Huffy GRM Kids Bike Review

Huffy’s new GRM line, short for Grow, Ride, Move, is exactly what the kids’ bike industry needs more of: a budget-friendly bike with genuinely good geometry and performance. While the number of quality kids’ bikes has never been better, options for families on a tighter budget have remained limited. The GRM line helps fill that void.

The GRM bikes aren’t perfect, and there’s certainly room for refinement. But they are significantly better than the vast majority of budget bikes found online and at big-box stores. In this review, we’ll break down what sets the GRM line apart, what it gets right, where it falls short, and how it stacks up against popular alternatives including Guardian, Retrospec, and Huffy’s own notoriously cheap (and frankly terrible) Rock It line.

What Type of Rider Is the GRM Best For?

The GRM line is built for everyday neighborhood riding. It’s not designed for technical terrain, but for kids riding on pavement and bike paths, it performs great. It’s also an especially strong choice for budget-conscious families looking to step up from the cheapest options on the market like the Huffy Rock It and Royalbaby FreeStyle, whose poor frame geometry makes riding a challenge for kids of all skill levels (more on that below).

Who Should Pass on the GRM

Due to their heavier weight, the GRM bikes are likely not ideal for hesitant or petite riders, especially those just learning to ride. For those riders, we recommend skipping a 12” or 16” pedal bike altogether in favor of a lighter and often cheaper balance bike, or opting for a lighter, similarly priced option like the Retrospec Koda line.

It’s also worth noting that the 12″ and 16″ models include both hand brakes and coaster brakes. Coaster brakes can make the transition from balance bike to pedal bike more challenging (linked article has tips to help!), but most kids do adjust with time.

If you plan to use training wheels, the GRM is a solid choice. They’re included and install without tools. However, the limited seat height range on the 12″ and 16″ models means some kids may outgrow the bike before they’re ready to ride without training wheels. This is common across many kids’ bikes, not unique to the GRM.

The same concern applies if you’re planning to use the GRM as a balance bike by removing the pedals. It’s possible, but the short seat posts on the 12″ and 16″ means most kids will outgrow the bike before they’re ready for pedaling. If your child is already nearly confident on a balance bike and would only use it in that mode briefly, it can work. Otherwise, a dedicated balance bike is a better choice as they are lighter, easier to learn on, and typically less expensive.

GRM Bike Review: Results of Our Test Rides

We tested all four GRM sizes: 12″, 16″, 20″, and 24″. Our overall takeaway: the larger the wheel size, the more we liked the bike. The 12″ and 16″ are still solid for the price, but the 20″ and 24″ are standout values that genuinely compete with higher-priced alternatives.

Why the Huffy GRM?

he GRM line brings features typically reserved for higher-end kids’ bikes down to a more accessible price point. The quality and performance don’t come close to premium brands like Prevelo or woom, but it borrows some of the design principles that make those bikes easier and more enjoyable to ride. Three features make the biggest difference:

1. Confidence-Building Frame Design
2. Functional Hand Brakes
3. Quality Paint and Graphics
4. Free Shipping and MoveUp Program

1. Confidence-Building Frame Design

By far the most important feature of the GRM is its frame geometry. The GRM bikes are dramatically easier to ride than most budget bikes, and that comes down almost entirely to frame design.

The difference is most obvious when you put a GRM next to Huffy’s super-budget Rock It line. The GRM’s frame is significantly longer, which distributes the rider’s weight more evenly between the front and rear tires. The longer wheelbase also lowers the center of gravity, making the bike more stable at slow speeds where young riders need it most.

That longer wheelbase creates more room in the cockpit (the space between the saddle and handlebars), which lets riders sit in a more natural, forward-leaning position rather than being perched awkwardly upright.

On the Rock It, the handlebars are excessively high and the cockpit is cramped, making steering feel twitchy and difficult. On the GRM, the handlebars are lower and the rider can extend their arms naturally, which improves both steering control and stability. Every tester who struggled on the Rock It was able to ride the GRM.

The comparison images below tell the story clearly. On the Rock It, the short wheelbase and tall handlebars push riders into a cramped, upright position across all three wheel sizes. On the GRM, the longer wheelbase and lower handlebars work together to let riders extend their arms and lean slightly forward, distributing their weight more evenly between both wheels. The green line drawn along each rider’s arms makes that difference easy to spot.

