What first MTB for 9 year old?

Triggered by the Xmas is coming thread.

My daughter (9) is doing well on her Frog but I think it’s time for chunkier tyres and a slacker head angle.

Any thoughts on what I should get? Inside leg is 60.

I just got my 10 year old a second hand Trek Marlin via eBay. He’s well happy with it.

Just picked up a Cube Acid for my 10 year old. Chunky tyres, hydraulic discs and reasonable forks + not too heavy. He’s very slight but has no problem chucking it about!

Like all mtbers you should have a stash of 26er parts and enough bits to build up a bike, no?

I do/did, so bought an XS frame on eBay (in my case a DMR Trailstar) It’s been spot on.

Our two were on a Vitus Nucleus 24 and an Early Rider Hellion 24 at that size.   I’d recommend both, but the Hellion is definitely nicer – as it should be at over twice the price! Hellion is also a lot bigger (unsubtle stealth ad: I’ve still got them both and they need to be sold)

Daughter is now on an XS Trek Roscoe (27.5″). Great bike, but the XS will still be too big for you at the moment.

Spesh Rockhoppers are a cracking buy, we’ve had one and it’s about to go to child No.3

And I forgot, it must have hydraulic brakes. I ‘m sick of fiddling with these callipers.

26 will be too big?

26 will be too big?

Depends.  Vitus Nucleus size chart says 57-66 inside leg for the 24″ and 64-70 for the 26″.  Still a few months until Christmas, though.

@pdw yeah, I was looking at that. 64-70 is much more sensible but I also know how hard it is riding a bike that is slightly too big.

If they’re confident and keen, I reckon you can get away with stretching the sizing a bit. My son was definitely too small for his 24″ when he first got it, but it was still duly sent off the local jumps 30 minutes after getting it. I ended up buying a cheap seatpost and cutting it down while he grew into it. The same sizing would have been an issue for his sister.

Slight hijack as I’m also looking for my daughter… @pdw how much would you want for the Hellion

Go outdoors and polygon? Picked up a new HT 24” wheel bike tail end of last year. £215 new as I recall. Might’ve been sale price not sure. Basic suspension fork and mech disc brakes.  Not the lightest but 9yo coping fine.
frame design actually takes 26 too but suspect will have outgrown frame before wheel size is the main factor.

My 9 year old (143cm approx) is rolling around on a Giant Anthem in xs size. She was on 26″ but managed to break a Mavic Crossride rear wheel, so she’s back on chunky 24″ wheels now.

Thread here

NBD for 8.5 year old girl content