Hey. I cant work the search function so have had to ask for any advise please.

My lad is just 7
But tall but not strong. He is autistic and shows no much interest in sport. But he does like a bike ride every now and then and i would like to give him the correct tools to help him without pushing him. I’ve been stretching a isla bike 20 for a while and now springs in I should be buying a bigger bike.
To me it sounds/looks a big jump from 20 inch wheels to 24. We have ridden a couple of very basic tracks through woods and the bike is not really suited. Lighter the better obviously and i would like to give him a updated geometry. (Some bikes look more trail friendly)
I think this will give him the confidence to improve a bit also.

Any ideas help would be ..
Helpful.

Cheers in advance

Carrera blast is a decent option – usually some on gumtree.

Like this https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F133355198545

My two went straight from a Beinn 20 small to a Beinn 24 about that age, if the 20 is looking too small then he should fit the 24. I wouldn’t worry too much about the geometry, because Isla’s tend to run bigger wheels than thier competitors, the wheelbase and geometry is quite long anyway.

Hi, we may be liberating a 24″ wheel bike in next few months. A voodoo bakaa.

Eldest rapidly growing out of it and he might just get off it and onto an xs26r or 275r once lockdown is done.

Both mine moved up aged 7 onto 24s but both were riding a fair bit but not super tall for age.

Have a look at the Orbea MX range. Bought one with 24inch wheels from LBS for my son who’s 8. Impressed with the quality of components and has rigid fork that lightens the weight and price point. He enjoys riding it!

You could also look at mini ‘plus’ bikes like the Vitus 20+ (and 24+) as well as the Specialized Riprock. These are very trail friendly with MTB geometry and much bigger tyres, so they ride very well off road. They are also an intermediate size, so a Vitus 20+ is bigger than a Vitus 20 but smaller than a Vitus 24.

The downside is that these are tougher off-road bikes, so heavier than the more ‘hybrid’ style Islas, Frogs, standard Vitus kids etc… but definitely worth a look.

It’s also well worth looking at CycleSprog (website and Facebook) as they are an excellent resource for all things related to riding with kids, and they have lots of reviews of different bikes.

The 24in Saracen Mantra 2.4 is worth a look.

My boys went from a 20in Isla on them.

I had a similar situation in November last year with my boy approaching 8 and looking squashed on his 20″ bike.

If you’ve got and are willing to invest the cash, the Earlyrider MX24 and the Islabikes Creig 24 pro are the lightest and most conventionally (in terms of them being just standard MTB gear, nothing cheap or specialist) equipped.

I went with the Earlyrider as I got a good deal on it from Bike24. He’s so much more stable, fast and willing on the new bike. We’ve gone from doing 10km rides at 7kph to 25km rides at 15-20kph. Same time, but greater distance.

second the mx24, can keep the weight down with the aluminium fork option, however i would highly recommend going for disc brakes imho worth the upgrade
its a light bike, bit CX geometry wise

I’ve got a Carrera blast (24″) for sale just now. Whereabouts in the world are you? Obviously couriers etc are going to be a bit hit and miss just now…i had it built with Rebas, LX hydraulics etc, but its back to a fairly standard set up now, apart from the change to trigger shifters and a pair of black jack tyres and it was resprayed in rather a fetching blue.

You could also look at mini ‘plus’ bikes

We got our 8 year old daughter one of these for christmas – Cannondale Cujo 24+ and are really pleased with it. It has certainly given her a bit of a confidence boost.

(We didn’t have to pay quite that much either, about 10% less from memory).

that cannondale looks great. Really low BB, must be really stable.

Another vote for the Cannondale.  My daughter has loved her Cujo 20+, it gave her loads of confidence off-road, but she’s just about outgrowing it.  Will be getting the Cujo 24+ next.

Cheers for the ideas guys.
I’m in pendle lancashire yetidave.

mmm, bit far to drop down for a “essential site visit” from central Scotland. Good luck with sorting something out!

i will leave you with this… https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1013662369014692/ 😉

I got my lad who’s 6 a genesis caribou (20”+) which, as has been said above being a +bike is a bit heavy but I chucked some spare hope mono minis on and a really short (eBay) stem, flat bars and a trigger shifter and he learnt to ride on it and is now starting to look comfy on it. Admittedly it was probably a bit to big when he started. but I plan on shaving some weight by building some new wheels which will also allow it to run 1×10 when he’s confident enough. Those early riders look awesome and that’s probably what I will go for when he grows out of it, at which point it should fit his little brother.

My son moved onto an Orbea MX24 when he turned 7 and has just moved onto the next wheel size. It’s pretty light and has proper hydraulic discs, 1×10, tubeless tyres etc.

Looking to move it on if you’re interested. I’m in Essex but willing to post it.

I have a Pinnacle Kauri that I’m trying to get rid of in South Wales. A 26er the size of a 24. Really nice bike too.

Daughter who is also tall for her age went from 20″ wheel frog to a Hoy Bonaly 24. The Hoy is fantastic, geometry is better, it’s really light and wider tires. She loves it and her confidence doubled overnight on it.

Happybiker

If the op doesn’t go for it, I’m in Essex too and looking out for a new sh bike for my 7 year old daughter.
What model and how much, if it’s ok to ask?

Loum, it’s a team disc I think. Send me an email or PM and I’ll send some pictures, I’m not going to try and post any on this forum, your daughter will have outgrown it before I figure out how!

All this talk of early riders just cost me £325.