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Another day, another 'what bike for my child' post!
I'm in a bit of a quandary as to which bike to go for. A bit of braining farting out loud might help me solve this burning issue!
So..... She has grown out of her 20inch wheel Orbea, so we went to a couple of local-ish bike shops and got her sized up for her next bike. She is turning 7 in the next few weeks, and to my surprise, both bike shops put her on an XS 27.5inch wheel adults bike. She is tall for her age, and these bikes do seem to fit her well.
So onto the choices....
I am happy to spend a reasonable amount of money on the bike, as i want her to enjoy riding and see if i can get her invested in it this year (absolutely no worries if she isnt as passionate about it as me!).
Initial contestants are the Specialized Rockhopper Comp:
And trek Marlin 5:
She sat on both and as mentioned, are a good fit.
As any good cyclist would, i have fallen into the trap of 'if i spend a little bit more i get...' which has highlighted the following bikes:
Rockhopper Elite:
Which brings a better fork and better drivetrain (with a much wider range of gears, which would help her little legs)
Then another £100 gets me a Trek Marlin 6:
Which might not add too much over the Rockhopper Elite, but i do notice that Trek put shorter cranks and brake levers over the specialized's.
And let us not forget the most import part of it all.... the colour has to be right! 🙂
So, am i spending pointless extra, or is it a wise investment, better range of gears, air fork over a coil etc etc.
Having listed the options, i am thinking the Rockhopper Elite gives the best choice.... what say you?
see, me.... i'd go completely different here
Assuming she grows at the same rate you'll get 6-8 months out of this bike potentially. So go used, you'll get most of it back when selling. If going new you'll get 50% back.
The bikes you've listed are awesome of course... but you'll drop a chunk of change in less than a year.
I’d weigh them, get the lightest.
Whyte 403 was perfect for the lad, but not sure if he was bigger
@weeksy - i bloody hope her growing slows lightly... otherwise she will be a 6 foot amazonian 🙂
The bikes she sat on, i definitely wouldnt want anything bigger and am aware i dont want to be one of those parents who stick their kid on the biggest bike possible and hope they grow into it.
Second hand is a good shout tho. I will see whats about.
@jkomo - that was my thought process with spending a bit more... much higher chance of a lighter bike. I will see if the manufacturers list a weight for the bikes in my list.
@alan1977 - yeah, i reckon so. And its not like me and her mum are tall... very average at around 5 foot 9.
I would get the Rockhopper Elite and set it up tubeless
I would discount the two 9 speeds, wide range cassettes will mean big jumps between gears and the trek Marlin 5 derailleur has no clutch. The Rockhopper Elite has an air Judy which is much lighter than the coil on the Trek Marlin 6. I removed a Judy coil turnkey from a bike and it was ~2.6kg. OK didn't expect that, the Judy Solo air is listed as weighing 2.67kg. The MT200 brakes on the Rockhopper Elite are much better than the Tektro HD-M275 and the rim is ID 25mm v 23mm on the Marlin 6. I would get the Rockhopper Elite and set it up tubeless as that will be so much easier to pedal for a child. The money saved over the Marlin 6 I would invest in some decent forks. Forks weighing weighing about 1.8kg will make the bike feel much lighter.
Whereabouts are you? I've got an Orbea mx24 that's fully helitaped and in quite nice nick that I need to sort out selling. Currently powder blue/orange, but the orange is vinyl covering pink highlights...
My son (10, 143cmish) had only just graduated to an old xs 26er. Tbh I'd be surprised if a modern xs 27.5 isn't pretty big for her!
I'd also be surprised if she fits a 27.5" bike fine. that's a massive leap up from a 20" bike - my tallish nearly 8 year old is still on the small side for a 24" bike (so sticking with his 20+ for now) - there's no way I'd consider an adult bike. How tall is she?
also worth considering that she's really unlikely to have enough momentum to make the forks work, I'd be looking at a riprock 24 for that budget, bigger squidgy tyres will take all the trail buzz out. https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/riprock-24/p/18982 - its a good 5lbs lighter than the other options too
Did the shop test her on a 24"? Or put her on an XS because that's what they had available? I'd look for a used 24" unless you have further children to pass onto. And I'd go for silver or another such asexual colour for ease of acceptance by a brother ;-). In my my case we went from new 20" Trek Mountain Lion (that went through about six children) to used 24" Kona (four before snapping), to XS 25" Giant Avail 1W (black with pink hilights - sold to a work colleague as her first MTB).
You'll always be able to sell an XS MTB, so new is not such a bad idea.
