Are 26-inch wheels making a comeback on kids' bikes?

Samuel Eyerkaufer has been racing mountain bikes since he was three years old. But things have only really got going since his dad Daniel upgraded the old 24-inch Riprock from Specialized to 26 inches. Before that, the little plus-size bike was too sluggish on the climbs and too nervous on the descents. At six years old and 1.30 metres tall, Samuel is just the right age to switch to 26 inches. This came in handy for his dad, as his tools were slowly gathering dust in the shed at home. For the conversion, the parts box was ransacked and the internet scoured. Lightweight 26-inch wheels were sponsored by a biker friend, the Manitou Mars was stored on a collector's shelf and was sold over the digital counter for a few euros. In total, Samuel's Specialized was lightened by more than a kilo of excess weight. However, the switch to the larger wheels has paid off the most, says dad Daniel. Hardly any other bike rolls over the trails in training as safely and stable as Samuel's 26-inch bike. We explain why it's worth switching to the larger wheels, what you should look out for when converting and which manufacturers offer sensible 26-inch children's bikes.

The conversion in detail

At the front of Samuel's bike is a ten-year-old, refurbished Manitou Mars. It was available on the internet for little money. Not even a current Sid Worldcup comes close to the super-light 1360 grams. The narrow VPACE crank has a noticeable ergonomic advantage and is also significantly lighter than the standard crank. A new Tune seatpost will soon save a few more grams. But pssst: Mum doesn't even know about the investment yet.

Tuning for 26-inch tyres

Simply lowering the saddle and letting air out of the suspension is not enough. When converting an old 26-inch bike, you should pay particular attention to the following points.

The crank is the number one sticking point. Only with the right length will the bike be rideable for the next generation. A length of around 135 millimetres is ideal for children over 1.30 metres. Also important: the lowest possible Q-factor. VPACE offers its children's cranks with a 150 millimetre Q-factor in lengths of 105 to 165 millimetres. Ramlon-Bikes not only has shortened cranks between 130 and 152 millimetres in its range, but also shortens its own cranks on request. PLP cranks from Pyrobikes are available from a length of 152 millimetres.

The tyres: Even though manufacturers are no longer putting any development work into 26-inch tyres, many of the current models from Schwalbe, Continental and others are still available in the classic size. There is a lot of tuning potential here, because lightweight riders don't necessarily have to go for the most stable version. A Schwalbe Rocket Ron in 2.25 inch weighs just 540 grams.

The pedals: Even with an extra-short pedal axle, the Q-factor can be reduced and a more ergonomic foot position achieved. The axle of the SQlab 511 clipless pedal is shortened by five millimetres. VPACE even offers the Wellgo C271 platform pedal with an eight millimetre shorter axle.

There are 26-inch youth bikes here:

Islabikes Creig 26

The Creig 26 is suitable for children from around nine years of age. The British company has many parts specially made, such as cranks with a low Q-factor, extra-thin handlebars and grips and wheels with 24 spokes. The RST F1RST 26 with 80 millimetres of suspension travel ensures comfort off-road. 929 euros. www.islabikes.de

Pyro X.13

The 1300 gram aluminium frame is the perfect basis for demanding terrain. With a rigid fork and V-brakes, the X.13 weighs less than nine kilos. The bike can be equipped with a suspension fork, other wheels and brakes as required via the modular system. From 1030 euros. www.pyrobikes.de

Woom OFF 6

The brand new OFF 6 from children's bike specialist Woom weighs just 9.3 kilos thanks to its carbon fork. The sporty geo with a long wheelbase and flat steering angle should be fun for little racers in particular. From 2020, the OFF 6 will also be available with an optional suspension fork. 799 euros. www.woombikes.com

INTERVIEW with Sören Zieher, Managing Director of VPACE

BIKE: Does 26 inch have a future in the youth sector?
SÖREN ZIEHER: Our two 26-inch bikes Max and Moritz are the most important models for us. The jump from 24 to 27.5 inches is often too big for the next generation. For many kids, the 26-inch bike is the first real mountain bike, which can even be ridden from 1.30 metres thanks to the special geometry. Many fathers shake their heads at first because until recently they were still riding 26-inch bikes themselves.

Is a used 26-inch frame a good basis for a youth bike?
This definitely works if you adapt the ergonomically important points to the child: short cranks with a low Q-factor and a short stem, for example. However, you have to make compromises when it comes to geometry. Our frames are specially designed for our children's cranks and therefore allow a particularly low bottom bracket. They are also characterised by a short seat tube and modern geometry with a slightly slacker head angle and longer reach. Of course, you don't have this advantage with a small adult frame.

Where is the greatest tuning potential?
The wheels can be particularly light for children and teenagers. Our self-assembled sets weigh just 1400 grams in 26 inches. Cheap material is often used for the cranks. You can save a lot of weight here. Single drivetrains are light and particularly easy for children to use.

Is it worth the effort for a conversion?
Provided you have a well-stocked parts box at home, then yes. If you have to buy parts such as handlebars, seatpost or a lightweight fork first, then you're quickly back to the price of a new bike. And that's 100 per cent child-friendly, at least in terms of geometry and weight.

You can find this article in BIKE 10/2019. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:

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