Yay or nay?
Discover what the internet is saying about Guardian Bikes.
Upgraded Reviews scanned the web to find out what real users are saying about Guardian Bikes.
See the highlights below and decide for yourself!
Table of contents
- ✅ Pros
- ❌ Cons
- ⚖️ Summaries
- 💸 Top Discount
✅ Pros
“The Guardian Ethos is available in four attractive color combinations.”
“Overall, I am happy with the thoughtful design of the entire bike.”
“I also love the design on the shifter.”
“My kids often change their seat level while riding, depending on the terrain. Having a quick release seat makes it so much easier for them to do themselves.”
“It has great quality build for the price.”
“By far my favorite feature, the thoughtfully-designed step-through frame allows even my littlest kid to get on and off the bike with ease.”
“All parts are made and assembled in the United States.”
“It is super easy to assemble. 5 minutes or less.”
“I was glad to see that Guardian Bikes has the RideSizer Tool on their website as well as a 3D model of how your child will fit in the bike.”
“We love the customer service and great website.”
“My 9 year old testers were able to lift this bike up with one hand.”
“This balance bike from Guardian made it really easy to get on and off, which is especially helpful for kids who are young, new to biking, or are more timid.”
“The stand-out feature of the Guardian bike company is the SureStop brake system.”
“The seat is an easy, quick-release.”
“This bike has a low stand over height, which makes getting on the bike a cinch.”
“My five-year-old was easily able to use the handbrake.”
“Guardian includes a sleek kickstand that does not interfere with pedaling.”
“Air-filled tires makes it much easier for more adventurous riders to hit the trails or do other off-road riding.”
“It is the most frustration-free bike my family has experienced.”
“The saddle and pedals are better than your average stock components.”
“The brakes really do have a wow factor.”
“It has smooth and low rolling resistance tires.”
“The tires are a bit wider than other balance bikes.”
“A fun variety of colors and designs are available.”
“SureStop braking system provides extra safety.”
“I was shocked by how easy the assembly was.”
“Their bikes are designed like sports cars with a wide wheelbase, lighter frame, and a lower center of gravity to give the rider more stability.”
“It is highly adjustable for the kid’s growth.”
“The Ethos is fully compatible with training wheels which can be purchased from Guardian.”
“Low center-of-gravity design means better balance and maneuverability.”
“It is easy to maneuver.”
“Guardian Bikes are made from a lightweight steel or aluminum frame (depending on the model), which makes them easy to control while still being durable.”
“Each component, from the brakes, to frame, to wheels, to the kickstand are made with attention to durability and detail.”
“The best part is they offer a 365-day guarantee.”
“It has durable build.”
“Tools are included for assembling the bike.”
“The bike has a durable steel frame.”
“When my daredevils inevitably hit a rock, the steering limiter helps keeps their handlebars straight and prevents injury.”
“It has fun and intuitive Microshift shifter display.”
“It has patented SureStop braking system for faster and more controlled braking.”
“Proprietary SureStop brakes are available for simpler, faster, and safer braking.”
“It has pretty sweet paint scheme.”
“These bikes have a cool graphic design that kids love, and are built with attention to quality.”
“Gear shifter indicator window provides visual cues to help kids determine which gear they should be in.”
“Geometry and parts are engineered for kid’s proportions.”
“It has easy assembly.”
“The gear shift is designed as an easy twist shifter.”
“The Guardian website blog boasts a 10 minute assembly time, and I can attest putting this bike together was a super-simple process.”
“It has quick-release seat post.”
“It has Sure Stop brake technology (safe, simple, adjustable).”
“There is plenty of room for growth.”
“Youth sized frame fits younger tweens.”
“It has the best safety features.”
“We also really love the hand brakes.”
“It has robust braking system.”
“It has great quality build for the price.”
“We love the sturdiness of the frame.”
“It has low center-of-gravity design for better balance and maneuverability.”
“There is no coaster brake.”
“7-speed Microshift grip shifter is easy to engage and smoothly shifts through gears.”
“It has durable and light frame.”
“Children new to biking can cruise along without having to juggle which brake handle to press. Additionally, the brake levers are designed for children’s hands to grab comfortably.”
“This bike was very easy to put together.”
“Patented SureStop braking system is available for faster and more controlled braking.”
💸 Top Current Discount
❌ Cons
“There are no quick release skewers on the wheels.”
“Another feature that was lacking in this bike was a lack of places for kids to put their feet.”
“It is not the right bike if your child wants to mountain bike.”
“There is no quick release for wheels.”
“Overall, I find this breaking system to be a huge plus. But because you activate both breaks at the same time, you can’t really use the breaks to adjust your speed.”
“While the bigger size Guardian bikes would absolutely be considered lightweight, this kids balance bike felt rather heavy.”
“The bike wasn’t adjusted when it arrived.”
“SureStop brakes not ideal for all-terrain riding, but Guardian is clear that their bikes are made for city riding.”
“Some experienced riders may be accustomed to (or prefer) dual brake levers.”
“It is not intended as a mountain bike.”
“There may be a learning curve for kids that learned to stop on a coaster brake and have come to rely on them, but our son found that type of braking confusing so—for us—it wasn’t a problem.”
