If you’re a smaller adult looking for a full suspension bike, it can be tricky to find what you’re looking for outside of the women’s specific market. Some women’s specific bikes come with a shock tune suited to the lighter rider, which doesn’t always suit, while others (though less often than in the past) come with different geometry that’s said to be better suited to the female form.
We’ve trawled the internet looking for the brands that are making unisex full suspension bikes down into XS sizes. If you think we’ve missed a good option, head to the comments section and share your findings. We’re aware that in some instances brands do make XS FS bikes, but the models aren’t available in all territories – it depends on what the distributor thinks the demand is like.
While the list below highlights the XS frames that are available, we haven’t gone into the built kits. If you’re a shorter rider, you may well also want to look out for short reach brakes, bars that aren’t 810mm wide (though, there’s always a hacksaw…) and shorter cranks. Two other things to watch out for: limited dropper insertion (check you can get the dropper you want in there) and space for a water bottle (if you simply can’t bear to ride with pack).
What is ‘short’ anyway?
Recommended frame size for rider height:
- Under 5ft 2in (1257cm) = Extra Small (XS)
- 5ft 2in to 5ft 6in (157cm to 167cm) = Small (S)
Recommended maximum seat tube length for rider height:
- Under 5ft 2in (1257cm) = 400mm max
- 5ft 2in to 5ft 6in (157cm to 167cm) = 400mm max
Wanna know more about sizing? Read our previous guide called What size mountain bike do I need?
NB:
Specialized operates two sizing systems. There is a lot more choice if you look for ‘S1’ than ‘XS’ on their website, even though both sizes are broadly aimed at the same height of rider. Canyon also offers some 2XS full suspension models, if you’re looking for an even smaller ride.
And another NB:
The retailer links here might take you to vendors without an XS in stock, since the widgets don’t filter by size. Sorry about that. You may have to use your Google-Fu to find an XS model for sale. Thankfully, many online retailers have now added a ‘bike size’ filter to their sites, making it much easier to check if they have anything in stock. If you spot a great deal, put a link in the comments!
Quick links
- XC Bikes
- Specialized Epic EVO
- Trail Bikes
- Canyon Neuron
- Jamis Dakar
- Kona Process 134
- Merida One-Forty
- Santa Cruz 5010
- Santa Cruz Bronson
- Specialized Stumpjumper EVO (Size S1)
- Trek Fuel EX
- Whyte T140 SR
- Enduro Bikes
- Canyon Spectral
- Merida One-Sixty
- Specialized Status (Size S1)
- E-Bikes
- Canyon Neuron:ON
- Specialized Turbo Levo (Size S1)
- Trek Powerfly FS
XC Bikes
Santa Cruz Tallboy
- Price: From £5,299
- Rear travel: 120mm
- Front travel: 130mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Brand site: Santa Cruz Bicycles
View all the measurements of this bike below
Specialized Epic EVO
- Price: From £4,500
- Rear travel: 110mm
- Front travel: 120mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Brand site: Specialized
View all the measurements of this bike below
Trail Bikes
Canyon Neuron
- Price: From £1,899
- Rear travel: 140mm
- Front travel: 130mm
- Wheel size: 27.5 inch
- Brand site: Canyon Bikes
View all the measurements of this bike below
Jamis Dakar
- Price: From £1,300
- Rear travel: 120mm
- Front travel: 120mm
- Wheel size: 27.5 inch
- Brand site: Go Outdoors
View all the measurements of this bike below
Kona Process 134
- Price: From £1,899
- Rear travel: 134mm
- Front travel: 140mm
- Wheel size: 27.5 inch
- Brand site: Kona Bikes
View all the measurements of this bike below
Merida One-Forty
- Price: From £2,250
- Rear travel: 140mm
- Front travel: 140mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Brand site: Merida Bikes
View all the measurements of this bike below
Santa Cruz 5010
- Price: From £5,299
- Rear travel: 130mm
- Front travel: 140mm
- Wheel size: 27.5/29 MX
- Brand site: Santa Cruz Bicycles
View all the measurements of this bike below
Santa Cruz Bronson
- Price: From £5,399
- Rear travel: 150mm
- Front travel: 160mm
- Wheel size: 27.5/29 MX
- Brand site: Santa Cruz Bicycles
View all the measurements of this bike below
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO (Size S1)
- Price: From £3,900
- Rear travel: 150mm
- Front travel: 150mm
- Wheel size: 29inch
- Brand site: Specialized
View all the measurements of this bike below
Trek Fuel EX
- Price: From £2,600
- Rear travel: 130mm
- Front travel: 140mm
- Wheel size: 27.5 inch
- Brand site: Trek Bikes
View all the measurements of this bike below
Whyte T140 SR
- Price: From £2,850
- Rear travel: 140mm
- Front travel: 140mm
- Wheel size: 27.5 inch
- Brand site: Whyte Bikes
View all the measurements of this bike below
Enduro Bikes
Canyon Spectral
- Price: From £2,249
- Rear travel: 160mm
- Front travel: 150mm
- Wheel size: 27.5 inch
- Brand site: Canyon Bikes
View all the measurements of this bike below
Merida One-Sixty
- Price: From £2,750
- Rear travel: 170mm
- Front travel: 160mm
- Wheel size: 29/27.5 MX
- Brand site: Merida Bikes
View all the measurements of this bike below
Specialized Status (Size S1)
- Price: From £2,900
- Rear travel: 160mm
- Front travel: 160mm
- Wheel size: 29/27.5 MX
- Brand site: Specialized
View all the measurements of this bike below
E-Bikes
Canyon Neuron:ON
- Price: From £3,349
- Rear travel: 130mm
- Front travel: 120mm
- Wheel size: 27.5 inch
- Brand site: Canyon Bikes
View all the measurements of this bike below
Specialized Turbo Levo (Size S1)
- Price: From £6,250
- Rear travel: 150mm
- Front travel: 160mm
- Wheel size: 29/27.5 MX
- Brand site: Specialized
View all the measurements of this bike below
Trek Powerfly FS
- Price: From £4,550
- Rear travel: 100mm
- Front travel: 100mm
- Wheel size: 27.5 inch
- Brand site: Trek Bikes
