Market overview of children's mountain bikes: Special bikes and MTBs for the little ones

Mountain bikes for very young children are a relatively new phenomenon. Just a few years ago, the little ones were left out of the equation when it came to bikes suitable for off-road riding. But practice makes perfect if you want to become a competent biker later on. Of course, this has been known for a long time and new 14 to 20 inch children's bikes or colourful wheels without pedals were constantly being pushed into the shops. Wide knobby tyres, for example, only found their way into manufacturers' portfolios not so long ago. In the meantime, however, there are some exciting bikes for children who have just learnt to walk.

As children get older and discover the sport of cycling for themselves, there is often a kind of differentiation. Just like adults, children can have fun in all disciplines of cycling. That's why there are now also some specialised bikes that open up new niches for children. We present three mini mountain bikes and three exotic bikes.

3 mountain bikes for small children

1st Early Rider Bella Velio

Is that already a mountain bike? Maybe not, but it's the deadly chic Bella Velio from the Children's experts from Early Rider is a real eye-catcher with its wide tyres. Children from the tender age of ten months can train their balance on the special balance bike. The wide tyres are almost spherical and help with this, as they are said to be around ten times more stable than a conventional balance bike. The manoeuvrability of the wheels can be fine-tuned according to the child's needs and age using a rotating wheel. The patented rear wheel steering facilitates intuitive handling for children. For road and gravel bike parents, the bike is also available with a kind of drop bar.

• Price: 199 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 2.8 kg
• Standing height floor - saddle: 22 cm
• Size recommendation: 10 months - 2 years

>> Here we give you all kinds of tips on buying a children's bike.

2. Woom Original 1 Plus

Woom offers the Original 1 Plus especially for children from the age of three. Despite their young age, kids don't have to do without mountain bike studs on the 14-inch tyres and benefit from grip even off the beaten track. The Plus version comes with a pre-mounted footboard on which little bikers can rest their feet when travelling at speed. In combination with the lightweight aluminium frame and two mechanical rim brakes, the Woom Original 1 Plus offers plenty of opportunities to develop balance and coordination.

• Price: 279 Euro >> available here
• Weight: from 4.45 kg
• Wheel size: 14"
• Size recommendation: min. 337 mm inside leg length (approx. 2-5 years)

>> Already bigger? Here are 10 of the coolest race and trail bikes for kids.

3rd Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero

The Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero not only looks like a shrunken down enduro bike, it also shares certain riding characteristics with the downhill specialists. For example, the geometry is designed to provide safety even on bumps and at higher speeds. The MTB wheel was developed by parents especially for mini mountain bikers who ride their bikes off the tarmac. The wheels can be changed from 12 to 14 inches and are fitted with lugged tyres. In order to learn how to use hydraulic disc brakes as early as possible, the Dirt Hero can also be ordered with rear brakes from Magura.

• Price: 360 Euro (14", incl. brake)
• Weight: from 4 kg
• Wheel size: 12 / 14"
• Size recommendation: min. 337 mm inside leg length (approx. 2-5 years)

>> We have already tested the Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero in a duel with the MTB wheel from Propain.

Special bikes for children

1st children's gravel bike VPace Michl

Gravel bikes are all the rage. With the VPace Michl, kids can also enjoy a sleek gravel bike. Fast and versatile on roads, forest tracks and gravel - the concept is so popular with youngsters that the Michl has since sold out. It will be available again from spring 2025. Depending on your height and preferences, you can choose between 27.5 or 28-inch wheels. There is even a version with a flat bar and mudguards. Thanks to the aluminium frame and lightweight carbon fork, the weight also remains sporty.

• Price: from 1699 Euro
• Weight: from 8 kg
• Wheel size: 27.5 / 28"
• Size recommendation: from 135 cm

>> We have already been able to test the VPace Michl children's gravel bike extensively.

2nd children's downhiller VPace Fred

Many children probably want nothing more than a proper bike park fully. VPace has the right bike for this too. With 150 millimetres at the front and rear in the 26-inch version and 160 millimetres in the model with 27.5-inch wheels, no trail is too wild for downhill-hungry kids and no bike park piste too challenging. A mini-mullet option is also available. Also for first freeride tricks and children's downhill race the VPace Fred is predestined.

• Price: from 2499 Euro
• Weight: from 13.5 kg
• Wheel size: 26 / 27.5"
• Size recommendation: from 135 cm

>> We have also already tested the VPace Fred children's downhill fully.

3. children's dirtbike Marin Alcatraz 24

Even if children are not always so easy to get excited about an MTB tour, you can always pick them up with the action on a pump track or dirt line. Marin knows this too and offers a children's version of the Alcatraz dirt bike. Thanks to the compact aluminium frame, steel rigid fork and optimum freestyle geometry, tricks are child's play. In addition to the smart paintwork, the simple device for tensioning the single-speed drive is also appealing.

• Price: from 999 euros
• Weight: n.a.
• Wheel size: 24"
• Size recommendation: n.a.

>> Here you can find all information about the Marin Alcatraz 24 children's dirt bike.