trek 24 full suspension

24 INCH FULL SUSPENSION BIKES

The jump to a 24 inch full suspension bike opens up longer rides and faster descents starting at age 7 or 8 these bikes make sense for those kids who really like to shred trails. the fact so many bikes now exist in this category amazes us as a few years ago there was just a handful. make sure to watch our buyer's guide video below and drop a comment at the bottom of this page if you have any questions we can help out with. grab a tow rope, this is the stage where things can get really fun.

Polygon D24x

Tremendous value in this direct to consumer offering from Polygon. They get all the big stuff right with 140mm cranks, Shimano Deore 11-46T cassette, dropper post, hydraulic brakes, tubeless compatible wheelset/tires and great working kids tuned suspension from x-fusion (120mm fork and rear). Great geometry for kids too with 66 Head Angle, 350mm reach, 75 Seat Tube Angle and 400mm chain stays. OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

Weight: 30 lbs | MSRP: $1699 | Fit: 4'2-4'11 | Where to buy: Bikes Online

Polygon D24

Same great frame as the d24x, this bike at this price is going to get more kids on full suspension worthy trails. Same great geometry for kids too with 66 Head Angle, 350mm reach, 75 Seat Tube Angle and 400mm chain stays. You get a mircoshift 8 spd drivetrain with a clutch derailleur, Suntour 120mm fork and rear suspension, same tubeless wheelset, mechanical disc brakes. No dropper post on this one.

Weight: 30.4 lbs | MSRP: $1299 | Fit: 4'2-4'11 | Where to buy: Bikes Online

Trailcraft Maxwell 24

There is no question that this is the best full suspension trail bike/all mountain bike in a 24 inch wheel frame available in North America. Cheap? No. That said, nothing has to be changed. The light 120mm suspension frame and Rock Shox reba 120mm fork center the builds. Ultra light Stans crest wheelset or carbon wheels are on menu. You pick your chainring with the perfect 140mm alloy cranks. Deore to XT drivetrain and brakes finish off a build focused on light weight and quality. Fantastic trail geometry of 66 HA,  74 STA,  390mm Chainstays. You can upgrade to a kid friendly KS LEV dropper as well. OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

Weight: 25-25.5 lbs | MSRP: $3,099-$4,499 | Fit: 4'3-5'3 | Where to buy: Trailcraft

Spawn Rokk 24

A cool convertible 24/26 inch 140 mm travel frame that uses a geo chip to keep the chainstays and BB height normalized between wheel sizes. The 24 inch version has 27.5 Rock Shox Revelation 140 mm fork, Sram NX 11-42T, Sram Level T brakes, low profile pivotal seat, 145mm cranks, and fantastic spawn brood tires. Geo is 65 HA, 75 STA, 438mm chainstays, and 355mm reach.

Weight: 29 lbs | MSRP: $2950 |  Min Height: 4'4 | Where to buy: Spawn

Rocky Mountain Reaper 24

A versatile bike 130mm suspension frame here that is available in both 24 and 26 inch configurations. The rear suspension on this bike works great for light weight riders and the build is centered around light unsprung and rotational weight in a smart light wheelset and super grippy maxxis minions. The 24 build gets a 120mm suntour fork, 152mm cranks, tektro hydraulic brakes, 11-42 T sunrace cassette with 28T chainring. You get geometry flip chip adjustment with the neutral position giving you a 360mm reach, 66 HA, 75.5 STA, 418mm chain stays and a 538mm stack.  OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

Weight: 28.2 lbs | MSRP: $2,239 | Fit: 4'3-4'7 | Where to buy: Jenson USA | Rocky Dealer

Marin Rift Zone Jr 24

Another convertible 130 mm rear suspension frame available in both 24 and 26 configurations. Good value here as you get great kids tuned x-fusion tuned 130mm fork and rear shock, 2.4 inch V-tire flow snap tires, tubeless  rims, hydraulic disc brakes, 11-51 T rear cassette with deore clutch derailleur, 425mm chainstays, 380m reach, 76 STA and 65.5 HA. Love to see 140mm cranks rather than the 152mm on spec for this 24 inch build. New geo and travel for 2023. The 2022 model can still be purchased so careful.

Weight: N/A lbs | MSRP: $1,799 | Fit: 621mm standover | Where to buy: Jenson USA | Bikes Online | EVO

Commencal Clash 24

Brawler of a 24 inch full suspension bike with 145mm rear suspension and 145mm Manitou machete fork great for lift access bike park riding. Nice Shimano Deore brakes and a Sram NX 11 spd drivetrain with 145mm cranks arms. You also get a dropper post. Great bike park/steep trail geometry of 64.5 HA, 390mm chain stays, and 350mm reach.

Weight: 30 lbs | MSRP: $3400 |  Min Height: 4'2-4'11 | Where to buy: Commencal

VPACE Moritz 24

Like the Trailcraft Maxwell in North America, this would be the best trail/all mountain bike available in Europe. This 120mm front and rear suspension bike is so great because it fits so small with a low BB and really small 120mm cranks plus it is so light at 23 lbs. The smallest fitting 24, this allows you to get kids on this wheel size earlier in a way that makes sense. A 66 HA and 365mm reach make this a great bike to tear up any trails a 6-9 year old can find. They have changed the shock and fork this year to the Manitou. Personally, I really liked the carbon arch kids fork of the older build and find it performs better than the machete for really light weight riders in terms of getting full travel. This is the Machete expert edition here and does perform form very well for the heavier hard charging kids.  OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

Weight: 23 lbs | MSRP: $2375 | Recommended Height: 120cm-140cm | Where to buy: VPACE

Cube Stereo 240 Pro

Cube gets serious and puts out a great bike. Kids specific Manitou suspension front and rear on this 120/120 mm travel kids full suspension. The spec on this bike is really good. Sram GX 10-42T drivetrain, SDG Jr bar and grips, Magura disc brakes, SUNringle Duroc tubeless wheelset and Schwalbe Hans Damf tires comes in a total weight of 27 lbs. Best of all, 130mm kids cranks. The geo is nice and moderate with a 67 Head Angle, 1041 mm 410mm chainstays and 365mm reach making this a great all round trail bike that sees the lift access bike park as well. It does have a BB drop of 10mm and we would like to see that go even further given the well spec 130mm cranks, this would lower the standover  and allow for even smaller kids on a 24 inch. No dropper on this one which makes sense for most kids in this age range. The only hurdle here is the price when you compare it a very similar spec/geo YT primus.

Weight: 27 lbs | MSRP: $3150| Standover: 623cm | Where to buy: Cube Dealer

YT Jeffsy Primus 24

This is a fantastic bike at a great price. Adjustable geometry with 65.6/66 HA,  CS 395mm, STA 77,  and Reach 370 mm. With 130mm front and rear manitou suspension, sram guide brake and maxxis minions, this is a great descending bike. Given the great price, it would be easy to invest in some lighter weight parts for trail riding/climbing as well (lighter/shorter cranks, light stans crest wheelset and lighter faster rolling tires).

Weight: 28 lbs | MSRP: $1,999 | Recommended Height: 135cm-150cm | Where to buy: YT BIKES

Norco Fluid FS 1 24

This is basically a scaled down little Enduro bike with the geometry to prove it. A 64.5 HA, 75 STA, 350mm reach and 407mm chainstays. At close to 30 lbs, this 140mm front/120mm rear suspension bike excels in the bike park and steeper descending trails. Lots of grip with the maxxis minion tires and great braking power of shimano deore brakes. A 11-42T cassette, 30 T front chainring and a kid friendly dropper post help with the climbing. There is a also a value build where you get the TS air manitou machete fork with a few different build bits. If you are looking to lighten this bike up I would buy the value build, swap in a light stans crest wheelset and lighter/shorter cranks. OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

Weight: 29.5 lbs | MSRP: FS1 $3399 FS2 $2499 | Recommended Height: 4'2-4'8 | Where to buy: Norco

SCOTT Ransom 400

Like the Polygon D24x, this is a phenomenal value. Great build for the price, this x-fusion 140mm fork/130mm rear suspension bike packs a lot of punch. Great deore drivetrain and brakes, 80mm dropper post and nice short 127mm cranks. The frame geometry of 65.7 HA,  CS 425mm, STA 76.7, Reach 366.8 mm is really nice for kids. This frame is also available in a 26 inch build.

Weight: 30 lbs | MSRP: $1,999 | Recommended Height: 130cm-145cm | Where to buy: SCOTT

Early Rider Hellion X 24

We have experience with this great frame when it was under the Lil Shredder Brand. The low standover single pivot design allows for a light weight frame with geometry that just works great for kids. It has a 30 T Chainring, 11-42T cassette, adjustable head angle and rear travel from 100-120 mm with a RST 120mm fork. We were eager to see what Early Rider would come up with in terms of build and price as the Lil Shredders were very premium builds and a price tag that went along with it. This is a great bike at a very nice weight and good price.

Weight: 26.5 lbs | MSRP: $2,199 | Recommended Height: 4'4-4'10 | Where to buy: REI  |  Early Rider

Mondraker Factor 24

True to Mondraker form this bike has longer 375 mm reach coupled with other wise moderate trail geometry numbers (67 HA, 76 STA, 420 mm chainstays, 513 Stack Height). No dropper, Sram Level Hydraulic brakes, SX drivetrain with 155 mm cranks (a little long) and 11-50T cassette and 30T front chain ring, 2.4 inch Kenda Booster Tires and tubeless compatible wheelset. The 100mm X fusion fork and 100 mm xfusion rear work very well. You can throw 26 inch wheels both front and back on this bike to extend the fit of this bike if you like. The price on this one in North America is hard to swallow considering the build and what else is out there.

Weight: 27.2 lbs | MSRP: $2899 | Recommended Height: 135-155cm | Where to buy: Jenson USA

Propain Yuma 24

Great little convertible 24/26 bike here. Top parts at a competitive weight for this 140mm rear travel  bike. 140mm travel Manitou machete fork, Sram guide brakes, Sram GX 11 spd drivetrain, and newman evolution wheelset. The one thing we would like to see different for 24 inch build is shorter crank arms than 155mm on spec. Great geometry with 65 HA, 380mm reach, 420mm chainstays (chip to lengthen for 26 inch wheel), and 75 STA.

Weight: 28 lbs | MSRP: $2600 | Min/Max Height: 125-150cm  | Where to buy: Propain

Chromag Minor Threat (S1) 24

A very expensive bike, the Chromag Minor threat in the 24 build best serves the kids who spend most of their time in the lift access bike park. 140mm front and rear suspension is a lot of travel. It has a flip chip which changes the HA between 64 and 65 degrees which is DH worthy slack. They also claim a light weight kids progressive kinematics to get the most out of the rear suspension. No dropper post included. If it was me, I would put a much lighter/less range cassette for riding lift access and change the cranks to 140mm (155mm is just too long on a 24). OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

Weight: 30 lbs | MSRP: $3400 USD, $3950 CAD | Recommended Height: 4'2-4'8 | Where to buy: Chromag

Slater Mobster /DH

Versatile frame that you can build in 24 and 26 inch wheel formats. Travel adjust from 140-160mm, you can tailor from Trail to Bike Park terrain by further picking a fork between 140-170mm of travel. Geometry is HA: 64 degrees, Reach: 345mm, Chainstay Length: 411mm and a nice short seat tube. We love they offer a frame only option.

Weight: N/A lbs | MSRP: $2250, $700 (frame only) |  Min Height: varies by build | Where to buy: Slater Bikes

Transition Ripchord 24

A nice 100mm travel trail bike that you can buy complete or frame only. The build option is pretty good but we would probably choose frame only and spec with 140mm cranks (155 is too long) and a lighter air fork than the Judy Silver (it has steel stanchions=heavy). Other than those items, the wheelset, shimano hydraulic brakes, NX drivetrain and maxxis minion tires are all very good. Nice trail geo with 67 HA, 74 STA, 381mm chainstays, and 366mm reach.

Weight: 29 lbs | MSRP: $2100, frame only $1250 |  Min/Max Height: 4'2-4'11 | Where to buy: Transition

Kona Process 24

The build on this bike has improved over last few years. Down to 155mm cranks we would like to see even shorter crank arms and look to lighter tire spec then the kenda kinetics (they weigh 1050 grams!). Other than that, this 100mm frame comes with good parts: Manitou machete 120mm fork, shimano brakes, and deore 10spd 11-46T drivetrain. Great trail geometry with 67 HA, 370mm reach, 415 chainstays (long for a 24 but not a bad thing=stable), and 74.5 STA.

Weight: 32 lbs | MSRP: $2350 | Min/Max Height: 4'3-4'11 | Where to buy: Kona Dealer

Meek Boys Beast 24 Downhill Bike

Niche bike here. An $8,000+ carbon downhill 180mm travel bike is hard to justify for anyone except the full-time racer kid  but its cool it exists. Premium components all around, kid appropriate leverage ratios to make the shock and rear suspension truly track like an adult bike. 64 HA, 364mm reach, 420mm chainstays. If you can get the wife to agree to this one, let us know how you did it.

Weight: 30.5 lbs | MSRP: $8,350 | Min seat Height: 30 inches | Where to buy: Meek Boys

We are a reader supported site

126 Comments

The link to the Rocky Mountain Reaper 24 Review goes to the TrailCraft. FYI

Nice Catch! Thx.

Hi, and thanks for this great webpage. My daughter has now a BMC blast 20 (same as twostroke 20) which she will soon outgrow. Great little bike imo and perfect geometry for both easy bike parks and single track. She loves that bike.

I made my little research, and there does not seem to be many hardtails with low weight and proper geometry at 24. Good brands such as Vpace seem to have XC style with 69-70 head angle or expensive and heavier full suspensions.

Now I am torn between getting her a full suspension (the cube stereo one) or a rigid like she already has (two stroke 24). The downside of the cube seems high bb and higher weight.

Any recommendations (in europe) ? The vpace moritz 24 or 26 are out of the budget at full price unfortunately.

The cube stereo one is suposed to come at 12.6 kg. Not Sure how accurate that is.

Also any comments about the shifters for kids ? (cube stereo one comes with microshift advent and the the GX of the stereo pro).

The only slacker Hardtails we know of are the Prevelo Zulus, Polyogn Xtrada and Spec Riprock Expert. Unfortunately, the jump to full suspension means a much heavier bike unless you pay the premium for a VPACE or chip away at the other brands offerings by upgrading to lighter cranks, wheelset, tires, bar, stem etc, usually the same cost as a VPACE.

Thanks a lot for the answer. I wanted to mention as well that the few trail/dowhill oriented bikes are pretty heavy and/or expensive as well. By the way, I came accross Cube’s kid carbon bikes : https://www.cube.eu/kids/by-series/elite/elite-240

Too extreme on the other end of the spectrum though. Could be a basis for a custom build.

I went for the full suspension in the end. Feels like a similar weight as the hardtails I could get my hands on. It is still a lot of bike and probably overkill for now.

Front end feels very high so we will see about that. I’ll check if I can reduce the front travel on that manitou. Questions : -Any thoughts on the usefulness of body armors / back protections / neck braces ? I have the feeling it is not that important if the kid is not going fast, jumping high etc. Full face is a must as soon as it gets steep imo. -Do you recommend running tubeless to improve climbing abilities (lower weight / rolling resistance) ?

