Your kids deserve to enjoy mountain biking as much as you do.
When your favourite little one makes it to the bottom of a technical descent, there’s no better feeling than ripping some singletrack with them.
(Or perhaps mountain biking is not something you do, but your child has taken an interest in it. If that’s the case, no worries – we’ll explain exactly how to pick a good mountain bike).
Your kid’s bike’s performance will significantly impact how much fun they have mountain biking. There’s no need to own the most expensive or fanciest mountain bike to have fun, but it must be lightweight, fit perfectly, and perform well.
You’ll learn which BRANDS make our top picks by size, what to consider when deciding which model to purchase, and what you should look for when shopping for kids mountain bikes.
Top 9 Mountain Bikes recommended for the kids
You shouldn’t be afraid to spend much money on your budget when choosing a bike for your child.
Investing more in your child’s bike will allow him to ride it more efficiently, require less maintenance, and last longer if you spend more on it.
It is typically possible to purchase a decent recreational mountain bike for around $200. It costs about $500 for a proper mountain bike with quality components.
Norco Fluid FS 1 24
You’ll experience everything you’d share on a Norco Optic on the Fluid FS 1 24. A junior freeride bike, the Fluid FS 1 24 is built for riders between the ages of 9 and 12 and under 90pounds.
Credit: www.norco.com
An aluminium frame is equipped with a 120mm Fox Performance FLOAT rear shock, while a 145mm Manitou J-Unit Expert air fork fronts the bike. There is more than enough suspension travel for most 12-year-old riders to tackle any terrain or feature.
North Shore-inspired bikes have made Norco a household name. An established British Columbian company would expect that.
Price: Starts from $2,699
Huffy Scout – A budget bike
By far, the Scout is the most attractive budget bike tested so far.
Its clean designs and colour combinations give a real mountain bike vibe. However, given its enormous weight of 36.4 lb., the Scout isn’t an outstanding performer.
Credit: Walmart.com
It doesn’t matter how much Huffy brags about Shimano components. Shimano’s entry-level derailleurs are used, but the shifters aren’t. Despite being stiff and difficult to twist on the bike we tested, the shifters worked well for kids who only needed to shift occasionally.
Despite its extreme weight, the Scout is better for your child if they can handle its overall frame design.
Price: Starts from $168
Raleigh Rowdy
Built on an aluminium frame with a Shimano drivetrain, the Polygon’s quality of construction is comparable to many kid’s bikes sold in bike shops. These are lightweight, elegant, and great for kids who want to ride paved trails or neighbourhood cruisers.
Credit: amazon.com
What is the secret to Polygon’s low prices? It’s rare that a bike company owns its manufacturing facility (in Indonesia) and also sells directly to consumers. To lower the cost of their bikes, Polygon eliminates several mediators.
A tremendous recreational mountain bike for boys and girls, the Ultralite is available in 20″ and 24″ sizes. Suspension forks are optional.
Price: Starts from $187
Rocky Mountain Reaper
You shouldn’t leave your kid without a mountain bike if you want them to learn how to ride and gain confidence.
As your child grows up, the Rocky Reaper won’t need to be replaced.
The wheel design is 24-inch, and the suspension system is high-shock, so it is ready for any terrain. The bike might appear similar to other mountain bikes on the market from the outside, but once you ride it, you’ll know the difference.
Credit: intl.bikes.com
Despite the intelligent and well-made geometry of the bike, young riders tend to use it from the middle. This is fully supported by the bike’s rear fork, ensuring the kids are always comfortable.
Price: Starts from $2200 (price may be subject to change)
Transition Ripcord
Some bike manufacturers have revolutionised grip systems, while others have improved brakes. The transition improved the fluidity and seamlessness of the bike geometry. These bikes are the Best Ever because they are dedicated to what they believe in!
In today’s world, kids want to land extra big mileages, ascend challenging trails, and be the best in the world. With Transition Ripcord, they can accomplish this without having to deal with any obstacles. Its travel capacity is limited to 100mm to achieve precision.
Price: Starts from $1699
Islabikes Creig 24
The Islabikes Creig is not a cheap bike, and it shouldn’t be; if you want apex quality, you need to spend more. By all standards, you can enjoy a smooth, aggressive ride whenever you want with this trail beast.
