Falcon Kids Bikes
Falcon kids bikes have earned a steady reputation as one of the most reliable entry points into junior cycling - robust enough to handle the school run, the park, and the inevitable kerb drops in between. If you're after a first pedal bike that won't feel fragile the moment your child tests its limits, Falcon sits in a comfortable place: practical engineering, sensible pricing, and a genuine focus on getting small riders moving safely.
The range covers the full progression, from 12-inch first pedal bikes with removable stabilisers right through to 24-inch junior bikes with gears and V-brakes. Throughout, you'll find details that actually matter for kids - reach-adjustable brake levers so smaller hands can stop without stretching, low standover heights that build confidence early, and enclosed chainguards that keep trousers and laces away from the drivetrain. These aren't premium race machines, and Falcon doesn't pretend otherwise. What you get is a well-thought-out, durable bike that suits families who want their child riding consistently rather than waiting for a special occasion to bring it out.
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Decoding the Falcon Kids Lineup
The range is built around wheel size, and that's the right way to think about it. Smaller kids start on 12-inch models - typically a single-speed drivetrain, removable stabilisers, and simple hand brakes scaled for tiny fingers. These are genuinely starter bikes: light on complexity, focused on getting the basics right. Step up to 16-inch and 18-inch models and the stabilisers drop away; geometry tightens slightly, and you start seeing more purposeful tyre profiles suited to mixed surfaces.
The 20-inch and 24-inch bikes are where Falcon children's bikes take a meaningful step forward. Gearing appears here - typically a basic indexed rear derailleur - along with V-brakes front and rear for more consistent stopping power. These suit riders who've outgrown the pure beginner stage and want something that keeps pace with longer family rides. Worth knowing: the jump from a 16-inch to a 20-inch isn't just about wheel size - the overall geometry shifts noticeably, so it's worth checking standover height against your child's inseam before committing.
If you're planning rides where the kids need to keep up with you, it's worth browsing Falcon mountain bikes or Falcon hybrid bikes for yourself at the same time - matching pace on family rides is much easier when the adult bike is sorted too. Alternatively, if you're weighing Falcon against the wider market, Apollo kids bikes and Dawes kids bikes occupy a similar price bracket and are worth a side-by-side comparison.
The Falcon Tech Philosophy: Built to Last
The foundation of every bike in the range is a hi-tensile steel frame. Steel is heavier than the alloy you'll find on pricier options from brands like Frog Bikes, but it has a practical advantage that matters here: it absorbs impacts rather than cracking. A frame that gets dropped against a wall, scraped along a path, or left under a pile of coats in a school corridor needs to keep working. Hi-tensile steel does that reliably, which is why Falcon Falcon boys bikes and Falcon girls bikes across the range lean on it consistently.
The enclosed chainguard is a detail worth calling out specifically. It's not glamorous engineering, but it keeps the chain away from clothing and fingers, reduces the frequency of chain derailments on single-speed models, and means less cleaning for whoever ends up maintaining the bike. Combined with the reach-adjustable brake levers, it signals that the design process had actual children in mind rather than scaled-down adult components. Small hands stopping a moving bike is a genuine safety consideration, and levers that adjust inward so fingers can reach the pivot without fully extending make a real difference - particularly on downhill sections or when a child is still building confidence.
The single-speed drivetrain on smaller models also reduces maintenance considerably. No derailleur to knock out of alignment, no cables to stretch and re-index. That matters if the bike lives outdoors or gets occasional use rather than daily attention.
Living with a Falcon Bike in the UK
Steel frames and British weather need a bit of mutual respect. After wet school runs or muddy park sessions, it's worth giving the frame a quick wipe-down and running a drop of chain lube along the links before putting the bike away. It takes two minutes and keeps surface rust from taking hold - particularly on any scratched areas where the paint has chipped from kerb contact. Keep the bike out of prolonged damp storage if you can; a shed with airflow is fine, but a garage that pools condensation is harder on steel than most people realise.
On the road and path side of things, the tyre profiles across the Falcon kids range are generally wide enough to cope with the kind of surfaces most UK family rides involve - gravel paths, damp grass, the odd potholed pavement. They're not aggressive knobbly tyres, but they're not slick either. Decent middle ground for park loops and school commutes.
One practical note: steel frames make these bikes heavier than comparable alloy options. That's fine when your child is riding, but you'll likely end up carrying it at some point - up stairs, into a car boot, back from a ride where someone ran out of energy. Worth factoring in, especially on the larger 20-inch and 24-inch models. If weight is a priority, Carrera kids bikes offer some alloy-framed alternatives in a similar price range. But for most families, the durability trade-off tips in Falcon's favour.
The V-brakes on the larger models perform consistently once properly bedded in and adjusted. Check pad alignment periodically - kids brake hard and often, and pads can shift with use. A basic allen key and five minutes every few months keeps things sharp.
Falcon Kids Bikes FAQs
Are Falcon bikes good for kids?
Yes, consistently so for the price point. The hi-tensile steel frames handle rough treatment well, the components are appropriately specced for junior use, and details like reach-adjustable brake levers and enclosed chainguards reflect genuine child-focused design. They're not lightweight performance bikes, but for durable, everyday riding they're a solid choice.
What size Falcon bike does my child need?
Go by inseam and height rather than age - children vary too much for age alone to be reliable. A 12-inch wheel suits toddlers around 85 - 100cm tall; 16-inch and 18-inch models cover the 100 - 120cm range; 20-inch wheels work well from around 115 - 135cm; and 24-inch bikes suit riders up to roughly 145cm. Always check standover height against your child's inseam before buying.
Do Falcon kids bikes come with stabilisers?
Most 12-inch and 14-inch Falcon pedal bikes include removable stabilisers as standard. They come off with a basic spanner once your child finds their balance - no specialist tools needed. Larger models in the range don't include them, as the geometry at those sizes assumes the rider is already confident on two wheels.