We always stay cautious when they are young and never put them in situations beyond their comfort and ability. That said, if they choose to join us in the bike park, its full face, downhill pads, chest/back and neck protection protection. For family trail rides its knee/elbows and half shells. Tubeless is great for kids, highly recommend. Light tires for the the 20 inch bikes go a long way as well.

Is it possible to fit smaler kids on the YT Jeffry?

YT say’s min height is 135cm on the Jeffry 24. But the geometry numbers are not so different from Reaper or Ransom 400. Do you think it is possible to fit smaler kids? If you change the cranks to 127? The reach is 370mm and that might be a problem, but the stem is 40mm so it may be possible to go with an even shorter stem like 30mm?

The Reaper and the Ransom have those bent top tubes in addition to the shorter reach number which is nice if you are going to squish on the little kids. Its more getting the minimum seat height down on any bike to get the really small kids on. It also helps if kiddo is advanced and comfy hopping on/off a bigger fitting bike. For sure, you can run a shorter stem to help on the reach.

When do I know when I need a full suspension bike for my kid?

My kid is 7 and will be 8 for the next season. He says that he likes lift based bike parks and really enjoy going down flow trails and other trails where we can shuttle. He really don’t climbing 🙂 There is a very good deal on Scott Ransom 400 in my local bike shop, and I think I’m going to pull the trigger on that one. But I have some concerns that a full suspension bike is not very playful at pump tracks and they are in general more heavy. Right now he is tired of pump tracks because we only go in circles. We use a Woom Off Air 4 (with bigger tyres) today and it has worked well, and it has taken us down some red slopes as well (with rock gardens).

What is your advice? Hardtail or full supension?

Pump track and lift access bike park riding is kinda opposite end of riding specturm. Grab a cheap bmx for the pump track and Full Squish if lots of bike park riding is planned. Full squish is terrible for pump track. You can get by with a hard tail on flow trails in lift access bike park but its not ideal.

I am considering a used 2021 Marin Rift Zone Jr in 24″. What is the cost to convert it to a 26″ wheel and crank? I can’t find any info anywhere. Are there any aftermarket options besides buying Marin parts for the conversion as well?

Check out our wheelset and cranks pages for options.

would you reccomend a full suspension moutain bike that the parents will say yes to?

Do you guys know how/if you can get the Polygon delivered into Canada? Thanks

not at this time…

YT Jeffsy or Norco Fluid FS 1 or 2 for trail? I can get the FS2 now for $1600, but concerned about the weight. Jeffsy is about 28lbs.

They are both on the heavy side for trail riding…and minnions don’t roll that well for the little kids but you can lighten both bikes up. Have a look at purchasing a trialcraft maxwell 24 frame and building up with light weight and used parts/parts bin if you want to make a “trail” bike.

We ride in Charlotte, NC – lot of elevation changes, trees, rocks, roots, ravines. Must have stand-over clearance for quick step-off and lightest weight possible. Need FS under $1,800. 10 yr old is 65 lbs, 56.5″(144cm) with 26″ inseam. He is an advanced rider. I have a choice of Norco Fluid 4.2 FS 24″ 2021 for $1,499, Rocky Mountain Reaper 24″ 2022 for $1,699, and Polygon Siskiu D24X(not even shown on their website) for $1,529. Which is best long term, quality build? My plan is to pass this to my 8 yr old in 1-1.5yr and then move my oldest up to to a 27.5″ sm or md… With 3 boys who ride, I can’t afford to change bikes every year or spend $3K(would love the Trailcraft!) Pricing has changed a lot since this review, Scott is over 2K and YT Jeffsy(my 2nd fav) is also. My biggest concern is geometry of ride position, because we ride hard, up and down. I don’t want him on a bike too small, but also don’t want him on a bike frame (XS) with 27.5″ that doesn’t fit in 1-1.5yr. Thoughts?

I would go Reaper 24 as rear suspension works fantastic for light weight riders, low stand over and shorter reach and you can play with geo with flip chips. And the kicker, you can throw on 26 inch wheels. Just grab Goldix cheap short cranks, put some tires tubeless on and you are good for a couple years of shredding.

Thanks guys! I was leaning that way. Really appreciate all your studying and wisdom.

One more monkey wrench: I just found a new YT Jeffsy Primus 24″ for the same price as the Rocky Mtn Reaper. It wears Manitou Machete Junit/Manitou McLeod suspensions, SRAM X1 Cranks, SRAM NX derailleur and shifter. The Jeffsy 24″ has a standover of 23″ according to a technician I spoke with at the facility, while the Rocky Mtn 24″ has a 27.25 standover according to their website, yet recommends it for a 20-28″ inseam rider – weird.

My top 3 were the Vpace Moritz, Trailcraft Maxwell, and YT Jeffsy Primus – all great components and weight, but all were above my available $1,800. Now, I am thinking grab the YT, yes? I can’t upsize the tires(can be a hassle with the boost hubs), but I can pass it to my middle son in a year or so and then upsize my oldest again. Seems a better build…

What did you decide on? I’m in the same predicament. Son loves trail riding but also the park … so I’m thinking I need at least 130mm front travel, which takes Reaper 24 out?

All great bikes just keep in mind you can always spend a little to dial in fit/lighten up with shorter cranks, stems/bar combos, post /seat combos, drivetrain and lighter wheelset to make it more “trail” friendly.

Hi guys, Really love your site, it’s been a wealth of information. I live in New Zealand, we simply don’t have the range of bikes available here that there is in North America/Europe, and what we can get is really expensive. My son turns 7 in December and is currently 125cm tall. I’m looking to get him a full squish 24” bike some time next year. We ride a bit of trail and bike park, try not to climb too much but I imagine that may change in future with him getting stronger. I’m currently considering a Rocky Mountain Reaper which is a good price here, just wondering by changing out cranks/wheelset etc how much weight could I realistically shed from it? Another option would be the Norco Fluid which I could get here. Do you have any recommendations between the two and if deciding between these bikes what should I do to drop weight? Cheers!

Both of those are great bikes. The Reapers fork in the 24 is a bit heavier compared to the Norco. For weight savings, everything adds up. Look to light cheap parts on ali express (cold forged stem, carbon bar, carbon railed seat). The big savings often come in a light weight wheel-set/tire combo and of course, the crankset.

Hi Colin, I’m looking to get a 24″ FS for my 7yo over here in Oz. Saw your review of the Polygon D24X and was about to order while there is a great offer @ $2,069 (down from $2300), then came across a cracking price for a Norco Fluid FS 1 @ $2,499 (Normally $3,199). YT, Rocky Mountain, Cube & VPACE are out of the selection as they’re all over the $3,400 and huge delays also. The additional $’s seems worth it for the better kit on the Norco whereas I’d be tempted to spend and upgrade the D24X anyway. However in your review you mention that the Norco is great at downhill and shuttle riding, but not much of a climber due to the geo. As we dont have much shuttle, downhill or flow here in Sydney region, would it make sense to get the Norco and perhaps invest in an angled headset to steepen the HT angle a bit to make it better for the trails and hills? Thanks in advance and keep up the great work/advise/tips and everything else you do on thebikedads! Rob

Hi Rob, It’s more the weight and draggy minnions that hinder the climbing on the Norco for the kids. That said, the polygon also has draggy tires and weighs around the same. The norco is a better spec but they are both great sale prices. I’m not sure what the Sidney area terrain is like but have you looked at hardtails? The weight difference is huge for the 5-7 y/o range 24 inch bikes. With 24 inch full suspension bikes that are going to be climbed, its tough to beat a VPACE or Trailcraft due to their weights. Usually you spend just as much trying to lighten up a 30lb 24 inch F/S.

I’ve bit the bullet and ordered the Norco FS 1 24 at $2,303 AUD (30% down from RRP $3,199). That works out to be $1,995 CAD or $1,450 USD. At that price it was too good to ignore, and a lot cheaper than Trailcraft and VPACE offerings. Trailcraft was going to cost $400 USD alone for shipping, and VPACE has a 7 month lead time.

So all in all that should leave me with some $’s left over to lighten it up a bit and get some Prowheel Charm 140mm cranks for it.

Also thought I’d let you know that I just saw some leaked pics of the new (2023??) Norco FS 1 24. Looks like they’ve addressed the cranks and now it has the 140mm Charm cranks by the look of it, SRAM GS brakes & Rockshox rear shock.

Thanks again for your tips and advice!

hi again Colin, Less than two weeks after buying the Norco FS 1 24, a used Trailcraft Maxwell 24 came up for sale locally, in excellent condition (2021 model, 11s, dropper post, XT brakes, XTR derailleur, carbon bars, 120mm susp, crest mk3 wheel set). So, I sold the Norco for what I paid for it, then bought the Trailcraft for a few hundred $’s more, but at 11.5kg (25.3lbs) even with ‘heavy’ Maxxis Minions this thing looks like it will rip, and I won’t have to spend a cent more to shave any weight off it! So now I am eating humble pie and admitting you were right after I finally followed your advice and went out and spent more but won’t need to upgrade anything. Soon I will have to learn to keep up with the kid! cheers Robert

Xavier is 8 yrs old, 140cm and 33kg.

We just sold his 24” hard trail, it was to much a XC bike , it did have good hydraulic brakes and a Suntour air fork.

Now the thing is that I think a 24” FS would be perfect but for how long ?

that is the most common doubt with fast growing kids.

Should I buy a 24” or go for a bigger bike ?

We have a good opportunity with a Scott ranson 400, and are still looking at the YT , the polygon and the mondraker .

We are from Portugal, a great place to ride.

If any of the “Bike Dads” wants to explore Portugal please go IG @pedalbikeschool or @pedalcenter.pt

We would love show you around!

All the best,

If you can get him on a small fitting 26, something like the RM Reaper of VPACE Mortiz, the bigger wheels would pay dividends.

Hello other bike dad’s…I was playing around in the shop tonight, cleaning and tuning up my daughter’s Marin hawk hill jr, she has been riding it as a 26″ this season and things are going very well…in true dad fashion Imma fix something that’s not broken…out of curiosity I grabbed an older envy 27.5 wheel with a 15×100 front hub and a dhf 2.6 exo Maxx terra…and it fits, with enough clearance on the arch that I think x-fusion uses the same lowers as the 27.5 forks…welp this would work as a dope mullet bike…but to further fix perfection, I grabbed the rear envy (happens to be a 12×142) with a dhf 2.5 exo Maxx terra, and HOT DAMN! It fits! No clearance issues to worry about, this thing just lost almost 2 lbs of unsprung weight!! Hoping to get her on it tomorrow for a test ride. Just FYI

Nice work Dad!

Hi there Dads – if you are in Canada and your budget is sufficient for basically anything aside from the Maxwell, what 24″ FS bike do you choose? Primarily earning your turns, mixed in with a few shuttle or lift days. Soon to be 7 year old girl, tall for her age. She’s strong uphill on her 20″ but a bit tentative going down ATM. Want to get her something that will help get her confidence up.

If you know someone in Europe who will forward you a VPACE mortiz 24, that would be it. Otherwise, the reaper, YT Jeffsy, Polygon, Norco, commencal etc need to go on a diet. That would be Stans Crest Wheelset, 140mm trailcraft alloy or Samox carbon 145mm cranks and the lightest weight crown gem or Rocket Ron 24inch tires you can find. Carbon bar from amazon, alloy cold forged stem from ali express and lightest cassette you can find…then it will equal a Trailcraft or VPACE. Oh, and throw in some Deore/SLX/XT 2 pot brakes…

Hello! Thank you for this site. I have visited frequently over the years. I have a 4’4″ ~55 lb 8 year old (9 in October) who rides mostly trails in Washington, but will probably start riding some lift served stuff in Whitefish also. He currently has a 20″ commencal hardtail. Should I be looking at the 24″ bikes, or try to get him into the 26″ now? I also have a 7 year old boy who will be inheriting his brother’s hand-me-down bikes every step of the way, so not as big of a deal if my older boy is not in the 24″ for long.

IF you can fit him on a bigger wheel size, we would do that. Howvever, the jump from 20 to 26 is massive. The reaper 26 is a nice small fitting 26 and you cna alway buy the 24 inch model and increase to 26 wheels when you can.

Just grab my 8 year old the Polygon Siskiu d24x. Is it worth changing out the included prowheel charm 140 cranks for a light trailcraft ones to save some weight? Or is the weight different isn’t that much to consider? I can’t seem to find the weight of the prowheel charm 140mm anywhere.

I have not weighed them but you could save more changing the tires…I imagine the promax are steel spindle as opposed to Alloy trialcraft. You would likely save around 100-150 grams.

How do you set up your kids suspension on these little bikes? (Sag, rebound etc)

It depends…Its not possible to get it performing like and adult until they hit weights of 120lbs plus. We ignore sag and first look to get the most out of the travel (the O ring is best friend). This results in low air pressures in shock and fork and and the rebound pretty much all the way open. For us the suspension is for big hits (jumps and drops) and we use very low tire pressures for the small bumps (10/12 PSI and under for a 24 inch bike). Its all a compromise, just fiddle with pressures until you get it best. Some forks are really hard to get full travel whereas others you can manage it.

My kid is on lightweight 24” xc hard tail. It’s really allowed her to improve her climbs and stamina over her previous 20” bike. Now what’s holding up our trail rides are descending. She’s intimidated by rock gardens, drops, and big ruts. Should I look at FS for confidence or stay the course with the HT?

You might want to start with higher volume tires at lower pressures to smooth out the ride. Also, enrolling in lessons may be better than a FS at this point as technique is required for drops, rock gardens etc. Its tough balance with kids as they are light and light weight bikes deflect on roots and rocks but you don’t want an unmanageable heavy Full Suspension either if they are just learning proper techniques and they climb.

Lessons sound like a good idea. We’ll be getting a summer pass to a lift service bike park. Probably be riding green trails and progressing into blues. The HT with wider tires should suffice I’m assuming?

Hardtail works as an introduction to lift access bike park. If she is into it and gets body positioning and braking down, pull the trigger on a FS. Have fun!

Great article and video. I’m in the process of looking for my Daughter’s next bike (she’s 8, 4’3.5″ and currently on a Trek Roscoe 20 that I’ve built up). What’s your recommendation for a bike she can grow into for at least a few years?

Are you looking for a full suspension, hard tail or fully rigid bike? And where will she be riding the bike the most?

My 8 year old son is small. Other than the vpace, which is no longer shipping to North America, what would be the next best option.

depends on his height and where you ride most…lift access vs trail riding.

Unfortunately i have never posted a comment on here but really, you guys have done a fantastic job for us parents to show us whats available out there. I have 5 girls that are great riders and the 2 oldest need a 24″ full suspension bike. So I ended up ordering 2 Slater Mobster frames.

As a word of warning to anyone looking at the Slater Mobster, I would recommend flying down and seeing them in person or at least figure out a way to talk to Bj on the phone. Just because he is quick to take your money and slow to respond to emails. Like, 3 -4 weeks and with no proof of shipment and no real information about what is going on with an order. I am still hopeful that they may arrive, however my money is on no.

