quick installation with doll seat	removable support wheels approved for children up to 5 years	in the Spiderman design removable support wheels approved for children up to 4.5 years	with handlebar basket with doll seat	easy and quick installation handlebar padding
Questions and answers about the product	Questions and answers about Puky ZL 12 Lillifee	Questions and answers about Puky children’s bike Z 2	Questions and answers about mountaineers Monaco	Questions and answers about Bikestar Classic Edition Multi-Colors	Questions and answers about Bikestar Cruiser Edition	Questions and answers about TW24 Minnie Bow-Tique	Questions and answers about Black Cruiser 21201	Questions and answers about Marvel Spiderman 41254-CH	Questions and answers about Frozen 51261-CH	Questions and answers about Dino Bikes Raptor
To offer *	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "
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A bike with 12-inch wheels is suitable for children from a size of approx. 95 centimeters. This corresponds to an age of two to four years. For many children, the 12-inch bike is the first own bike.
Pay particular attention to the safety features of the children’s bike: a deep entry, a fully encircling chain guard and many reflectors are a must here!
12-inch children’s bicycles are not suitable for road traffic, they do not have a lighting system. Only let your child drive under supervision and only on the sidewalk.

Around 73 million bicycles were driven through the streets of Germany in 2016 – After all, about three percent of this was in the children’s bike category (source: ZIV). Bicycling is particularly important in Germany; It is not only a popular hobby for young and old, but is also one of the most common forms of transportation, especially in urban areas.

In order to encouraged children’s mobility at an early stage there are also bikes that are designed for the youngest. A children’s bike with a 12-inch tire size is ideally suited to make it tasty for your offspring on your own two-wheeler. In our children’s bike 12-inch comparison 2019/2020, we explain which features and safety aspects a bike of this size should definitely have.

1. Master the switch to the first real bike with the 12-inch bike

For many children, a 12-inch bike is the first own bike on which they learn to ride.

Children are taught to ride a bike early in Germany; this is even practiced at the heart of school traffic education. Around 95% of pupils in Germany take a bicycle test every year, and a corresponding exercise program begins at primary school.

Many children learn before the first bike First, keep your balance on a wheel and steer. In contrast to the well-tried tricycle or bobby car, which are suitable for children from the age of 12 months, getting around on the wheel is very similar to cycling.

Of course there is the playful aspect in the foreground – just like a 12 inch children’s bike. This model, also known as a play bicycle, is the first real bicycle for many.

Children’s bikes with a 12-inch tire size are the entry-level model suitable for children from a size of approx. 95 centimeters. This usually corresponds to an age of three years.

If you are unsure whether your protege is already big enough for a 12-inch children’s bike, you can measure the stride length, i.e. the inside of the leg from the crotch to Sole. The following applies here: A step length of 40 – 42 centimeters is sufficient so that the child can ride comfortably on a 12-inch bike.

2. Buying advice: No matter whether green, blue or pink – safety comes first!

2.1. Safety feeling for the child: a deep entry and the right size settings

You should make sure that your offspring feels safe and comfortable the first time they sit on a bike adjust the handlebars and saddle correctly beforehand. As a rule, 12-inch children’s bikes offer you a margin of five centimeters in the Height and additionally the possibility to change the angle of the handlebar.

René Filippek from the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) explains why control is the most important thing:

“The child shouldn’t have to stretch on the bike, but should be able to easily reach the pedals, handlebars and brake levers. Children often feel more comfortable when they can reach the floor with their feet. However, this means that the knee is bent too much. If the child has some experience, you can therefore raise the saddle until the correct height is reached. Rule of thumb: If the pedal is in the lowest position, the leg should be extended when the foot is on the pedal with the hoe."

When installing the children’s bike, please note the following important points:

Adjust the saddle so that your child is best reached the ground with the balls of the feet, at least with the toes (depending on driving experience).
When adjusting the handlebar, it must be taken into account that both bell and handbrake easily accessible have to be.
The saddle and handlebar should be coordinated so that your child is in one upright sitting position can drive.
If the brake needs to be adjusted, be sure to distribute the tension of the brake arms evenly on both sides. Check the function of the brakes every time before you let your child on the bike.

Similar to a city bike A deep central tube enables particularly easy ascent and descent. This will get the little cyclists a additional feeling of security. A crossbar, such as a racing bike for adults, over which the foot has to be lifted when getting on, should be missing from a children’s bike 12-inch comparison winner.

Not just popular with girls: a 12-inch children’s bike in pink or pink.

2.2. Safety feeling for parents: visibility and chain protection

Regardless of whether it’s a children’s bike with 10 inches or 18 inches: safety handles are a must!

Since three-year-olds are already riding a 12-inch children’s bike and at this age there is little knowledge of traffic rules, that is Safety while driving is the be-all and end-all.

A chain guard is also part of the basic equipment for most adult bikes – primarily to keep clothing clean and to protect the chain from the weather. For a bike for children, especially a 12-inch bike, the chain guard is primarily for safety.

It is so that children do not get hurt by contact with the chain, for example by getting caught when getting on and off important thatthe chain guard is enclosing (full chain guard).

Safety handlebars prevent hands from slipping sideways and are particularly easy to grip. In the event of a fall, the side impact protection also ensures that no worse injuries are caused.

Steel or aluminum?

An important question for adult bicycles is the material: frames made of steel are considered to be heavier, but particularly springy and robust, while frames made of aluminum are somewhat lighter and very stiff.

With the 12-inch children’s bike, however, the weight is less dependent on the material than the design and the attached accessories. A light 12-inch children’s bike can be made of steel or aluminum. 12-inch children’s bike tests show: As a rule, bicycles of this size weigh between seven and eleven kilograms.