Credit: transitionbikes.com
Despite its lightweight design, this bike offers heavy-duty mountain biking.
A sleek aluminium frame and Rock Shox Gold 30 air fork significantly improve the bike’s performance.
Price: Starts from $1200
Woom OFF 5 – Bike with 24-inch wheels
Kids can enjoy challenging rides on rugged terrain on the lightweight and durable WOOM OFF 5. Even steep descents can be negotiated easily, thanks to the hydraulic disc brakes.
The speed is full uphill; the control is fully downhill! This 24inch wheel bike has many great features. AA 6061 aluminium with butted tubes makes up the frame, which is light and high-quality.
Credit: us.woombikes.com
A second reason is geometry, which promotes agility and ease of handling. Forgiving steering geometry and low entry position ensure reasonable control and a fun riding experience. A third feature is the eight speeds.
Changing gears is made easy with SRAM X4 twist shifters. As a fourth feature, children have access to two independently operated V-brakes with brake power.
Last but not least, high-quality, lightweight tires for maximum grip, low rolling resistance, and good shock absorption.
Price: Starts from $850
GT Stomper Ace 24in Bike – Kids
The Stomper Ace 24in Bike is another proof that GT knows about junior bikes. It creates a natural stroke by incorporating narrower pedals and cranks, which increases stability and comfort.
Credit: gtbicycles.com
As a second feature, the Stomper is made from lightweight aluminium. Lastly, mechanical disc brakes provide quick and secure stopping power. In addition, your little ripper can push hard with the durable Shimano gears.
Price: Starts from $800
Commencal META HT 24
With over 20 years of experience, Commencal has mastered making excellent bikes, resulting in the Meta HT 24 mountain bike, which has everything a perfect mountain bike should have.
Credit: commencalusa.com
Quality sometimes costs a little more, but you have to pay a premium if you want the best.
Since Commencal is known for its mountain bikes, this level of excellence is already expected.
Price: Starts from $3800
Boys vs. Girls Mountain Bikes
The only difference between boys’ and girls’ mountain bikes is usually the colour. All other components on the bikes on this list are the same, except for a few models with a different frame design.
Kids Mountain Bikes: Quick Tips when purchasing a bike !
- SIZE: The size of the bike is the most common mistake parents make. Children from 6 to 8 usually ride 20-inch bikes, while kids from 9 to 11 ride 24-inch bikes. Fit should be determined based on your child’s inseam. Bikes on the budget are also often more prominent than bicycles on the more expensive side.
- ASSEMBLY: It is highly recommended that budget bikes be tuned by a local bike shop, even if they are assembled. Brakes and derailleurs need to be tuned even when the bike is brand new.
- SUSPENSION FORKS: Casual riding is the only use for suspension forks in recreational bikes. Their purpose is not to take beatings from real trails but to jump around the neighbourhood on basic dirt trails. Their stiffness and weight are also common characteristics. There can be an increase of 4+ pounds due to them. Bikes with low-end budgets tend to carry a lot of unnecessary weight.
- GEARS: No need to choose a cheaper bike over a more expensive bike with more gears. There is no better bike than one with six to eight gears. It is usually necessary to have two derailleurs (one for the left and one for the right) on bikes with more gears. Kids will find these harder to use, require more maintenance, and unnecessarily weigh up their bikes.Mountain bikes can be heavy – some weigh up to 40 pounds! Ideally, your bike should weigh between 20 and 30 pounds. It is better to go lighter.
- COST: Generally, quality bikes will last several years without major maintenance, starting at $300 – $400. Budgeting more for your bike can save you a lot of hassle when it comes to possible maintenance and improving its quality and overall performance.
- MAINTENANCE: Keep a geared bike away from the derailleur to ensure the bike’s longevity. The derailleur (or chain side) should always face up when placing a bike on the ground!
For beginners or advanced riders, you’ll want to be sure your child can straddle the mountain bike comfortably with both feet on the ground (beginners). Measuring your child’s inseam will give you a good measurement of their stand-over height which makes you easier to find the right mountain bike for them!
