Granddaughter currently has my old BMX, but it's way too heavy for her.
She's a bean pole, currently outgrowing clothes for a 9-10 year old and just scrapes into the height requirement for a nice 26" Trek.
We're taking her for a fitting, don't worry, but just interested in your experiences. Shop has both versions in.
Whatever we get, it'll get passed down to her little sister, so not that fussed about which she ends up with, just don't want to overbike her and knock her confidence.
Thanks in advance....
My tall 10 y/o is on 24"
My tall 9 year old (~145cm iirc) is on a 27.5" XS ... and the seat is up a few inches. It doesn't look too big for him and he's clearing technical climbs he couldn't do on the 24".
My tall (91st percentile) 8 year old got a 24” after trying XS 26ers and an early rider trail 24. He was too stretched out on the 26 there was almost no way he could hang off the back without totally locked out arms.
He’ll be 10 this year and it still looks spot on.
Depends on budget and whether you can find one, but Marin Rift Zone Jnr takes both 24 and 26.
https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/2021-rift-zone-jr-24
My tall 9yo is on a 24 Forme Kinder. She won't be on it for long, but a 26" careers subway junior was too much of a stretch and the cross bar was too high.
On the plus side, no 2 child will get the kinder in a few years
Buy the 26" and get a set of 24" wheels too.
Actually. Thinking about it, #1 son has a Trek Superfly. He started riding it last summer at about 141cm. That's 26" and he was fine on it.
One of these
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/mountain-bikes/kids-mountain-bikes/superfly-26/p/17208/
My average height 9 year old is on a 26" Islabike.
When my now 12yo was that age he squeezed onto a 26" (small Orange sub 5). Yes it was perhaps a touch big but they grow so fast at that age they grow into it and then out of it in no time. If it fits perfectly now it isn't going to last long.
He's now past 5'10", skipped a medium frame and is now riding my 2011 large Canyon Strive.
Really depends on the bike. Islabike Beinn 26 was the right size for my son at 7. I’d go on stand over and reach, and also riding ambition- slightly too bug will be more limiting on technical terrain, but bigger wheels do seem to help them climb and deal with stuff that the little ones get hung up on.
I'd completely skip a 26" frame if you can. (Or its special purpose like DJ only)
Unless you're loaded or have one sitting about it's just sinking money into old and unsupported standards.
Jnr got a small 27.5 frame age 9 (birthday) straight from his 24" Norco and I built some 26" wheels ... this was not by a long way the shortest bike (Bird Aeris) either. (I don't measure him so can't say heights) but wasn't ever a problem.
I had some spare hubs so built the 26" wheels up .. and cut the cranks to the correct length (You will need to do this regardless unless she's well over 5'6" as most kids specific bikes come with cranks for 6' adults anyway) and stuck on a spare 27.5 fork and bought a shock I could tune to his weight (CC DB air for £109).
Starting off the 120mm dropper was almost slammed... and his 29kg could only just depress it.
The initial fork was an old 32mm rev which though easily tune-able (open damper, just swap oil) was quickly changed to a Pike due to his fairly demanding use.
He ran the 26" wheels for about a year ... and I could have sold them for more than they cost me but these are now on a DJ specific bike...
He's been running 27.5 for 18 months or so now... and needs a longer dropper and can get away with some 150mm cranks rather than his current 142mm but he will have another good year on the same frame (paid £200 used)
Our we chap has just turned 8 and of similar beanstalk proportions.
Could have got him on some 26" frames but opted for 24".
Reason, it fitted better and being thrifty, his little sister would more than likely not make the jump from his previous bike to 26".
No right/wrong answer.
My eldest is or was 136cm at Christmas (8 2/3 then) and we got him an XS Spesh Rockhopper Elite in 27.5" wheel form, it fits him just fine and the seat is up a few inches off the top tune. He's grown since too, I wouldn't bother with a "proper" 26" wheeled bike unless you've got one.
Unless you’re loaded or have one sitting about it’s just sinking money into old and unsupported standards
they would grow out of a 27.5 frame as well though.
it'll be easier/cheaper to get a bigger 27.5" frame to replace it and change bits over than getting a bigger 26" frame or selling the 26" bike and then upgrading though
I went with a 24” Isla for my tall-ish eight year old but her younger brother is less than 2.5 years behind and average height so he’ll be inheriting it in three years. Seeing her on it, I think a 26” would be pretty cumbersome.
they would grow out of a 27.5 frame as well though.
Eventually but the stuff is transferrable. Ollie is still riding the original I put the spank 26's on but with 27.5 wheels and has room left to grow with a longer dropper by which time assuming he doesn't snap it in half inbetween he can then use one of my medium or larges.
Those wheels are on the Jack Flash now so in reality he's had 2 1/2 yrs of cycling for £200 I paid for the frame. (minus some bars that are too short now and a new set of cranks when I get round to it or find some I can cut down cheap) unless you count consumables and the wheel he taco'd etc.
old framed 26er here
the 12YO is on a 17" 26er no prob. 2010 frame for a geometry reference! a new modern frame would be too big.
9yr old (tall for her age) is on a 14" 26er and doing jumps fine.
26er no prob. 2010 frame for a geometry reference! a new modern frame would be too big.
I can't see how you could get to that ...
For any given size a 27.5 frame will be smaller than a 26" frame in the same model. Once the wheels are on they are the same height. You can pick almost any manufacturer model and their last 26" and first 27.5" and a given size the 27.5 will be the same standover etc. as the 26"... given the wheels are bigger that means the frame is smaller.
Since then bikes have got lower and lower... if anything.
My 2012 26er is WAY bigger than Jnr's 2015 27.5. and WAY WAY bigger than his 27.5 with 26" wheels on but the same model today is even smaller. (His is XS but the small today is 2cm longer and a lot lower)