I am looking buy a lightweight mTB for my 12 year old and was waiting for Woom OFF Air 6. Our preference is to buy a good quality bike like the STP and get the right size now, flip it for 80% what you paid when they grow out of it and move on to next size. I was wondering wether to get by son an orange zest or a giant stp. His Hotrock is a 1 x 7 (as I recall) and he got stuck charging a couple of medium hills a few times. Not readily available in North America, the geometry and build look fantastic for a nice Trail hardtail and hitting the mountain bike skills park. Available in two sizes and two builds, Giant has upped their game. We do like the shorter 152mm cranks on the cleary. Im looking for a new bike for them. The trailcraft will a quicker more nimble bike and be a better climber with its steeper seat tube angle and low weight. Hi Michael, it is very confusing as all the manufactures give suggested fit in all kinds of different parameters (inseam, height, seat heights and sizes; XS,S,M etc). I will say hes a bit rough on things and is a confident rider. The Scout Race takes it with better fork, drivetrain and other parts. Similar geo on both frames but the build superior on Scout race 26. The cleary has a 28T chainring with a 11-42 T cassette so a much lower climbing gear than the Vitus 32T 11-40T. The timber is significantly lighter and better STA for climbing thus kiddo will have an easier time ascending. Good geometry (69 HA), 150 mm cranks, awesome pedals, great 9 spd 11-34T drive train and hydraulic disc brakes. 11X46T cassette, Tektro hydraulic brakes, RockShox Recon air fork (heavier steel stanchion fork but good damper and air spring) and maxxis ardent tiresGiant does right by the 10 plus crowd. I could probably squeeze out a few more months on the Hotrock, but think Im going to put the money into his next bike instead. Kids forks in 24 inch bikes and even more so in 20 inch are really dependant on skill level, terrain and weight of kiddo of weather the benefit out ways cons. Im torn between the spawn and timber 26. Weight: 21-22 lbs | MSRP: $1899 + | Min inseam: 24" | Height Range 4'7-5'2 | Where to buy: Trailcraft Cycles. I dont want to keep buying her bikes every year and hope to have something that will last for a few years. Thanks! The benefit of the woom will be the light weight and upright riding position if he is a novice rider. Lighter, better geometry and much better components. They usually dont have standard mounts and if they do are super noisy and will rattle. The Marlin is pretty heavy at 31 lbs and has the unnecessary for kids front derailleur. Do you think this is correct? Hi Colin sorry to bother you, I was thinking either the nukeproof scout 26 race or the whyte 403 2022. SunRace 10 spd 11-42 T drivetrain, 152 mm cranks, hydraulic disc brakes, tubeless compatible rims and 2.25 inch wide tiresit's ready to rip out of the box. If you were to go for one of the above bikes, which would it be? The problem is some parents bend to the kids insisting on shockers up front and end up with something that might not work well for the application (be it an air or coil fork). They are both 55 tall and have 26 inseam. Fair enough, we first thought to upgrade the rigid version to a fork if you needed. She is moving up from Prevelo Zulu 4 which would you recommend. Thank you for your advice. Hi there- Im noticing good deals on the Vitus Nuceleus 26 and nukeproof cub scout sport 26 at the moment-my son is just 140 and 55 lbs. Look to the reach number for similar sizing. Its the range that matters more than number of gears plus you can always upgrade to bigger cassette with a standard free hub body. The Woom just got a hefty price increase so it makes the Vitus look even better from a value perspective. But I suppose, at the FS price, if you want the acolyte drivetrain and hydralic brakes it may be better to swap the fork out of the FS version. Very similar bikes, the Nukeproof in the Race build is a better parts spec but you pay for it. Your email address will not be published. Rock Shox Reba or TC32 fork with 100 mm of travel, 11-46T rear cassette, 152mm custom cranks, tubeless 2.1 inch wide Rocket Ron tires, great geometry (69.5 HA, 73 STA, 420mm CS, 320mm Reach) and best in class weight make this a bike that dreams