Choosing the right bike for your child can be a daunting task, with so many options available. Two brands that we consistently get asked about are Guardian and Woom. Both are known for their kid-focused designs. But which one comes out on top for your little cyclist?

This guide comprehensively compares Guardian and Woom kids' bikes, examining their features, benefits, drawbacks, and pricing. We'll delve into each model, helping you make an informed decision based on your child's age, riding ability, and your budget.

Guardian Bikes: An Overview

Guardian Bikes is a US-based company that gained notoriety after a successful appearance on Shark Tank. They are best known for their patented SureStop brake system. Guardian bikes are designed with an emphasis on safety, ease of use, and durability.

SureStop: A Closer Look at Guardian's Brake System

The SureStop brake system is a cornerstone of Guardian's marketing. It uses a single brake lever to control both the front and rear brakes, but with a critical difference: it engages the rear brake first, followed by the front brake. This sequential activation prevents the front wheel from locking up.

While the SureStop system may appeal to some parents' safety concerns, it's worth noting that it may not be ideal for off-road riding or teaching proper braking technique life skills. In off-road situations, independent front and rear brakes control is crucial for navigating challenging terrain. Furthermore, there are not any kid's bike braking systems that are so powerful that it would immediately toss the rider over the handlebars. It’s always possible if your child has a strong grip, but with proper instruction and guidance, we don’t find this a major impediment to most younger kids learning to ride.

Kids pick up on the braking technique and feel pretty quickly. We’d much rather teach young riders proper technique and feel out of the gate. It will make them better riders long-term.

Key Features of Guardian Bikes:

Kid-Specific Geometry: Guardian bikes are designed with a low center of gravity, a low standover height (the distance between the top tube and the ground), and a long wheelbase. This geometry enhances stability and comfort for young riders2.
Easy Assembly: Guardian bikes are delivered 99% assembled, minimizing the time and effort required for setup.
Visual Identifier on Grip Shifters: Guardian bikes equipped with gears feature a Visual Identifier on their grip shifters. This uses tortoise and hare icons to help children understand the concept of gear changes, making it easier for them to learn and adapt to different terrains.

Guardian Bike Models:

Guardian offers a range of bikes to suit children of different ages and riding abilities:

Balance Bike: This is the perfect starting point for toddlers aged 1.5 to 4 years, helping them develop balance and coordination before transitioning to a pedal bike.
See our Guardian 12" vs. Woom Original Comparison Guide
14-inch Bike: This model is ideal for children aged 3 to 5 years who are ready to start pedaling.

View our Guardian 14" vs. Woom 2 Comparison
16-inch Bike: Designed for ages 4 to 6 years, this bike provides a stable and comfortable ride as children gain confidence.
View our Guardian 16 vs. Woom ORIGINAL 3 Comparison
20-inch Small Bike: This model caters to children aged 5 to 8 years and comes with a single-speed drivetrain.
See our Guardian 20" vs. Woom ORIGINAL 4 Comparison Guide
20-inch Large Bike: Also for ages 6 to 9 years, this bike offers a 6-speed drivetrain for tackling varied terrain.
24-inch Bike: This model is suitable for ages 7 to 11 years and features a 7-speed drivetrain.

Read our Guardian vs. Woom ORIGINAL 5 Comparison Guide
26-inch Bike: This is the largest size offered by Guardian, designed for older children aged 10 to 14 years. It also has a 7-speed drivetrain.

Read our Guardian 26" vs. Woom ORIGINAL 6 Comparison

Key Benefits of Guardian Bikes:

Affordability: Guardian bikes generally offer good value for the price compared to similar models from other brands and they often advertise free-shipping.
Ease of Use: Features like grip shifters with Visual Identifiers and quick-release seat posts make Guardian bikes user-friendly for both children and parents.

Drawbacks of Guardian Bikes:

Weight: While not excessively heavy, Guardian bikes are generally heavier than comparable Woom, Frog and Commencal models. We find this weight difference can be a factor for smaller or less experienced riders.
Limited Off-Road Capabilities: Guardian bike do not provide the same level of control needed for serious off-road riding that Woom and other models have.
Low resale: Guardian bikes are not as sought after in the resale market. When you go to sell it on Facebook Marketplace in a few years when your child outgrows it your going to get less of its original value vs. other brands.
Limited drivetrains: If up-hill pedaling is necessary for your young rider, Guardian does not offer a gear shifter in their smaller bikes, which will mean your young one is pushing the bike up the hill rather than riding.

Woom Bikes Overview

Woom Bikes is an Austrian company that has earned a loyal following for its lightweight, high-quality kids' bikes. Woom bikes are designed with a focus on ergonomics, performance, and inspiring a love of cycling in children.

Key Features of Woom Bikes:

Lightweight Aluminum Frames: Woom bikes are renowned for their exceptionally light aluminum frames, making them easy for children to handle and maneuver.
Child-Specific Components: Every component on a Woom bike, from the brakes to the grips, is carefully chosen and designed with children's ergonomics and needs in mind. This attention to detail ensures a comfortable and efficient riding experience.
High-Quality Materials: Woom uses premium materials and components throughout their bikes, ensuring durability and a smooth, enjoyable ride5.
Adjustable Handlebars: Woom bikes feature adjustable handlebars, allowing you to fine-tune the reach and riding position as your child grows. This adaptability extends the lifespan of the bike and ensures a comfortable fit throughout its use.