If you want to buy a 12-inch children’s bike for your protégé, also make sure that the two-wheeler is not just a handbrake, but also a also has a coaster brake. This is easier to learn and operate for many four or three year olds.

An additional handbrake can still be useful: it can prepare you early to use only handbrakes on your bike later. For that should however, the handbrake must not be set too strongly, in order to avoid unintentional braking or even rollovers.

In addition, should the small Streaker be easy to see by everyone, even if you are not actively participating in traffic with your play bikes. Because especially at the age of three or four, the driving style is usually still uncontrolled.

The parents’ duty: Never let your child ride a bike unsupervised. Besides, is recommending a helmet for children! You can find the right model in our children’s bike helmet comparison. The Stiftung Warentest explains how you can best adapt the helmet to your child’s head shape and size .

Pay attention to enough elements on the bike that increase the visibility of your child. These include Reflectors on the spokes, front and rear reflectors and reflectors on the pedals.

Important visibility features on the 12-inch children’s bike in detail: reflectors, spoke reflectors and reflectors on the pedals.

2.3. Flag, bell, basket: playful extras with function

The 12-inch children’s bike for girls from Bikestar impresses with pink ribbons and cups on the handlebars in the children’s bike 12-inch test.

A brightly colored flag or a light-colored bell may look like gimmicks at first glance, but can also contribute to safety.

The situation is different with ribbons on the handlebars of the children’s bike, such as those attached to the 12-inch girls’ bike from Bikestar: This is a visual highlight that ultimately only serves the child’s pleasure when the brightly colored ribbons while flutter in the wind while driving.

Accessories such as a luggage rack, a drinking bottle with holder or a bicycle basket on the handlebar are a bit more practical. In this way, provisions can be transported at any time or your favorite toy can be carried along.

3. Children’s bike types: sporty designs like the big ones

Now that you have considered the safety aspects and possible accessories when looking for your 12-inch children’s bike comparison winner, you can choose the specific bike type. The following table briefly presents the most common types of construction of 12-inch bicycles for children:

Type	characteristics
Classic	particularly deep entry for easy ascent and descent practical equipment: comfortable saddle, stand, luggage rack

Suitability as a 12 inch children’s bike:

BMX

particularly thick tires, slightly higher entry
usually without accessories such as a luggage rack or basket

Suitability as a 12 inch children’s bike:

Cruiser

particularly curved frame, relatively low entry and low saddle
often equipped with a bicycle basket; comfortable, wide saddle

Suitability as a 12 inch children’s bike:

mountain bike

thick tires with a strong profile, slightly higher entry
mostly without a luggage rack, but with raised mudguards and a drinking bottle

Suitability as a 12 inch children’s bike:

The design is also important for children’s bikes: The sporty BMX and mountain bike variants are particularly popular as boys ’12-inch bicycles, while classic or cruiser types are preferred as girls’ bikes in 12-inch. But the exceptions, as always, confirm the rule: It’s best to let your children have a say.

4. Questions and answers about 12-inch children’s bikes

4.1. With or without training wheels? Which 12 inch bike is right for my child?

In spite of training wheels, you as parents must give your child additional support in learning to ride a bicycle.

A 12-inch children’s bike is often offered with training wheels, because it is suitable as a children’s bike from four years or even as a bike from three years for particularly small children, for whom it is often the first real bike. So driving still needs to be practiced thoroughly, especially steering, coordinating and maintaining balance.

Nevertheless, training wheels are not always the best solution. On the contrary, as bicycle expert René Filippek thinks:

“Children don’t learn to keep their balance with training wheels. In addition, the protruding support wheels can get stuck on house walls, lampposts and other things – that’s the saying "Training wheels are crash wheels". It is better if children learn directly to keep their balance. It helps if you were already on the bike before your first bike, then switching to the bike is usually not a problem. Training wheels are really only recommended if the child is unable to maintain balance due to disabilities or illnesses. ”

The following table shows you the Advantages and disadvantages of training wheels on a 12-inch children’s bike:

simplified entry into cycling
increased feeling of security
Bicycle does not tip over when standing, can replace bicycle stand
Help for motor impaired children

Less sense of balance is trained
limited maneuverability, especially in curves
less feeling of a real bike
mostly superfluous if coordination and riding on the wheel have been learned beforehand

4.2. Why is a 12-inch children’s bike not suitable for road traffic??

Bicycles with 12-inch wheels do not have a lighting system, i.e. no dynamo or the like. The reason for this is very simple, as René Filippek from the General German Bicycle Club e.V. (ADFC) explains to us in an interview:

“Children up to eight years of age have to ride on the sidewalk, only then can they use cycle paths or the road. At the age when children’s bikes with 12-inch bikes are used, they are not yet old enough to take part in traffic. The legislator therefore does not prescribe any equipment suitable for road traffic. ”

4.3. Which well-known manufacturers and brands of children’s bikes size 12 inches are there?

The 12-inch "Z2" aluminum bike from Puky is one of the most popular children’s bikes on the market, according to children’s bike 12-inch tests.

In many 12-inch children’s bike tests, you will always come across a brand: Puky. The medium-sized company was founded in Germany in 1949 Puky as one of the market leaders when it comes to bicycles for children. In addition to 12-inch bicycles, the manufacturer also sells 24-, 20-, 18- and 16-inch children’s bicycles as well as wheels or even tricycles.

12-inch aluminum children’s bikes from Puky are popular, but they are not the only option: inexpensive 12-inch children’s bikes, which also impress with age-appropriate features, can also be found from the manufacturers Bikestar, Prometheus or Vermont.

When looking for the best 12-inch children’s bike, whether made of aluminum or steel, you will definitely encounter the following brands: