REI Co-op Kids Bikes Review

From 12 inch to 24 inch kids bikes, REI’s Co-Op house brand offers budget-friendly, quality bikes for both little and big kid riders. The standard REI Co-Op Cycles REV line is meant for neighborhood riding, while the REV Plus line (only available in 20″ and 24″ wheel sizes) are recreational mountain bikes with wide, knobby tires for beginning trail use or just a cool bike for neighborhood riding!

This review will cover 12″, 16″, 20″, and 24″ kids bikes from the REV neighborhood line. We’ll cover what we love and didn’t love about each of these bikes, including how they performed with our testers. In short, while the bikes are good quality, all four models are a bit overpriced compared to competitors. However, if you prefer the reliability of REI’s return policy and customer service, they are worth considering.

If you’re interested in a recreational mountain bike for your kids, be sure to check out our REI REV Plus Kids Moutain Bike Review.

REI Co-op Kids Bikes Overview

The Co-op REV 12″, 16″, and 20″ are all single-speed models with a coaster brake, smooth street tires, and come with training wheels. The 20″ model also comes with a rear hand brake in addition to the coaster brake. 

The Co-Op Cycles REV CTY 24″ bike is geared, features dual handbrakes (no coaster brake), and does not come with training wheels.

Benefits of Purchasing an REI Co-op Kids Bike

In addition to offering great quality, there are several other bonus perks to purchasing a bike through REI. 

• Free assembly when you pick up at your local REI store. You can order any REI bike online and have it shipped to and assembled at your local REI
• Free bike adjustments for a year after purchase. Adjustments, not repairs (new parts not included)
• 20% off a bike shop services and free flat repair with a $30-lifetime REI Membership

REV 12 Inch Bike

OUR RUBRIC SCORE: 45.3/100

MSRP: $239
SEAT HEIGHT: 17.5″ – 20.5″
WEIGHT: 15.75 lb.
BRAKES: Coaster brake only
TRAINING WHEELS: Come standard
RECOMMENDED: No, super short crank arms make it very hard to stop

Our 12″ and 14″ Bike Rubric Score

We score 12″/14″ bikes on a 103-point scale across seven categories. Most are simple checkboxes; Weight and Useable Fit Range are scored proportionally against all bikes in our dataset. As a coaster-brake-only bike with 12″ wheels and a steel frame, the REI Co-op REV 12 scored 45.3, losing significant points in the brakes category (0/20) as we value quality hand brakes for their ease of use and superior stopping power, even for younger riders. The steel frame also costs points but provides durability at a budget-friendly price point, backed by REI’s full warranty and customer service. See all 12″/14″ bike scores.

Issues with the Coaster Brake

While the overall quality of the Co-op REV 12″ bike is quite good, we cannot recommend it due to its coaster brake being difficult to engage. We had two testers, ages 3 and 4, try out the bike and both struggled to effectively and safely activate the coaster (backpedal) brake.

The coaster brake mechanism on the REV 12 is the same as found on many other bikes. To engage the brake, a child simply pedals backward, which stops the bike. However, the REV 12 has super short crank arms and very small pedals, which together provide too small a base for kids to effectively backpedal to stop. 

On our test rides, applying enough backward force to the pedals was simply too challenging for our testers. With no reliable braking system in place, we cannot recommend it.

For context, we found the crank arm length on the REV 12 to be 5mm to 20mm shorter than similarly sized 12 and 14″ bikes. The longer the crank arms, the more leverage kids have on the pedals and the easier the coaster brake is to activate. The crank arms on the REV 12 are the shortest we have seen on any bike.

REV 16 Inch Bike

OUR RUBRIC SCORE: 47.5/100

MSRP: $269
SEAT HEIGHT: 20.1″ – 24″
WEIGHT: 18.3 lb.
BRAKES: Coaster brake only
TRAINING WHEELS: Come standard
RECOMMENDED: Yes, but with reservations. While the bike is decent, the lack of any hand brakes makes it less appealing, especially when other options with a hand brake are available for less money.

What You Should Know Before You Buy

• Coaster brakes (back pedal brakes) can make it harder to learn to ride a bike
• The grips are pretty small. If this bothers your child, you can easily swap them out.