“Sometimes we need to take the wheels off our bikes to transport them. Having quick release makes that nicer, but it isn’t a deal breaker.”
“There is no water bottle holder.”
“It is not the skinniest (lightest) kid on the block.”
“You can definitely find a cheaper priced bike.”
“Pattern on grips can irritate hands if kids grip too tightly.”
“There isn’t a coaster brake (one that engages when you pedal backwards to stop).”
“We only found one negative review that mentioned the paint peeled off easily. We did not find that to be true with our bikes.”
“My three-year-old kept trying to reach for the foot rest he was used to in his Strider and was frustrated when his feet would slip off.”
“One user found the paint easily peeled off the Ethos.”
“Because my son usually rides a mountain bike, we found the handlebars to be a bit narrow on the bike. Wider handlebars make turning smoother.”
“Overall, the Guardian Balance Bike felt a little bit small.”
“This is us being super picky, but we would really love it if nubbier tires were an available option for the bike, since we bike on rougher trails a lot.”
⚖️ Final Say
Read the summaries of what reviewers think about Guardian Bikes below.
“We’ve been testing out the Guardian bike for several months now so I could give you a really good picture of its overall performance. Brady feels safe on this bike. He feels confident again. Above all, that is worth the cost of this bike compared to others. He is back to biking again and loving it. I feel safe with him riding this bike. That is so essential.”
“I would put the Guardian 24 on the top of my list if safety, reliability, customer service, and performance were my main focus. You can’t put a price on your kid’s safety and this bike enables you to breathe a little easier whenever they saddle up for a ride. Our lil’ dude’s only complaint thus far? Maybe it could have a little more red paint on it!”
“We think that this brand can be the best option if you’re looking for the safest kids’ bike. Besides, it has some features to make it easy to control. Becoming one of the most reviewed kid’s bike brands in the market, there’s no way its quality isn’t good. So, let your kids learn how to pedal safely and easily with quality Guardian Bikes!”
“We truly believe that balance bikes offer the best way to teach kids to ride a bike, so we always recommend balance bikes over bikes with training wheels. Since this bike has the realistic feeling of an actual bike with air filled tires and the hand brake, it makes a great (and fast) transition into a pedal bike. Just make sure that if you’re considering getting this or any similar bike, you get a suitable, safe helmet. If the one handed brake works well for your child, we highly recommend keeping things smooth and having them start on a 16” Guardian Airos!”
“The Guardian Balance Bike is an incredibly unique balance bike that is perfect for older toddlers who are ready to move on to bigger and better things. The addition of air-filled tires is a game-changer for smoother and longer rides on all sorts of terrain.”
“The Guardian 20″ kids bike is a high-quality but budget-friendly choice for the average child rider who wants the benefits of those impressive SureStop brakes, a lightweight bike, and an affordable price tag. What Guardian is offering your child at such a low price point is truly exceptional – you won’t find a better bike near this price! Whether cruising the neighborhood or enjoying extended family bike rides, your child will be in good hands with a Guardian.”
“We have no regrets at all, and have enjoyed the three bikes we purchased from them tremendously! They are an American company that developed an award-winning braking system. to help keep your kids safe! That’s definitely a company I can support!”
“For kids who are lucky enough to fit on the Guardian 26, they’ll be rewarded with a fun, smooth, and safe riding experience. With top-notch braking, comfortable frame geometry, plenty of room for growth, and several colorful options, you won’t find a better 26″ kids bike at this price point.”
“If you are looking for a high quality, safe bike for kids who want to do spend a lot of time on wheels this summer, but you don’t want to dish out the high end dollars, the Ethos is perfect. We definitely recommend it for kids who do a lot of neighborhood riding.”
“If you are looking for a bike that is easy to ride, lightweight, and has great features, then the Guardian Bikes Airos is the best choice for you. This bike is perfect for teaching your child how to ride without training wheels and provides a great way for them to learn.”
“Overall, I can highly recommend this bike, and its younger sibling, the 20 inch Original. They will last through multiple kids, while also being a joy to use. A good quality bike that a child can handle themselves is empowering and confidence building, and Guardian definitely is an easy to handle, quality bike that will develop your child’s confidence and biking skills.”
“Overall, we’d highly recommend the Guardian 26 for any tween who’s ready to fly, and for the parent who wants to keep them safe as they do.”
“Guardian Bikes provides young riders with a stylish and safe bike, with the Ethos. The SureStop brakes were first introduced on Shark Tank and prevent young riders from going over the handlebars when they brake. Other notable features on this bike include full compatibility with training wheels, a freewheel hub, quick-release seat adjustment, an adjustable brake lever, kickstand and removable steering limiter. Consumers and experts were highly impressed with Guardian Bikes’ fit tool that helped them find the right size bike for their rider.”
“Our recommendation couldn’t be more enthusiastic. If you are looking for a frustration-reducing bike that feels like it was customized for your kid, this is the bike for you. While our child didn’t miraculously turn into a cyclist overnight, we strongly feel that the safe and simplified braking system will greatly reduce frustration once he’s able to start mastering two-wheeled riding.”