7 Great Mountain Bikes for Kids
Mountain biking is a great sport for the whole family. To get your kids involved in mountain biking, you are going to need to invest in a great kid’s mountain bike. Three of the most important qualities to look for in a great kid’s mountain bike are size, safety features, and durability. Mountain bikes need to handle some serious terrain, and you don’t want your child’s bike to give out on a trail. Kids need mountain bikes that can take a beating and keep them safe. Let’s explore seven great mountain bikes for kids that allow them to safely have fun riding the trails.
Trek MT 60
Trek makes an excellent durable, lightweight mountain bike for kids.. The Trek MT 60 is part if the Trek Kids’ line. The Trek MT 60 comes in girls’ and boys’ styles, and it features hand brakes and six speeds. The six speeds may take a little getting used to, but they really help kids to excel over hills and keep up with the adults. The Trek MT 60 is only available in gloss black. While the color scheme is underwhelming, the Trek MT 60 makes up for it in performance. The Trek MT 60 retails for a little over $300. Sizing for the bike varies, and it should be done in person at an authorized Trek retailer.
Specialized Hotrock A1
The Specialized Hotrock A1 is an excellent mountain bike for kids, and it performs just as amazingly as it looks like it would. The Specialized Hotrock A1 features a racing style with a lightweight frame and excellent suspension. Specialized Hotrock A1 mountain bike models after 2008 include a front-fork with a lockout. The front-fork lockout allows the rider the turn the front bounce suspension on and off, allowing kids to have less bounce when they are cruising down paved streets. The frame is made of durable A1 Premium Aluminum, which means it is lightweight and can handle a beating on the toughest road. The Specialized Hotrock A1 retails for over $300 and can be found at your local Specialized retailer.
Kona Hula
Kona is a mountain bike company that is known for creating durable bikes with quick shifting capability. Kona makes the Hula, which is a great mountain bike for kids that live up to the brand name. The Kona Hula Kids’ mountain bike features rapid-fire shifters instead of the traditional grip shifters. The frame is lightweight and the tires provide excellent grip on the trails. For a great mountain bike for kids that comes with the Kona guarantee of durability, you can’t beat the Kona Hula.
Trek MT 240
The Trek MT 240 is also part of their Trek Kids’ line, and it’s another great mountain bike for children. The Trek MT 240 is perfect for the more advanced rider. The Trek MT240 retails at over $400, and is a little more expensive than other mountain bikes in its class. However, Trek took the price point into consideration and designed the MT 240 to adjust to their height of your child as he or she grows. The Trek MT 240 has two crank positions for the pedals that can be lowered as your child gets taller.
Giant STP 225
Giant is another legendary bike brand that makes a great mountain bike for kids. The Giant STP 225 is for the beginning mountain biker. The bike retails for around $350, and for the price you can’t beat the features. It has a durable and lightweight frame with a wide range of gears that will help a beginning rider learn the ropes of gear shifting.
Scott Scale JR 24
The Scott Scale JR 24 is one of the most lightweight mountain bikes designed for kids. The lightweight frame is excellent for gaining speed on the decline, and it makes it easier for kids to pedal on the incline. The Scott Scale JR 24 features some high-end gear components and shocks, which means it costs a little more than other kids’ mountain bikes in its class. The JR 24 retails for around $450, but the high-end components are guaranteed to take a beating and keep working.
Novara Duster
The Novara Duster doesn’t have many bells and whistles. What the Novara Duster lacks in features, though, it makes up for with its bargain price. The Duster retails for under $200. The bike only has one speed, with a lightweight frame and durable shocks. The Novara Duster is not the right bike for a serious mountain biker, but it’s a great way for kids to inexpensively try out mountain biking and see if it's the sport for them.