Our 16 Inch Bike Rubric Score

We score each 16″ bike out of 100 points across seven categories. Most features are yes/no: the bike either has it or doesn’t. Weight and Fit Range are scored by ranking bikes against each other. The REI REV scored particularly low due to having only a coaster brake with no hand brakes which is unexpected at this price point. You can compare all 12 bikes on our Best 16″ Bikes page.

Geometry

With higher handlebars and a lower minimum seat height, the REI REV 16 offers a natural fit for young riders. Its lower bottom bracket and shorter crank arms help keep kids’ knees from coming up too high on the upstroke, making pedaling more comfortable and efficient (shown in the next image).

Sizing

The REI REV 16 has a seat height range of 20.1″ to 24″. The minimum seat height is on the higher side compared to other bikes. For reference, both the Guardian 16 and the Priority Start have minimum seat heights around 18.5″, which means the REV 16’s window of great fit is more narrow than we would like.

To illustrate, we tested two different-sized 4-year-olds on the bike. Our 42.75″ tall rider (on the left) had the seat set to 21.1″, while our 44.75″ rider (on the right) had it set to 22.75″. Both had the saddle positioned so they could touch the ground with their tiptoes and enjoyed a smooth, fun ride

The taller rider, however, was nearly maxed out on the bike, with the handlebars sitting much lower relative to her waist and closer to her knees. This perched her more on top of the bike and forced her hands and arms slightly downward rather than comfortably in front of her. That said, while not a perfect fit, it is certainly fine for a child this size to continue riding the bike for several more months. If you are buying for a child this size, the REV 20 is a more appropriate fit.

Weight

The Co-op Cycles REV 16 is built with a solid-quality aluminum frame, similar in construction to higher-end bikes, which helps keep the weight to a minimum. Since kids are lightweight themselves, it is important that their bikes are too. Ideally a bike should not exceed 30% of a child’s body weight, which can be hard to achieve with budget or mid-range bikes. Compared to other 16″ bikes, the REI REV 16 is on par with similarly priced bikes.

16″ Bike Comparison Chart

Bike	MSRP	Weight	Seat Height Range
REI Co-op REV 16	$269	17.50 lbs	20.1″ – 24.0″
Guardian 16	$279	17.50 lbs	18.3″ – 22.6″
Retrospec Koda Plus 16	$249	17.70 lbs	19.3″ – 24.0″

Coaster Brakes Aren’t Ideal

The REI REV 16 comes with a coaster brake and no hand brake. Coaster brakes are not ideal for young riders learning to pedal, and they do not offer the same stopping power as quality hand brakes. If a bike needs to have a coaster brake due to CPSC regulations, we much prefer bikes that also include a hand brake, like the Retrospec Koda and Koda Plus.

Coaster brakes tend to work fine for kids who start learning on training wheels, but they often cause confusion for kids who skip training wheels by using a balance bike first. When balance bike graduates are learning to pedal, they frequently pedal backward by accident, which triggers an abrupt and unexpected stop that almost always leads to a fall and frustration. 

For kids who learn to pedal with training wheels, backpedaling is less of an issue since the training wheels keep them upright if they stop suddenly. So if your child is graduating from a balance bike, be aware that the coaster brake on the REV 16 may slow their progression.

Grips are Oddly Sized

The grips on the REV 16 are unusually small and are actually the same size as those found on the 12″ bike. Our 4-year-old tester’s hand barely fit on the grip of the 16″ REV (shown on the left). The grip on the 16″ Prevelo on the right is a much better size.

It is not a deal breaker, but if the grip size bothers your child, swapping them out for larger grips is a simple and inexpensive fix.

REV 20 Inch Bike

OUR SCORE: 63.4/100

MSRP: $329
SEAT HEIGHT: 21.5″ – 27″
WEIGHT: 20.1 lb.
BRAKES: Coaster brake, rear Tektro hand brake
TRAINING WHEELS: Come standard
RECOMMENDED: Yes, solid quality and design, but lacking in features for its price.

