Forum menu
My son is 11 in June. He is 4ft 9 ATM. I am going half's with my folks for a bike. They want to get a kids 26inch bike, I am tempted to go for an xs or a small mtb frame size. Thought's guys? I just feel I going for the kids size,would mean another new bike next birthday or Xmas 25!
I got my elder daughter a 27.5 Vitus VRW in a small (not an XS) for her 10th bday when she was about that height, maybe a bit shorter. She’s now about 5’ only a year on!
My eldest is the same age and he's been on a 26 inch nukeproof cub scout for about a year now . It's a great bike but I'm not sure at 11 I'd get a 26 inch kids bike as you might find it's too small for them pretty soon .
My kids seem to be permanently too big for the bike they have but not quite tall enough for the next size up
We've just got a Trek xcalibur 9 (small)for the almost 5foot twelve year old. Unfortunately, she's not had chance to ride it yet but fits well and components are good enough that she'll probably only get a frame, and maybe forks, next time. I've just got some more aggressive tyres to go on to give her a bit more confidence on the winter/spring/summer slop.
Got my 11 year old daughter a specialized rockhopper . She went like a rocket on it.
Even if it’s a bit big looking now (though it definitely fits) she keeps growing.
The only issue has been thumb reach on the front shifter - it’s a 2x rather than a 1x. The throw is a little long at the moment.
I think you are right, go straight to the 27.5”
I definitely think getting a 26 inch would have been perfect this time last year. I will take a trip to Evans and get him sized for a small. Then run away, to check the world wide web for sales.
Most bikes around 800 quid seem to have suntour xce forks. They seem actually really good for a beginner, doing local trails (East Lothian).
We were watching YouTube Glentress videos this afternoon. Looks amazing down there, just be 11 yrs since I have been. However, 5 miles today and yesterday have screwed me. Feel like I done about 60 road miles with hills.
145cm with a few months of growing? Xs/small adult bike for sure.
Not sure I'd go for 27.5 though (might be a bit cumbersome), but it's probably worth buying one and swapping out the wheels for 26ers.
Tons of bikes out there 2nd hand too. Prices on Facebook seem to be in freefall.
FWIW my 142cm 9 year old is on a XS Giant with 24" wheels. And 144cm 10 year old is on a Marin Hawk Hill Junior which he's just gone to 26" on. My eldest got a Small Scott at about 151cm and he was a bit perched on it to begin with (27.5).
Never even thought of that. Going old school, what a brilliant idea!
my two boys when they were 11 were on an XS transition scout.
I sat him on my medium last night with the dropper down and he can reach the pedals comfortable. Definitely a xs or small. Thanks for your input guys.
Depending what sort of riding they want to do but hup (kids racing) have just launched a 120mm modern xc frame. At your child's height they would fit the smallest 29er size.
For a tall (91st percentile) 10y old I went for a small Cotic Soul Gen 4. Orange with white Fox Kashima 26" 15mm forks, Full XT, Hope Tech 3 SP wheels - £800 and it's near mint. This was in summer 2022 and it still fits wonderfully. Anything bigger would've been too big and anything smaller, he'd have grown out of