JOYSTAR Totem Review: A Sturdy BMX-Style First Bike for Ages 2 to 10
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Choosing a first pedal bike is mostly about three things: the right size, safe brakes and a frame that survives being dropped on the driveway. The JOYSTAR Totem Kids Bike is one of JOYSTAR’s best sellers, a BMX-style bike for boys and girls that comes in five wheel sizes (12″ to 20″) and six colors. Prices run from $99.99 to $179.99 depending on size and color, and it had a 4.7-star average from 1,791 verified reviews when we checked.
For this JOYSTAR Totem review, we went through JOYSTAR’s full specifications, size chart and warranty, read through the customer reviews (sorting by lowest rating to see the common complaints), and compared it with JOYSTAR’s Little Daisy. The aim is to help you pick the right size and know what to check on delivery.
Quick Specs
- Price: $99.99 to $179.99
- Wheel sizes: 12″, 14″, 16″, 18″ and 20″
- Colors: Blue, Beige, Mint Green, Pink, Silver and Oil Slick
- Frame: Hi-Ten steel
- Brakes: Rear coaster brake on all sizes, plus a front caliper hand brake on 18″ and 20″
- Tires: 2.125″ wide pneumatic rubber
- Drivetrain: Single speed with full chain guard
- Included: Training wheels, DIY decals; kickstand on 18″ and 20″
- Assembly: about 85% pre-assembled, roughly 20 minutes with included tools
- Warranty: lifetime frame, 2 years on most components, 30-day returns
Size Chart: Which Totem Fits Your Child?
| Wheel size | Age | Child’s height | Hand brake | Kickstand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12″ | 2–4 years | 33″–41″ | No | No |
| 14″ | 3–5 years | 35″–47″ | No | No |
| 16″ | 4–7 years | 41″–53″ | No | No |
| 18″ | 5–8 years | 43″–59″ | Yes (front) | Yes |
| 20″ | 7–10 years | 53″–65″ | Yes (front) | Yes |
The age ranges overlap a lot, so go by height and inseam rather than age. JOYSTAR’s own sizing graphic notes that the child’s inseam matters most. If your child is at the bottom of a size range, size down: one reviewer found a bike too tall for a 5-year-old to get on and off without standing on a pedal.
JOYSTAR Totem Review: Key Features
Tough steel frame and wide tires
The Totem uses a Hi-Ten steel frame. Steel is heavier than aluminum, but it’s durable and forgiving, which suits young kids who crash and drop their bikes. Several parents in the reviews describe it as “built like a tank”. The 2.125″ pneumatic tires are wider than many kids’ bikes and grip well on pavement, gravel and grass.
Brakes that match the age
Every size has a rear coaster brake (pedal backwards to stop), which is the most intuitive option for small children. The 18″ and 20″ versions add a front caliper hand brake so older kids can get used to hand braking before moving to an adult bike. Smaller sizes don’t have a hand brake, which one buyer of the 14″ was relieved to discover since their 4-year-old wasn’t ready for one.
Full chain guard
The chain is fully enclosed. That keeps grease off trousers and, more importantly, keeps little fingers away from the chain and chainring.
Grows with your child
The quick-release seat post adjusts without tools, and the handlebars are adjustable too, so you can raise both as your child grows. Training wheels are included on every size and come off when your child is ready.
DIY decals
Each Totem comes with a sheet of alphabet decals, so kids can put their name on the chain guard. It’s a small touch, but it makes the bike feel like theirs.
What Customers Say
The Totem’s rating is strong: 1,444 five-star and 306 four-star reviews out of 1,791, with just 8 reviews at one or two stars. Parents often mention how sturdy the bike is and how quickly kids progress from training wheels to riding on their own.
Sorting by lowest rating shows the issues worth knowing about. One buyer received a bike with damage despite an undamaged box; JOYSTAR sent a replacement, though it was delayed. Another reviewer said the bike arrived with very little grease on the headset, bottom bracket and hubs. A few parents mention that the bike can feel heavy or hard to pedal for very young first-time riders, and one found the size larger than expected for their 5-year-old. Our advice: check every part when you unpack, and if you’re comfortable with basic bike maintenance, add a little grease during assembly.
JOYSTAR Totem vs JOYSTAR Little Daisy
| Totem | Little Daisy | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | BMX-inspired, boys and girls | Girls’ design |
| Sizes | 12″–20″ | 12″–20″ |
| Price range | $99.99–$179.99 | $109.99–$169.99 |
| Colors | 6 | 5 |
Both bikes share similar sizing and pricing. The Totem is the more neutral, sporty choice, while the Little Daisy has a more traditional look. We covered the other one in our JOYSTAR Little Daisy review.
Who It’s For
- First pedal bikes for kids aged about 2 to 10.
- Parents who want durability over light weight.
- Kids who like a BMX look, in neutral or bright colors.
- Siblings: the steel frame and lifetime frame warranty make it a good hand-me-down.
Who It’s Not For
- Parents wanting a lightweight bike: aluminum kids’ bikes are easier for small children to handle.
- Kids who need gears for hilly areas: the Totem is single speed.
- Young riders needing a hand brake on 12″–16″ sizes.
- Toddlers who haven’t balanced yet: consider a balance bike first.
Pricing, Warranty and Returns
The Totem costs from $99.99 (12″) to $179.99 (20″) on the JOYSTAR official store, and most sizes and colors were discounted when we checked. Prices vary by color, so compare a couple of options in your size. The Blue 16″ was sold out at the time of writing.
JOYSTAR offers a lifetime frame warranty for the original owner, a two-year warranty on most non-wear components such as handlebars, fork and crankset, and 30-day returns for bikes in original condition. JOYSTAR says registering the bike on its website shortly after purchase can extend coverage under its Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Five sizes from 12″ to 20″ and six colors
- Sturdy steel frame with a lifetime frame warranty
- Coaster brake on all sizes; hand brake added on 18″ and 20″
- Full chain guard and wide pneumatic tires
- Training wheels included; about 20-minute assembly
- 4.7 stars from nearly 1,800 verified reviews
Cons
- Steel frame is heavier than aluminum alternatives
- No hand brake on the 12″–16″ sizes
- Single speed only
- A few reports of damage on arrival or minimal grease
- Overlapping age ranges make sizing tricky
FAQ
What size JOYSTAR Totem should I buy?
Use your child’s height and inseam. As a guide, 12″ suits 33″–41″, 14″ suits 35″–47″, 16″ suits 41″–53″, 18″ suits 43″–59″ and 20″ suits 53″–65″.
Does the Totem have hand brakes?
Only the 18″ and 20″ sizes have a front hand brake. All sizes have a rear coaster brake.
Are training wheels included?
Yes, on every size.
How long does assembly take?
JOYSTAR says around 20 minutes. The bike arrives about 85% assembled with tools included.
What warranty does it have?
Lifetime on the frame for the original owner and two years on most components.
JOYSTAR Totem Review: Bottom Line
The JOYSTAR Totem is a solid, well-reviewed first bike that covers kids from toddler to about age 10. The steel frame, coaster brake, full chain guard and included training wheels tick the safety boxes, and the lifetime frame warranty adds peace of mind. Size by height rather than age, inspect the bike carefully when it arrives, and it should see your child through several summers of riding.
That wraps up our JOYSTAR Totem review. Check sizes, colors and current prices on the official JOYSTAR store.
You might also like: JOYSTAR Little Daisy Girls Bike Review and ROCKBROS Sold Secure Gold Folding Bike Lock Review.
