Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (2024)

Take a look at any of our lists of best kids bikes and you’ll notice we’ve included Cleary Bikes. Why?

Amidst a sea of kids bikes that all look a lot of like, Cleary has created something truly unique. From steel frames to vegan leather saddles to internally geared hubs, their bikes aren’t quite like anything else out there.

Read on to learn a little bit about each bike in their line up (including reviews), and more info on what we like about Cleary Bikes. (And the few things we don’t).

Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (1)

Steel Frames

While most of the quality kids bikes I review have aluminum frames, the Cleary bikes are made of steel – which I love. These are frames are soooo pretty, and super durable.

(Two exceptions include the new Cleary Scout and the Cleary Gecko, which are both aluminum as of summer 2022).

In fact, Cleary offers a Lifetime Warranty to the original owner. If you have several kids (or plan on having several kids), buy a Cleary bike and hand in down to the next in line.

Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (2)

Quality, Brand Name Components

The components are nearly as durable as the frame. All Cleary Bikes come with Kenda tires, which are some of my faves. They are adequate for mountain biking, but can also be ridden on pavement. All of their pedal bikes (even the Gecko) come with child-friendly Tektro brakes.

Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (3)
Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (4)

No Training Wheels, No Coaster Brakes

None of their bikes come with training wheels, and all of their bikes come with a freehub (or the option of a freehub). If you’re not sure why this is a good thing, read my articles on training wheels and coaster brakes.

Buy Online Or At A Local Dealer

Cleary Bikes can be ordered online or bought at a local dealer. This is the best of both worlds.

If you have a local dealer, you can get your child fitted to the right bike and support your local economy. If you live in a small town, or you just like the convenience of ordering online, you can do that too. The bikes are easy to assemble right out of the box.

Aggressive Riding Position

One thing important to note about the Cleary Bikes is that they have a fairly aggressive, bent over riding position. Whether or not this is a good or a bad thing depends on the temperment of your child.

While the aggressive geometry is great for athletic kids and those who like to ride FAST, it can be a disadvantage for kids just learning to ride or who are more timid.

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Good All Terrain Bikes

While Cleary makes mountain bikes, all of their bikes are well suited for off-road riding. In fact, the little Cleary Gecko was our son’s first “mountain bike.”

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Sturmey Archer Hubs

The Cleary Owl and Meerkat are unique in that they offer a Sturmey Archer internally geared hub. This takes the place of a traditional derailleur and makes the bike both durable and low maintenance.

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We will point out, however, that these hubs add some additional heft. If you live in an area with a lot of hills or have a particularly petite child, I’d look for a lighter bike instead.

Lightweight

With the exception of the bikes with the Sturmey Archer hubs (as mentioned above), the Cleary bikes are reasonably lightweight. They are not quite as light as the Woom bikes, for example, but are heads and shoulders over most kids bikes. A lightweight bike will help your child ride faster, feel more confident, and have more endurance.

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Vegan Leather Saddle

The first thing I always notice about the Cleary bikes is the vegan leather saddle. It looks a lot like the iconic Brooks saddles you’ll find on adult bikes. It’s beautiful and comfortable.

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ReRide Program Lets You Trade In Your Child’s Bike

Like several of the other high end kids bike brands, Cleary has a trade in program. The ReRide program, which you can purchase at check out, provides you with a rebate for your child’s next bike.

This can be helpful if you plan to stick with Cleary, although these bikes have a high resale value as well. You might be even better off selling the bike when you’re done with it.

Cleary Gecko

Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (10)
Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (11)

The Cleary Gecko is one of the few worthwhile 12” pedal bikes out there, and I recommend it to all of my mom friends trying to transition their little one from a balance to a pedal bike. The Gecko has a low center of gravity and is lightweight enough as to be manageable for the tiniest cyclist.

Read Our Review: Cleary Gecko

Price and Where To Buy:

Cleary Hedgehog

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Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (13)

Perfect for riding to school, mountain biking, or playing at the bike park, the Cleary Hedgehog is a 16″ bike capable of withstanding abuse. Although it’s a singlespeed, the bike has a reversible freehub wheel that provides two gear ratios

Read Our Review: Cleary Hedgehog

Price and Where To Buy:

Cleary Owl

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Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (15)

The Cleary Owl 20″ comes in two versions: a singlespeed model and one with an internally geared 3-speed Sturmey Archer hub. Both are low maintenance and durable.

Read Our Review: Cleary Owl

Price and Where To Buy:

Cleary Meerkat

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Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (17)

The Cleary Meerkat is a 24″ or 26″ bike that can tackle a little bit of everything. It’s well suited to both pavement and dirt.

Like the Owl, the Meerkat has an internally geared (5-speed) hub. It also has hydraulic disc brakes and lots of bosses, that make it well suited for commuting or gravel grinding.

Read Our Review: Cleary Meerkat

Price and Where To Buy:

Cleary Scout

Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (18)
Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (19)

The Cleary Scout is a true mountain bike. Recently updated, the bike comes in 20″, 24″ and 26″ versions and has been recently updated.

With modern mountain bike geometry, the Scout is fast both uphill and downhill. It includes internal routing for a dropper post (sold separately).

The bike also comes with a lifetime warranty, and you can’t really beat that.

Read Our Review: Cleary Scout

Price and Where To Buy:

Learn More About Kids Bikes

  • Ultimate Guide To Kids Bike Sizes (And Bike Size Chart!)

