Mountain bikes come in all shapes and sizes, particularly as kids start out and progress on their riding journey and grow into new bikes! Bikes and equipment is always a consideration that we factor in when determining the content, goals and how we teach particular skills.
Below you will find some information which is aimed to inform you of options, various set ups and also their pros and cons for learning the skills of mountain biking. We hope you find it useful!
We are huge advocates of all kids start their riding journey on a balance bike!
Balance bikes have revolutionised learning to ride bas they develop the most fundamental skill of stability and balance. Young riders can remain on a balance bike until they are ready to transition to the next wheel size 14, or 16 inch pedal bike. Kids who develop the ability to ‘glide’ on a balance bike will make a really smooth and quick transition to pedalling and using brakes.
Sometimes transitioning to a 12inch pedal bike can be good for those kids who are ready for the challenge of pedalling and braking while remaining on the same wheel size, one less variable!
More often than not kids will outgrow this wheel size very quickly and will most likely be tall enough to transition to a larger wheel size ie 14 or 16inch, but sometimes this jump in wheel size plus the need to master pedalling and braking can be a big jump.
The step up to a 16inch bike will definitely involve the need to master pedalling and also the use of pedal or back brake to control speed. These bikes will generally have a hand operated front brake, also. This wheel size will generally be a single speed fixed gear bike, so can be limiting when accessing varied terrain, particularly changes in gradients.
Pedal brakes can be a little tricky when instructing kids to ride off road, but witch careful instruction it can be done!.
Single speed fixed gear with back pedal brakes
Fitted with hand operated front brake. This is a rim brake.
Commonly called a ‘Hardtail’ as it has front suspension but no rear suspension. From a skill perspective we encourage kids to learn the fundamentals on a hardtail as they have to use their skills to smooth out the trail. Dual suspension bikes can also be a lot heavier for smaller riders.
This is a hydraulic disc brakes. Disc brakes are easy to use, requiring less finger strength for kids, they are more powerful/effective and reliable in wet conditions.
Most 24″ MTB’s will have
This wheel size is sometimes referred to as 650B
This is now the most common wheel size for adult MTB’s. The benefit of 29″ wheels is that they more easily maintain their momentum once at speed, the larger wheel size means more of the tread pattern engages with the surface and provides better traction, and they can really help smooth out rocky terrain, less likely to get caught in the smaller depressions in the trail.
This bike is a dual suspension, as it has both front and rear suspension.
This bike also has a dropper post, which allows the rider to lower and extend the seat. This creates more range of movement for the rider when they are travelling through corners, rough and or steep terrain.
Mountain Bike tyres will have loads of treat with pronounced knobs which provide good grip. This tyre is also a wider profile tyre which acts like suspension and provides great stability on kids bikes.
A bike is commonly called a ‘Hardtail’ if it has front suspension but no rear suspension. From a skill perspective we encourage kids to learn the fundamentals on a hardtail as they have to use their skills to smooth out the trail. Dual suspension bikes can also be a lot heavier for smaller riders.
This is a hydraulic disc brake. Disc brakes are easy to use, requiring less finger strength for kids, they are more powerful/effective and reliable in wet conditions.
