Here it is: the next generation of freeriders. For a long time, children's bikes were too small for adults. Now more and more manufacturers are designing bikes especially for kids - very good!
Canyon Offspring AL 20"
Hydraulic disc brakes with adjustable brake levers, a sturdy aluminium frame, short cranks and 9-speed gears - the Koblenz-based mail-order company also offers special bikes for children in its huge range. These include the entry-level hardtail with a rigid fork: Offspring. The Offspring 20 weighs 9.1 kilos and is designed to make biking fun for children from 1.10 metres to 1.25 metres tall. The mail-order company also has three other kids' bikes in its programme. Price: € 679, canyon.com
Commencal Clash 24
"High-end bikes for small shredders" is how the Andorrans put it. They offer their bikes by direct mail order. Clash 20, 24 and JR are park bikes for young guns. The mini version of the freerider is available in three wheel sizes (20", 24", 26"). The bikes are designed to fit riders between 1.15 and 1.60 metres tall. The range of use will extend from enduro to bike park and downhill racing. However, the price for the Clash hurts. However, the geometry and components are adapted to the needs of small, light riders. So if you want to give your offspring a good pounding, this is the bike for you. Jeez, when we think of our first bikes. FREERIDE editor-in-chief Dimitri Lehner, for example, received a Mars racing bike from Quelle for his 10th birthday (DM 256). Price: from € 2499, commencal-store.com
Mondraker Groomy
Put your feet on the footboards, pull the throttle and the "balance bike" accelerates up to 17.7 km/h. Isn't that what everyone wanted as a child? The Spaniards have made this dream come true and offer the e-bike in two wheel and frame sizes. It has a replaceable battery with a running time of up to 60 minutes. Will that work? Price: from €749, mondraker.com
YT Jeffsy Primus JP 24
The shrunken version of the YT classic comes with 130 millimetres of suspension travel and 24-inch or 26-inch wheels. The bike is designed as an all-rounder and should also withstand parking missions. Suitable for heights of 1.35-1.50 metres, or 1.45-1.60 metres (26-inch version), weight: from 12.3 kilos. Price: from € 1899, yt-industries.com
Early Rider Hellion Trail 20"
For many, the passion for freeriding begins on pump tracks and flow trails. This is exactly what the English company Early Rider designed the Hellion for. Mini shredders between the ages of six and nine can ride this beginner's bike. Ideal: a good 1x9 gear system for efficient uphill pedalling. Our Sister magazine BIKE honoured the Hellion Trail with a weight tip! It weighs just over 8 kilos. Price: from 700 €, cosmic-sports.com
VPace Danny 24
The solid fork, brakes and 24-inch wheels are designed to reduce the weight of the dirt bike to just 9.2 kilos. It should still be robust enough to withstand heavy impacts. Airtime is the magic word for young slopestylers. The two frame sizes are designed to fit children from 1.35 to 1.70 metres tall. An optional front brake can be ordered for € 70. Price: 899 €, vpace.de
Career start: Propain Yuma
If you want to grow your child into a future Vali Höll (junior world champion), you have to keep topping up. Because: poof, and the bike is too small. The Yuma is a beginner's bike for gravity biking - with the advantage that it grows with your child. The 24-inch wheels can be swapped for 26-inch wheels. This extends the payment period until the next bike. The Yuma is suitable for riders over 1.30 metres tall. 140 millimetres of travel at the front, 145 at the rear, tailored to the low body weight of the gravity stars of the future. | Weight: 13 kg| Price: 1899 € | propain-bikes.com
Accessories for the next generation
Knee protector: Fox Youth Launch D3O
Yes, kids have bones made of rubber - but the really sensitive areas always hurt. For example, the knee. Modern foams manage to minimise the impact force. The "big" Launch performed very well in our impact test - the small one would probably do the same. Very good: The rather large pad encloses the leg very well. By the way: Almost all major manufacturers have children's protectors in their range.| Price: € 65 | foxracing.com
Set: SDG JR Pro MTB
None other than FMB world champ and Rampage daredevil Cam Zink initiated and developed this set for kids, because Zink knows that kids need narrow grips, light pedals, special saddles and narrower, thinner handlebars (650 mm wide - ha ha, like we did 15 years ago!). | Price: 150 € cosmicsports.com
Helmet: O'Neal Sonus Crank Multi
Almost all manufacturers have children's helmets in their range. Those from US label O'Neal are available in a particularly flashy look. Great: the Fidlock magnetic fastener on the Sonus. It is particularly easy to operate. And, of course, the matching goggles. E.g. O'Neal B30 Youth (€50)/interchangeable lens (from €7). Because our kids are even more style-conscious than Christiano Ronaldo. | Price: 100 € rosebikes.com
Chest and back armour: IXS Hammer Evo
It's better to armour what you can armour. The Hammer's back and chest in particular are protected by foam and hard plastic, which looks cool and provides effective shock absorption. Smart: the modular system. Shoulder, back and chest can be braced individually. The waist strap secures the back pad comfortably to the body. | Price: 160 € | maciag-offroad.com
Ski jump: MTB Hopper Ramp Intro
Ideal for the first jumps: a mini ramp. Children love it. This transforms the play street into a pocket-sized Red Bull District Ride. Either build it yourself (€50-80) or buy it: e.g. the height-adjustable Intro Ramp (270-310 mm). It is easy to transport (5 kg) and quick to set up. | Price: 170 € maciag-offroad.com
"Saving is not worth it." Interview WITH Dipl.-Ing. Stephan Ottmar, specialised journalist
What should I look out for when buying?
