Guardian Kids Bikes Ethos. 16/20/24 Inch, Multiple Colors for Boys/Girls. Safer Brake System for Kids. Lightweight Steel Construction. Easy Assembly. ASO SharkTank.
Whether cruising the neighborhood or on a long family ride, Guardian 24 inch bikes are an exceptional option for budget-minded families. With kid-friendly designs in both traditional boy and girl colors, durable builds and construction, as well as the proprietary SureStop braking system, there is a lot to love about Guardian Bikes. In this review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about 24″ Guardian bikes, including sizing, ease of assembly, and comparisons to similarly-priced bikes. RATING : Highly Recommended MSRP : $349 BEST FOR : Neighborhood riders in size 7/8 pants. Great for timid riders as well as adventurous riders sticking to paved surfaces. SEAT HEIGHT: 25″ – 33″ WEIGHT: 25.5 lb. SPEC IFICATIONS GEARS: 7-speed Mega Range FRAME: Steel GAIN RATIO : 2.45 – 5.6 BRAKES : Surestop Dual Hand TRAINING WHEELS : Optional, $39 PROS: CONS: By the time kids reach the age of 8 or 9, most are either really into biking or have lukewarm feelings about it. With scooters and hoverboards becoming more and more popular, bikes can often get a second seat by the time your child is ready for a 24 inch kid’s bike . Having an 8 and 10-year-old myself, I’ve witnessed the problem firsthand. My kids do enjoy riding bikes and will gladly go on family bike rides, but long gone are the days of them begging us to go riding. That was… until we got the Guardian Bikes 24 inch bike. Now they fight over whose turn it is to ride it – the “loser” has to ride the $1,200 mountain bike! There’s just something different about Guardian Bikes – kids just love them! Whether it’s the fun color schemes or the cool SureStop braking system, Guardian bikes are sure to get your kids outside and riding. Guardian bikes are designed specifically for the average neighborhood rider who sticks mainly to paved surfaces. The smooth rolling tires on the Guardian provide plenty of traction on sidewalks, roads, compact dirt trails, and even grass! With a natural, semi-upright body position, the Guardian 24 positions the rider upright enough to be comfortable for longer rides, while also being leaned-in enough to give aggressive riders room to shift their body weight around on the bike. Guardian’s unique braking system does not allow the rider to brake the front and rear brake independently. The front brake won’t engage until the rear brake does. As a result, Guardian bikes are not ideal for more technical riders, such as mountain bikers or even more advanced road riders, who need the ability to use their brakes independently. While there’s a lot to love about Guardian bikes, they are different from every other kid’s bike on the market due to their patented SureStop braking system. This unique braking system allows the rear and then the front brake to be activated sequentially with the pull of ONE brake lever . Once the lever is pulled, the back brake is activated. Once the rear brake has engaged, the SureStop system on the rear brake pad then activates the front brake. This sequential stopping system allows the bike to stop faster and with more control. It also prevents kids from going over the handlebars by accidentally braking with just the front brake. In the words of my 10-year-old daughter, “I love the brakes! It’s so much easier to only worry about one brake lever.” My kids’ expensive mountain bikes have really nice hydraulic disc brakes and are AMAZING bikes, but unless we’re headed up the mountain, they both prefer the Guardian simply because of how easy it is to brake. I was surprised that the brakes on a bike could make that much of a difference, so I hopped on the beloved Guardian and tested out the brakes myself. Within a few minutes, I understood their perspective. Braking with SureStop brakes provides a similar feeling to braking in a new car with an advanced braking system versus an older car with a standard braking system. Not only is it easier to brake faster, you feel MUCH more in control of the car (bike!). As a result, you’re a more confident driver in a car with advanced brakes and driving is more fun as well. Guardian’s system works via a proprietary rear brake pad that responds to the friction created between the brake pad and the tire’s rim when the rear brake engages. The friction between the rim and the brake pad pushes the pad slightly forward. When the pad slides forward, it pulls on the attached wire that then triggers the front brake to engage. Yes! With one lever to pull, we have found the SureStop system to be easier for younger kids to navigate than dual-braking systems. With no fear of braking wrong, there is less hesitation from kids when it comes to braking. Many parents have expressed concerns over having both brakes dependent on one braking system. If the SureStop system itself were to fail, the rear brake would still engage, just not the front brake. Over the past