Thanks for all the feedback folks.
When we went to the shop my initial thoughts were to get her on a 24inch wheel bike, as in my head its the natural progression. So she rode a Specialized Riprock in the car park. It looked a touch small. They then suggested she tried a XS Trek Marlin, which admittedly had the saddle slammed as low as it could go, but didnt look outside the realms of reality. She rode it round the car park fine, albeit a little tentatively.
So that was my initial findings, which i was sceptical about, as others have mentioned. Hence why i went to a different shop, who again, had 24inch, 26inch and 25.7inch wheel bikes on the floor and they also put her on a XS Rockhopper. Again, didnt seem silly size wise with her on it.
I mentioned her age and rightly so, the chap in the second shop said he sizes people up for bikes on height, not age.
As i've said, i have no interest in putting her on a bike thats too big, but there is a tiny amount of me that doesnt want to buy a 24inch bike that is too small in 6 months time.
Maybe a few more bike shop visits and some test sits/car park rides are required.
I feel you're pain and watch these threads with interest. My daughter is 10 and 150cm tall. She's outgrown her BMC Twostroke AL 24* (now Scor 24) and having heard good things I thought the Whyte 403 26" bike would be the next step. Yet today I realised that the height range is up to 152cm. So regardless of buying new or second hand I'll need to replace again next year.
So, like you a weekend trip to a range of bike shops is on the cards.
*brilliant bike, light rigid hardtail, great component spec; just wish they did a 26 or 27.5; my 7yr old son has the 20 and will inherit the 24.
how tall is she? I'd agree on sizing by height and not age, but would still suggest a fully rigid plus-tyred bike over front sus for a 7 year old. How are you judging "too small"?
What's her height/inside leg? 7 seems young for an XS adult bike, but kids do grow differently.
I'm currently waiting on an XS Trek Roscoe for my 11yo, and she's at the bottom end of the size chart for that.
I think going a little bit large on a bike is fine for a confident/experienced rider. On my son current 24" bike, I ended up buying a cheap seat post and cutting it down so that we could get the saddle lower than was possible with the stock seat post.
On the other hand, you can buy and sell kids bikes with minimal loss with a little bit of effort, so putting her on a smaller bike for a bit needn't cost much.
again, cheers for more feedback. i really appreciate it.
I will get an accurate measurement of her height later, which might help put things into perspective.
And whilst seeing her sitting on these bikes and look comfortable, it always throws me sideways when i hear of kids much older only just graduating to bikes of a similar size.
As mentioned, at least kids bikes hold value better than adult bikes, so its a lower risk/loss, if they need to be moved on.
Evans in Brighton have a Whyte 26inch wheel kids bike in stock, so maybe i will see how she fares on that, if i can make time to get over there.
Just as an fyi, this is on eBay, could be a bargain but I appreciate you've already said your really after the next size up, but deffo with a look i'd say (I just got a 24+ from the same seller and it's arrived no problem - had this been on at the same time, I potentially would've held out for this instead)
Both my kids went from 20 to 24 then 27.5. Though we’re on the 24 for literally one summer. I did keep it a while as youngest kept using it for throwing around, wheelies, to choose new bikes We found three bikes that were in stock. Then let them choose the one they preferred. Turned out to be the cheapest. Rockhopper comp cos it was red! also the seat height is really low. So I just upgraded it. The kids got involved with the upgrade. So they could ride it stock then feel the difference when we upgraded. They understand a lot more about how their bikes work and can convince their Mum to let us spend on shiny upgrades. Eldest is 13 now and rides a medium frame(same as me). It’s scary how my bikes are going to be too small for him!
Buy her the one in the colour she wants (unless it’s a lot heavier or the spec is way worse). As an STWer you’re bound to upgrade the crap bits for her anywaw, either from your bits box or with the stuff you bought from the Chiggle sale (just in case😉).
“As an STWer you’re bound to upgrade the crap bits for her anyway”
I’ve barely done this with my kids’ bikes due to the total excess of standards meaning parts I have rarely fit! And things like super short cranks (the best upgrade for most kids’ bikes) are rarely in the sales.
My fairly tall 11 year old girl moved onto a small women’s 27.5 bike (Vitus VRW) for her 10th bday and her more average height brother moved onto her old 24” Isla Beinn shortly after, so he was coming round to 8 at the time. Age isn’t a great reference point with kids, they vary so much. Measure her height and inside leg (use the book method) accurately against a wall.
This is all a bit irrelevant unless you know her height and other measurements.