This is just a word of caution from me, I didn’t want to bring this out in the open but I know how hard it is raising kids and keeping them riding with good gear, and i just dont want anyone else to get taken advantage of.

Hey Bike Dads, you’ve put together a great site – a go to resource for me. Had a chance to try out the Minor Threat yet?

Hi Jeffrey, Have not tried it yet but looks like a good bike park bike albeit a very expensive one. I’de shy away from the 24 inch config if any pedaling involved as it is pretty heavy at 30 lbs ( a lot for the little kids to handle).

Any experience/thoughts with bikes that have flip chip’s when changing tire size from 24 to 26

The problem with the convertible 24/26 bikes is the reach doesn’t change, infact it shortens a couple mm when you put on larger wheels. You also may not have the best crank length when switching. Spawn does it best with the changing both the chain stay length and BB when switching wheels. Our preference is to buy the config which is best for kiddo’s size or look to a non convertible bike which fits best then sell and buy up a size.

Thanks for your support Colin. Very much appreciated.

Is it pretty easy to sell a kid’s full suspension?

So easy! Problem is securing the next size up. These days, you can expect to sell a kids 24 or 26 full sus for 80-85% of its retail value after a year or two.

Thanks again Colin.

I actually found a Mondraker 24. Newer specs, (100mm travel, 50T in the rear). OMG i weighed it and it’s at 24.5 lbs! It’s like 4-5 pounds lighter than his hard tail. He’s loving it!

Thanks again. Would have never known these brands.

In between bikes are no longer needed as seat tube length has come down. My 10 year old rides a small Knolly with Rockshox Zeb suspension. The Trek Fuel EX XS is recommended for riders starting at 137cm.

We see 24’s more for the 6-9 crowd…

We live in Florida, trying to find a RM Realer or Propain convertible 24/26” bike. Any help as to where to get them? Happy to wait for 6 months just having trouble finding anything.

Propain’s should be available through their US site soon. Rocky’s have pre-sold all their 2022 Reapers so you will need to call around to dealers.

Any idea how to get a Propain shipped to Canada? No available option on the German or US website as of July 2021. Alternatively, any experience getting a Trailcraft shipped to Canada? Duty and brokerage fees seem to vary wildly based on online comments on other forums for adult bikes. Thanks.

Trailcraft ships fedex to Canada and its usually just GST and a 60 dollar fedex broker fee. Contact Trailcraft directly, they will be able to give you more info. Propain has North American distribution, best bet would be the US site as they are working on CDN shipping I believe.

I just purchased the Early Rider Hellion X24 for my daughter. Unfortunately, the bike was far from the manufacturer’s description which resulted in a return/refund. Weight without pedals is 12.83kgs / 28.28 lbs. That´s the same weight as YT Jeffsy 24 which is cheaper but has way better shocks. The bike I received was fitted with a Deore derailleur and not the SLX derailleur stated in the spec. Also with an M5100 51T cassette, which I guess should be considered an upgrade, but that huge cassette looked kinda weird on a 24″ wheel.

Interesting, thanks for the update…we have only seen this bike when it was made by Lil Shredder.

I have a specialised camber 24inch bike but it is about 8 years old. Wondered if worthwhile getting a new bike for my daughter with all the new stuff out there. The only ones available in NZ seem To be commencal which and quite heavy and she likes to climb. Would trailcraft ship to New Zealand ?

They do ship worldwide…

I bought a new Marin Rift Zone 24 about a month ago as it was the only 24″ full suspension I could find with in 4 hours of here. It was not my first my first choice as it is kind of big (reach is long 380mm) and heavy (32lbs). We will mostly be riding NorthStar Bike Park and other trails locally that we will shuttle so not a ton of climbing. My kid is a smaller 9 year old at 4ft 4inches and maybe 58lbs. I was able to finally locate a Norco Fluid FS2 24″.

My question is in your opinion is it worth the extra $500 (assuming I am able to sell the Rift Zone for $1600 and buy the Norco for $2100). I’m assuming he will probably grow out of in 1-2 years which I am fine as he has a younger brother who just turned 6.

or should I put the money into Rift Zone like wheels, tires, bars to lighten it up and maybe get it down to 27ish lbs?

Unfortunately kids grow and usually go through a wheelsize every year to year and half. Fortunately, with kids 24 inch FS bikes the money you put in to them you can get out. I would grab the FS 2 as it is a better park/shuttle bike and better suspension. Throw on a stans Crest Wheelset and lighter/shorter cranks and you should get it down to 27 ish. Should be able to get money back when resell as complete or throw original parts on and sell wheelset and cranks separately. We agree, the riftzone with that reach is better in its 26 inch configuration for slightly bigger kids.

Hi Louis, On the Rift Zone, I had one on order but it arrived 3-months after promise date. The bike is really a 26 inch setup with 24″ wheels. Agree it will be a bit big now, but on the plus side it will be good 26″ bike in 18mo to 2-years. Agree though many of these <$2k bikes are way heavy. I ended up buying a used 24" hard tail with Crest wheels and put XT drivetrain/brakes on it.

I just got my son a Marin Rift Zone Jr (formerly Hawk Hill Jr). The handlebars are both heavy and seemingly wide (at least more than he’s used to) at 720mm. I would like to lighten it up with a carbon option and also shorten them up a tad (I think?). Any recommendations? He is 4’4″.

For what its worth to others in the market for this bike, I had to cut the seat post down. The bottom of the seat sits about 4″ above the seat tube with 6″ of the post inserted at its lowest. I plan to get a dropper eventually, but it had to cut it for now. It was way too big for him for an aggressive ride.

Also, the words out of his mouth when he rode it was that it felt heavy. I’ll be looking for options to lighten the whole thing up.

These should do the job. https://amzn.to/3AmGX9B

Any tips on getting the weight down on a Transition Ripcord? What’s the main difference weight wise between something like the VPACE and Trailcraft over most other bikes in this category? it looks like those 2 are the only ones in the 25 lb range, and everything else jumps up to 28+, Is it the frame? or are there a few major components I can swap out to get the 28.8 lb Ripcord closer to 25 lbs? I think I can save 524 grams by going to the stans crest wheelset, but would still need to shave 2+ lbs. Just trying to decide if it’s worth doing anything with the bike or just keeping it as is.

yep, Stans Crest, light weight tires (Rocket Rons), cheap carbon bar will lighten it up. Some 140 mm cranks from Trial craft of Prevelo will help as well. Some Dads have gotten the Ripchord down to 23/24 lbs.

Just about any component is heavy. I am building up the Ripcod right now and I am hoping to be at 25lbs incl. dropper post.

Light wheelset (Crest 24, Novatec 771/772 28 holes on DT Super comp spokes), light crankset and BB, XG1175 cassette, maxxis minios with tubeless, 180g carbon bar, 99g reverse youngster stem, 1700g/ 120mm Manitou Machette fork, Slx brakes, 11s Deore shifter and derailleur (Shimano is not really light but reliable and reasonable price).

Nice find on that stem!

Any first hand experience with the Ripcord? I’m picking one up used, but can’t find much in the way of reviews. I’m curious about how the fork handles light weight riders – the one 2019 I’m getting is equipped with the rockshox 30 silver TK. Any thoughts?

No first hand experience with it but the fork should not be a problem for working but its heavy due to steel. The early ripcords had some Dad’s retuning the rear shock I believe as it was tough to get through its travel with light weight riders but I think they remedied that.

Hello! I am looking for a bike for my 10 year old son, who loves mtb

The Trailcraft Maxwell 24 seems to have a new frame, different specs, and different pricing than what’s on your website and video. Any thoughts or review of the changes?

Slacker at 66 degrees and 20mm more travel. Will be a more stable ride in steeper/faster terrain which is great for all mountain riding. The old model was steeper and less travle which made it really fun at the skills par/dirt jumps (you lose a tad here but pay off for more capable on trails). Phenomenal bike, great resale value.

My 9yo son is starting to get his legs and can handle climbs (1500 vertical is not unheard of), but it’s clear he’s outskilling the Polygon I bought him late last year, because he’s shredding the descents. The hard tail is going to result in a painful marital incident, not to mention the injuries he gets. My wife agrees – “a new bike is cheaper than an ER visit.”

Nearly no inventory that I can find, so blue sky – which bike would you pick? He’s about 50” now.

It its climbing prowess you are after, It’s the Trailcraft, VPACE, and ER Hellion in that order. VPACE is no longer shipping to NA for 2021 however.

Any idea if the VPACE will ship to the USA in summer 2021?

Timelines are June/July but these are still crazy times. Yes they ship to NA…

They no longer ship in the US. Just contacted them. Really disappointed since I had to cancel my order last year due to delivery issues and they promised us a bike for 2021.

hmmmm, this may be new due to demand. No need to ship out of Europe when you can sell everything on continent. We will reach out and see what is up.

My son has outgrown his 20″ Lil Shredder Prodigy. I really like the brand, any thoughts on the 24″ Phenom. We live in the northeast and our riding consists of 80% trail and 20% bike park.

Awesome light weight bike. Trouble is finding them. Early Rider purchased Lil Shredder and now produce the ER hellion 24 FS whish is the 24″Phenom frame…

Just weighed my sons 2021 24” Fluid FS 2 at 28.4 lbs.

Awesome, thx.

Our family has chosen biking to be our bonding time. Ever since I become a dad I knew I wanted to teach my kids to ride bikes and enjoy the outdoors through biking. There has been learning curves to figure out what works and what is best for us as a family as far as bikes go. When I was searching as to what bikes were available for kids and at a price range I could afford I started looking at Norco. The Fluid lineup was fairly new but looked like it would be a good fit for Weston. We anded up getting him the Norco Fluid 24 inch full suspension bike. From the moment he got on it things changed. He knew he was on a big boy bike now. He had always been hesitant on jumping bigger jumps with his hard tail he had been riding before, but it was full send time to him now. The bike has real working suspension and a pedaling platform that also worked really well. I was stoked to say the least. West could pedal anything I could. Trails like the crest were possible for my 8 year old to shred now. Me being a huge fan of Norco because of these little bikes opened a door way for us to start working with Norco as a family. I ended up getting a Norco Range 29 which I love. The bike not only pedals and shreds trail well, but it jumps extremely well. It has become my new bike for shredding I street.

We are debating between the Commencal Clash 24 and YT Jeffsy 24 for our nine year old. He’s saving up his own money, so price is a consideration. He is 4’2″ and 65lbs and a strong trail rider. He wants it mostly for in resort downhill, but we also ride a lot of parks, including our backyard skills park. And we want him to be able to climb and keep up with grown ups. He really thinks he needs the dropper post.

The Commencal clash is a good park bike but it is heavy stock at over 30 lbs. If you plan to climb a lot I would avoid this bike. It will also be heavy for the back yard skills park. The YT is similar geo but a tad lighter at 28 lbs…add a dropper like the clash and you are close to 29 lbs. This seems like you need to figure out where you will be riding most. 90% lift access…either bike will do and you don’t need a dropper ( I would also consider Norco Fluid 24 and Rocky Reaper 26 both with 350mm reach like the Clash, perhaps the Spawn Rokk as well). If its 1/2 lift access, 1/2 trail riding with climbing I would look to a Trailcraft Maxwell 24, Rocky Reaper 26 (if he fits) 24 or VPACE Moritz 26 for his size. 1/3 lift access, 1/3 trail riding, 1/3 jumping in the backyard and skills park…its the Trailcraft Maxwell 24.

i would suggest YT definitely

Thanks for all the help. Now I just have to convince the minister of finance.

That can be a tough sell…good luck 🙂

Sorry one more.

Which xc/trail oriented 24″ has the lowest standover?

The VPACE had lowest standover.

Have you reviewed the YT Jeffsey 24″ yet and how does it compare to VPACE and Norco Fluid.

Have not reviewed the YT but it looks really nice. Not as heavy as Norco but not as light as VPACE. Same head angle as VPACE at 66 degrees I believe. The Norco is very much a descending bike that is really stable and loads of traction due to angles and weight. It is on heavier side if climbing.

VPace and Norco seem to be similar(more travel on the norco and weight).

From Norco website it has a low standover as well how does it compare to VPace?

Is putting the norco on a diet more expensive than starting with a VPace?

How do the two of them compare in the tight twisty trails up/down?

Also, trail recommendations for that age. Looks like you were riding on Thorn hill, suggestions? We just started Leopard/Crinkem on Fromme on 20 inch hardtail.(Vertex with Spawn rims and tires)

VPACE and NORCO very different angles, builds, weights and fit. The Norco is a lager fitting 24 where as the VPACE a small fitting 24. Putting Noroc on diet means new wheelset, tires and perhaps cranks. Bobsled, Roadside Attraction and lower expresso/lower digger via for the kids climbing trail good place to ride with kids. Thornhill is a punty climb but awesome trails for the kids.

We live on the North Shore and do lots of climbing. So need a good technical climber that can bomb single track descents.

Light weight because he is only 45 pounds.

Low standover he is only 4 ft tall.

If you mostly climb on the shore I would look to the VPACE Moritz 24 which will fit him now and the Trail craft Maxwell 24 (he is 3 inches shy of min fit now). These bikes are low over all weight and low rotational weight so climb very well and roll very well. The VPACE is more stable where Trailcraft more nimble due to geometry differences.

Is there a way to find one of these 24″ full suspension used?

try Pinkbike.

Spawn Rokk 24/26 VS Rocky Reaper 24/26 for the Local Squampton trails. Thoughts?

Depends if you climb or shuttle more and what wheel size you will be riding it in… Pay attention to weight, reach, and crank length depending on kiddo’s size and skill level. Both great bikes, slack and more bike park oriented. The Reaper is lighter by a couple pounds whereas the spawn offers Chain stay length and BB adjustment for different wheel configs and we like the 145mm cranks on the 24 inch config.

Any experience with 26″ wheel FS bikes? I can’t find many in shops to check out but I will be looking at a 2019 Giant Trance Jr. tomorrow at an LBS. The price is right and the build looks pretty decent. If sizing is right and fit is good, I’ll probably buy it but I’m a bit leery as I cannot find any reviews of it.

Not yet, our eldest is not even nine yet so 26 has not been on radar until recently…things get muddy here as and adult xs or even kids specific 27.5 can make sense in some cases depending on size of your kid. The value in the trance looks really good. I might question the RS Recon Fork for light weight riders, not sure how that will perform, would have been nice to see the RS Reba on this bike. Other options would be Trailcraft 26, Norco youth 27.5, Rocky Reaper 26/27.5, Spawn Rokk 26. We will try and get a 26/27.5 page up soon with all the options….

Hi. I’m late to the party, but I just picked up a 2020 Kona Process 24 for my kiddo. It’s sweet, but heavy. 31.7 lbs., stock, with pedals. A few lbs. over 50% of my kiddos body weight. The good news is that it would be easy to lighten it up if you have the $. Lot’s of weight in the wheels. Solid bike though, fork is a Manitou Machete for a 26″ wheel, NOT a Machete J-Unit fork. According to Kona, the fork has been tuned for a very lightweight rider. Cranks are 165mm, so be prepared to get something shorter. Thought this info might be helpful as there isn’t a lot of info that I could find while researching kid’s bikes. Now to see if I can get this thing down to the 25-26 lb. range. Wish me luck.