Firstly, you should ask yourself the question: What do you want to do with your child? Riding tours or shredding in the bike park? The weight of children's bikes is very important. Measured against the body weight of children, fully kids' bikes often ride as if we adults were pedalling around on a 25-kilo bike. Kids quickly lose interest on tours. That's why I would rather go for a hardtail.
How important are the components?
Very important! They must fulfil the requirements of kids. This means that brake levers and grips must be designed for small hands. This is now normal for manufacturers who specialise in children's bikes. The suspension elements are also adjusted to the low body weight. A few years ago, this was still a rarity. Some manufacturers still specify their children's bikes with adult components - which is rarely fun for children.
Special grips, saddles, brake levers or pedals are recognisable at first glance. How do I find out whether the suspension elements are specially designed for children?
Not at all. Here you have to rely on your dealer or the manufacturer. Whether they are honest, however, is questionable. Many simply lower the air pressure, but that only helps to a limited extent.
What else should I look out for?
A seat clamp is mandatory. A telescopic seat post would be ideal. Unfortunately, the seat tube is so short on fullys in particular that the seat post cannot be lowered deep enough. Vario seatposts cannot be retrofitted here.
Children's bikes are expensive. How much do I have to spend?
Saving is not worth it. What's more, the resale value of high-quality children's bikes is currently high. So get something good now!
Is it even more important to test ride children's bikes than adult bikes - because of their size?
It's always better to test ride. But no more sensible than with adult bikes. Children adapt more quickly than adults.
When do I realise that my child has outgrown the bike?
You can see that from the look. It simply looks strange.
"I don't set any limits." Interview WITH riding technique expert Holger Meyer
Children's course, or teach yourself?
We did it ourselves with our children. But there is now a really good range of kids' camps on offer. Learning with their peers is much more fun for the kids. What's more, they follow the coach's every word, which is often not the case with their dad.
The child wants to jump the drop - how much risk should the parents be prepared to take?
If I know that my child has the driving skills, I don't set any limits. You have to trust the child to take responsibility.
When do I have to intervene?
Children can be very stubborn. If the child really wants to jump the drop after a long day of parking, you should say: "No, I don't feel comfortable with that - you'll do it next time." Children can live well with such an announcement.
How much support should I provide?
If my child really enjoys my hobby, that's great. Then I want to support them with good equipment. It's rubbish to give them a cheap youth hardtail and say: "You can ride that in the bike park too - it'll do!" No, it won't do that. The bike doesn't have to be new. There are really good, full-suspension kids' bikes from 20 inches upwards. But of course, they're not cheap.
Some say that long suspension travel ruins your riding technique?
There is no danger with children. They usually already had a balance bike and a hardtail clunker that they rode to school and practised their first jumps on. Only then do they need a fully. At that age, it's a no-brainer. Children learn so much so quickly. And you can't make up for it later. On the other hand, if you buy a downhill bike at the age of 37 as a career changer and sit on it like a couch, you won't learn the fundamental skills.
Which parks are particularly suitable for travelling to with your children?
The most important question is of course: Are the kids already mountain bikers, or are they just getting into it? I think park biking is a great place to start: Livigno, Sölden, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Arosa and Dolomiti-Paganella. Because there's a pump track area there, ideal for familiarising yourself with fun flow trails with small jumps, but also natural trails and downhills.