are made of. Thanks Colin. Its tempting to skip the 26 youth bike and i like giving him a wider range of gears), but I worry hed be wrestling the larger size/wheels too much for the next year +. It has been hard to get hold of that bike. It will be passed down to her sister so double the use for the price too . Id love to hear your thoughts. With an 11-42 T sram NX drive train and 160 mm cranks, Spawn put together a raging 26 inch hardtail. What bike mechanic tasks are you teaching you kids, MTB Trails for kids: Lower Expresso, North Vancouver, Press Release: Microshift kids 1x drivetrain, Press Release: Propain Launches Balance Bike, 2022 Specialized Levo Review, The Family Workhorse, https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/stp-24-fs-2021. Hes right around the minimum height for some 26 inch bikes. My 8 year old boy is currently rocking the Cleary Owl 3-speed and Im thinking of graduating him up to the Scout this coming spring. The Vitus is a 1 x 8 at $630, then jumps up to over $1,000 for a 1 x 9. This machine will handle any terrain your little shredder can dish out. It wont be a playful DJ style rear-end bike like in the description, 69 HA is on steeper end for trail use. Dont go 24, you would get 6 months max and then they would start looking like a bear on a tricycle (probably what it looks like now on their 20 inch Ramones). But jumping to a 26 bike seems like a big jump. Can you recommend one. Chain Reaction ships this bike to North America. A great alloy frame with 100 mm Suntour air sprung fork, this little bike is ready for everything a 9-12 year old can throw at it. Or is just that the giant has a better price? If not, the woom is the lighter more XC bike and the Yama Jama more trail oriented. This this bike has good geometry and offers great value for such a quality bike. He is only 26 inch inseam and will struggle on any 27.5 from a fit perspective and as you mentioned managing the weight of a 31 lb bike and bigger wheels. We would definitely want the higher spec bike. If you are European based, the VPACE Moritz 26 fits nice and small and is tough to beat for Light weight 26 inch trail bike if kiddo is climbing. For sure, that would be a great bike for ripping around the neighborhood and light trail use. Ive been thinking of skipping a 24 bike and going to a 26, but shes JUST shy of some of the minimum stand over heights. Unfortunately, kids grow and fitting bikes for the long haul is tough. Do you not recommend rigid bikes at 26? One of the nicest dedicated 26 inch trail bikes we have seen. any ideas? That said, your daughter should definitely go to a 24 from a 20, we never advise skipping wheel size unless you kept them on something too long. When you categorize by wheel size it is a rough estimate as some 24s fit similar to 26s and some 26s kids bikes fit similar to adult xs 27.5sthis is where reach and standover come in. My 8 year old boy is the same size as my 10 year old girl. My daughter is needing to step up from her orange zest 24. 67 degree HA , 73 STA and 430 mm Stays, 100 mm spinner air fork, 160 mm cranks, 9 spd 1X drive train (32T, 11-36T), clutch derailleur, hydraulic brakes, and Maxxix 2.25 tires all get our seal of approval at 24.75 lbs. Cleary, Spawn and Trailcraft here would all fit. They have one in our LBS and its nice and lightweight, but I cant find opinions on if its worth it. Im swaying to the timber 26 or spawnhelp!! He is around 143 cm. would you recommend one over th other? If he is more experienced, the geometry of the nucleus will be better. Also, like the 152mm cranks vs the 160s on the spawn for fitting smaller kids on. Hi Randy, at 411, I would probably look to a 27.5 XS/S adult hardtail. Stealth dropper compatible. Mostly single track around here. Take advantage of those big wheels. Just picked up a Liv STP 24 FS, and total weight it right around 28 lb. My 8 yrs old has been riding a Rocky Mountain vertex 24 for the past two years. hi, You get a good working 100 mm air fork (no external rebound control), hydraulic brakes, kenda tires, 165 mm cranks and a 1X9 Shimano drive train with 12-36T cassette. A serious bike for serious XC kids. Hes been on a Specialized Hotrock 24, but it needs new tires, breaks and a few other things. What would you suggest. OUR FULL REVIEW