several years we’ve tested and owned almost 20 different Guardian Bikes and have never had the system fail while a child was riding. During this time, the brakes on two of our very old and well-loved Guardian bikes have needed to be repaired, but there is no braking system in the world that won’t ever need maintenance. That being said, if the rear brake itself were damaged or bumped out of alignment during a fall and stopped working, then both brakes would not work because the rear brake couldn’t activate the front brake. Caliper brakes, however, don’t just stop working out of the blue. They can be damaged during a severe fall, but stopping randomly while riding a bike? We’ve never heard of that happening in our 10+ years of bike testing. Just like with any bike, it’s a wise practice to check your brakes before starting a ride, and especially after any crashes. The Guardian 24 has a seat height range of 25″ to 33″ and is a good fit for kids with inseams ranging from 23″ to 30″. Like all kids’ bikes, the bike will feel a bit too big for kids riding with the saddle at the lowest, and a bit too small for those riding with the saddle at the highest position. Guardian’s official height recommendation is 49″ to 57″. Here you can see test riders at opposite ends of the sizing spectrum. Our 6-year-old rider is 49″ tall. She has the saddle set almost to its minimum, and the handlebars are at their lowest point. Our 11-year-old test rider is 57″ tall (with shoes on), has the saddle set close to its maximum at 31.5″, and the handlebars are raised to their highest point. If your child is already on a 20″ Guardian bike, the Guardian 24″ is designed to be a best fit for kids outgrowing the Guardian 20 SMALL. If your child is outgrowing a Guardian 20″ LARGE, the larger Guardian 26″ was designed to be the next step in sizing. If you’re torn trying to decide on sizing between the Guardian 20″ large and the Guardian 24″, here’s a helpful size reference. Our 6-year-old rider is 49″ tall, has a 22.75″ inseam without shoes, and is 59 lbs. She barely fits on the 24″ with its saddle at its lowest point, but is still a very comfortable fit on the 20″ L and has several more inches of growth on that bike. While she has successfully ridden the Guardian 24″ to and from school several times, it is noticeably more difficult for her to manage and she prefers the smaller Guardian 20″ L. Are you trying to decide between the Guardian 24 and Guardian 26? While they are somewhat similar in size, the Guardian 26″ is noticeably longer and taller . Our 8-year-old test rider here is 53.75″ with shoes on. She has the Guardian 24 seat set in the middle to 28″. The Guardian 26 has the seat set to its minimum of 28.1″. While she fits fine on the 26, she greatly preferred the Guardian 24. Our 10-year-old rider is 57″ tall and is maxed out on the sizing for the Guardian 24, and has the saddle set to 30.4″ on the Guardian 26 (minimum is 28.1″). She prefers the longer and taller Guardian 26 over the more compact Guardian 24. While you could transition a child growing out of the Guardian 24 to the Guardian 26, the overlap is sizing doesn’t provide the best room for growth. Check out the comparison chart below to see the differences between Guardian’s size range. Guardian does an exceptional job of simplifying braking for kids, and they’ve also implemented a system to simplify learning how to shift gears properly. The “Man in the Window” indicates which gear you should be in if you’re going up a hill, down a hill, or on a flat road. He moves each time you twist the shifter. Ideally, a bike should weigh less than 40% of a child’s weight, but that’s often hard to achieve for kids. (For reference, most adults ride bikes that are no more than 20% of their weight!). The Guardian 24″ bike weighs 25.5 lb. which is several pounds lighter than other budget-friendly 24″ bikes, such as the 28 lb. Retrospec Koda 24 . Higher-end brands that have aluminum frames are lighter than Guardians, which have a steel frame. Guardian Bikes also weigh more than higher-end brands due to their double walled, high-spoke-count wheels. Built to withstand anything kids can throw at them (even stairs!), Guardian’s durable wheels are sure to stay true. The Guardian 24″ Bike features a threaded headset that allows you to raise the handlebars as your child grows. Raising the handlebars prevents your child from having to slouch down to reach the handlebars when the seat height is raised. To keep seat changes quick and easy, the Guardian 24 comes with a tool-free, quick release seat post clamp. Considering how fast kids grow, we love not needing to track down the right tool whenever a seat needs adjusting. Every Guardian also comes with a pre-installed kickstand to help keep the bike upright, free of dings, and out of the way. Guardian makes assembly simple and hassle-free, with every bike pre-assembled with care in Indiana, USA. Out of the box, the bike is mostly ready to go. Your only tasks are to secure the seat