About Us

Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (20)

The Rascals are a family of three. Kristen (mom), Blair (dad), and Parker (kiddo). We started Rascal Rides when Parker was born and we didn’t want to give up our passion for biking. As we learned, we shared. Over the years, we’ve tested hundreds of kids bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and more.

Kristen is a USA Cycling certified coach and loves to share her passion for biking with other families. Blair is a bike geek, mechanic, and mountain bike junkie. Parker is our resident tester and inspiration.

If you see us out on the trail, make sure to say hi!

Cleary Bikes: Everything You Need To Know (Plus Reviews) - Rascal Rides (2024)

FAQs

Where are Cleary bikes made? ›

Based out of Sausalito CA, Cleary Bikes are now recognized worldwide for their lightweight, durability, kid optimized geometry, and vibrant colors. What I admire most about Jeff though is his personal motivation to keep building great bikes for kids - his favorite pastime is simply riding bikes with his 4 year old son.

How much do cleary bikes weigh? ›

Steel frame is very durable and absorbs more vibrations for a smoother ride. Lightweight at just 17.3 pounds.

What size bike should I get my 3.5 year old? ›

Kids' Bike Sizing
Wheel SizeInseamAge Range
12 inch14-20 inches (35-50cm)1-4 years old
16 inch19-23 inches (48-58cm)3-6 years old
20 inch22-25 inches (55-63cm)5-9 years old
24 inch24-28 inches (60-72cm)8-12 years old
1 more row

Can a 4 year old ride a 12 inch bike? ›

First up are 12-inch bikes, our smallest size for the smallest riders: kids 28” – 38” tall and usually under four years old.

What bike brands are not made in China? ›

Where do bike brands make their bicycles?
Bike BrandWhere is the bike brand HQ?Where are the bike frames made?
Brew BikesCreston, North Carolina, USAUSA
Calfee DesignLa Selva Beach, California, USAUSA
Capitol BicyclesLondon, Kentucky, USAUSA
CatrikeOrlando, Florida, USAUSA
55 more rows
Jan 25, 2024

Where are Schwinn bicycles made at? ›

Sale to Pacific and Nautilus

Once America's preeminent bicycle manufacturer, the Schwinn brand, as with many other bicycle manufacturers, affixed itself to fabrication in China and Taiwan, fueling most of its corporate parent's growth.

How heavy is Cleary Owl 3 speed? ›

Lightweight and Rugged Steel Frame

Weighing in at 20.3 pounds, the Owl is one of the lighter 20″ bikes on the market, even though it has a steel frame. While not as lightweight as the 17.9 lb.

Is a 30 lb bike heavy? ›

As for mountain bikes, due to the rugged nature of the terrain they're designed for, they tend to be the heaviest of the three. A typical high-end cross-country mountain bike might weigh around 22-24 pounds (10-11 kg), while heavier-duty trail and downhill bikes could be 30 pounds (13.6 kg) or more.

How much does a cleary 16 inch bike weigh? ›

Weight: 17.8 lbs (with Crown Gem tires) Min/max Seat Height: 20.20-24.5 inches (17.5" with optional seat post) Head Angle: 70 degrees.

Is a 26 inch bike good for what height? ›

Kids Bike Size Chart
SizeHeightTypical* Age
16" wheel99.0 - 117.0 cm 3'3.0" - 3'10.1"4 - 6
20" wheel114.0 - 132.0 cm 3'8.9" - 4'4.0"6 - 8
24" wheel130.0 - 150.0 cm 4'3.2" - 4'11.1"8 - 12
26" wheel146.0 - 160.0 cm 4'9.5" - 5'3.0"12 +
1 more row

Can a 3 year old ride a 20 inch bike? ›

What age is a 20 inch bike for? A 20” bike will fit kids aged 5 to 8 years old. Children grow at different rates, so check out our children's bike sizing chart above for a more accurate recommendation.

Is a bike or trike better for a 4 year old? ›

Take note of your child's physical development and fine motor skills. If you think they are a confident walker and have good balance, then a balance bike might be the ideal choice. However, if they need more stability, a tricycle would be the better option.

Is a 16 inch bike too big for a 4 year old? ›

The best size bike for a 4-year-old is either a 12-inch or 14-inch wheel. Similarly, the right size bike for a 5-year-old could range from a 16-inch to 18-inch wheel. Keep in mind that the height of your child can make a difference in what size bike you choose.

Should a 4 year old be able to ride a bike? ›

Most youngsters learn the basics of pedaling, steering, and braking on a tricycle or "big wheel" cycle, and around age 4 are ready to try a two-wheeler with training wheels. A bicycle with training wheels gives children more practice riding without worrying about balance.

Where are Garzon bikes made? ›

A Garzon E-Bike is powerful and versatile, designed, manufactured and built in Perth, Western Australia. We're passionate about utilising future technology to empower individuals and to bring people together.

Where does Cannondale make their bikes? ›

Where are Cannondale Bikes Made? Cannondale bikes are mostly manufactured and assembled in Taiwan and Vietnam. The more competitively-priced bikes are generally produced in Vietnam. However, some bike assembly does still take place in the USA.

Are any bikes made in Germany? ›

Whether you are looking for a traditional bike or an e-bike, German manufacturers provide excellent options that combine durability, innovation, and performance. From well-known brands like Canyon and Cube to specialized brands like Schindelhauer and Focus, there's a German bicycle for every type of cyclist.

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