HERE, Weight: 24.3 lbs | MSRP: $1049 US | Min-Max seat height: 30.7"-38.2" | Where to buy: Woom. Hi Dads, I would get him a 26 or xs 27.5.. Thoughts on skipping the 24 and going straight to 26? I am looking for a hardtail of full suspension $800 or less, what would you recommend? He would probably manage fine on the large and you can always throw on a 32mm stem but it will be harder to weight the front for him until he gets bigger. He is slim & around 60 lbs. my son has got a whyte 403 but it is not good enough quality. Right now the regular fits perfect and would for a while yet. The other bike for Trial riding would be the Trailcraft Maxwell 26 but with a 400mm reach I think it would be too big, the Maxwell 24 more his size. I have a tall 6 year old girl who is well outgrown her Liv 20. Hi Colin, Hello! He mostly rides around the neighborhood, but he hit up the single track with me in the mountains/desert 3-4 times this last year or so. Hello Colin, what would you recommend for someone just getting into biking who loves to hit jumps but also do some tech. No bother at all. If downhill lift access bike park is in the cards, I would definitely look to Full Suspension. very good information! I am not decided whether to move to a full suspension, like the marin rift jr (26inch instead of 24?) We are looking at a XS Trek Marlin 8 and the spawn Yama Jama 26 for our 9 year old, any experience with that Marlin? One of the lightest production 26 inch bikes available, this Carbon frame bike fits for 9-13 year olds and available in three builds. You are looking at a reach difference of 374mm vs 401mm. Or recommendation on which one to choose? Weight: 26.5 lbs | MSRP: $1475 | Min-Max seat inseam: 24"-30" | Where to buy: Spawn. Thank you! I see that Vitus Nucleus 26 is now available. i was thinking about him doing what i did. He is tall for his age so although he will fit height wise, 26 inch bikes are generally 2-3 pounds heavier than 24 inch bikes which can be a handful so it really depends on his strength and skill level being so young. They both have Commencal ramons 20. Everything you want in a beginner hardtail MTB. If helpful for your specs, On the Vitus Nucleus 26, the folks at ChainReaction list the weight as 27.7 lbs without pedals in the Q&A. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/stp-24-fs-2021. Light Weight, nice geometry with a 68 degree HA inspires fun riding (415 mm Chainstays, 72 Seat Tube Angle). Cranks are a good length at 140 mm, brakes look good, fork is a heavy coil anchor. Should I go with a 26 like the Giant STP? 67 degree HA, 374mm reach (smaller size), 155 mm cranks, 435 mm chainstays, Giant has made an impressive 120 mm front travel all rounder. The woom off is a bigger fitting 26 that is good bike for introducing kids to MTB. or perhaps a hardtail like the Yama Jama 26. Colin, thank you for sharing your insight! Flow Trails and XC style terrain, the do great. Similar geometry otherwiseboth great bikes. My son is 8 years old, 48, 75 lbs, with a 26 inseam. Required fields are marked *. Should I get the regular size or the large? I think I waited too long to upgrade to 24 and Im in the weird window of transferring to the 26. Weight: 24.75 lbs | MSRP: $929 USD | Min-Max inseam: 25"-28" | Where to buy: Chain Reaction. Unfortunately, kick sands and mountain bikes dont jive. My local store is suggesting the Trek Marlin 5 size XS (31 lbs and 27.5 wheels, with a 2 x 8 drivetrain). Thanks for a great overview. Going to a 26 may not be best for him as its better to smaller wheel size for jumping. Carbon lower fork with 100 mm of travel and rebound adjustment, 11-42T rear cassette, 152mm custom cranks, tubeless 2.1 inch wide tires, great geometry (68 HA, 74 STA, 419 mm CS) and light weight make this an exceptional little machine. The Vitus will be a more confident descender at speed and steeper terrain. I also noticed the 27.7 weight of the bible us 26 from CRC. Weight: 26 lbs | MSRP: $1090 | Min-Max inseam: 25"-29" | Where to buy: Cleary, Same great frame and spec as the OFF 6, this bike includes a 90 mmRST air fork with rebound control. the trailcraft 26 timber is top notch build. Hi Lucas, the Vitus 26 or Cleary Scout are both great bikes for the price and are both very capable hardtails. no idea, let us know if you find out. The spawn with the extra heft will be a little more planted while descending. I guess this is where inseam measurement and in-person fitting come in. He will outgrown Cujo 24 in a few months. Both good bikes. It looks like the Cleary Scout and Vitus Nucleus are the ones that resonate the most right now for my 8yo son (initially based on price point and weight of bike). Geometry is ok. Chainstays long for a bike like this at 410mm. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Geometry wise, the cleary 69 HA, shorter top tube and 73.5 STA makes it more XC/climber than the Vitus 67 HA and 73 STA. For Hardtails, its really terrain that would dictate if a good option. Weight: 19.29 lbs | MSRP: $2499 + | Height Range 4'7-5'2 | Where to buy: Trailcraft Cycles. Trek Wahoo 26? My 11 y/o is a tall boy. If he is sending jumps at Duthie, I would look to a 24 inch Full suspension or lower standover 24 inch hardtail. Any idea if approx weight of Giant STP 26? Thanks for the great and helpful reviews. Im looking at the giant STP for my 10yo who is 147cm tall with a 71cm inseam. My only real hesitation with the regular is that he may outgrow is quickly. Please and thank you! Hi Colin I am looking for bike for my daughter who is 4 11, I am trying to decide between Woom Off Air 6 or Yama Jama 26. Teapot Tempted to get that one for my nine year I would not go 27.5 route. The Orange more on the xc side of the spectrum. Any thoughts on sizing up to the XS and 27.5, or is it too early? Hands down the Spawn. I hesitate between the Yama Jama 26 and the Trailcraft 26. I think we will go with Nucleus. The jumps can sometimes be big between wheel sizes so best to reach out to someone like us to help. A bit confused as there are options in inches and centimeters and letters (XS, S) for adults. The Vitus is a smoking deal if you can get one, will blow the doors of the Hotrock for hills. A beautiful 26 inch hard tail for 9-13 year olds available in three builds. Overall, I think the combo of Acolyte drive train (wide range no grip shift) and tektro junior hydraulic brakes (not c-star that specialized specced straight from alibaba) is a good value, even with setting aside a few hundred for a fork upgrade. Old, I meant to type nucleus 26 not Bible US 26 and I cant figure out how to edit it. At 8 years old, if you are planning to go Full Suspension I would look at a smaller fitting 26 Full Suspension, something with a shorter reach like the Polygon D24x with 26 wheels or the Rocky Reaper 26. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The machete is finnicky for light weight kids on 20 and 24 inch bikes but in the 26 inch platform for bigger kids it should be fine to get the air pressure and full travel dialed in. Also how do yo u get the $40 shipping rate from Chain reaction every time I look its $139. Teach him to lay drive side up when he puts it down and make sure he knows how important it is to protect the fork stanchions from scratches when laying down or using a wall/rack. The Giant is more trail as it is slacker and has a longer travel fork. Out of the above bikes, which would you choose if buying for your son/daughter? Overall bike weight would be another concern. Thank you. Well done. Or bump him up to a 27.5? Looking at the vitus nucleus 24 measurements they are too big but the 26 just seems like a big jump. They are similar geometry but the spawn has a longer wheelbase and top tube which will make it a little more stable when you can combine it with the extra weight and extra 20mm of front suspension. She is 54 with a 24 inseam. Would love to get your thoughts after reading through your reviews. I am novice when it comes to bike specs. Is it worth waiting for Woom OFF Air 6? Yep, they both would fit a 26 inch Nucleus nicely. