Hornit HERO 24'' bike review: does this lightweight kids’ bike boost confidence on everyday rides?

The Hornit Hero 24" is a bike designed for older children ready to move up to a bigger bike but still needing something lightweight and confidence-boosting to ride. Built with everyday journeys and longer family rides in mind, it’s intended to handle everything from school runs and park paths to light forest trails.

Sitting at the premium end of the kids’ bike market at £429, it’s priced similarly to lightweight bikes from brands like Yomo (£450) and Squish (£399), both popular with families looking for a durable bike that’s easy for children to control as they grow.

The Hornit Hero 24'' is available to buy from Hornit and Bike Shed

How easy is the Hornit Hero 24'' bike to assemble?

The packaging was minimal, mostly cardboard and easy to remove. Protection was well thought out, with only the handlebars wrapped in plastic.

The only tools required were scissors to remove the wrapping, a screwdriver to attach the bell and reflector, and Allen keys to attach the pedals and handlebars. The instructions were clear and setup was quick — my 8 year old helped to assemble it and we had the bike ready to ride in about 5 minutes.

My first impressions were that the bike looked sturdy and felt premium.

How lightweight is the Hornit Hero 24'' bike?

The bike is extremely light and easy to transport. The front wheel can also be removed quickly if needed.

We've previously used a Squish bike, which is also lightweight, but the Hornit Hero felt even lighter for its size than similar bikes we've tried.

What age and height is the Hornit Hero 24'' bike suitable for?

The Hornit Hero is suitable for children with an inside leg of 63-78cm, or for children roughly aged 6-10 years, depending on height and confidence level. But Hornit advises that if your child is less confident, add 2-3cm to the minimum inside leg measurement so they can easily put both feet flat on the ground.

We set the Hornit Hero to its lowest saddle position for my son, who has a 66cm inside leg, and it fitted him well straight away.

The bike felt easy to manoeuvre, even when making tighter turns. It was nimble and responsive without affecting balance, and the ride felt smooth across a range of surfaces including park paths and fields.

How effective are the brakes and gears?

The brakes were very effective, with only a slight squeak in wet weather but no impact on performance. Stopping felt controlled and reliable when needed.

Albie found the gears easy to change and well suited to his smaller hands, which helped him ride confidently across different terrain.

How did the Hornit Hero affect your child’s confidence and comfort while riding?

Albie had no complaints about the comfort of the saddle and looked comfortable even on longer rides, including trips through the forest.

He was able to ride easily up and down kerbs, across parks and through fields, and the tyres maintained good grip on a variety of surfaces. Climbing hills also felt manageable without too much effort.

Because the bike is lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, Albie quickly adapted to moving up to the next bike size without it affecting his confidence. He was able to get the bike out independently, adjust the gears himself and stay in control while riding.

The handlebars remained grippy even in wet conditions and were well spaced for his arm length and riding position. The height also felt well proportioned for a comfortable riding position.

Its comfort and handling also meant he was happy to join longer family rides.

Can the Hornit Hero 24" bike be adjusted as your child grows?

The saddle height and handlebars are both easy to adjust as your child grows, and I love that this bike will grow with my child. It's easy to make the adjustments too.

How durable does the bike feel?

The frame feels sturdy and well built, even when riding on rougher forest terrain. Aside from a small mark on the frame when it arrived, the bike has held up well after regular rides and a few tumbles.

Everything continued to work perfectly after a few falls, which was reassuring.

How easy is it to clean the bike?

The bike is easy to hose down after muddy rides, with no awkward areas for dirt to collect.

We haven't needed to carry out any maintenance yet, but it looks straightforward to service and keep in good condition.

How does it compare to similar kids' bikes?

We've previously used Frog and Squish bikes (in smaller sizes), and the Hornit compares well in terms of weight and handling. Compared with more budget brands like Raleigh, it feels noticeably lighter and more refined in its design.

What’s in the box?

• Bike frame with rear wheel attached
• Front wheel
• Front wheel axel
• Handlebars with the brake and gear cables attached to the main frame
• Manual
• Pedals

How sustainable is the Hornit HERO 24''?

This bike should comfortably last several years, which makes it a good long-term option as children grow quickly. It also feels robust enough to pass down to younger siblings.

Hornit offers a free lifetime warranty, which adds to its value as a long-term investment.

Packaging was mostly cardboard, with only small amounts of plastic used to protect the handlebars and pedals.

Is the Hornit Hero 24" bike worth the money?

It is on the more expensive side, but the build quality and lightweight design justify the price. It also feels likely to hold its value well if resold second-hand.

Where can I buy the Hornit Hero 24'' bike?

It is available from Hornit and Bike Shed

Who is the Hornit Hero 24" bike best suited for?

My son is 8 and only just fits the bike at the lowest saddle setting, so it may feel large for some younger riders despite the suggested age range from Hornit. However, it works well as an everyday bike and can handle light trails too.

Families who ride regularly will get the most value from it. If the bike will only be used occasionally, a cheaper option may be more suitable.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Hornit Hero 24'' is a lightweight, well-built bike that feels easy for children to handle as they move up to a larger frame size. Its smooth ride and responsive handling helped my son grow in confidence quickly, whether riding to school, around the local area or on family trail rides.

It's particularly suited to families who cycle regularly and want a durable bike that can handle a mix of everyday riding and light off-road terrain. While it sits at the higher end of the price range for 24'' kids bikes, the quality, lightweight design and lifetime warranty make it a strong long-term investment.

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