What 24 inch bike for a growing lad?

With a 6 year old I'm watching the suggestions. Wish I'd bought one of the last Islabikes to store in the attic  before they went.

He currently has the 20+ Vitus and likes it. The chain runs a bawhair away from the side knobs of the tyres though.

Orbea mx 24 is a good option.

@jamiemcf what's the tallest you can get away with on the 20 inch version?

How do they get on with the weight? I'm guessing the plus tyres add a lot compared to his hybrid.

He gets on fine. 6 miles round Glentress last weekend. round the lower green, 3 laps of the singletrack section but we were limited by time. He'd go further I'm sure. I run the plus tyres softish which gives him plenty of comfort.

Not sure on size limit but I don't think he'll be on it by 8. He's average sized.

Im thinking of the 24 for the attic

It was years ago but I put my lad on a 26” wheel small Kona Howler (full suspension) but got some 24” wheels for it. It worked really well and meant he got a few years out of it.

My 8 year old is a very tall 8. Currently at 148cm. He went onto a whyte 303 last year at aged 7. Such a positive difference in comparison to the frog 20” he was in. Just more room, more control and more confidence. The Vitus 24” look like good bikes. I was admiring one at Bwlch NyrA a couple of years back. Don’t sweat the suspension fork. Unnecessary weight. I only changed the handgrips for some slim specialized silicon foam ones for the boy on the Whyte and it’s been great.

Edit to add: the Whyte comes with 24x2.3” tyres. Plenty of volume to play with to take the bumps out.

Ted James is selling the two bikes he built his kids as they've outgrown them:

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Came here to say vitus 24+, based on having a 20+ here for my younger daughter, so I’m glad you’re looking out for one.

Just adding the usual +1 for the vitus 24+ if you can find one. I'm not sure how they weigh up to the alternatives, but my daughter gets on ok and can manage trail centre distances ok.

We got my lad a Cube Acid with suss forks and hydraulic brakes this summer. He loves it and even though he's slight has no trouble chucking it around.

Orbea mx 24 is a good option.

100% agree.

Great bike and you can sell it for as much as you paid for it.

I bought an Orange Zest from Pauls Cycles for my son when he turned 8 in July.  So far so good.

Just a quick update.

I bought a 2nd hand cube acid 240 with suspension fork. This was slightly too big for him and the fork made the bike really heavy and it didn't do much so I sold that one on.

This week I picked up a 2nd hand whyte 303. This is suitable for kids from 120 to 140. So much lighter and he actually needs the seat to go up a bit but he won't let me do that yet. Lovely little bike. Really pleased with it. Can't wait to go on some new adventures with him.

Thanks for all your advice.

• My 9yr had an Orbea MX24 which was great but then I picked up a Marin Hawk Hill* Jnr which is a full Susser 24" wheel that also takes a 26" wheel. It came with both sets of wheels for £400 and will last him a while.

We sold the Orbea for £200 and I'm sure the Hawk Hill will hold its value too - as decent quality kids bikes seem to do.

*Now the Rift Zone

At 135cm I got my daughter an XS 26er.

Was a little big initially, but she grew into it very quickly.

It meant I could use up some of my old 26" spares, and tyre availability is much better.

I think you'll find he'll outgrow a 24" bike within a few months!

*Edit - just saw you bought a bike already 😉 point still stands though.