Always fun to tinker…grab some 140 mm cranks from Trailcraft and look to stans crest wheelsets for bringing the weight down….

How much does the Norco Fluid Fs 2 24 2020 weigh?

Not sure FS 2 24 as Norco doesn’t publish weights. Another Dad let us know the FS 1 24 is 30 lbs on his scale.

I believe both version are same weight. I saw no point to go for the “higher” grade lime. It came in 13.4kg with pedals out of the box. Managed to get it down to 11kg with pedals. Custom wheels (Stan’s crest with Bitex hubs, 32h), Maxxis recons 2.2 (tubeless); Vpace kids 135mm cranks, 28t chainring, BB and mini-flat pedals; 10-speed XT derailleur; 2-pot Deore breaks with Ashima brake rotors, carbon bar and saddle ec-90 (good quality china); Rides like a dream I am told. Great geo, dropper that works for 24kg rider and was ridiculously cheap in AU under AUD$2k, which is like EUR1.2 or USD1.5, so had “upgrade” budget.

Nice work! We were thinking a lighter build option and smaller cranks, not so aggressive tires like this was something Norco should look into for this bike, expanding into climbing kids. All in, what this cost you? Great Job!

would love to see some pics and share the build on instagram…send us a DM on Instagram if you are up for it. Cheers.

How is this bike going? I am looking at ordering for my just turned 8 at 129cm for xmas in 6months time. What was the best bang for buck upgrades you did on the bike??

did changing the cranks to 135mm make it harder to climb back up the trails?.

Colin cheers for the site, appreciate it

Good on you for being proactive! Smaller Cranks do effect gain ratio of gears (due to decreased leverage) but its not really a big deal. Benefits far outweigh the decrease in gearing gain ratio. Cranks, Wheelset, handlebar/stem, tires and rear cassette is usually where the extra weight is…

This is great news. I’m in AU too and the Maxwell 24 landed is about $4.5K. The Norco definitely seems like best bang for buck over here and that’s plenty of upgrade budget to play with.

Hey Philip- how much did it cost you to upgrade the n Norco? Looking online Stan’s crest 24 wheelset is $500 US.

Bummer to read in a different post the early rider hellion 24 is heavier than listed. We had a 17” early rider hardtail that was a great bike. Now my son is on a trailcraft 20 that’s been a really good ride but he needs something bigger. He doesn’t climb much but he likes to ride around town for fun. I’m sure he would feel the difference on a 30lb bike.

Rokkusuta vs Yama Jama vs Reaper 24 inch? So hard to choose. Riding Nelson, so lots of tech, but we’re getting some more flow trails…

Depends on age, stamina, climbing or shuttling involved and trails descending. If shuttling the Nelson trails, go for a full suspension. The Yama Jama more versatile if climbing involved and ripping around neighborhood hood or dirt jumping but more limited obviously on tough DH terrain.

Jack Jack wants a new bike and he wants full suspension for Christmas he his age 10 and he really likes this one but do they go on sale

rarely….

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Join our Email List

Subscribe to our mailing list.

Oversize Charges

Some of our large and/or heavy items are subject to additional oversize charges that are separate from standard shipping costs. Most Bikes are subject to this fee. Learn More

OPEN: Mon, Sat 10-5; Tues - Fri 10-6; CLOSED: Sun

• Account Account
• Stores Stores
• Subtotal : $ 0.00 Checkout Cart

Trek Full Suspension MTB Buyer's Guide

Trek offers a wide range of full-suspension mountain bikes built to dominate the toughest terrain. Explore this comprehensive guide to Trek’s XC and enduro racers, downhill models, and versatile trail bikes.

What are Trek Full-Suspension MTBs?

Trek full-suspension mountain bikes include both a front suspension fork and rear shock for ultimate trail capabilities. Extra shock absorption not only makes the ride more comfortable, but also allows riders to have more control over large obstacles. These advantages let mountain bikers carry more speed downhill or through XC race circuits.

If your riding style frequently lands you in the steep-and-chunky, a full-suspension setup is the way to go. And if full-suspension isn’t your thing, you can browse our wide range of Trek bikes available online or in-store.

Trek Supercaliber

Highlights : Front: 100mm, Rear: 60mm, Wheels: 29”, Frame: Carbon, Style: XC

The Supercaliber’s actions speak more than words, winning both the 2021 Olympic and World Championships. This model is the gold standard of high-performance XC bikes and includes enough rear suspension without compromising on speed. The Supercaliber’s secret weapon is the innovative IsoStrut rear shock with 60mm of travel that makes this model stand out from the pack. XC racers beware— this podium-topping bike might give you superpowers..

Forget about the hardtail vs. full-suspension debate. The Supercaliber has 100mm up front and 60mm at the rear for the perfect balance between race pace and shock absorption.

Every model has a lightweight build and Straight Shot downtube to boost stiffness. Knock Block technology prevents frame damage in the event of a crash and the internal cabling stays out of the way.

Racers need to stay hydrated, too. The Supercaliber fits two water bottles in the main frame triangle so you can stay fueled during extended training sessions or long races.

Trek Top Fuel

Highlights : Front: 120mm, Rear: 120mm, Wheels: 29”, Style: XC/Trail

The Top Fuel is a short-travel 29er that hits the sweet spot between trail bike and cross-country racer. This model is ideal for riders that shred the mountain in both directions— the Top Fuel climbs better than a trail bike and outperforms standard XC machines on the rough stuff.

The lightweight full-suspension setup preserves snappy handling so you can go fast with confidence. The updated Top Fuel model is more capable on the downhills than its predecessor and has adjustable geometry via a flip chip. The latest generation comes with Knock Block 2.0 to protect the top tube in the event of a crash— now removable and with a wider turning radius.

The all-new Top Fuel has a 66° head tube angle that's 1.5° slacker than the previous generation and has 10mm more reach, a killer combo for a more stable ride at high speeds. Toggle between High and Low frame geometry settings on the go with the Mino Link.

Pair a rear shock to a standard-travel XC fork and you’ve got an all-mountain beast that stays nimble and efficient. The high anti-squat maintains snappy pedaling for great acceleration on the climbs.

Now all Top Fuel models— both alloy and carbon— come with a built-in storage solution inside the downtube to easily carry tools or snacks. Riders can use the compatible Bontrager BITS tool bag for additional organization.

Trek Fuel EX

Highlights : Front: 150mm, Rear: 140mm, Wheels: 29” (27.5” on XS/S frames), Mixed option, Frame: Carbon or aluminum, Style: Trail

One of Trek’s most popular models, the Fuel EX is a do-it-all-well trail bike that’s designed to go anywhere. The mid-length travel is plenty capable on the rough stuff and isn’t overkill on the more moderate routes. This workhorse is perfect for riders that traverse a variety of terrain and want an all-mountain companion. The Fuel EX runs 29” wheels on the larger frames and has 27.5” hoops on XS and S sizes and the carbon models come with a neat storage compartment in the downtube.

RE:aktiv is Trek’s exclusive rear shock that responds differently to pedal strokes and bumpy terrain to optimize suspension out on the trail. Select Fuel EX models come with the higher-end RE:aktiv Thru Shaft shock.

The Fuel EX comes as a 29er on larger frame sizes and runs 27.5” wheels on XS and S frames. No matter your height, there’s a tuned geometry that’s right for you.

The Active Braking Pivot retains suspension performance under braking and the Mino Link lets riders alter frame geometry with a flick of a switch. Knock Block protects the frame in the case of a crash.

Trek Remedy

Highlights : Front: 160mm, Rear: 150mm, Wheels: 27.5”, Frame: Carbon or aluminum, Style: Enduro/trail

The Remedy is your one-stop-shop when it comes to a long-travel trail bike for aggressive riding. This model is light on its feet thanks to agile 27.5” wheels so you can whip around technical terrain and smash tight corners. There’s no lack of travel here with 160mm at the front and 150mm in the back. The Remedy has similar suspension specs as the 29er Slash, but provides sharper handling that transforms any mountain into a playground. If you’ve got a soft spot for tricky descents, this bike is a sure bet.

Smaller diameter 27.5” rims keep the Remedy nimble, even on the most technical terrain. These hoops and their 2.6” rubber offer zippy handling. Enjoy a more playful feel where you can whip around the trails and take corners like a pro.

Every Remedy model is powered by a SRAM Eagle 1x12 groupset for ultimate trail performance and unprecedented compatibility if you choose to upgrade parts down the road.

Retain suspension performance while braking thanks to Trek’s ABP technology that isolates the chainstays so the rear shock doesn’t stiffen up. You’ll have more traction at those critical moments on steep descents and twisty terrain.

Highlights : Front: 160mm, Rear: 160mm, Wheels: 29”, Style: Enduro/DH

Conquer the wildest terrain with this long-travel 29er enduro bike. The Slash is built for enduro racing, but it’s fearless on the chunkier bumps and jumps of downhill parks, too. Beauty meets beast with this eye-catching MTB with its serious suspension package— 160mm of travel up front and 150mm in the rear. The lively frame is available in carbon or aluminum versions and stays damage-free thanks to Knock Block 2.0 technology.

Engineers from Trek and RockShox collaborated on the enduro-tuned rear suspension that responds to trail inputs rather than rider pedal strokes for more accurate compression on the roughest terrain.

The most recent Slash includes 10mm of extra travel front and rear and improved geometry specs to match. The frame is now longer and slacker for additional stability in steep-and-chunky terrain, even at high speeds.

Every model comes with a full-length downtube guard so riders can transport their bikes on their tailgate without worrying about scratches or frame dings. There’s also an internal frame storage compartment to hide snacks and tools.

Trek Session

Highlights : Front: 190mm (29”) or 200” (27.5”), Rear: 190mm (29”) or 200mm (27.5”), Wheels: 29” (27.5” compatible), Frame: Carbon or aluminum, Style: Downhill

Designed to point downhill, the Trek Session is a world-class 200mm travel bike with the gold medals to prove it. This purebred DH model dominates bike parks and World Cup circuits with the most advanced suspension tech on the market. The high-pivot design and idler pulley provide a smooth, efficient ride over even the gnarliest of obstacles. The Session thrives in lift-services riding areas and on big jumps. With this downhill beast at your side, you’ll smash descents in record time.

The Session’s unique design improves back wheel movement over bumps which results in significantly smoother travel, more traction, and blistering speeds downhill.

The Session comes as a 29er, but riders can swap for 27.5” rims or run a mullet setup depending on their style. The Mino Link allows for on-the-fly progressively adjustment between 20 and 25 percent.

Frame sizes are now based on reach rather than seat tube length for a more accurate representation of ride feel. Chainstay length is also customized to match frame size and achieve a balanced geometry for every rider.

Electric Full Suspension MTB

Trek e-caliber.

Highlights : Lightweight eMTB, Front: 120mm, Rear: 60mm, Wheels: 29”, Motor: Fazua, Style: eMTB Cross-country

Who said electric mountain bikes couldn’t be lightweight? The all-new Trek E-Caliber fits full-suspension and a powerful Fazua motor into a slim setup. The sleek E-Caliber provides extra watts on XC circuits so you can ride longer and close the gap to stronger riders. There are three assist modes to match any conditions and optimize battery range. Big things can come in small packages and this supercharged XC model knows no limits.

The Fazua motor delivers power in different modes to optimize performance based on the terrain and riding style. Use Breeze mode for 100W of assist and longer range, River mode for 210W of assistance, and Rocket mode for 250W of climb-conquering power.

Like the Supercaliber, this bike comes with Trek’s IsoStrut shock for 60mm of travel and pivotless seatstays for ultra-tuned suspension.

At just 4.6kg, the internal motor provides serious pace and 55Nm of torque for getting up the hardest climbs while staying lightweight. Riders can charge or customize mode settings via the FAZUA App.

Trek Powerfly FS

Highlights : Front: 120mm, Rear: 100mm, Wheels: 29” (27.5” on XS/S), Motor: Bosch, Style: eMTB Hybrid/Cross-country

The Powerfly electric mountain bike features serious horsepower and a plush suspension setup to take your adventures to the next level. The trusted Bosch-drive system delivers smooth pedal assist and takes the sting out of the steepest gradients. There’s a battery range of 5 hours on lighter terrain and 3 hours on the rough stuff. The Powerfly is also available as a hardtail for stiffer XC performance.

The Powerfly is built around a top-of-the-line Bosch motor with Nm of torque and pedal assistance up to 20 mph. This renowned drive system combines smooth acceleration with a powerful punch on the trails.

Larger Powerfly frames come with 29” wheels while XS and S sizes run 27.5” for the perfect fit no matter your height. This balanced geometry also features a curved top tube to facilitate standing over the bike.

The smart eMTB mode automatically delivers the right amount of pedal assist and riders can switch to eMTB Lite mode, too. There’s Walk Assist for easy transport off the bike or making it up ramps.

The high-capacity battery fits neatly into the downtube and is easy to remove without tools. There’s still room for a water bottle cage and it fully charges in 3-5 hours.

Trek Fuel EXe

Highlights :  Lightweight eMTB, Front: 150mm, Rear: 140mm, Wheels: 29",  Motor:  TQ 50Nm torque, Style: eMTB Trail

Highlights : Front: 160mm, Rear: 150mm, Wheels: 29”, Motor: Bosch, Style: eMTB Trail/Enduro

Go big or go home. The Trek Rail is a long-travel electric mountain bike that floats over the biggest obstacles and shoots up the climbs with ease. The plush suspension package is a gravity rider’s dream and the Bosch-drive system provides buttery smooth pedal assist. Designed with enduro riders in mind, the Rail feels at home pointing both up and down the mountain. The removable integrated battery keeps you running laps on rowdy trails all day long.

There’s 160mm of travel up front and 150mm at the rear that’s tuned for sending it downhill and pedaling up climbing sections. Its monster truck capabilities soak up the bumps for a more controlled descent.

Ready for another lap? Toggle between pedal assist modes to blast up the mountain and tackle steeper climbs than ever. There’s 85Nm of torque to conquer tough gradients and a top speed of 20 mph.

Large 29” rims come stock on every Rail model regardless of frame size.

Trek Full-Suspension MTB Size Chart

Trek full-suspension mountain bike faqs, is a mountain bike better with full suspension.

Not necessarily— full-suspension bikes are designed for harder-hitting terrain with big bumps and high-speed descents whereas hardtail models ride better on flatter terrain.

Can you ride a full suspension mountain bike on the road?

You can ride a full-suspension Trek mountain bike just about anywhere, but keep in mind that its extra weight and plush amount of travel will slow you down on the road.

Is Trek a good MTB brand?

Yes, Trek is one of the largest bike manufacturers in the world and outfits numerous professional World Tour cycling teams with their innovative bikes and components.

Is a full suspension bike good?

Full-suspension mountain bikes are great choices for riding trails with big obstacles, fast descents, or thrilling jumps. The extra shock absorption keeps the bike under control and allows riders to carry more speed over technical terrain.

