Cube, Mondraker & Woom: Three super MTBs for kids from 20 to 27.5 inches in a quick check
Jan Timmermann
· 22.02.2024
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Parents who are thinking about buying a children's mountain bike today probably didn't have the full range of bikes suitable for off-road riding when they were children. Of course, it has long been known that children can develop an enthusiasm for biking more quickly and sustainably with suitable equipment. However, it is only in the last few years that the market for children's MTBs has really taken off. This is great for the kids, because they can have bikes that their parents couldn't even dream of back then. The latter, however, are confronted with a huge range that is not always easy to navigate. Children as young as 110 centimetres no longer have to do without suspension forks, 20-inch wide tyres and the like. As their bodies and riding technique grow, it's time for highly functional children's bikes with 26 or 27.5-inch wheels. We checked out three very different children's bikes. All of them are "real mountain bikes" with equipment for the first big or small trail adventures of life.
A children's mountain bike is a luxury item. Parents should therefore always differentiate between needs and wants. When children start biking at an early age, there comes a point when the desire for a cool hardtail or a large fully becomes a need. Mums and dads know their children better than anyone else. They are best placed to judge when the time is right for a fully equipped children's MTB. The three examples in this article are well suited to demanding young bikers.- Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor, social pedagogue (BA) & educational scientist (MA)
1st Cube Stereo 140 HPC Rookie
In Germany, Cube is one of the most sought-after mountain bike manufacturers. Light weights and attractive prices consistently secure the Bavarians many favourites. This also applies to children's mountain bikes. With the Stereo 140 HPC Rookie, Cube has a children's bike in its portfolio that is on a par with its bigger siblings in the product family. A carbon main frame and 27.5-inch wheels from Newmen keep the weight at a pleasingly low level. While 140 millimetres of suspension travel is available at the rear, the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 suspension fork offers 150 millimetres of travel. This means that children on the Cube Fully are also equipped for demanding trails and visits to the bike park. Meanwhile, powerful Magura brakes with 180 millimetre brake discs ensure reliable deceleration.
To make touring fun on the Cube Stereo 140 HPC Rookie, which is not too heavy, the children's bike is equipped with twelve-speed gears from Shimano. The retractable telescopic seat post with an adjustment range of 100 to 120 millimetres - depending on the size - helps on varied terrain. Grippy Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres keep the children's Stereo in line. With 760 millimetre wide handlebars, Boost wheels, internally routed cables and a replaceable derailleur hanger, the children's bike is state of the art. In past tests, we were able to convince ourselves several times of the good-natured handling characteristics of the adult version.
The Cube Stereo 140 HPC Rookie in detail
- Price: 2399 Euro
- Weight: 13.14 kg (BIKE measurement, without pedals)
- Wheel size: 27.5"
- Available frame sizes: XS / S
- Size recommendation: from 124 cm / from 130 cm
- Front suspension travel: 150 mm
- Rear suspension travel: 140 mm
- Range of use: All Mountain
- gears / cassette: 1 x 12 / 10-51 teeth
- Highlights: Carbon main frame (aluminium rear triangle), high-quality equipment
BIKE quick check
The features of the Cube Stereo 140 HPC Rookie kids' full-suspension bike will make even adults envious. A main frame made of lightweight carbon and high-quality wheels keep the weight in the green zone. Thanks to plenty of suspension travel, a vario support and a wide gear range, it can handle both challenging trails and tours. Parents have to dig a little deeper into their pockets for this versatility of the children's full-suspension bike. The purchase is therefore particularly worthwhile if the offspring are really out and about on the bike a lot.
