we’ve got a specialized riprock (older model). the front suspension is useless but the plus tyres are really good for absorbing roots/trail chatter, so I’d reccomend looking for one with them. Trek have something similar

My son, just turned 7, is about 120cm and I got him the Vitus 20+” at Christmas from CRC. A total bargain at £230 at the time. Used everyday on the school run (bumps up curbs nicely on the 2.6” tyre) and did some proper woodsy single track over the weekend.

Yeah, I think miss_s was about 114cm at 6, and she was perched on her Trek 24″. So the Cujo would still be good IMHO.

One on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115824107749?hash=item1af7a7a0e5:g:3QwAAOSw~HJkfMeV&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwDaaoNw%2BufJpyV8vL8Qex9zO84V46nHoLo1LW2c9eTx%2FCg8Nkkn1KcSuVBKHZ3xnfYu7ZA63s4qoio24IONCLpiKtIqAmBlskZs8XIodwBMWL%2FgcEkWTiLjXNLHz9x%2F%2FqTvY64kxJg1ODWJ4ojy9ZxOqXVeyApPsPQ4DpCrFhMTfZmsO2TeyzDlLj6Q4Prb7GRQvb07qoyimh%2BJtIPND6d1tIDlfo4ehXvWzm5buUYed90sutqhNVuXk0prTWGxgrA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7yUmK6TYg

The other commentators above have said about the “plus” tyre size being good. I’d 100% agree. They can bounce up things with impunity at 2.6 or 2.8″ tyres.

The manitou forks on our little one’s Orbea are great and proper volume Rocket Ron’s. We did consider the +size Vitus as brilliant VFM but a good Orbea came up 2nd hand! The dropper is pointless as she’s too light to put it down.

We previously bought a Nukeproof Cub Scout 20 but it was damaged out of the box – but having had it in hand we found the Box shifters were too bug for small hands.

HTH.

We had an Early Rider belter trail 3S with a hub gear. Kids that age tend to fall off a lot so having no rear mech was very handy and no chain meant no oil stains in the back of the car.

Orbea Laufey as above, or Orbea MX20 if on a small budget. Can choose between v-brakes, discs, or suspension fork + discs

A friend’s daughter has gone from an Early Rider Belter 16 to a Spesh Rip Rock and the weight of the thing has totally put her off riding.

What about a 20” Early Rider?

Orbea MX20, I have a Team Disc due to be listed on the classifieds as well.

Another vitus 20+. My lad loves his, moved onto a BMX now though. Great quality little bike, I don’t think you’ll get anywhere near bang for buck on anything else.
Not for sale second hand says they are well enjoyed. My lad doesn’t use his too much so could be a possibility to get rid of. It’s a silver with tan wall tyres, needs a new rear tyre and has plenty of scuffs and scratches which is to be expected with any kids bike I guess.

Forgot earlier: trigger shifter > gripshift every time. Then get one of these https://sureshift.bike/ so you can shout yellow/green/blue/whatever button as required

Just a quick random question I had last night. Why are kids bikes made with really old geometry? Is there an actual reason they don’t have slacker head angles or steeper seat tubes or is it just a case of the bike industry not really bothering? I can’t remember the last time I rode a bike with a 70* head angle like the Polygon.
Genuine question.

Tom KP

Wheel size probably makes a different to geo, but either way the cast majority of kids aren’t doing anything more tech than a blue, so modern geo has no advantages.

Op.. budget for a tire velo as well. Absolutely the best kids tow rope as it’s the only one that’s stretchy and retractable. With a bit of practice you can hook/unhook it without stopping

he’s got an Orbea MX20 (front suspension) we were gifted by a friend, but it weighs a ton. bafflingly heavy. had to check the frame wasn’t full of water.

Been keeping by eyes out for an Early rider Seeker 20 s/h but they hardly ever come up, and get jumped on when they do.

I intentionally went for the rigid v-brake version, of the MX20, because of that. So big tyres on now and loving it.

Seeker is the 3 speed gripshift? We love tje 14” Seeker we still have for the wee one, but don’t love the idea of gripshift on a kids bike at all

A friend’s daughter has gone from an Early Rider Belter 16 to a Spesh Rip Rock and the weight of the thing has totally put her off riding.

Weight is the key specification on kids bikes (assuming solid build quality). Islabikes and Early Rider are great examples. Frog bikes are solid but comparatively heavy to these (I don’t rate them, I think there are better options for less money).

The market really opens up at 20″, I’d always check the weight as a key factor

Just a quick random question I had last night. Why are kids bikes made with really old geometry?

Nukeproof cub scout is 66.5 unsagged.

The orbea mx20 city can be has for £300 ish new – just search for a 2021 model which is very similar to the current one.

£300 gets you reflective hybrid tyres, a kickstand and good mudguards. £25 gets a pair of decent mtb tyres for trips off road – the frame is the same as the mx20 xc / mtb version.

It’s a great bike and much enjoyed by my eldest.

Sadly my youngest insisted on a cube acid 200 which cost the same and looks cool but weighs an absolute tonne.

edit: just found the orbea in the mtb version for £299

https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/bikes/kids-bikes/orbea-mx-20-dirt-2022-junior-mountain-bike–purplemint__85990?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=M00320I7&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s-kBhDqARIsAN-ipH0xTcEaJzFZG2lklpcIJU9dthUdlNnTeK2a_c0jEtyNaLoGtPQfqDIaAkomEALw_wcB</p>

Anyone wanting a very cheap Ridgeback mx20 in fluoro green, in Bristol?

This will be in the classifieds later if anyone is interested.

kids grow fairly slowly and steadily at this age – my (just) 7 year old is 128cm having been 115cm 2 years ago. if you go 6cm per year, your kid will last on a -135cm bike for ~3 years. if he’s got a younger sibling it may be given up to that kid before then anyway.

he’s on this bike

https://99spokes.com/bikes/specialized/2021/riprock-20

and its only really just getting into optimal sizing this year. Before then he was (imo) too stretched out for mtb whilst seated (and getting them standing is tricky)

@poah what dropper did you go for?