GRM 12″ vs. Huffy Rock It – 4-year-old rider

GRM 16″ vs. Huffy Rock It – tall 4-year-old rider

20″ GRM vs. Huffy Rock It – 6-year-old rider

2. Functional Hand Brakes

Most super-budget bikes skip hand brakes entirely and rely solely on coaster brakes. While coaster brakes are reliable, they can be difficult for some kids to use confidently. The GRM includes quality hand brakes across all sizes which is rare at this price point.

When budget bikes do include hand brakes, they’re often too stiff or poorly adjusted to be useful. The GRM’s brakes do require some assembly and tuning out of the box, but once set up properly, they provide consistent stopping power. On the 12″ and 16″, the rear brake lever is color-coded yellow to remind kids to brake with the rear wheel first, a nice touch that helps prevent front-wheel lockups.

The 12″ and 16″ models use single-pivot brake arms rather than V-brakes, not our preference, but they’re made from cast aluminum rather than stamped steel, and we found them to be reliable in testing. The 20″ and 24″ models come with quality V-brakes.

3. Quality Paint and Graphics

It doesn’t affect how the bike rides, but the GRM line uses quality paint with embedded graphics rather than cheap stickers that peel. A small thing, but one that makes the bike feel noticeably more premium than its price suggests.

4. Free Shipping and MoveUp Program

Performance aside, the GRM line comes with a couple of practical perks worth knowing about. GRM bikes ship free when purchased directly through Huffy.com. They’re also eligible for Huffy’s MoveUp program. Simply register your bike on Huffy.com within 365 days of purchase and you’ll receive 25% off the next wheel size up when your child is ready to grow into it. No trade-in required.

How Does the Huffy GRM Compare to Other Brands?

The closest competitors to the GRM are the Retrospec Koda and Guardian. The GRM is less expensive than Guardian and roughly comparable in price to the Retrospec Koda, though it is heavier. For most budget-minded families shopping for a 12″ or 16″ the Retrospec Koda will be the stronger choice. That said, the GRM 20″ and 24″ are among the best budget bikes in their respective wheel sizes.

If you have more room in the budget, the 14″ Guardian (simliar is size to the GRM 12″) and 16″ Guardian are worth considering. They are lighter than the GRM line and do not have coaster brakes.

Huffy GRM Bike Reviews by Size

All four GRM bikes share the same core strengths: good frame geometry, dual hand brakes, and quality paint. But each size has its own set of trade-offs. Here’s our breakdown.

GRM 12 inch Review

OUR SCORE: 40/100

MSRP: $149
SEAT HEIGHT: 16.5” – 19”
WEIGHT: 18.14 lb.
BRAKES: Dual Hand Brakes and Coaster Brake
TRAINING WHEELS: Included and compatible (tool-free install)

Our 12″ and 14″ Bikes Rubric Score

Huffy GRM 12 – Pros and Cons

To be fair, all 12″ pedal bikes are notoriously difficult to ride. The tiny wheel size requires very short crank arms, which makes pedaling inefficient and awkward, regardless of what the bike costs. For this reason, we almost always recommend a balance bike over any 12″ pedal bike.

If you do have a small balance bike graduate ready to move up, a 14″ bike is usually a better option than a 12″. They have similar minimum seat heights, but are easier to pedal to ride. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet found a true budget-priced 14″ bike we’d confidently recommend.

Among 12″ pedal bikes, though, the GRM has one of the best frame designs available. Its longer wheelbase gives riders more room between the saddle and handlebars, making the bike feel less cramped and easier to steer. Compared to the Huffy Rock It 12″, the GRM is absolutely worth the price difference. While it’s technically possible for a child to ride the Rock It without training wheels, it’s very difficult.

The Rock It’s pedals aren’t removable, so it also can’t serve as a balance bike. Even if they were, the frame is so short that there’s almost no room for a child to lean forward to help them get started when pedaling or gliding.

One more thing to watch: seat height. For kids to get on and off independently and to use their feet for stabilization while they’re learning hand brakes, their inseam should be close to the bike’s minimum seat height. The 12″ GRM requires at least a 16.5″ inseam. The Rock It requires closer to 18″. That gap can be the difference between a manageable learning experience and a frustrating one.

Compared to the similarly priced Retrospec Koda, however, the GRM is about 2.5 pounds heavier and will feel more difficult for younger or smaller riders. That said, the Koda only has a single hand brake and requires tools to install its training wheels. The GRM offers dual hand brakes and tool-free training wheel installation, which is a genuine advantage for families who plan to use them.