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The all new Cleary Scout 26 is here and ready for singletrack, the bike skills park and the cul de sac. Unfortunately, kids grow. Quick question: do you think the Woom Off Air 6 can handle a kid that wants to tackle all the blue trails at Duthie Bike Park in Issaquah, WA? Tell us the age, height, inseam and riding terrain an we can point you in the right direction. The Yama Jama pushes the envelope with wide tubeless capable rims and rebound adjustable 120 mm Reba fork. Best to buy a quality bike with good resale and size up when needed. Plus theyll build it up with uk spec brakes for us. Do you think the overall weight of the bike is more important than the number/size of gears at this age? My son is soon to be 8 yrs and stands at 54.5 inches or 138cm, should I get him a 24 or go to a 26 so he can ride it for a longer time? Thanks for any insight. I was thinking that the orange is a bit better quality than the giant as it is a bit more money. Other option for budget and availability is Cannondale Cujo 24. Whats next? Other than the weight what are other key differences between the two. Both good options. Stealth dropper compatible. Usually dont recommend it but depends on size of kiddo and skill level. In case it is helpful for others, I got a Giant STP 26 for my 10 year old and I just weighted it at 29.3lb with pedals and a dropper post. The bigger 27.5 wheels do offer more traction and roll over terrain features nicely but the smaller wheels make it easier to move the bike around definitely more playful on the trail or jumping at skills park. We are not mountain bikers at this time, but do have trails that we go on. Shipping prices change a lot, probably been 18 months since I checked. Amazing compound 2.35 in Schwalbe tires let you dump tire pressure out on the trail for a little bit of extra squish. This is a great description/overview of some great 26 bikes. He seems to be a lot more confident on my giant trance 26 but thats out of his price range. It will be small for next year. If you are not mountain bikers and not planning on riding trails, I would look to something like the woom 6. My guess would be in the 27/28 lb range as its their lower end alloy and the build doesnt look the lightest. Its for a 9 year old tooling around the neighborhood and occasional light trail rides. I would go regular in your case and look to a 400-415 mm reach 27.5 for the next bike 1/2 years from now. Hey, I know this is older, but wanted to add some info. Timber here we come then I think. Stealth dropper compatible. This has had big price increases over the last few years but still offers value. when i was younger i had a very small good qaulity adult bike beacuse it was higher spec. Any thought on the Giant 24 STP FS? Weight: 29.2 lbs | MSRP: $869 | Fit: 150-170 cm | Where to buy: WeeBikeShop | FreeWheel UK. I know you are not a fan of the Suntour XCT fork that is on it, but Im not so sure Id call it a boat anchor: the weight for the fork is 1940g, so max weight savings would be <300g swapping to a machete. Ive kept them on that bike too long I think. Seems all the bike stores/sites stop the kids bikes at 24 rather than 26, and my daughter is now jumping from 20 to something just larger than 24. Just looking for your guys opinion on sizing. He is maxing out his 24 in bike right now and not sure what to get him. Depends on budget really and where/how you ride the most. Im in California and would appreciate your recommends. We ride mostly single tracks and some downhill. Weight: 29 lbs | MSRP: $950-1020 | Fit: 4'9 + | Where to buy: EVO | Giant Dealer. No downhill or anything like that though. Not the best, but feels well-balanced, and the kid likes it. Which would you suggest? Do you have any recommendations? Hes 51 and has been riding since he could walk and is likes to ride pretty aggressively. Is thee Yama Jama more towards down hill whereas the Trailcraft more toward XC ? In terms of geometry and other factors, which one would you suggest is the easiest for climbing? According to their sizing, he is just big enough to fit the bike. My son is a super tall 7 year old that just tall enough to ride a 26, so hed benefit from a light bike, but he also is working on clearing the jumps at the bike park and is starting to work on drops. Any thoughts on a XS Trek Marlin for my 46 10 year old? Thank you in advance! I just Purchased the Vitus Nucleus 26 for my son. We actually prefer the Deore spec on the giant over the Sram NX on the Orangebut very similar. I know how he treats his current bike and Id like to get a kickstand so that he doesnt damage it. Plus, it has a clutch derailleur to keep the chain on and quiet while on the trails. Great bike. Hes loving it and I expect him to get even more into this year.