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The best bike for a kid is the one that gets them outside and away from computer screens. And kids love fat bikes!
There is just something about the ridiculously wide tires on fat bikes that kids are drawn to and desperate to ride.
In this article, we look at the best kids’ fat bikes and tackle everything you need to know about these weird and wonderful machines.
Top Picks:
- Trek Roscoe 24 (Best Overall)
- Co-op Cycles REV 20 (Runner Up)
- WeeBikeShop Early Rider Trail Runner XL
- Vitus 20+ Kids Bike
- DiamondBack El Oso Niño 20″
Top 9 Best Kids’ Fat Bikes Reviewed
1. Trek Roscoe 24 (Best Overall)
- Wheel Size: 24-inch / 61cm
- Tire Width: 2.8-inch. / 7.1cm
- Weight: 25.58 lbs / 11.60 kg
The Trek Roscoe 24 is built off the back of the excellent adult version. The 2.8-inch mid-fat tires are great fun on the trails but are also not too sluggish on the streets.
The Shimano 1x drivetrain provides excellent shifting and reliability. The lightweight aluminum frame doesn’t drag when the trail goes uphill.
Features:
- Disc Brakes – the Tektro mechanical disc brakes offer solid stopping power.
- 1x drivetrain – simple, reliable, and paired with a wide-range cassette gives plenty of climbing power.
- Durable – the aluminum frame might be lightweight but it is built to take abuse.
2. Co-op Cycles REV 20 (Runner Up)
- Wheel Size: 20-inch / 50.8cm
- Tire Width: 2.6-inch / 6.6cm
- Weight: 23lbs / 10.4kg
The Co-op Cycles REV 20 line of bikes are uniformly excellent and it is no surprise that they are best sellers. The Co-op Cycles REV 20 Plus is a step up again, featuring confidence-inspiring wide tires and great components.
Features:
- Disc Brakes – the front and rear Logan mechanical disc brakes provide more than enough stopping power.
- Twist-shifter – intuitive for kids to change gears on demanding trails, letting them concentrate more on staying upright.
- Durable Frame – the aluminum frame is built to last.
3. WeeBikeShop Early Rider Trail Runner XL
- Wheel Size: 14-inch / 35.6cm
- Tire Width: imperial / metric
- Weight: 8.75 lbs / 4kg
The WeeBikeShop Early Rider Trail Runner XL is something a bit different; a balance bike with fat tires. The wider tires give the bike even more stability, inspiring confidence in any kid figuring out how to balance on a bike.
Features:
- Ergonomic handlebars – comfortable and grippy handlebars for young riders.
- Lightweight – Crown Gem tires are lightweight and more responsive.
- Balance Bike – great bike to teach young kids who to balance on a bike. The great looks will keep them practicing every day.
4. Vitus 20+ Kids Bike
CHECK PRICE AT CHAIN REACTION CYCLES
- Wheel Size: 20-inch / 50.8cm
- Tire Width: 2.6-inch / 6.6cm
- Weight: 22lbs / 10kg
As adults, we might care about specs but kids care most about looks. The Vitus 20+ is a seriously good-looking machine and the tan sidewall tires really make it stand out.
The frame geometry, especially the long wheelbase and head angle helps to keep the ride stable for kids. Married with the wide tires, this bike just instills confidence in kids no matter how demanding the trail.
Features:
- Thumb Shifters – extremely easy to operate for kids and the visual display showing the gears is a great feature for learning.
- Disc Brakes – plenty of stopping power from the Tektro mechanical disc brakes and the levers can be easily adjusted for small hands.
- Great looks – the gun-metal aluminum frame and tan sidewall tires make this bike stand-out.
5. DiamondBack El Oso Niño 20″
- Wheel Size: 20-inch / 50.8cm
- Tire Width: 4-inch / 10.2cm
- Weight: 35lbs / 15.9kg
The El Oso Niño might not be the lightest fat bike but it is hard to beat on value for money. It was also one of the first kids fat bikes on the market.
The low standover height of the frame makes it a great choice for smaller kids and helps to build confidence on the trails.
Features:
- Confident handling – the low standover height of the frame combined with the 4-inch wide tires make this an ideal bike for kids getting to grips with challenging trails.
- Durable – the steel frame might be a little on the heavy side but it is indestructible and made to last.
- Shimano drivetrain – reliable 7-speed drivetrain with easy to use grip-shifters.
6. Mongoose Argus
- Wheel Size: 24-inch / 70cm
- Tire Width: 4-inch / 10.2cm
- Weight: 48lbs / 21.8kg
If you want to see what all the fuss is about, the Mongoose Argus Trail is a great value entry-level machine.
The 2 x 9 Shimano Rapid Fire drivetrain gives plenty of options for getting up hills and kids will find the thumb shifters easy to use.
Features:
- Disc Brakes – the mechanical disc brakes provide decent stopping power.
- Shimano Rapid Fire – wide gear ratio and easy to use thumb shifters.
- Wide fork – 135mm wide front fork gives plenty of room for the wide tires and gives a stable ride.
7. Fatboy 20
- Wheel Size: 20-inch / 50.8cm
- Tire Width: 4-inch / 10.2cm
- Weight: 29.5lbs / 13.4kg
It might not be the lightest bike out there but the Specialized Fatboy 20 certainly draws your eye to those massive 4-inch tires. No matter the terrain, you don’t need to worry about losing traction.
Features:
- 4-inch tires – huge amounts of traction in all conditions and huge amounts of fun.
- Disc Brakes – the Tektro mechanical disc brakes work well, even in wet conditions.
- SRAM X4 – simple but effective drivetrain with the added bonus of a chain guide to prevent it from dropping.