Bike A Ton is reader-supported. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Feel free to click away.

How to Choose a Full Suspension Mountain Bike: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Ever found yourself bouncing around on a rocky trail, wishing for a smoother ride? You’re not alone. Picking the right full suspension mountain bike can be a game-changer.

This article is your one-stop guide to making that choice. We’ll dive deep into why full suspension bikes are worth considering, what features to look out for, and how to match a bike to your unique riding style. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, there’s something here for you. So, let’s get rolling!

Why Go for a Full Suspension Mountain Bike?

Benefits over hardtail bikes.

Imagine gliding over rocks and roots like they’re mere pebbles. That’s the magic of a full suspension bike. Unlike hardtails, these beauties have both front and rear shocks. What does that mean for you?

First up, control. Full suspension bikes give you a grip on the trail that hardtails can only dream of. You’ll navigate twists and turns like a pro.

But it’s not just about control. Think about those long rides that leave you sore. Full suspension bikes cushion your body, making those marathon sessions way more comfortable. And let’s not forget traction. With shocks absorbing the bumps, your wheels stay grounded, giving you that extra bit of grip when you need it most.

R ead also: Full Suspension vs Hardtail: Which Mountain Bike is Right for You?

Ideal Use Cases

So, where does a full suspension bike shine the brightest? If you’re into technical trails with lots of obstacles, this is your ride. You’ll tackle rocks, roots, and steep descents like they’re a walk in the park.

Downhill riding? A full suspension bike is your best friend. It’ll eat up those big drops and jumps, letting you focus on the thrill.

And for the enduro racers out there, full suspension is a no-brainer. These bikes are built for the challenges of both uphill and downhill, offering a balanced ride that’s hard to beat.

Key Components to Consider

Alright, let’s get into the nuts and bolts of choosing your dream full suspension mountain bike. There are a few key components that can make or break your ride. Let’s break them down.

Front and Rear Suspension

First things first, the heart of a full suspension bike: the shocks. You’ve got two main types—coil and air shocks. Coil shocks are like that reliable friend who’s always there—consistent and sturdy. Air shocks? They’re the adaptable ones, easy to tune for different terrains.

Now, let’s talk suspension travel. This is how much your shocks can compress and it’s measured in millimeters. For cross-country, you’re looking at around 100-120mm. Trail and enduro bikes might go up to 150mm. The more travel, the rougher terrain you can handle. But remember, more isn’t always better. Too much can make your bike hard to control.

Wheel size is like the shoe size of your bike. The most common sizes are 26-inch, 27.5-inch, and 29-inch. Each has its own vibe.

The 26-inch wheels are the old-school choice. They’re nimble and great for tight trails but might lack in speed. The 27.5-inch wheels are the middle child—balanced and versatile. Then you’ve got the 29ers. These big wheels roll over obstacles like a boss but can be a bit harder to maneuver.

Frame Material

Last but not least, let’s talk frame material. You’ve got three main options: aluminum, carbon fiber, and steel.

Aluminum is the most common. It’s lighter than steel and easier on the wallet than carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is the lightweight champ and offers a smooth ride but can be pricey. Steel? It’s the heaviest but also the most durable.

Each material has its pros and cons, so think about what matters most to you. Is it the lightweight speed of carbon fiber, the durability of steel, or the balanced features of aluminum?

How to Match Your Riding Style

So, you’ve got the basics down. Now, let’s make sure your new full suspension mountain bike is in tune with how you ride. Different styles call for different setups, so let’s dive in.

Cross-Country (XC)

Cross-country riders are all about speed and efficiency. Less is more when it comes to suspension travel. Aim for around 100-120mm. This gives you enough cushion without weighing you down.

Wheel size? Consider going for 29-inch wheels. They’re speedy and roll over obstacles with ease, perfect for those long, winding trails.

Trail Riding

Trail riders, you’re the Jacks and Jills of all trades. You need a bike that’s as versatile as you are. Look for a balanced setup that offers a bit of everything. Suspension travel around 130-150mm is your sweet spot. It’s enough to handle various terrains but not too much to make climbing a chore.

Downhill and Enduro

Alright, adrenaline junkies, this one’s for you. Downhill and enduro riding is all about tackling the toughest terrains and steepest slopes. You’ll need robust suspension, think 160mm or more, to absorb those big hits.

Don’t skimp on the brakes either. You’ll be descending at high speeds, so powerful, reliable brakes are a must. Hydraulic disc brakes are generally the go-to here.

Read also: How To Start Mountain Biking: Guide For Beginners

Budget Considerations

Let’s talk money. A full suspension mountain bike can be an investment, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Knowing where to save and where to splurge can make all the difference.

Entry-Level vs Mid-Range vs High-End Bikes

First off, what’s your budget? Entry-level bikes start around $1,000 to $1,500. They’re solid but might skimp on some features. Mid-range bikes fall between $2,000 to $4,000 and offer a good balance of quality and cost. High-end bikes? Well, the sky’s the limit, but expect to pay $5,000 and up.

Where to Save and Where to Splurge

If you’re on a budget, focus on the essentials. A good frame and suspension system are worth the investment. You can always upgrade components like brakes and wheels later.

Top Brands to Consider

Alright, let’s talk brands. There are plenty of fish in the sea, but some brands have earned their reputation for a reason.

• Trek : Known for versatility and a wide price range. Great for both beginners and pros.
• Specialized : Offers high-performance bikes. A bit on the pricier side but worth it.
• Cannondale : Famous for innovative design and lightweight frames. Ideal for cross-country and trail riding.
• Giant : Offers solid bikes at competitive prices. A good all-rounder.
• Santa Cruz : High-end bikes with top-notch components. If you’re looking to splurge, this is your brand.

Each brand has its own specialties and price ranges, so take your pick based on what you need and how much you’re willing to spend.

• Best Full Suspension Mountain Bikes Under $1000
• Best Budget Full-Suspension Bikes

Where to Buy Your Full Suspension Mountain Bike

So, you’re ready to pull the trigger and buy that dream bike. But where should you go? The experience can be wildly different depending on where you shop.

Online vs In-Store

Buying online is super convenient. You can browse endless options from the comfort of your home. Plus, you might snag some online-exclusive deals. But be cautious. You won’t get to test ride or feel the bike, and returns can be a hassle.

In-store shopping lets you get up close and personal. You can take a test ride, get fitted, and even negotiate prices. The downside? Your local store might not have the broadest selection, especially for niche models.

Pre-Owned Options

Going for a second-hand bike? It’s a great way to save some cash. Just make sure to check the bike thoroughly. Look for signs of wear and tear, especially on the frame and suspension. And always, always take it for a test ride.

Final Thoughts

We’ve covered a lot of ground, haven’t we? From the benefits of full suspension and key components to consider, to matching your riding style and budget considerations. Remember, the perfect bike for you is out there; it just takes a bit of digging to find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely, especially if you’re tackling rough terrains or going for long rides.

Around 130-150mm offers a balanced ride suitable for various terrains.

They offer top-notch components and lighter frames but come at a premium price.

Yes, starting with a basic model and upgrading parts like brakes and wheels is a smart approach.

It can be, as long as you thoroughly inspect the bike and take it for a test ride.

About The Author

Mario Baker

Hey there! We’re Antonnette and Mario, a sister-and-brother tandem who love bikes and biking.

We and our team use our extensive knowledge about bicycles to help you have a great riding experience.

Read more...

Posts You Might Like

5 top hybrid bike handlebars: choose the right one for your ride, best bikepacking bags of 2024, best co2 inflators in 2024, 8 best mountain bike trainers in 2024, best bike brakes in 2024 (buying guide & reviews), 9 best bmx shoes in 2024 (with buying guide), 7 best bike helmet lights for 2024, best exercise bike for bad knees (our top 7 picks), best women’s cycling shoes (2024 buying guide & reviews), best bike baskets in 2024 (tried and tested), how fast can a mountain bike go speed limits & factors, is a bicycle considered a vehicle , bike vs bicycle: understanding the difference, gear cycle vs normal cycle: which one suits your riding style best, how many miles should you bike a day a comprehensive guide for every rider, when and how to safely enter a bike lane, mountain bike tire width: what every rider needs to know, top 5 bmx tricks for beginners to master, the complete guide to speed and agility training: unlock your athletic potential, the ultimate guide to full suspension mountain bike maintenance tips.

Advertisement

Related Posts

Online Returns Policy

FAST SHIPPING

• Urgent Question? WhatsApp us now!
• Click & Collect in 48 hours
• Interest Free Finance

Trek Full Suspension Mountain Bikes

Important Links

Useful links, customer support, opening times.

Please note that many of the links on our site are affiliate links. These are denoted with an *.  By clicking on them, Rascal Rides gets a small commission on any sale.

Best 24 Inch Mountain Bikes For Your Child

Author: Blair Burton

Updated: January 24, 2024

By the time kids reach the 8 to 10 age-range, they are truly becoming capable of putting in some substantial miles on the trail with Mom and Dad. As you know, mountain biking is rough and taxing on the components of bikes and kids need a quality build too.

Below is a comprehensive list of the best 24 inch mountain bikes out there.  However, we’ve grouped them into our “top” favorites including several other bikes that are worthy of your consideration. There are three sub genres of bike: hardtail, full suspension, and budget. Please keep in mind that economic factors are rapidly changing the cycling industry and some items might be losing availability.

As you peruse the weight, price, and build info, you’ll probably notice a  trend. The bigger brands are good at building bikes at an affordable price point, but don’t necessarily consider the bodyweight ratio of a child and their bike. The small boutique brands, on the other hand, are offering lighter frames with components designed to specifically fit little ones but come with a steeper price tag.

If you’re a bike geek, make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see our big comparison chart with specs. We’ve included as many 24 inch bikes as possible to give you all the choices and data.

Also note, these are true 24 inch mountain bikes. If you are looking for a bike for more casual riding, check out or list of 24 inch recreational bikes instead.

Table Of Contents

Top 24 inch kids hard tail mountain bikes.

Let’s start with the hard tails!

Trailcraft Pineridge

With multiple build kits and color options, the Tailcraft Pineridge 24 is a versatile xc ripper for your young ones. Moreover, we would probably select the cheapest full build available. Like any other bike, the higher end components are available…for a price.

At a mere 20.2 pounds (for the lightest build), the Trailcraft Pineridge is one of the lightest xc kids bikes on the market. Trailcraft also offers a titanium version if your little person is SPOILED! Stans Crest MK3 wheels help round out a build with a quality component spec that will leave you drooling and wishing you had one too.

Read Review : Trailcraft Blue Sky 20 (smaller version of the Pineridge)

Price: $1,579.00 – $3,899.00

P revelo Zulu 4

The Prevelo Zulu 4 is an eye-popping hardtail designed for small riders. The bike comes in two versions, a standard build and the Zulu 4 HEIR.

By comparison both versions have a slack geometry design and plenty of plushness up front to allow the mini shredder in your life to not only keep up but remain comfortable and really open up on the trail. Moreover, both the front and rear through axles offer lateral stifness and make for one burley ride. The addition of internal routing allows for a dropper post as well.

This bike is a cross-country ripper with a Shimano drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and in-house components designed to fit kids. The tubeless ready wheels and stout build make for a great all-around mountain bike that your kiddo is sure to enjoy.

Read Review: Prevelo Zulu 3 HEIR (smaller version of the Zulu 4)

Price: $1,049+

Woom Off Air 5

Woom has been in the U.S. market for a few years now and have taken the cruiser crowd by storm. With thoughtful builds that offer both light weight and affordability they are hard to beat.

The Woom Off Air 5 is their entry into kids mountain bikes. With an RST 100mm fork, SRAM drivetrain, Promax hydraulic disc brakes, house components, and Schwalbe Rocket Ron’s, your little ones can cruise with the freshman NICA class and have enough durability in the bike to conquer chunky trails.

Read Review: Woom Off Review

Price: $999

Pello Reyes

There are plenty of reasons to choose a fully rigid bike for your child, but chief amongst them are weight savings and cost savings.  The Pello Reyes has a rigid fork option, but the 60mm air fork will create a comfortable ride.

In addition, a build with tubeless-ready wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, and super compact geometry rounds out a nice package. The bike comes in three colors now, orange, corral, and teal. For the price, it probably can’t be beaten.

Price: $639 / $918

Frog MTB 62

Frog is a British brand with a competitive weight for a competitive price.

The Frog MTB 62 checks all of the boxes with a Shimano drive-train, house branded, 65mm travel fork, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and other house branded parts rounding out the build. Just shy of 25 pounds, this bike is capable of long days in the saddle with mom and dad.

Price: $1099

Spawn Yama Jama 24

Spawn was started as one of the first “kid-specific” brands and quickly branched out with matching componentry. With a reputation known for handling the rigors of North Shore riding in BC, Canada, the Spawn Yama Jama 24 holds true.

A recent redesign to their full suspension frames allows the 20 and 24 inch bikes to run increased wheel sizes. To follow suit, the Yama Jama can now be purchased with 22″ wheels for bigger kiddos not quite ready for 24″ wheels. The Yama Jama is a better bike than ever before with a Rockshox Reba fork, Sram NX drivetrain, Brood (house) brand parts, internal cable routing, and Tektro disc brakes. Sometimes I wish these came in adult sizes! As of this update, these frames are on sale too!

Read Our Review : Spawn Yama Jama

Price: $1,425

Nukeproof Cub Scout 24

With a history founded in mountain biking, Nukeproof is a brand that builds bikes with current geometry specs and does it quite elegantly. I wouldn’t mind owning one of their adult bikes.

The Nukeproof Cub Scout 24 has a thoughtful build with a Manitou J Unit Machete (100 mm) fork, Shimano 10 speed drive train with a wide gearing ratio, WTB rims with Maxxis Minion DHF’s, and Clarks HD disc brakes bring this build right to 25.79 pounds.

Price : $1,399.99

Other 24″ Hardtails to Consider

While these bikes didn’t make our Top 7, they are each worthy of consideration and some of them may be easier to find locally than the Top 7.

Early Rider Seeker 24

These British bikes are absolutely beautiful! A solid component build includes Promax hydraulic disc brakes, Vee Crown Gem tires, and a rigid fork keeping weight down to 21.94 pounds.   

The Early Rider Seeker 24 was designed to help the preteen in your life to get after it on the trail.

Price: $899.99

Commencal Meta HT 24

Commencal makes amazing bikes for kids, and the Meta HT 24 is no exception.  The bike’s fork has 120mm of travel, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, a Sram NX drivetrain, and Maxxis Minion tires.  At 26.67 pounds it’s not THE lightest mountain bike around, but with the build spec it is tough to be beat.

Price: $1,700

Cleary Scout 24

The Cleary Scout is a trail worthy rig thanks to the 80mm air fork, modern geometry, and internal routing for a dropper post. (Dropper not included, however). 

For just over $1,000 this bike offers quite a bit of bang for your buck.  It also happens to look really good.