Woom Bike Models:

Woom offers a more diverse lineup of bikes to cater to different ages, riding styles, and preferences:

ORIGINAL: This series includes balance bikes and lightweight pedal bikes for children aged 1.5 to 14 years. These bikes are designed for everyday riding and provide a solid foundation for developing cycling skills.
EXPLORE: The EXPLORE series is designed for adventurous young riders aged 6 and up who want to explore beyond paved roads. These bikes feature wider tires and are equipped for gravel paths and light trails.
OFF & OFF AIR: These are Woom's dedicated mountain bikes, built for off-road enthusiasts. They come with features like suspension forks, disc brakes, and robust frames to handle the demands of trail riding.
NOW: The NOW series caters to urban riders with its innovative cycle truck design. These bikes have a smaller front wheel and a larger rear wheel, providing stability and a lower center of gravity for carrying cargo. They also come with integrated lights, fenders, and a front rack.
UP: For older children who are ready for an extra boost, Woom offers the UP series of electric mountain bikes. These bikes provide assistance on climbs and allow children to explore further distances.

Benefits of Woom Bikes:

Lightweight: The aluminum frames make Woom bikes incredibly light, which is a major advantage for young riders. It makes the bikes easier to handle, maneuver, and control, leading to a more enjoyable and confident riding experience.
High Quality: The use of high-quality materials and components ensures durability and a smooth, refined riding experience.
Ergonomics: Woom bikes are designed with a deep understanding of children's ergonomics. This results in a comfortable and natural riding position that promotes proper posture and reduces strain.
Versatility: The wide range of models caters to diverse riding styles and preferences, from everyday use to off-road adventures and urban commuting.
Higher Resale Value: Woom bikes hold their value exceptionally well due to their quality and popularity. This can make them a more attractive investment in the long run and easy resale on FB marketplace or Craigslist in a few years.

Get our Woom Bikes FAQ to learn more.

Drawbacks of Woom Bikes:

Price: Woom bikes are generally more expensive out of the gate than comparable Guardian models. However, long-term you get more resale out of the bike when you go to sell it in a few years making up for this difference.

Key Differences and Considerations

Weight: Woom bikes are generally lighter than Guardian bikes and are made with aluminum vs. Steel, which can be a significant factor for smaller or less confident riders.
Drivetrains: Woom offers more gears in more bike making them easier to pedal uphill for younger riders.
Price: Guardian bikes are typically more budget-friendly, offering good value for the price.
Long-term value: Woom bikes will hold their value better on the resale market and higher quality componentry will generally last longer.
Riding Styles: Woom offers a wider variety of models to cater to different riding styles, including dedicated mountain bikes (OFF and OFF AIR) and urban bikes (NOW).

Which Bike is Right for Your Child?

Choosing between Guardian and Woom depends on your priorities and your child's needs.

Choose Guardian if:

Safety is your primary concern, and you want a bike with the sure stop braking system.
You're looking for a durable and affordable bike.
Your child primarily rides on paved surfaces and doesn't require a specialized bike for off-road or urban riding or going up hills.

Choose Woom if:

You prioritize a lightweight bike that is easy for your child to handle and maneuver, leading to a more enjoyable riding experience.
You want a high-quality bike with premium components and a focus on ergonomics and performance.
Your child is interested in off-road riding, urban commuting, or you plan to upgrade their bike as they grow with a better resale value.

Why Choose Ready, Set, Pedal for your next kids bike purchase:

Ultimately, we're going to provide you a better service and delivery timing with all the same benefits you get when buying from the manufacturers. Learn more about our buying experience and how it compares to buying direct from the manufacturer.

We believe we go beyond in a few key ways and are dedicated to satisfying moms, dads, and kids everywhere. Here are just a couple of reasons you should consider Ready, Set, Pedal for your next bike purchase:

Easy, online shopping and buying experience. Find everything you need in one place. In addition to premier bike brands, we also carry the best selection of kids bike accessories, clothing, helmets and protective gear to go along with your bike purchase.
30-Day low price and price match guarantee. By the off chance you find it cheaper somewhere else we will match the advertised price up to 30-days after purchase.
We’re the kid bike specialist with unrivaled selection. Our staff only focuses on the cycling needs of kids. We have the largest selection in the US of lightweight kids bikes brands including Frog, Commencal, Strider, Mondraker, Woom and more. Ready, Set, Pedal ships most of it’s bike direct from our warehouse and if it says it is in stock on our site it means it is IN STOCK.
Dedicated Support. We publish our phone number right on our homepage if you need to talk to a kids bike advisor before or after the sale. If anything should go awry after the sale we have a dedicated warranty department.
Hassle Free Returns and Exchanges. Before buying somewhere else compare return and exchange policies. Ready, Set, Pedal has a solid return and exchange policy. Check out the reviews on our site.
Fastest and Lowest Cost Shipping. We ship bikes straight from our own showroom and warehouse the same or next day. Unlike other brands we do not mark shipping up. We pass our shipping savings directly on to you. We have the lowest shipping costs in the industry because we've shipped thousands of bikes. We can also ship your kids bike to over 150 different countries. Contact us if you are ordering from abroad.
Manufacturer Warranty. Any manufacturer warranty or guarantee is valid through any new bike purchased through Ready, Set, Pedal the same as if you bought direct. We are an authorized retailer of all our brands. Some low-priced online retailers are not authorized retailers and will not support warranty claims.
Quality Check. Any bike shipping direct from our warehouse goes through a quality check for performance and safety. Most bikes can be easily assembled in 15-25 minutes with the right tools.