12″ and 14″ Bike Comparison Chart

Bike	MSRP	Weight	Seat Height	Brakes
Huffy Rock It	$72	14.2 lb.	18” – 19”	Coaster Only
Retrospec Koda	$149	16.1 lb.	15.5” – 18.5”	Coaster, Rear Hand
Huffy GRM	$149	18.1 lb.	16.5” – 19”	Coaster, Dual Hand
Retrospec Koda Plus	$219	15 lb.	16” – 19”	Coaster, Dual Hand
Guardian 14	$249	16 lb.	16” – 20.8”	SureStop, One Hand

GRM 16 Inch Review

OUR SCORE: 42.5/100

MSRP: $179
SEAT HEIGHT: 19” – 21”
WEIGHT: 21.45 lb
BRAKES: Dual Hand and Coaster
TRAINING WHEELS: Included and compatible

Our 16 Inch Bike Rubric Score

We score each 16″ bike on a 100-point scale across seven areas. Most criteria are based on whether the bike has a given feature or not, while Weight and Fit Range are scored by comparing bikes across our dataset. The Huffy GRM’s biggest losses came in weight as it was the heaviest bike in our dataset. See how other 16″ bikes scored on our Best 16″ Bikes page.

Huffy GRM 16 Pros and Cons

Most kids begin their real pedal bike journey on a 16″ bike. It’s on this size that children typically learn to ride independently and start to feel genuinely at home on two wheels.

So is the GRM worth nearly twice the price of the Rock It? Yes, without question. Our 4-year-old tester, an exceptionally confident rider who has tested more than 15 different bikes for us, couldn’t ride the 16″ Rock It independently. It was the first time in a very long time I’ve had to run alongside a tester just to keep him upright. On the 16″ GRM, he rode away without help.

The difference, again, is the frame. The GRM’s longer wheelbase and lower minimum seat height position the rider inside the bike rather than perched awkwardly on top of it. That lower center of gravity makes balancing significantly easier, especially at slow speeds. The extra cockpit space also allows riders to lean slightly forward, which helps them get started from a stop and improves overall control.

That said, the GRM’s biggest weakness is obvious the moment kids start riding it: it’s heavy. At 21.45 lb., it’s a real workout for a young rider. The Retrospec Koda is about two pounds lighter and was noticeably easier for our testers to maneuver. The Koda only includes a single hand brake rather than two, but for most riders, the lighter weight will be worth that tradeoff.

16″ Bike Comparison Chart

Bike	MSRP	Weight	Seat Height	Brakes
Huffy Rock It	$82	17.75 lb.	21.5” – 22.5”	Coaster Only
Retrospec Koda	$169	19.1 lb.	18.5” – 23”	Coaster, Rear Hand
Huffy GRM	$179	21.45 lb.	19” – 21”	Coaster, Dual Hand
Retrospec Koda Plus	$249	17.7 lb.	19” – 24”	Coaster, Dual Hand
Guardian 16	$249	17.5 lb.	16.3” – 22.6”	SureStop, One Hand

GRM 20 Inch Review

OUR SCORE: 47.0/100

MSRP: $199
SEAT HEIGHT: 22.5″ – 26″
WEIGHT: 25.6 lb.
BRAKES: Dual Hand (No coaster brake)
GEARS: Single speed

Our 20″ Bike Rubric Score

We score 20″ bikes on a 100-point scale across eight categories. The Huffy GRM 20 scored 47.0 as the most affordable option in our test group ($199). At 25.6 lbs—the heaviest single speed we tested—and with basic components throughout, this bike is adequate for very occasional use on flat terrain when budget absolutely requires the lowest possible price. Worth noting: While a 47.0 score is low, it’s dramatically better than Huffy’s budget models like the Rock It (18.9/104)—the GRM’s ~$100 premium buys you a bike that’s actually functional versus barely rideable. See all 20″ bike scores.

Testing the GRM 20

Unlike our younger testers on the smaller sizes, our 6-year-old jumped on the 20″ GRM and rode away without hesitation. Fast, fun, and all smiles. The frame geometry strikes a nice balance: the semi-upright riding position feels comfortable and approachable for timid riders, while still giving more adventurous kids enough freedom to lean into turns or catch a little air over small jumps.