2nd Mondraker Trick 26
Mondraker recently presented a whole range of new children's bikes from e-bikes to trail bikes. It also includes the hardtail called "Trick", which is designed to give youngsters a suitable introduction to the world of mountain biking. As the bike is available with 16, 20, 24 and 26-inch wheels, it covers a wide age range from four to 14 years. The silhouette of the aluminium frame is strikingly similar to that of the bikes for adults and has Mondraker's well-known "forward geometry". Relatively long reach values are combined with short stems to make the hardtail smooth-running and easy to handle at the same time. At 68 degrees, the steering angle is not too slack and promises agility even at low speeds. An X-Fusion Velvet suspension fork with air suspension offers 120 millimetres of travel, providing a good amount of reserves even on the first trail adventures.
A telescopic seat post with 100 millimetre adjustment range, 2.4 inch wide Kenda tyres and a Sram SX Eagle twelve-speed drivetrain underline the all-round claim of the Mondraker Trick 26. 680 millimetres is the width of the handlebars, which is quite narrow. The brake discs are also rather small at 160 millimetres. The 155 millimetre short cranks are well suited to children's legs. Mondraker doesn't let itself get carried away and supplies a pair of suitable SDG Slater JR children's pedals. Internally routed cables and a Sram UDH derailleur hanger are technically up-to-date. Not so the non-boost standard of the rear hub - but this makes it easier to choose 26-inch wheels should you ever need a replacement.
The Mondraker Trick 26 in detail
- Price: 1399 Euro
- Weight: 12.49 kg (BIKE measurement, without pedals)
- Wheel size: 26"
- Available frame sizes: One Size
- Size recommendation: 145 - 165 cm
- Front suspension travel: 120 mm
- Range of use: Trail hardtail
- gears / cassette: 1 x 12 / 11-50
- Highlights: Forward geometry, twelve-speed drivetrain, Vario support
BIKE quick check
A wide range of use is worth its weight in gold for a children's bike. In this respect, Mondraker has put together a very interesting package with the Trick 26. With a small increase in suspension travel and the all-round equipment, young bikers are well advised in most situations. The hardtail could be a little lighter - but a dropper post provides more safety on the downhill. The wide range of wheel sizes is great, but with the recommended height for the 26-inch model, other manufacturers have already managed to integrate 29-inch wheels.
3. woom off air 4
The Woom Off Air is an old acquaintance in our coverage of children's bikes. The name suffix reveals that there is an air suspension fork in the front of the small bike. Despite the small 20-inch wheels, children Woom without suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, gears and tyres with good grip. 60 millimetres of suspension travel on the twenty-inch bike promises above all a gain in comfort. Thanks to the lightweight aluminium frame, the weight remains just about reasonable despite being fully equipped. It's great that both the wheels and tyres are tubeless-compatible. This means that the potential of the 2.25 inch wide Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres can be fully exploited and the wheel weight reduced even further.
Child-friendly dimensions for handlebars, grips, saddle and cranks are a matter of course at Woom. It is also nice that the children's specialists specify the lowest and maximum saddle height to ensure that the bike really fits. A balanced steering angle of 68 degrees and a low top tube promise a good feeling of safety for children. Despite the small 28-tooth chainring, the nine gears of the Sram X5 drivetrain unfortunately lack an easy uphill gear.
The Woom Off Air 4
- Price: 949 euros >> e.g. available at Woom
- Weight: 9.5 kg (BIKE measurement, without pedals)
- Wheel size: 20"
- Available frame sizes: One Size
- Size recommendation: 110 - 130 cm
- Front suspension travel: 60 mm
- Range of use: Hardtail
- gears / cassette: 1 x 9 / 11-32
- Highlights: Suspension fork, MTB tyres, gears and disc brakes despite small wheels
BIKE quick check
With the Off Air, Woom proves that mountain bike equipment is also possible for the little ones. All add-on parts are consistently designed to meet the needs of children. The good and tubeless-compatible combination of wheels and tyres is ingenious. However, whether a 20-inch bike really needs a suspension fork is questionable. Kids quickly outgrow this wheel size and the additional weight should not be underestimated. For this very reason, Woom also offers the Off with a rigid fork.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