But unless she's a proper giraffe, I doubt a "slammed" 27.5 is going to fit her with any degree of comfort. The wheel size will need muscles she probably hasn't got. 24 or 26 will be the way.
When you say she’s tall, how tall is tall comparatively?
My son at nearly 8 is at least a head taller than all the kids in his class - he’s approx the average height of a 10 year old and is more than comfortable on a Vitus 24+, he wouldn’t be anywhere near right on a 27.5 bike even if we’re just considering how high his arms would be in comparison to his seated position and the weight of the bike.
My daughter is a tall 11 and seems “reasonably” comfortable on my wife’s small 26” Hardrock.
Do consider BB height, handlebar height and the weight of the bike, but ultimately if you’re comfortable sizing up and keeping it longer then go for it, I’m a fan of buying right (in my opinion, not suggesting you and the bike shop are wrong!) even if it’s for the short term - the wrong bike means not riding it and that’s even more of a waste than a short term purchase that they get use out of.
When my son went from his 18” wheel we bought him a Kona Makena, which whilst it fit him nicely it weight a metric f%#k tonne so he never rode it - learnt from that mistake.
Anyway, hope she enjoys whatever you buy.
Nothing much to add but my 7½ year old daughter must be polar opposite, she's outgrown her 16" Frog but I can't see her needing anything over 20" for a while yet.
How tall is she? All those bikes are very heavy.
My tall just about to turn 10 had a Orbea MX24 team disc at that age with rigid fork.
The wheels were really heavy so I upgraded those.
I then put an air fork into it when she was 8.
Last summer we upgraded her to a Vitus nucleus 26, small enough that she can move around on the bike and fairly light
Her love of cycling really came from the lightweight hybrid islabikes she has had for commuting and road/gravel rides. We have had a variety of used Beinns.
Lightweight means easier to ride
Buy her the one in the colour she wants
This 100% if she likes it she'll ride it. Please her not daddy.
And listen to the bike shop guys sizing the bike and letting her test ride rather than those guessing what size she needs without seeing her or her riding the bikes via an internet forum
Morning all,
Once again thanks for all the further feedback.
So i measured her this morning (although i forgot to do inside leg) and she is 132cm tall. Which if i google 'average hight for a 7 year old girl UK' comes back at around 121cm, so she is 'above average'.
But what this highlights is that she is outside of the range of an XS adults bike. So whilst she looks comfortable sitting on one, i suspect the reality of riding in the woods may be different. I shouldve really measured her from the off, it might have saved some unnecessary thought process!
At least i am now armed with some real data, rather than the opinion of bike shop sales peoples.
I did point out that colour was important to her, so i am well aware that it will be a deciding factor. And i will always take my own advice, advice of the bike shop and the evidence in front of me, than some strangers on the internet. Why anyone needs to point that out is beyond me?! It just always nice to add alternative perspectives and gain some advice on what others have experienced.
I think my plan will be to get back to a couple of the bike shops and try 24 & 26inch wheel bikes and see what is more comfortable for her. As i have already mentioned a few times, i dont want to get her on a bike that is too big and sucks the life out of riding.
We see some children at CX races that are so big (tall) I struggle to believe they are in the right age cat. Like U12s that looks like juniors. Some of those girls are in our club and are definitely on 27.5" bikes (Trek procaliber, small sizes available in both wheel sizes). Our just to turn 12yo daughter is on a 26" Vitus currently however she would be comfortable on a small 27.5".
If you look at kids racing they have just launched a new xc MTB. Only the smallest size is 27.5" while the 15" upwards (good for 146cm up) is 29". I was planning to get her a 27.5 but the frame prices are close enough that I'm now considering a from frame 29" build.
Actual Standover (floor to top-tube, in front of saddle):
13" (27.5"/100mm): 63cm | 15" (29"/120mm): 68cm | 17"(29"/120mm): 74cm | 19"(29"/120mm): 78cm
Tip: If you size with the saddle slammed, they've no room to move, so (unlike Road/CX) it's better to size down.
Size Guide (height/inside leg):
13": 125cm+ (62cm+) | 15": 145cm+ (66cm+) | 17": 165cm+ (72cm+) | 19": 175cm+ (76cm+)
132cm will I suspect be too big for a 24" quickly (other than as a short stepping stone to get used to bigger wheels). Our other daughter is on 24" (orbea mx) at 7, 125cm. Though I did need to put shorter cranks on it. Test sitting still thought it was a bit long but first ride her confidence took a huge step forwards.
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/whyte/403-26-inch-kids-bike-930633
Whyte 403
Suitable for Juniors with a rider height of 4'5 - 5'0 (135cm - 152cm)
the lime green looks ace to me and is what the boy had.
