The Dart is available with 20” wheels (6 to 8 year olds) or 24” wheels (8 to 11).
The V-brakes offer solid stopping power once set up correctly, according to a reviewer.
Each Dart comes in a choice of five colors.
A reviewer finds the 2.1” wide all-terrain tires provide good traction on grass and dirt.

9 reasons not to buy

Owners and an expert recommend professional tuning of the brakes and derailleur after assembly.
An expert says the Dart's minimum seat heights are too low, and recommends not lowering the smaller bike's saddle below 23" and the larger bike's saddle below 25.7".
Two buyers report receiving frames with scratches or worn paint.
Both the Dart 20” (25.9lb) and 24” (28.5lb) are heavy.
The kickstand is too long and doesn't hold the bike up if the wheel is turned to the right, according to a tester.
The Dart's forward-leaning ride position could be too aggressive for inexperienced or timid riders.
Smaller kids may struggle to twist the Shimano RevoShift grip shifter.
After reducing the brake lever reach completely, they are still too far to brake safely for a 43” tester of the Dart 20”.
Buyers are disappointed in Retrospec's unhelpful customer support.

Bottom line

Retrospec's Dart is a budget kids' bike with 2.1" tires, a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, and V-brakes. It's available in two sizes (20" or 24" wheels) and five colors. The sole reviewer finds the shifting smooth and braking powerful, but assembly involves a lengthy tune-up, so professional assembly is recommended. Other issues include inaccurate sizing, excessive brake lever reach for smaller kids, high weight, and a poor kickstand. Despite these issues, an expert considers Dart good value compared to other budget kids' bikes, as long as it fits.

Expert Reviews

60/100 based on 1 scored review

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Two Wheeling Tots

Level 4 expert

Retrospec Dart 20 and 24 Kids’ Bikes Review

Level 4 expert

If the bike fits (according to our testing results above), the Retrospec Dart 20 and Dart 24 are an impressive bang for your buck for confident neighborhood riders.

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