post, attach the pedals, and install the handlebar. To make positioning foolproof, Guardian includes alignment marks on the handlebars and stem, ensuring everything is perfectly aligned in minutes. Safe, lighter weight, and fun to ride, the Guardian 24″ bike truly stands out. Whether cruising the neighborhood or enjoying extended family bike rides, your child will be in good hands with a Guardian and SureStop brakes, all for an incredibly fair price. FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this review. No monetary compensation was provided for this review, however, the reviewed product was supplied by the manufacturer or distributor to help facilitate this review. All opinions and images are that of Two Wheeling Tots LLC. All content and images are copyrighted and should not be used or replicated in any way. View our Terms of Use. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed . Scoring high in style and performance, the Guardian 16 inch bike offers fun designs that appeal to kids, and safety innovations that appeal to parents. Win-win! With a semi-upright body position, lighter weight steel frame, no coaster brake, and Guardian’s innovative SureStop braking system, Guardian Bikes’ 16 inch bike simplifies the riding experience for first-time pedal bike riders as well as more confident riders already cruising the neighborhood. In our review, we’ll cover why the SureStop braking system makes Guardian Bikes so unique, and what size and type of rider the 16″ bike is best for. RATING : Highly Recommended MSRP : $249 BEST FOR : Kids 4 to 6 who will be doing neighborhood and paved trail riding. The SureStop braking system is ideal for timid riders who need the security of an easy braking system, as well as adventurous riders who need extra stopping power. SPECIFICATIONS SEAT HEIGHT: 18.25″ – 22.6″ WEIGHT: 17.5 lb. BRAKES: Surestop Dual Hand FRAME: Steel GAIN RATIO : 3.55 WHEELBASE : 719 mm PROS: CONS: A well-designed bike is helpful for any child riding a bike, but it’s especially important for young kids who are still developing their gross motor skills and muscle strength. Perfectly sized for the small frames of 3 to 5-year-olds, Guardian 16 inch bikes are built to work naturally with young riders. While more expensive than a bike you’ll find in a big-box store, the kid-friendly weight and geometry of a Guardian 16 inch bike make the process of learning to ride (or progressing your riding skills) significantly easier. We’ve watched a sea of kids try to ride cheap bikes as well as Guardian bikes. There’s no contest here – a Guardian bike is worth the extra money. Every time we put a rider on a Guardian 16 inch bike for the first time, it’s a hit straight out of the gate. Built with a low center-of-gravity design and complemented with upright handlebars, the Guardian 16″ is easy to balance and easy to maneuver, especially for beginners or more timid riders. It’s a smooth ride that immediately builds confidence. But of course, there are several amazing kids bike brands on the market with kid-friendly geometry. So what makes Guardian bikes stand out? The SureStop braking system of course! Guardian’s proprietary braking system stops the bike using the power of two v-pull caliper brakes, just like many high-end kids’ bikes. However, it simplifies the process for kids by requiring them to pull just ONE brake lever to activate both brakes in sequence. With SureStop, the difficulties that can arise with coaster brakes , as well as the confusion of dual-hand brakes for young riders, are both eliminated. How does the SureStop system work? Keep reading! Our favorite feature of all Guardian Bikes, is their proprietary SureStop braking system. Unique to Guardian, the SureStop system allows riders to stop faster and with more control. We’ve seen time and again that SureStop allows kids to feel more in control on their Guardian bike, and as a result, their confidence level increases. With less anxiety about stopping the bike, many kids are more willing to ride more adventurously. Our 6-year-old testers on the 16″ Guardians both mentioned the brakes without being prompted. They accelerated and then stopped over and over again because they thought the brakes were “fun”. Having tested out SureStop brakes ourselves, their description of “fun” is understandable. Braking with SureStop brakes provides a similar feeling to braking in a new car with an advanced braking system versus an older car with a standard braking system. Not only is it easier to brake faster, you feel much more in control of the car. As a result, you’re more confident while driving a car with advanced brakes. In our experience, the same applies to kids using SureStop brakes. With much of the anxiety of braking gone, many kids are more confident in their riding. This also applies to adventurous and aggressive riders who really appreciate the extra stopping power SureStop gives them. Guardian’s unique braking system allows both the rear and then the front brake to be activated