Read Our Review : Cleary Scout

Price : $1,062.00

Specialized Riprock Expert 24

Much like their Jett series of cruiser bikes, the youth mountain bike line at Specialized has received some much needed upgrades. Gone are the heavy plus tires and a clunky fork that inhibited the bike and rider. Now with a Manitou Machete J-Unit fork (100mm), internal cable routing, Sram brakes and a Sram drivetrain, the Riprock is ready to rip….rocks….and trails in general.

Price: $1199.99

Norco Rampage 1 24

Norco builds a few hard tails for kids, the Fluid and the Rampage, but not many builders create dirt jumpers for kids. The Rampage has sliding dropouts and a single speed setup that screams dirt jumper but that doesn’t have to stop a parent with the know how from converting the frame to a geared trail ripper as well.

Others specs include a Manitou Machete J-Unit fork (100mm), boost frame spacing and and Tektro dics brakes.

Price: $1349

Marin San Quentin 24

With a moniker originating in one of the first hubs of mountain biking, Marin builds quality bikes at affordable prices. A Rockshox Judy fork paired with Shimano brakes and Vee Crown Gem tires provides a reliable, durable hard tail for all of the family adventure out there. There is new information out there indicating that the San Quinten is going to be updated so this model may change soon.

Rocky Mountain Vertex JR 24

With a similar build to many of the big names here, the Rocky Mountain Vertex  also provides a decent build that will be durable and last. An 80mm Suntour fork, Shimano drivetrain, disc brakes and Kenda Amrak rubber make for a fast-rolling bike. Rocky also builds a smaller version of their newly popular Growler hard tail.

Price: $909

Tair Cycles Ripper

A relative new-comer to the kid’s bike market, Tair Cycles has built the ripper as a high end carbon frame that is ready to live up to it’s name. The Ripper can size up wheels from 24″ to 26″ and on to 27.5″ so that the frame can last through a longer life cycle with your growing preteen to teenager. With either a Sram NX, GX, or Shimano XT drivetrain in addition to Shimano XT brakes and a Rockshox Reba SL fork, this ride is ready to rip.

Price: $2,900

Fezzari Lone Peak 24

Fezzari is a small mountain bike company out of northern Utah that has been quickly gaining traction in the direct-to-consumer market. Their bikes have received great reviews and the team behind the brand knows what they are doing and what the current consumer is looking for.

The Lone Peak 24 is a shrunk down version of their adult model of the same moniker. With a Sram SX drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic brakes, an 80mm Suntour XCR fork and several house branded parts this bike is geared and ready to hit the trails. A few cool features like internal cable routing and 2.6 wide Vee Crown Gem tires show the builder’s attention to detail. Fezzari’s Website currently has the bike discounted so this is a great deal.

Price: $797

Rocky Mountain Growler 24

Like many other bikes in this category, the Growler 24 has an aluminium frame with boost spacing and is ready to charge down the trail. Several in house parts dress up the Growler. A Microshift drivetrain and Kenda tires keep this downsized hard tail fast and durable. Shimano brakes provide stopping duties. The tires are sized as 2.6 offering some extra stability and traction as well. Last, a 80mm Suntour XCM fork keeps things soft in the front.

Price: $929

Kona Honzo 24

The Honzo ESD has been a very popular adult model among hard tail afficianados. Though the shrunk down version is not steel, it is still a durable, fun bike. 2.6″ wide tires provide a stable platform to find new depths of traction and an 80mm Suntour fork keeps the ride from being too rough. A Shimano Altus drive train and Tektro brakes keep pricing down but do not stop short on quality or comfort. Several in-house parts round out the build.

Price: $699

Best Budget 24 Inch Hardtails

If you’re on a tight budget, check out these 24 inch mountain bikes. Keep in mind that prices have generally increased within the last few years and we may not have seen an end to those increases either.

Vitus Nucleus 24

Looking for a killer deal? Sit up and pay attention to the Vitus Nucleus 24 . This bike offers a ton of bang for your buck.

The Nucleus offers a Spinner Grind 65mm air-sprung fork, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, and even internal routing for a dropper post should you choose to add one.

Trek Roscoe 24

One of the biggest bike manufacturers in the industry, Trek offers a whole line of kids’ bikes. The Trek Roscoe is their 24″ mountain bike offering.  The bike boasts a quality build at an affordable price point. 

The only bummer is the weight which is a bit on the hefty side for a rigid bike.  Nonetheless, we like the mid- fat tires (2.8 inches) which can be ridden year-round and help add some cushion. The component build includes a Shimano drivetrain and Tektro mechanical disc brakes.

Price: $569.99

Scott Scale 24

Scott sponsors the biggest names on the cross-country race circuit which explains this race-oriented 24 inch bike. The front fork offers 50mm of travel, and Tektro disc brakes provide adequate stopping power.  The aggressive geometry is ideal for young riders, and the bike manages to come in under 26.5 pounds at a decent price.

Price: $729.99

24 Inch Full Suspension Mountain Bikes

Kids today are charging harder, jumping further, and soaring higher than ever before.  More and more ski resorts are scrambling to offer lift-served bike parks during the summer months.  This increase in both accessibility and skill level is causing bike manufacturers everywhere to scramble to make capable full suspension mountain bikes in smaller sizes.

Here are the best 24″ full suspension mountain bikes available.  A few of these are purpose-built DH rigs, most others are more trail-oriented full-suspension bikes that are capable of slaying at the bike park as well.  From budget to anxiety-inducing price-tags, we’ve rounded up them all.

Top 24 Inch Full Suspension Mountain Bikes

Trailcraft maxwell 24.

Trailcraft makes some of our favorite mountain bikes for young riders. The Trailcraft Maxwell 24 is their smallest full-suspension bike and it is rad. Their goal has been “to build the lightest production 24” full suspension trail bike.”

It comes with everything your child will need so you won’t have to upgrade down the road. This includes a dropper post, Stans Crest MK3 wheels, RST Snyper (or Rockshox Reba) 100mm fork and Monarch R 100mm shock.

Read Our Review: Trailcraft Maxwell

Price: $2,499 to $4,899

Early Rider Hellion X24

Early Rider is a mountain bike company specifically for kids — which means their bikes aren’t an afterthought to bigger, more grown up bikes.  Early Rider bought Lil Shredder a few years back and the Lil Shredder Phenom was their 24″ DH/Trail offering. 

The frame design has been carried over and updated with the Early Rider branding. With 120mm of RST front fork travel and a DNM shock out back in addition to a Shimano drivetrain and brake setup, this bike is ready to flow down the trail. There is no doubt, that this burley 24″ machine can handle all the rocks and roots your little rider wants to tackle.

Price : $2,199

Norco Fluid FS 24

The Norco Fluid FS   is more trail oriented but offers plenty of travel to serve dual purpose as a park bike a few days out of the year

The new version of the Fluid is sporting a RockShox Deluxe R out back with 120mm of travel and a Manitou Machete J Unit fork slackening the frame with 145mm of travel. One of the only builds including a dropper post, this bike is ready for long trail days and bike park, freeride frolics!

• Price: $2,499+

Cube Stereo 240

Coming in at 26.67 pounds, the Cube Stereo 240 has a smart build spec that is ready to shred and can easily do so on trail rides and at the bike park. With a full 120mm Manitou suspension build (front and back), Magura brakes, and a stout pair of house built wheels the Stereo is ready to blast the trail volume loud.

Price : € 2,199.00

Transition Ripcord

The Transition Ripcord is a great all-around 24″ bike for kids.  It is light enough for cross-country duty but burly enough to handle downhill runs for little ones.  The 67 degree head angle and 381mm chainstays make a stable, but poppy bike. 

The component build is a mix with a SRAM drivetrain, Shimano brakes, and Stans wheels.  Other parts include lightweight 100mm front and rear Rockshox travel and Maxxis Minion tires. This thing has all the right components, smart geometry design, and offers cross country, trail, and downhill duties for parents who don’t want to spend a fortune on multiple bikes.

Price: $1,899

Spawn Rokk 24

From 12″ to 27.5″ bikes, Spawn offers some of the nicest mountain bikes available for kids.  The Spawn Rokk 24 is a highly-capable full-suspension steed that can convert from 24 inch to 26 inch wheels as your child grows. Take note of the “flip-chip” bolt on the rear of the chainstay. It uses a Horst Link suspension design and Rockshox Deluxe rear shock. 

Other components include Rockshox Revelation fork, SRAM Level T brakes, and SRAM NX drivetrain. Spawn offers the Brood Maxtion 2.3, a beefier tire that’s well worth the investment along with various other Brood parts in the build. With 140mm of travel this is nearly a DH bike for a 9 year old.

Read Review : Spawn Rokkusuta

Price $2,950

Commencal Clash 24

With 145mm of travel, the Commencal Clash 24 is a big travel bike that will provide your budding pre-teen with enough confidence to rage down the descents, but still offer a solid platform for climbing. Let’s be honest, this bike will keep you and your spouse chasing the kiddo up and down every trail!

Although this bike is not a full-on DH design, a modern frame with reach and angle numbers to rival the greatest enduro bikes (with kids sizing in mind of course), a Manitou Machete fork, a durable and functional component spec along with some grippy Schwalbe Big Betty tires provide a solid build that can take beatings from multiple days at the bike park and keep trucking.

Price: $3,400

YT Jeffsy Primus JP 24

Young Talent or YT is a relatively new contender in the mountain bike market. That said, they have had more time with a few more years of production under the belt and they have had some of the worlds best downhill and slopestyle riders under their brand.

The YT Jeffsy is a mid-travel model that quickly became a favorite of several riders and there is no doubt that this scaled down version will offer the same quality of ride for the 24″ sized rider in your life. Coming at 28 pounds with Manitou suspension, Sunringle Duroc wheels, a Sram NX drivetrain and SDG parts spec, this whip is ready to fly sideways down the bike park jump lines. It will also climb reasonably well too!

Price: $2,069.99 or € 1,899.00

Other Full Suspension 24 Inch Bikes to Consider

Chromag minor threat.

There is no doubt, this four-bar trail slayer can do it all. With a full Rockshox suspension build and Sram NX/GX drivetrain the bike is able to be pedaled up the mountain. Once at the top, the Minor Threat is ready to open up and use all of it’s 140/150 mm of travel on the way down. Bike parks, no problem. Trail rides will take some work on the climbs, but if the downs are where your kiddo has the fun, this bike will meet their needs. An Eagle drivetrain, big travel, solid brakes and Chromag parts that round out the build make this a highly coveted machine (I wish I had one).

Price & Where to Buy:

• $3,378 at us.chromagbikes.com

Kona Process 24

You can’t go wrong with the Kona Process 24 . This is a recent upgrade from the previous Kona Stinky 24. The bike offers 100mm of travel, a Manitou Machete fork, in-house components, and Kenda tires. In addition, a Shimano divetrain and brakes round out a solid build making this machine trail ready.

• $2,399 at KonaWorld.com

Vitus Mythique 24

New for 2023, Vitus has released their popular Mythique as both a 24 and 26 inch frame. Vee Tire Flow Snap’s offer an agressive tread that propels the bike forward while the 120mm front and rear travel (Manitou J Unit/ X-Fusion shock) smooth out the trail. Modern geometry with parts that fit their appropriate age group make this ride one dreamy trail bike.

Price and Where to Buy:

• $1999 at Chainreactioncycles.com

Marin Rift Zone Jr

Marin has created their entry into the kid’s market with the Rift Zone Jr . With 120 mm of suspension travel, Vee Flow Snap 24×2.4 tires keeping the bike glued to the dirt, and Shimano MT-201 hydraulic disc brakes keeping speeds in check this bike is ready to charge ahead and keep your kiddo chomping at the bit.

Bike park days sprinkled in with long cross-country descents and adventures will offer years of family enjoyment. In addition, the Rift Zone Jr can upgrade from 24-inch wheels to 26-inch wheels extending the life of the bike much longer.

• $1,799 at MarinBikes.com

Rocky Mountain Reaper

The Rocky Mountain Reaper is touted as a trail bike, but is capable of the occasional day at the bike park thanks to the beefy suspension design (120/130 mm travel front and rear respectively), adjustable geo chip and quality component spec. Rocky also offers models sized for 26 and 27.5 wheels. 

With a component spec that battles any of the big brands, the Reaper is ready to ride any trail and do it with confidence. The travel length for the relevant age group provides a large platform for kids to push the bike deep and have fun. It’s like a mini Slayer!

• $2,239, Find a dealer at Bikes.com

Propain Yuma

With a direct to consumer model and availability soon in the US, the Propain Yuma is a sharp looking bike that I would love to have my son demo. The bike can convert to a 26″ bike, growing with the kiddos as they sprout even further into their lives riding with mom and dad.  The Yuma boasts 140 mm travel with the Manitou Machete J-Unit fork, a Rockshox deluxe rear shock,Sram Guide brakes, Newmen Evolution wheels, and Vee Flow Snap tires. Bikes can also be custom built with varying drivetrains and parts.

With two colors currently offered and the whole sweet of customization, this offering opens up a whole new world of possibilities only provided by Propain and a few other companies. Kids have it pretty good these days.

• $2400 at Propain-Bikes.com

Scott Ransom 600

Scott builds beautiful bikes. More than looks, this rig can roll too. With X Fusion suspension front and back (130 -140 mm), a Syncros parts spec, Kenda Hellcat tires and Shimano brakes and drivetrain, this bike is ready for just about any form of mountain biking you can get your preteen into.

• Scott-Sports.com

Vpace Moritz 24

Vpace is available in the EU and offers some world class mountain bikes. The Moritz 24 is trail oriented, but considering your grom’s pint size, it can serve as an occasional DH rig as well.

The Manitou fork provides the plush front suspension while a 125mm shock does all the work out back. A Sram GX groupset, Magura MT brakes and Schwalbe Rocket Ron tires round out the build. If you can get your hands on one of these your young rider will surely be elated over their new whip.

Mondraker Factor 24

With geometry pushing the boundaries of what is possible, Mondraker was one of the first to build their frames “long, low, and slack”. The Factor 24 follows through with a full suspension frame that is ready to handle all of the trails. An ability to size up to 26 inch wheels and grow with your budding grom ripper aleviates some of the financial worry of a high end kids bike.

X-Fusion suspension with a 100mm of travel keep the bike plush and tracking over all of the rocks and roots. From internal cable routing in the frame to Sram brakes, SDG junior parts, and a Sram SX drivetrain parts have been well thought out and spec’d. Kenda Booster 2.4 tires are wide enough to offer maximum grip and keep the wheels under the bike.

Price: $1980 (On sale as of this update!)

Meekboyz Megabeast

The Meekboyz bikes are about as nice as you can get.  The 24″ Mega Beast is feather-light for a full-squish bike (26.5 lbs), particularly when you consider it comes with a whopping 180mm of travel. 

Meekboyz manages this impressive feat by using a full-carbon frame and top-shelf components.  Of course, you pay for what you get.  In this case, a gulp-worthy $8k+. One thing is certain, the Mega Beast is prepared to go down all the hills with a ferocious appetite for rocks and gnar.

• $8,350 at Meekboyz.com

Slater Mobster

If you are up for the challenge of building up a rad downhill bike, consider the Slater Mobster.  Slater has expanded from a few models to include smaller mountain bikes and dirt jumpers. For 2023 a redesigned Mobster that will be offered as a frame or in a complete build package. The new frame will have a trail setting (130mm) and a “dh” setting, offering 150mm of travel and super slack geometry.

