Transition children's bikes and youth bikes: From 20 inches upwards, it's really great!
Marc Strucken
· 13.11.2024
The Transition Ripcord, the 24-inch bike from Bellingham, Washington, has been with us for a long time; the first BIKE test dates back to 2016. However, the first bikes rolled off the Transition production line almost 20 years ago. Now the US company is expanding its portfolio of children's MTBs. The Scout - which has been on the trails for years - is now getting a 27.5-inch version, the Ripcord is being modernised and the cheeky Bandit is whizzing around the corner with small 20-inch tyres.
According to Transition, the triumvirate of children's and youth bikes is designed to meet the needs of the young target group in three respects.
Youth-specific components: Each model in the youth range is designed to offer a bike that really suits size, weight and use.
New suspension kinematics: An updated suspension curve provides better support and more suppleness in the average weight range of the sizes offered. Lightweight riders can use air pressures that allow for proper damping, which increases traction and ride quality.
Internal cable routing: The neat integration of all cables from the seat post, gear levers and brakes ensures a child-friendly, problem-free bike.
We have already reviewed the Transition Ripcord in this article:
Transition Bandit: 20-inch children's bike for little crooks
The Transition Bandit was one of the brand's "big" MTBs around the 2010s. Now it comes on small 20-inch tyres as a completely new model. Transition say they have designed the kids MTB with a geometry that offers stability and confidence while being intuitive and easy to ride. It is the hardtail mountain bike in the kids range. Youth-specific components are used to ensure that everything on the bike is also suitable for small bodies.
- Suitable for children from about 106 - 137 cm Body size
- 310 mm reach and 457 mm stack
- 20" specific geometry with short, 350 mm chainstay length
- Head tube angle: 66 degrees
- Especially for kids: Manitou Junit Sport fork with 32 mm stanchions and 100 mm suspension travel
- New Shimano MT410 brakes with short reach, especially for small hands
- New Shimano gear lever with short reach and robust Shimano Cues Linkglide drivetrain (9-speed) and a cassette with 11-36 teeth
- Samox crankset of 135 mm length; chainring of 28 teeth
- Youth-orientated SDG handlebars with a small diameter
- Maxxis DHRII tyres in the size of 2.3", combined with WTB rims
- Compatible with Fidlock 450 ml drinking bottle
- Dropouts in 12 x 148 mm format including UDH suspension
- Colours: Raw Alloy, TR Blue, Black and Green
Transition Ripcord: 24 inch & almost an official mountain bike
The Transition Ripcord has been aiming to take children to the next level of ability for years - and the redesign of this 24-inch full-suspension bike is no exception. The Ripcord is based on the so-called Giddy Up-Linkage design of the adult bikes and also utilises the vertical shock arrangement. The new kinematic layout also allows riders with a lower body weight a smooth suspension feel with a high air pressure, which ensures that the shocks work properly and have the same tuning range as the parents' trail bikes.
There has been a big increase in suspension travel, which Transition has increased from 100 mm to 130 mm on the new Ripcord. Despite the increased travel, the standover height remains the same compared to the original models. This creates confidence and there's not much that can go wrong from kerb-hopping to your first visit to the bike park.
The Ripcord has a reach of 365 mm, a slack head angle of 65 degrees and chainstays of 395 mm. The new frame also has an internal guide for the dropper post and is equipped with one as standard.
- 130 mm suspension travel front and rear
- Low overhang height
- Improved/updated kinematics for lightweight riders
- GiddyUp suspension system
- 365 mm reach / 515 mm stack
- 24" specific geometry with short, 395 mm chainstay length
- Steering angle of 65 degrees
- Manitou Junit Expert fork with 130 mm travel and 34 mm stanchion tube, especially for teenagers
- Rockshox Deluxe damper
- Shimano MT410 brakes with short reach
- Shimano gear lever with short reach and Deore Linkglide drivetrain
- Samox crankset (145 mm length) with 30-tooth chainring
- Youth-specific SDG handlebars with small diameter
- Colour-coordinated: SDG saddle, pedals and grips
- Youth-specific SDG telescopic post (31.6 mm x 75 mm stroke) with light stroke
- Maxxis DHRII tyres (2.4") mounted on WTB rims
- Compatible with a Fidlock drinking bottle (450 ml)
- Dropouts in 12 x 148 mm format with UDH suspension
- Colours: Raw Alloy, Boysenberry, Glacier White and Red
Transition Scout: 27.5 inch - for teenagers & smaller adults
We already know the Transition Scout from the US manufacturer's line-up; with its 27.5-inch tyres, it has always been made for younger and smaller riders. For 2025, Transition has updated the frame with a new suspension curve that is specially designed for lighter riders.
This allows young people or even light or small people to ride air pressures that are suitable for current shocks, while the suspension remains supple at normal sag values.
The Transition Scout will be available in sizes X-Small to Medium. With 150 mm of suspension travel, the MTB is aimed at anyone looking for an agile and fun bike to leave the Ripcord behind, get into the sport or develop further.
- Robust aluminium frame for durability and stability
- 27.5" wheels
- Suspension travel: 150 mm
- New rocker links for improved kinematics for light riders
- Customised dampers to adapt to different riding styles
- Available in sizes XS-M with reach values of 410 mm, 435 mm & 460 mm
- Flat steering angle of 64 degrees for smooth running at high speeds
- Short chainstay length of 430 mm
- Equipment no. 1: Lower-priced Deore 12-speed equipment including Deore 4-piston brakes, Rockshox Deluxe/Psylo suspension, SDG Vario seatpost
- Equipment no. 2: Freeride-inspired top-level build with Marzocchi suspension, XT drivetrain, TRP brakes, DT Swiss M1900 wheelset and OneUp dropper post
- Colours: Dandelion, Lilac
The prices of the new Transition children's bikes were not yet available at the time of publication. We will update them as soon as they are known.
Marc Strucken
Editor