What You Should Know Before You Buy

• Coaster brakes (back pedal brakes) can make it harder to master pedaling a bike
• Some 20″ bikes come with gears. This bike is a single speed, which is ideal for beginning and casual riders this age. If you’d prefer a bike with gears, the REV 6-Speed Plus is REI’s 20″ geared bike.

Our 20″ Bike Rubric Score

We score 20″ bikes on a 100-point scale across eight categories. The REI REV 20 scored 63.5 as a reliable single speed backed by REI’s legendary customer service and lifetime warranty. At 22.0 lbs and $329, it represents a middle ground between budget and premium options, with the warranty and return policy adding value beyond the rubric score. See all 20″ bike scores.

REV Geometry

The REV 20 comes with a riser handlebar that allows kids to sit in a comfortable, upright position. The bar can also be rotated toward or away from the rider to adjust the fit as kids grow. For our 46″ tall tester, we rotated the handlebars toward her so she would not have to reach as far. 

For our 50.5″ tall tester, we rotated them up and out to better accommodate her longer arms and torso. The bike also has an appropriately sized wheelbase that distributes rider weight more evenly between the front and rear wheel, making the bike more stable and easier to maneuver.

Sizing

The Co-op REV 20 has a seat height range of 21.5″ to 27″. Our primary tester is 46″ tall with a 20.25″ inseam (shoes on) and had the seat set to 23.3″. As an experienced rider, we positioned the saddle so she could touch the ground with her tiptoes. If your child is timid or a beginner, setting the saddle lower so they can reach the ground with flat feet will build confidence more quickly. With the seat at its lowest point of 21.5″, our same tester could touch the ground with flat feet.

The REV 20 was also a great fit for our 7-year-old tester, who is 50.25″ tall with shoes on and preferred the seat set to 25.5″. This bike has a much wider good fit range than the REV 16, which makes the adjustable handlebar rotation an especially useful feature on this model.

Weight

The REI REV 20 is lighter weight for a budget-friendly bike. At 20.1 pounds, it is similar in weight to the Retrospec Koda Plus at 19.8 lb. and the single speed Guardian 20″ Small at 20.7 lb. 

A few pounds can make a meaningful difference in a child’s desire and ability to pedal, maneuver, and climb hills over extended rides. Our experienced 4-year-old tester flew up and down the ramps at our local skatepark without any trouble.

Coaster Brake and Rear Hand Brake

For kids who have already learned to pedal and are moving up to a 20″ bike, the coaster brake on the REV 20 should not be a problem, since most riders on 20″ bikes are already comfortable pedaling. That said, we much prefer bikes without coaster brakes, like the Retrospec Koda line or the Guardian.

In addition to the rear coaster brake, the Co-op REV 20 also has a rear Tektro v-brake activated by the right hand. The lever is easy to pull and offers plenty of stopping power for a neighborhood rider. It is great to see high-quality, easy-to-use components at this price point. Many low-budget bikes come with braking systems that are hard to adjust and often more trouble than they are worth.

20″ Comparison Chart

	MSRP	Seat Height	Weight
REI REV 20	$329	21.5″ – 27″	20.1 lb.
Guardian 20 Small	$329	21.3″ – 26.8″	20.7 lb.
Retrospec Koda Plus	$279	22.5” – 28”	19.8 lb.

REV CTY 24″ Bike

The REI REV 24 CTY is a nimble, lightweight bike that offers a smooth and comfortable ride. However. two major flaws prevent us from recommending it fully – its drivetrain (gearing system) and its long crank arms (explained in detail below). While these certainly don’t prevent all riders from happily riding the bike, compared to other bikes in its price range, they do prevent us from recommending the REV CTY over other 24″ bikes.

MSRP: $419
SEAT HEIGHT: 25.5″ – 31.5″
WEIGHT: 26.1 lb.
BRAKES: Dual rim brakes
DRIVETRAIN: 21 gears with dual Shimano grip shifters and Tourney derailleurs

Two major flaws prevent us from fully recommending the REI REV CTY 24″: its drivetrain and its long crank arms, both explained in detail below. While these issues will not stop every rider from enjoying the bike, they do prevent us from recommending the REV CTY over other 24″ bikes in its price range.