• $2750 (Complete builds) at SlaterBikes.com

Comparison Chart: 24 Inch Mountain Bikes

We’ll admit it–trying to choose between all these bikes is tough.  So many good choices!  Use the comparison chart below to help sort by price, weight, etc. Hopefully it is a helpful tool so you can make the right decision for your child and pocketbook.  Scroll right to see all columns.

How to Choose a 24″ Mountain Bike

Things To Consider When Choosing

Most 24″ mountain bikes are appropriate for kids in the 8 to 11 year old age range.  Of course, this is widely variable depending on the size of the child, and the geometry of the specific bike you are looking at.  The best thing to do is to measure your child’s inseam and compare it to both the stand over height of the mountain bike you are considering and the minimum seat height.  Of course, it is also awesome to be able to demo a bike before buying it to make sure it fits and is comfortable for your child.  Unfortunately, it is harder to find demos and local dealers for kids bikes than it is for adult bikes.

Type of Riding

We’ve divided all the bikes listed here into two categories: either hard tails or full suspension.  The full suspension bikes are true mountain bikes that are intended to ride chunder and provide the support that only a full suspension can whereas, most of the hardtails will be lighter and better suited for general trail riding.   For the select few, there are only a few true downhill bikes offered with 24″ wheels, and they come with a pretty hefty pricetag.  That said, the cost is worth it if you have a child who is serious about downhill riding.

The “hard tail and full suspension” bikes that we have listed are capable of both downhill and trail riding.  This is ideal for most families who will do both trail riding as well as lift-served bike park type riding.  These bikes also have the added benefit of being built for general mountain biking, and saving you the expense of multiple mountain bikes if you plan on doing riding in both disciplines.

The more suspension a mountain bike has the better suited it is going to be for true downhill mountain biking.  Also, the more aggressive your child is, the more important bigger suspension is going to become.  If you plan on using this bike primarily for bike park and shuttle riding, we recommend looking for a mountain bike with AT LEAST 140mm of travel.  There are a couple of these on our list above.  If you plan on doing a bunch of trail riding, with some downhill days thrown in, you might be able to get by with a little less.  In general (but not always), the less travel there is, the lighter the overall build is.

This one should be obvious, yet we see way too many kids out on the trails riding mountain bikes that are WAY too heavy. In fact, many of the bikes on this list weigh more than my mountain bike, and I weigh double what most kids this age weigh. That’s a serious bike weight to body weight ratio issue.

The weight of a downhill mountain bike is far less important than the weight of a cross-country mountain bike.  That said, you shouldn’t discount weight all together.  Kids at this age still do not have the upper-body strength and dexterity of an adult.  Give a kid a bike that is too heavy and they will have trouble maneuvering and jumping the bike.  They will also get tired sooner.  Buy the lightest bike with the most travel that you can afford.

Of course, the lightest bikes on the list are also the most expensive. Try to opt for the lightest bike you can afford.

You’ll thank me when your child is riding faster, having more fun, and complaining less.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes vs Mechanical Disc Brakes vs V-Brakes

We’ve intentionally NOT included any bikes on this list that have v-brakes. I’m sure your mountain bike doesn’t have v-brakes anymore and we don’t think your child’s should either. The benefits of disc brakes are too great, and the price has come down enough that they are reasonably affordable.

The question then comes on whether to choose hydraulic disc brakes or mechanical disc brakes.

The easy answer is to buy a bike with hydraulic disc brakes . They offer better stopping power and are much easier for small hands to pull without experiencing fatigue.

That said, the bikes on this list with hydros are more expensive so this is one area where you can cut some cost. Mechanical disc brakes are also easier to maintain, so if you don’t like working on bikes that’s something to consider.

Still, if you can afford it, go with the hydraulic disc brakes.

Ah, the great tire size debate. For some reason this issue causes more upset than any other, so I’ll prepare myself for the fire that’s sure to come.

We believe the best tire size for kids this age is between 2.1″ and 2.3″ . This provides plenty of traction and volume without adding rotational weight. The biggest issue with plus-sized tires for kids is that they tend to be heavy and as we already established the lighter the bike, the happier the kid.

Still, there are some legit reasons to choose a larger tire. First off, a higher-volume tire is often a better choice than a sub-par suspension fork for creating a plush ride. Second, plus-sized tires create the ability to ride a bike year-round since kids are light enough to ride plus-sized tires even in the snow.

Coil Fork vs. Air Fork vs. Rigid Fork

Again, we come up against budget constraints, but whenever possible, choose a bike with an air-sprung fork. They are lighter and infinitely better performing than a coil fork.

Another option is to choose a mountain bike with a rigid fork. This is a super legit option especially for kids riding mellow or buff trails. A rigid fork saves a ton of weight and might be all your child really needs if they aren’t riding technical trails.

This stuff is less important….unless you’re a serious mountain bike aficionado (like I am). If you’re truly looking for the BEST mountain bike for your child, then don’t forget to pay attention to:

• Frame Geometry — What kind of riding is your child going to be doing? Pick a bike with appropriate geometry. Kids who plan on racing will be best off with a more aggressive design like that on the Trailcraft. If your kiddo is going to be spending most of their time at the bike park, look for slacker geo like that found on the Prevelo Zulu 4 HEIR.
• Internal Routing For a Dropper Post — Want to put a dropper post on your kiddos bike? A dropper can be hugely helpful for quick seat drops before a big downhill. But if you think you might add one, make sure to look for a bike that offers internal routing, because adding a dropper without routing , while possible, is a bit of a pain.
• Tubeless Tires — If it was up to us, every kid’s bike would have tubeless-ready rims and tires. It allows tires to be run at lower pressures for better traction. And nearly eliminates flat tires.
• Thru-Axle – Chances are, your mountain bike has a thru-axle. We think your kids mountain bike should have one too. Compared to a quick-release, a thru-axle provides greater stability and safety.
• Crank Length – The best crank length for kids this age are between 140mm and 150mm. The smaller you child and the shorter their legs, the shorter the optimal crank length. Anything over 150mm I would think twice about.

You Might Also Like:

• The Best Full-Face Mountain Bike Helmets for Kids
• The Best Protective Gear for Kids
• Your Guide To The Best Kids Mountain Bikes

The Rascals are a family of three. Kristen (mom), Blair (dad), and Parker (kiddo). We started Rascal Rides when Parker was born and we didn’t want to give up our passion for biking. As we learned, we shared. Over the years, we’ve tested hundreds of kids bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and more.

Kristen is a USA Cycling certified coach and loves to share her passion for biking with other families. Blair is a bike geek, mechanic, and mountain bike junkie. Parker is our resident tester and inspiration.

If you see us out on the trail, make sure to say hi!

21 thoughts on “Best 24 Inch Mountain Bikes For Your Child”

Great post, thanks for the feedback. I’ll be heading to Utah in about a week, any family day trails (just passing through) you recommend in Salt Lake area?

We love Trailside Bike Park and the Round Valley trails in Park City. Fun for all ages. The Draper Bike Park and corner canyon trails in Draper are family faves as well. You can find them all on Trailforks. Hope you have fun and let me know if you have any questions.

yes, salt lake has some of the best family trails i have been on with my family- Sam Pilgrim

Who in the name of God can afford such as this? Please.

People who are dedicated to MTB and spend several times this on their own bikes. It’s not far off other expensive sports like downhill skiing or high end hockey equipment. These bikes hold value very every well, so people recover a lot of their initial investment on the used market, but yeah, that sticker shock is real.

These are top of the line bikes. The bad news is that these prices are unlikely to go down. But please don’t let this article discourage you, there are plenty of affordable 24 in bikes. And kids looooove riding bikes, any bike…

Well said, thanks Juan.

You should also not discount second hand as an option. Many of the bikes discussed here have been on the market for a number of years. There are many hardly used 24 inch bikes on Ebay. Your little one will in all likelihood only spend a year or two on the bike before going on to 26 or 27.5 inch, and a second hand bike with a few scratches will make no difference to them, but will cost you half the price.

Yes, 100% agree. Buying one of these bikes used makes so much sense.

I picked up a used Kona Stinky 24 in excellent condition for $400 a couple years ago… you can find used full suspension bikes for 500.00 – 750.00 all day long on pinkbike, craigslist, etc.

Where’s the Trailcraft Maxwell in the mix?

Never mind saw it

I’m surprised none of the Nukeproof options are in the mix. The Cub Scout 20, 24 and 26″ bikes seem very competitive with these, at a slightly lower price.

Hi Jason, Thanks for the recommendation! We’ll have to see if we can get one to review.

Thanks, great post! So hard to find a list of proper quality full suspension bikes for our children!

Glad it helped!

we live in rural illinois so we need mountain bikes but, my GOD can we not afford anything on ths list…

Hi Joe, Look at our list of recreational 24 inch bikes instead. Many of those bikes will work very well for rural dirt roads. https://rascalrides.com/24-inch-kids-bikes/

Hi Kristen! I’m between the woom off 5 air and the zulu four (budget around $1000) Which would you recommend for a petite 7 year old (23″ inseam)? She joined a MTB team that meets 3 days a week riding XC trails and regular MTB trails (some uphill climbing on those days). Right now she’s on a woom 4 off and she loves the climbs but struggles a bit on descends (our trails are very rocky and sometimes steep). We’re looking to make the switch in December (when she turns 8) so she can grow a bit more and get stronger for a heavier bike. Has your son tried out the zulu four?

A trail mountain bike is the second lightest among MTB types. Compared to a cross-country bike, a trail bike is an all-purpose MTB that you can use on steep and rough roads. They typically weigh around 13.2kg or 29lbs.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• Mountain Bikes
• Gravel Bikes
• Hybrid Bikes
• Electric Bikes
• Commuter Bikes
• Exercise Bikes
• Women’s Bikes
• Kids’ Bikes
• All Best Bike Brands
• Mountain Bike Brands
• Electric Bike Brands
• Bike Rack Brands
• Brand Review: Rad Power Bikes
• Brand Review: Ride1UP Bikes

Disclaimer: Bikexchange is reader-supported . We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links on our site.

15 Best Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes in 2024 – Top Models in All MTB Disciplines

Image source: cannondale.com

Full-suspension mountain bikes are the go-to for mountain bikers who want the ability to handle anything the trail has to offer. 

Finding the best full-suspension mountain bike is a highly personal endeavor, as riders have individual preferences, body shapes, technical abilities, and trails they use. 

As a result, a bike perfectly suited to one individual may be inappropriate for the next. So, to help you find the right bike as a new rider, consult a more experienced rider or the buying guide at the end of this article. 

This article will review 15 of the best full-suspension mountain bikes for 2024 and finish with a brief guide on choosing the perfect dual-suspension MTB. 

Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike Selection for 2024

1. Pivot Mach 4 SL Ride 2. Ibis Ripmo XT 3. Co-op Cycles DRT 3.3 4. Devinci Django A29 SX 5. Cannondale Jekyll Carbon 1 6. Diamondback Release 29 3 7. Pivot Switchblade 8. Alchemy Bikes Arktos 140 9. Yeti SB140 27.5 LRC 1 10. Orbea Occam H20 LT 11. Santa Cruz Tallboy 5 C R 12. Niner WFO RDO 2-Star 13. Marin Rift Zone Series 14. Juliana Wilder C R TR 15. Santa Cruz Bullit

1. Pivot Mach 4 SL Ride

• MSRP: $6,200
• Frame: Carbon
• Travel : 120mm (f) 100mm (r)
• Tire Size: 29 x 2.2″

Reasons to buy:

• Full carbon frame
• Fast XC tires
• DW-Link suspension platform

Reasons to avoid:

• Slightly heavier than the competition

Pivot is a MTB-specific brand with a range of high-value-for-money models. The Mach 4 SL Ride is their race-ready XC model.

This 29er trail bike has 120mm of travel front and 100mm rear from a Fox Float 34 Performance Step-cast fork and a Performance Float DPS shock. These impressive suspension parts offer plenty of support for riders tackling cross-country races or fast, flowy trail rides.

The groupset comprises a set of Shimano SLX M7100 hydraulic disc brakes with tons of stopping power and an XT/SLX 12-speed drivetrain with a standard 10-51t MTB cassette for climbing steep hills more easily .

The other notable features of this bike are a Fox Transfer Elite dropper seatpost for enhanced descending capability and rapid Maxxis Ardent Race EXO 2.2″ tires that maximize rolling speed for XC riding.

Overall, this bike will suit intermediate and experienced cross-country/trail riders who want to take their rides to the next level.

Buy from Mike's Bikes

2. Ibis Ripmo XT

Best all-rounder trail bike for fast, gnarly trails

• MSRP: $7,299
• Travel: 160mm (f)147mm (r)
• Tire Size: 2.5″
• Capable of enduro riding and days with lots of elevation
• Premium DW-Link suspension platform
• Very fast 
• Tons of grip
• Playful for a 29er
• Too much bike for light trails

The Ibis Ripmo XT is one of the industry’s best high-travel trail mountain bikes. Ibis are masters in designing top-level MTBs , and the Ripmo is a perfect example of their expertise in action, starting from the original version.

The Ripmo uses a Fox Float X2 147mm rear shock paired with a 160mm 38 Factory fork. These parts link with Ibis’ DW-Link suspension platform that simultaneously enhances climbing efficiency and downhill performance. 

This bike handles like a dream at high speeds on rough terrain. However, it maintains a playful edge that helps lend to the do-it-all persona. Ibis chose a high-performance Shimano XT M8100 drivetrain for this build, paired with 10-51t cassette and XT M8120 4-Piston hydraulic discs. 

The wheelset includes underwhelming Ibis S35 aluminum alloy rims and hubs wrapped in Maxxis Assegai 29 x 2.5″ tires on the front and back. The premium carbon frame also has space to run 2.6″ tires should you want to beef up the grip and comfort. 

Other design features that make this bike stand out include the modern progressive geometry that balances stability with an efficient climbing position and the coil shock compatibility for a more supple suspension feel. 

Don’t miss out on the Rimpo XT if you have a big budget and want a fast and fun trail bike with impressive capability all over the mountain. 

Buy from Jenson USA     

3. Co-op Cycles DRT 3.3

The best affordable choice for light trails and XC riding

• MSRP: $3,399
• Frame: Aluminum
• Travel: 140 mm
• Tire Size: 27.5×2.4″ (XS, S) or 29 x 2.4″ (M-XL)
• Progressive sizing 
• Affordable price
• Powerful 4-piston brakes
• Light for the price (33.5lb – M)
• Not enough room for a bottle

REI’s Co-op Cycles is known for its affordable and reliable bicycles across all disciplines. The DRT is their range of MTBs, and the 3.3 is the highest-spec model of the bunch and the best full-suspension mountain bike for beginners. 

The DRT 3.3 has a lightweight 6061 aluminum alloy frame with 140 mm of travel on the front and rear. The suspension includes a RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock and a RockShox 35 Gold RL Debonair fork. This combination performs well for the price range.