8. IMUST Malamute
- Wheel Size: 20-inch / 50.8cm
- Tire Width: 4.8-inch / 12.2cm
- Weight: 34lbs / 15.4kg
The IMUST Malamute is a rare breed; a fat bike with full suspension. With 120mm of travel, the suspension is not just for show. The added weight of the suspension and fat tires is balanced by the lightweight carbon frame.
It is not cheap but it is loaded with great features and components.
Features:
- Full suspension – 120mm of extra cushioning added to the already spongy 4.8-inch tires makes for a seriously comfortable bike.
- Hydraulic disc brakes – excellent Shimano hydraulic disc brakes for unrivaled stopping power.
- Carbon Frame – comfortable and lightweight.
9. Mongoose Kong
- Wheel Size: 20-inch / 50.8cm
- Tire Width: 4.25-inch / 10.8cm
- Weight: 33lbs / 15kg
The first thing you notice on the Mongoose Kong is the drilled rims, laced with yellow inserts. These are not just for looks, they help to keep the fat wheels light and more responsive.
The 7-speed Shimano groupset is reliable and keeps maintenance to a minimum.
Features:
- Shimano groupset – reliable and great shifting with easy to use twist shifters.
- Disc brakes – good quality mechanical disc brakes provide decent stopping power.
- Great looks – the drilled-out rims make this bike stand out.
What Is A Fat Bike?
If you have ever seen a fat bike pass you by, you would be forgiven for thinking that it is the weird, unholy offspring of a tractor and a mountain bike.
The tire width is huge, and they were originally conceived to make it possible to ride on sand and snow. The fact that they are so much fun means that they are used now on normal trails.
What Are The Advantages Of Riding A Fat-Tire Bike?
The large volume fat tires can be run at a much lower pressure compared to regular bike tires and act like pneumatic suspension. It is like riding on a bed of air no matter the terrain and makes fat bikes insanely comfortable to ride.
The wide tires make them easy to ride and are great for inspiring confidence on trails as kids get more adventurous.
Fat bikes basically extend the cycling season. When all the other kids are locking their bikes in the garage to hibernate over winter, fat bike riders can still get out there and have fun.
Last but certainly not least, they are fun! Adding up all the benefits; the comfort, the versatility, the stability, fat bikes always leave a smile.
Features To Look Out For On Kids’ Fat Bikes
Size
As you can see from the list of fat bikes here, they come in different wheel sizes that are suitable for kids of different ages.
Kids getting started on bikes tend to use 12-inch wheels, although balance bikes have even smaller wheels, and then as they grow they progress all the way up to 24-inch wheels.
To find out the right size for your kid you need to wait for them to be in a good mood and dig out the tape measure.
Weight
Almost by definition, fat bikes are heavier than their skinny tire cousins. For kids especially, this weight penalty can take a toll on small legs.
This extra weight can really sap the fun out of cycling, especially when the road or trail starts to point uphill.
Components
It is easy to get distracted by the massive wheels, but the drivetrain is just as important. To compensate for the weight of fat bikes, it is important to have enough gears to spin over hills on the trails.
Brands such as Shimano and SRAM should ensure good reliability and will be able to take the kind of abuse only a kid can dish out.
Tires
The tire tread pattern and design are much less important on fat bikes compared to skinnier tires simply because all of that rubber that is in contact with the ground will provide a lot of traction.
Suspension
Why would I need suspension on a fat bike, I hear you ask! It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that all of that floaty air in the extra-wide tires provides all the suspension any rider would need. The reality is that suspension and fat tires serve two separate functions.
The suspension provides more control on challenging trails and is much better at smoothing out bigger bumps.
The suspension does come with a weight penalty on already heavy fat bikes and is perhaps more of a luxury than a necessity on kids’ fat bikes.
Brakes
For bikes designed for riding in winter conditions, it should come as no surprise that disc brakes find a natural home on fat bikes.
Disc brakes provide unrivaled stopping power and modulation no matter the conditions. Hydraulic disc brakes take braking to another level altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Benefits Of Fat Bikes?
Apart from being great fun, fat bikes offer more comfort and stability than regular bikes.
When To Replace Fat Tires On A Bike?
If you are keeping a track of your mileage, even using a simple GPS app, you should start to think about inspecting fat tires after around 2000 miles.
How Do Fat-Tire Bikes Function?
Fat bikes function in basically the same way as standard bikes but have been built to use wider rims and wider tires.
Are Fat Bikes Harder To Ride?
If you can ride a standard bike then you should have no problem riding a fat bike, although they do tend to be heavier.
Can You Ride A Fat Tire Bike On Pavement?
Nothing is stopping you from riding fat bikes on the sidewalk but it is not their natural environment. The thick tires and heavy frame will generally feel sluggish on smooth surfaces.
Final Verdict
For year-round adventure, fat bikes are hard to beat. They might be impractical in every way for cycling around the neighborhood but point them in the direction of trails or snow and it is the most fun you can have on two wheels.
The Trek Roscoe 24 takes all that is good in the adult version and shrinks it down into a fun and responsive kids fat bike. The mid-fat tires make it a practical choice for on-road and off-road adventures.
If you want the ultimate in fat bike experience, the IMUST Malamute has it in spades. Extra-wide tires and full suspension take the sting out of any surface but the lightweight carbon frame ensures the bike doesn’t feel unresponsive.
No matter what fat bike you go for, it is guaranteed to put a smile on your kid’s face. The next logical step is to question why you don’t have one for yourself!
Read More:
- Best 12 And 14 Inch Kids Pedal Bikes
- Best 16 Inch Bikes For Kids
- 24 Inch Bikes For Kids
- Tricycles With Push Handles
- 20 Inch Bikes Rundown And Guide