sequentially with the pull of ONE brake lever . When the lever is pulled, the back brake is activated first. Once the rear brake has engaged, the SureStop system on the rear brake pad then activates the front brake. This sequential stopping system allows the bike to stop faster and with more control. It also prevents kids from going over the handlebars when accidentally braking with just the front brake. While many parents think coaster brakes are just a normal part of 16″ kids’ bikes, we absolutely love that Guardian’s 16″ bikes do not have a coaster brake (back-pedal brake). Coaster brakes can be very confusing for kids new to pedal bikes. When learning to balance a bike, both kids and adults naturally pedal backward when they lose their balance. Upon doing so on a bike with a coaster brake, the brake is unexpectedly activated, which often causes kids to fall. This process can be very frustrating for young riders which can then delay their mastery of a pedal bike. On a bike without a coaster brake, a child can naturally pedal backward without activating the brake. Once they regain their balance, they can continue to pedal forward without a break in the momentum they just gained on the bike. No coaster brake also allows kids to easily set the pedals to “start” position, and allows more confident riders to quickly re-position pedals to “do tricks”. The seat height on the Guardian 16 ranges from about 18.25″ to 23.5″. If you’re trying to get the seat height as low as possible, you will need to take off the rear reflector. FIRST PEDAL BIKE : If the Guardian 16 is a child’s first experience riding a pedal bike (without training wheels), they will need an inseam of around 18″ to fit on the bike (usually kids’ in 4T pants). First-time bike riders need to be able to place their entire foot on the ground when sitting on the seat in order to comfortably start and stop the bike while they are learning to balance, pedal, and use a handbrake. EXPERIENCED ON A PEDAL BIKE : For experienced riders who are already comfortable riding a pedal bike without training wheels, they only need an inseam of about 16″ to fit on a 16″ Guardian. Experienced riders are comfortable starting and stopping a bike without using both of their feet, so they only need to be able to touch the ground with their tip-toes. TRAINING WHEELS : While we always recommend the balance bike method over using training wheels , Guardian offers high-quality training wheels which can be purchased for an additional fee . Kids using training wheels only need to but able to touch the ground with solid tip toes, as the training wheels generally keep them upright. It is NOT SAFE to ride with training wheels if your child can’t touch the ground with their toes. This means kids using training wheels should have an inseam of at least ~16″. When choosing the right size Guardian bike, be aware that the Guardian 16 has some overlap with the smaller Guardian 14″ and the larger Guardian 20″ Small. Think your child is a bit on the sizing fence and might be able to fit on the 20 inch small? Here you can see how our 4-year-old tester fits on the Guardian 16 and the Guardian 20 small. She is 43″ tall and has an inseam of 19″ with shoes on. The Guardian 16 is an excellent fit for her right now and does provide some room for growth. (She has the seat height set to 21″.) The Guardian 20 small is more of a “stretch fit”. She can reach the ground with her tip toes when the bike is at its minimum seat height (21.25″), and has considerable room for growth. As an experienced rider, the 20 small is a better buy as it will provide much more room for growth. But if this were her first pedal bike, the 16 inch would absolutely be the way to go. The 20 small is manageable for her, but even as a very experienced rider, it’s still a lot of bike for her to handle. For example, the higher handlebar (on the 20″) in relation to her body will make it more difficult for her to manuever. It would be very difficult for a new pedal bike rider of her size to learn on the larger bike. Like with any bike brand, kids typically grow out of their first pedal bike faster than you would like because you need the minimum seat height to be lower to allow them to reach the ground with flat feet. If your child is already on a Guardian 14″ bike ( or other high-end 14″ kids bike with similar sizing and geometry like the woom 2 or Pello Romper) and you’re looking for their second pedal bike, can you skip the 16″ size and go straight to the 20″ small? If you’re on a budget, this certainly is an appealing option. Here you can see our 43″ tall 4-year-old on the Guardian 14″ at its maximum comfortable seat height (20.25″) versus the 20″ small at its minimum seat height (21.3″). We also raised handlebars on the 14 to their max, which increased their height from the ground by 1 inch. While having an intermediary bike between these two would be ideal, you could absolutely skip the 16 inch if can’t (or don’t want to) afford an additional bike.