On paper, the REV CTY looks impressive. Weighing just 26.1 lb., it is as light as several higher-priced bikes, and its 21-speed drivetrain offers a wider gear range than most kids bikes. In real-life testing, however, it did not perform as well as we would have liked for its price.

Geometry and Fit

The REV CTY 24 has a seat height range of 25.5″ to 31.5″, which is considerably lower than the average 24″ bike found at big box stores or even many bike shops. While the seat height range is comparable to other expensive bikes, the geometry makes the bike difficult to ride when the seat is at its lowest position.

With the seat at its minimum height, the high position of the pedal on the upswing makes the bike hard to pedal. Our 7-year-old, 49″ tester could stand over the bike with her toes touching the ground, but the tight knee bend required during pedaling made riding very uncomfortable. Although she is a confident rider, she was vocal about her discomfort throughout the test.

Once she built up speed, pedaling became somewhat easier, but the long reach to the handlebars made the bike difficult to maneuver. It was very clear she was not enjoying the experience at her size.

Our taller 10-year-old tester (54.5″ tall, 27″ inseam) had no issues with the fit feeling cramped and quite enjoyed the smooth rolling hybrid tires. However, with the seat already at its maximum height of 31.5″, the bike offered no room for growth.

Based on our testing, we believe the best fit range for the REI REV CTY 24 is for kids riding with the seat height set between 27.5″ and 31.5″, which roughly corresponds to inseams ranging from 24″ to 26″.

Drivetrain

Our second major concern with the REV CTY is its 21-gear drivetrain. While 21 speeds offer a slightly wider gear range than similarly priced 7 or 8-speed bikes, the system requires two shifters: one for the rear derailleur and one for the front. All of our testers, including our experienced 10-year-old, found the front derailleur grip shift (left hand) very difficult to use.

There was nothing mechanically wrong with the shifter; the large jump between cogs on the front chainrings simply makes it hard to engage, which is a common issue on any bike with a front derailleur. The rear shifter (right hand), by contrast, worked well for all of our testers.

In practice, this means that despite having 21 gears, only about 7 are realistically usable while riding. Parents can help kids shift the front derailleur when stopped, but do not count on your child being able to use the left shifter on the go. Beyond the mechanical difficulty, managing two derailleurs is genuinely challenging for kids and adults alike.

Over the years we have found that kids do much better with 1x systems that have just one rear derailleur in the rear. While this reduces the total number of gears, the vast majority of our kid testers have never felt limited by 7 or 8 speeds. In fact, every other 24″ bike we have tested, including the REV 24, is a 1x system and have all worked great without any issues.

REV 24″ vs. REV CTY 24″

If you are shopping for a 24″ bike at REI, we strongly recommend the REI REV 24″ over the REV CTY. The REV is a recreational mountain bike with beefier tires and mechanical disc brakes, and all of our testers preferred it over the REV CTY, even on paved city streets. Unlike the REV CTY, the REV uses a simpler 1x system with a single rear derailleur. The frame geometry is also noticeably different, with the REV offering a slightly taller handlebar and longer wheelbase that gives riders more cockpit space between the saddle and handlebars.

The REV is significantly heavier at 28 lb. versus the REV CTY’s 26 lb., so if your child is on the lighter or more timid side, that is worth factoring in. Our experienced 68 lb. 10-year-old tester had no trouble handling the extra weight. The seat heights of the two models are nearly identical, so they fit the same size rider. Like the REV CTY, however, the REV is not a great fit for riders who need the seat at or near its minimum height of 25.25″, so riders with inseams ranging from 24″ to 26″ will be the best fit for both models.

REI Co-Op Cycles REV Bottom Line

REI’s REV line of kids bikes offers good quality, but unfortunately carries higher price tags than competitors with more features. If you prefer the peace of mind that comes with REI’s return policy and customer service, the REV bikes are certainly worth a trip to the store to try out. But if you are looking for a quality bike in a mid-range price range, we much prefer the Retrospec Koda Plus and Guardian lines of bikes.

IMPORTANT RECALL NOTICE: In June of 2024, all 2022 – 2024 models of the REV 12, 16, and 20 bikes being used with training wheels were recalled by the CPSC. The training wheels could fall off while a child is riding, and cause a child to crash or fall. This problem has since been fixed.

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.