Just found my old post and my eldest was:
“Just measured my eldest at 144cm tall (which would put her on the XS) with 67cm inside leg (which would put her on the Small).”
And we got her the 27.5 VRW in a small which did fit but it looked better under her 6 months later and is a really good fit a full year on. If she was any smaller it would have been a bit much!
you on commission @weeksy 🙂
According to the height chart, she is a little shy of the 403, but it is quite high up on the list of potentials.
Last time i popped in there, Evans in Brighton (which isnt a million miles from me) had one, so i might pop over and get het to have a sit on it.
Its odd, there seems to be a few decent 24inch bikes, Orbea's, Trek Wahoo, Specialized Riprock, but when you go up to 26inch, they seem to be mostly lower spec, more basic bikes (other than the whyte).
LOL not on any commission mate, i just know when he jumped to the 403 it was night and day better as it was a 'proper' bike with proper forks, gears and brakes rather than compromises. It's a geometry thing too of course and Whyte had that nailed. I'm sure loads more companies have it nailed now, but back then, Whyte was about the only choice of a 'proper' bike for kids. Considering that Ebay one is £400, i'd put it right at the top of my list if i were in that position. We bought ours new for £650 and sold it for £450. But i think you'd get out of a £400 one for £400 when she grows out of it.
He even did BPW on it.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/1856/44449886381_d86222aa3d_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/1856/44449886381_d86222aa3d_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2aHThBp ]2018-09-03_04-35-23[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
I think that may have been the start of things for us really.
Along with Morzine
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/1855/30283105158_e18700d8b1_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/1855/30283105158_e18700d8b1_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/N91Q7J ]2018-08-20_10-03-39[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
I built this up for my daughter when she was slightly older (can't remember her height though).
https://i.postimg.cc/bwMjqfXF/PXL-20240301-091633236.jp g" target="_blank">
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It's now for sale (not at all stealthy I know!) but would genuinely like to see someone from here get it and make use of it as my girl has shown zero interest in cycling.
It's a small Brand X frame and I also have the medium for sizing up.
This was my son just after his 7th birthday at 140cm tall, that’s a 24+ and he’s got scope to grow on it.
It’s definitely worth considering bikes still aimed at children as opposed to small adults if she is only 132cm at the moment.
there’s a lot to be said for making the most of bikes that are slightly too small as opposed to struggling with something a little cumbersome.
My daughter is 155cm and is marginally too tall now to ride her 24” “Wild” from go outdoors comfortably (bike pictured below with my son at 6 and about 137cm when I couldn’t be convinced he needed to size up to 24” just yet)
Just food for thought, as pictures paint a thousand words.
@pimpingimp thanks for the pics, much appreciated.
This is my daughter on the Trek Marlin XS:
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and the Rockhopper XS:
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/521hJrtC/rockhopper.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/521hJrtC/rockhopper.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Which as i mentioned in my first post, dont look out of the realms of reality.
you can't sit on one, but the nucleus at £342 looks like a good deal..
I'm not sure why there isn't more mini-mulleting of kids bikes of this size - you need a 24" rear wheel due to clearance, but a 26" or 27.5" front with a fattish tyre and a rigid fork would roll over stuff really well
with the saddle super slammed on those 27.5" bikes pictured I think there'd be an uncomfortable\difficult to pedal amount of hip bending at top of crank - its got a 310mm seat tube so lets say 350mm from arse-to-bbm approx 335mm of height (due to the seatpost angle)- with a 165mm crank at its highest point, your bum is only 170mm from the pedal, minus the stack height of your pedal, shoes etc (maybe another 30mm?) - 140mm is a really hunched up position
Out of your list, only the rock hopper elite has an air fork.
The coil spring ones are the best part of 3kg that won't do anything. My 12yr old son has a coil fork on his school specialized and he can hardly get any travel out of it at all
Those 27.5" bikes would really need much shorter cranks. As above 165mm is too long for a child that height. 140mm crank works still be a bit long but much better. Think a rule of thumb is height +5mm.
FWIW I think the 24+ looks too small for the boy above.
I went with a Marlin 6 when my daughter was a similar size. I like the XS Trek's as they have short cranks, brake levers etc and a sorter travel fork (80mm). I had worried that the coil fork would be too firm for her, but it seems to work pretty well - would like to go for an air fork to save some weight but I honestly am not sure it makes a lot of difference for the length of rides we do.
Last years 6 had Deore 1x10 and mostly standard components, when she outgrows it we can just buy a larger frame.