Compared to the Rock It, the GRM offers a much smoother ride and fits a significantly smaller kid. The Rock It 20’s minimum seat height is 3.5″ higher than the GRM’s, meaning our 6-year-old tester technically didn’t even fit on it. He made it work out of sheer determination, but he was far more comfortable and in control on the GRM.

Like the similarly priced Retrospec Koda, the GRM 20″ is a single-speed bike. It’s slightly heavier than the Koda, but it features lower-placed handlebars that more active riders tend to prefer. More timid rider, however, would likely prefer the lighter and more upright Retrospec Koda.

20″ Bike Comparison Chart

Bike	MSRP	Weight	Seat Height	Brakes
Huffy Rock It	$98	23.1 lb.	24” – 28.5”	Coaster Only
Retrospec Koda	$199	22.9 lb.	21.5” – 27.5”	Dual Hand
Huffy GRM	$199	25.6 lb.	22.5” – 26”	Dual Hand
Retrospec Koda Plus	$279	19.8 lb.	22.5” – 28”	Dual Hand
Guardian 20 Small	$299	20.7 lb.	21.3” – 26.8”	SureStop, One Hand

GRM 24 Inch Review

MSRP: $229
SEAT HEIGHT: 25” – 32”
WEIGHT: 29.9 lb.
BRAKES: Dual hand V-brakes (no coaster)
GEARS: 7 speed

The 24″ was our favorite of the four GRM models and it’s the most competitively priced of the bunch. In addition to solid geometry, it offers gearing that rivals or beats bikes at significantly higher price points, and it comes equipped with upgraded dual hand V-pull brakes that are a clear step up from the single-pivot brakes on the smaller sizes.

In back-to-back testing against the Retrospec Dart, Guardian 24, and Kent MTX, the GRM held its own. The Kent MTX was the consistent overall favorite, but it also costs more than $100 more. The GRM offers a compelling value for families who don’t need the lightest option.

The GRM, however, was the heaviest bike in the group, and hesitant riders did notice the extra heft. More confident and experienced riders, however, were largely unfazed. If you plan on longer rides, live in a hilly area, or have a smaller or more cautious rider, the lighter Retrospec Dart or Kent MTX are worth the added investment.

Understanding Gear Range on the Huffy GRM 24”

The GRM 24″ is geared like most 24″ bikes, but its gear range is what stands out. In cycling, the number of gears matters far less than the spread between them, that spread, expressed as a percentage, represents the difference in “power” between the easiest and hardest gear.

A wider range means access to lower gears for climbing hills and higher gears for cruising flat ground, making the bike more versatile across different terrain and riding conditions. For kids tackling a mix of gentle hills, neighborhood loops, and longer paths, that range is a genuine advantage.

For its price, the GRM 24’s 143% gear range really stands out as it offers a better or similar range to more expensive bikes.

24″ Bike Comparison Chart

Bike	MSRP	Weight	Seat Height	Gear Range
Huffy GRM	$229	29.9 lb.	25” – 32”	143%
Retrospec Dart	$259	28.5 lb.	25.5” – 29.8”	100%
Guardian 24	$349	25.5 lb.	25” – 33”	129%
Kent MTX	$359	25.4 lb.	26” – 33.5”	146%

Bottom Line: Is the Huffy GRM Worth It?

The Huffy GRM is a meaningful step forward for budget kids’ bikes. With thoughtful frame geometry, real hand brakes, and solid overall rideability, it’s dramatically easier to ride than ultra-budget options like the Rock It. For families shopping at a lower price point, that difference can determine whether a child enjoys learning to ride or gives up in frustration.

That said, the GRM isn’t lightweight, and it doesn’t approach the refinement or performance of higher-end brands. For smaller or hesitant riders, especially in the 12″ and 16″ sizes, the lighter Retrospec Koda may be the smarter choice.

Where the GRM truly shines is delivering smart design at an accessible price and nowhere more so than in the 20″ and 24″ models. The 20″ is one of the best budget bikes in its wheel size, and the 24″ adds competitive gearing and upgraded braking at a price that’s genuinely hard to beat.

Huffy’s MoveUp program sweetens the deal further, offering 25% off the next wheel size up when your child is ready to grow, no trade-in required. If your budget is limited but you still want a bike that’s thoughtfully designed, functional, and genuinely fun to ride, the Huffy GRM deserves serious consideration.

FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this review.  No monetary compensation was provided for this review and Two Wheeling Tots purchased the REI REV bikes to 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.