The groupset is all Shimano SLX/Deore, consisting of powerful four-piston Deore hydraulic disc brakes and a reliable SLX 12-speed drivetrain with a 10-51t cassette. 

All models of the DRT 3.3 use Co-op’s aluminum double-wall wheels. However, the XS and S models use Maxxis Recon 2.4″ tires on the 27.5″ rims, and the three larger ones use Maxxis Recon 2.4″ tires with 29″ wheels. These are relatively fast-rolling tires with a solid cornering grip. 

The spec of this bike is suited to light to moderate trail riding, perfect for beginners and riders switching from a hardtail. Add the DRT 3.3 to your shortlist if you want a solid performer and you value reliability at a reasonable price. 

Buy from REI

4. Devinci Django A29 SX

Best low-travel trail bike for fast climbing and moderate downhills

• MSRP: $2,999
• Travel: 140mm (f) 120mm (r)
• Tire Size: 29″ x 2.5″
• Split Pivot suspension 
• Powerful brakes
• Lifetime frame warranty
• Slightly heavy

Canadian brand Devinci is an expert in mountain bike design, and the Django A 29 is the premium aluminum build on the Django lineup. 

This short-travel bike is suited to riders who want a fast machine to thunder over bumpy trails and up climbs . The frame is an Optimum G04 aluminum alloy with impressive stiffness-to-weight characteristics, 2.6″ tire clearance, lots of frame protection, and internal cable routing. 

The bike’s suspension includes a 140mm Rockshox Revelation RC fork and a 120mm Deluxe Select+ shock. The Split Pivot suspension linkage enhances these parts by isolating acceleration from braking forces to increase grip and pedaling efficiency.

The Django has modern trail bike geometry that balances stability on technical routes with a natural and balanced climbing position. Additionally, you have a geometry flip chip for on-the-trail adjustments. 

Other notable features include the SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with a 11-50t cassette and SRAM Guide T brakes with 200 mm rotors, and Maxxis Minion DHF/Aggressor 2.5″ tires. 

Consider this premium aluminum trail bike if you want high-end performance at a reasonable price. 

Buy from evo.com

5. Cannondale Jekyll 1

Best for aggressive enduro riding

• MSRP: $6,100
• Travel: 170mm (f) 165mm (r)
• Tire Size: 29 x 2.5″ + 2.4″ 
• Stable and balanced geometry
• Fast on rough terrain
• Proportional Response design 
• Guider pulley stops pedal kickback
• Slightly pricey for the spec

The Cannondale Jekyll 1 is an impressive race-ready enduro bike designed for stability on chunky descents at high speeds.

The Jekyll 1 is one of the best mountain bikes with front and rear suspension you’ll find at this price thanks to the innovative design features.

Cannondale pulled no punches with the Jekyll, incorporating all their top-end frame technologies to deliver a luxurious ride quality. Their Proportional Response design means the suspension is tuned specifically for each size, and the geometry of the bike changes to accommodate different size riders. 

Cannondale Jekyll AL 29 4 Review

Next, the four-bar suspension linkage isolates braking forces from suspension, improving pedaling efficiency and enhancing grip when you need it most. This system means your Fox Float Factory 38 170mm fork and Float Factory X2 165mm shock can perform better than they would individually. 

Another great feature of this bike is the Ai Offset drivetrain which delivers more tire and mud clearance while allowing for a stronger rear wheel.

For the groupset, you have a SRAM NX Eagle with a wide-range 12-speed 10-52t cassette, an X1 crankset, and SRAM Code RSC hydraulic disc brakes with 220/200mm rotors. 

Overall, this is an excellent bike, but it isn’t cheap. Consider the Jekyll 1 if you want a high-performance enduro bike from a big-name brand like Cannondale. 

6. Diamondback Release 29 3

Best for trail rides with lots of climbing and flowing descents

• MSRP: $4,550
• Travel: 140mm (f) 130mm (r)
• Tire Size: 29 x 2.3″
• Fast climber
• SRAM GX Eagle groupset
• Level Link suspension platform enhances performance
• Cables not fully internally routed

The Diamondback Release 3 29er is a mid-travel trail bike with excellent all-rounder characteristics and high-level features. 

Due to the aluminum frame material, Diamondback could choose higher-end components, including a full SRAM GX Eagle groupset with a 12-speed derailleur, 10-50t cassette, and Shimano XT hydraulic discs. 

The suspension system is the most impressive part of this bike. It includes a Fox 34 Performance Float 140mm fork and a Performance Elite Float DPS 130mm shock. These components benefit from Diamondback’s Level Link, which enhances pedaling efficiency, traction, and overall ride quality, making 130mm feel like 140mm. 

The wheels are a slight disappointment for a $4,500 bike. These include proprietary Blanchard alloy 28R rims and hubs wrapped in Minion DHF and DHR 29 x 2.3″ tires. These balanced tires help keep speeds high without sacrificing too much grip. 

All things considered, this is a fast and capable trail bike that suits riders who tackle long days in the saddle with plenty of elevation gain and a variety of trails. 

Buy from Diamondback.com

7. Pivot Switchblade

Best premium do-it-all trail/enduro bike

• MSRP: $6,400
• Travel: 160mm (f) 142mm (r)
• Tire Size: 29 x 2.5″ + 2.4″
• Shimano XT derailleur
• Bottomless feel
• Powerful Shimano SLX 4-piston brakes 
• Super efficient climber

The Pivot Switchblade XT/SLX is one of the most versatile longer travel trail bikes you’ll find, capable of tackling light enduro riding while maintaining smooth and efficient climbing ability. 

Pivot chose a 142 mm Fox Factory Float X shock paired with a 160mm Performance 36 GRIP fork for this build. The DW-Link suspension linkage enhances these components by boosting climbing efficiency and descending performance. 

The Shimano groupset combines premium XT and mid-tier SLX components with SLX four-piston hydraulic disc brakes. The cassette is Shimano’s widest 10-51t 12-speed, providing a massive range for climbing the steepest grades. 

One impressive thing about this bike is the compatibility with 29″, 27.5″, and mixed-wheel setup, giving riders several possibilities based on their favored terrain or the trail conditions. The stock tires are Minion DHF 2.5″ and DHR II EXO+ 2.4″ on DT Swiss M1900 wheels. 

If you have a high budget and you’re looking for an exceptionally versatile trail/enduro bike to crush almost anything that comes your way, the Switchblade could be the bike for you. 

8. Alchemy Bikes Arktos 140

Best Top-Tier Build

• MSRP: from $7,299
• Frame: Carbon 
• Travel: 150mm
• Consistent geometry across sizing
• 27.5″ or 29″ wheel compatibility 
• Lots of frame protection
• High-quality carbon frame

The Alchemy Arktos 140 is a premium trail bike with an award-winning frame and various customization choices available. 

This bike utilizes Alchemy’s Sine Suspension design which is a dual-linkage platform designed to enhance pedaling efficiency as well as traction and control on gnarly descents. The suspension includes a Fox 36 29 Factory Kashima 150mm fork and a Fox Float Factory Kashima shock.

The frame is Alchemy’s most advanced carbon fiber layup . The incredibly stiff frame has a triangulated rear swingarm, oversized suspension linkages, and compact design to enhance durability and improve suspension kinematics.

Like most of their bikes, the Arktos has an impressive build kit for the price, including Industry Nine 29 Enduro-S Hydra rims, a Fox Factory Transfer 175mm dropper, and Maxxis Assegai 2.5″ EXO and Minion DHR 2.4″ EXO tires. Choose between SRAM GX, X01, or Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrains at checkout. 

Overall, the Alchemy Bikes Arktos is a well-balanced trail option that performs well wherever you go thanks to the impressive design and componentry.

Buy from Alchemy Bikes

9. Yeti SB140 27.5 LRC 1

Best value dual suspension mountain bike for racing

• MSRP: $6,600
• Travel: 160mm (f) 140mm (r)
• Tire Size: 27.5 x 2.5″ + 2.4″
• Wicked fast 
• Lightweight carbon frame
• Switch Infinity improves suspension efficiency and support
• Struggles on steep descents

The Yeti SB140 is the brand’s medium-travel trail/cross-country bike designed for racing and huge days on the trails with lots of climbing. 

Yeti chose a 160mm Fox Performance 36 fork paired with a Performance Float X shock and linked by their patented Switch Infinity platform . This system allows Yeti to custom tune the suspension to match the bike’s intended characteristics; speed and agility.

The premium carbon fiber frame has an integrated hanger and axle, Boost dropouts, internal cable routing, and a press fit bottom bracket. Additionally, the geometry is stable and comfortable, thanks to a medium reach, a forward-biased posture, and a low bottom bracket.

This build kit includes an Shimano SLX 12-speed rear derailleur with a 10-51t cassette, a OneUp dropper seatpost (150-210 mm), Shimano SLX four-piston brakes, DT Swiss E1900 rims, and Maxxis Minion DHR 2.4″ and Assegai 2.5″ tires. 

Don’t look past Yeti’s SB140 if you have high ambitions and want a premium bike to help you fulfill them. 

Buy from Jenson USA

10. Orbea Occam H20 LT

Best full suspension mountain bike 2024

• MSRP: $3,999
• Travel: 150 mm
• Tire Size: 29 x 2.5″/2.4″
• Efficient climber
• Lightweight
• Comfortable 
• Balanced and predictable on most trails
• Top-level components
• Slow cornering 

The Orbea Occam H20 LT is the series’s best-selling build, with an eye-watering price matched by the exceptional design and specs . Agile geometry, progressive suspension, and 29er wheels mean this bike can handle all but the gnarliest downhill terrain.

The two-part linkage used on this bike enhances the performance of the individual components as Orbea tuned it to improve control under successive big impacts, making this bike capable of light enduro riding. 

The suspension is 140 mm front and rear, with a Fox Float X Performance 2-Position shock and a Fox 36 Float Performance fork. And you also get a OC MC20 Mountain Control Dropper post.

Orbea chose a full Shimano SLX groupset for buttery-smooth shifting. This setup includes a Shadow Plus derailleur, 10-51t 12-speed cassette, and a Race Face Aeffect 32T crankset.

Other notable features of this trail beast include the elite-level Maxxis Dissector and Minion 2.5″/2.4″ tires, Fizik Taiga S-Alloy Rail saddle, and Race Face AR 30c TLR rims. 

All things considered, this is a world-class trail bike with the price tag to match; consider it if you’ve got a high budget and want the best of the best. 

11. Santa Cruz Tallboy 5 C R

Best low-travel trail bike for downhill riding

• MSRP: $4,799
• Travel: 130mm (f) 120mm (r)
• Tire Size: 29 x 2.4″
• Suspension overperforms its rated travel
• Stable and predictable on descents
• Narrow tires

The Santa Cruz Tallboy 5 C R is a low-suspension travel trail 29er and the more expensive of the two aluminum models on the Tallboy lineup.

This bike is one of the most capable bikes in this category for downhill riding. Santa Cruz tunes the lower-link VPP suspension to deliver maximum support on chunky terrain , which is seen on its other models as well, such as the Blur. 

For a low-travel XC/trail bike, the Tallboy doesn’t ascend as well on technical terrain but can thunder up smoother climbs with relative ease. The suspension components include a 120mm Fox Float Performance DPS rear shock and a 130mm RockShox Pike Base fork. 

The groupset is SRAM NX Eagle with Guide T four-piston hydraulic disc brakes, which is typical for this price range, providing reliable performance. Additionally, Santa Cruz chose a Maxxis Dissector and Rekon 2.4″ for tires. However, the bike has clearance for 2.6″ tires. 

If you want the general characteristics of a low-travel aluminum trail bike that can ride on rougher downhill terrain from time to time, then look no further than the Santa Cruz Tallboy 5 C R. 

12. Niner WFO RDO 2-Star

Best for aggressive trail riding and XC racing

• MSRP: $5,449
• Travel: 180mm (f) 170mm (r)
• Tire Size: 29 x 2.6″
• Carbon fiber frameset
• Highly capable descender
• Balanced geometry
• Slightly underwhelming wheelset

The Niner WFO RDO 2-Star is an enduro 29er that handles aggressive riding and is surprisingly steady on rough downhill terrain. 

This trail bike comes at a premium price but easily justifies it with high-end components and innovative engineering.

The groupset is a full SRAM SX Eagle setup with SRAM G2 R Hydraulic Disc brakes, an 11-50t cassette, and a 32T crankset. In addition, the WFO RDO 2-Star impresses with a KS Lev Si Dropper Post that is always a welcome sight on enduro bikes.

The combination of a Fox 38 Float Performance GRIP EVOL fork and Fox Float X2 Performance EVOL shock is enhanced by Niner’s CVA (Constant Varying Arc) linkage. This system is stable and efficient while pedaling and highly supportive when tackling chunky terrain, making long days on the trail feel well within reach. 

The wheelset chosen includes Niner Alloy 30mm wheels and Schwalbe Magic Mary/Hans Dampf 2.6″ tires. Unfortunately, this wheelset is a little disappointing for an almost $6,000 bike. 

Niner chose predictable trail geometry with a longer, lower, and slacker setup that inspires confidence on descents without sacrificing comfort on climbs. 

This is a solid choice for trail riders who lean toward more aggressive riding. Add the WFO RDO 2-Star to your shortlist if you have a big budget. 

13. Marin Rift Zone Series

Best entry-level full suspension mountain bike

• MSRP: $1,899 – $4,859
• Frame: Aluminum or Carbon/Aluminum mix
• Travel: 130mm (f) 125mm (r)
• Tire Size: 27.5 x 2.35″ or 29 x 2.5″ 
• Excellent value 
• Tubeless-ready 
• Fast going uphill
• Efficient bike for long rides
• Off-brand crankset 
• Minimal frame protection

The Marin Rift Zone is the brand’s flagship full-suspension mountain bike. It falls neatly into the low-travel trail category, optimized for speed on climbs and flowy descents . This series includes the best full suspension mountain bike under $2000.

The low rear travel means the Rift Zone is efficient going uphill, at the loss of a bit of traction when tackling rough climbs. The slightly less forgiving suspension encourages fast, standing efforts up steep sections to stay as stable as possible. 

While descending, the Rift Zone is perfectly comfortable on light to moderate trails. As a trail and cross-country mix, this bike will be twitchy and lose traction on heavy, chunky downhill sections. However, it holds speed excellently on XC trails. 

Marin offers a 27.5-inch and 29er version of the Rift Zone, meaning you can select for maneuverability and acceleration or speed and roll-over ability from your wheel choice. 

If you’re a rider who loves flowy trail days with plenty of ups and downs, this efficient XC bike pedals like a dream. In addition, the range of affordable builds means you can choose the Rift Zone as your first full-suspension mountain bike. 

14. Juliana Wilder C R TR

Best women’s XC bike with trail capability

• MSRP: $4,899
• Travel: 120mm (f) 115mm (r)
• Lifetime frame warranty 
• Space for two bottles
• Women-specific build kit
• Lightweight and stiff build (28lbs)
• Rekon tires don’t offer enough grip

The Juliana Wilder C R TR is the more capable big sister to the regular model, featuring extra travel and a more robust build. It’s our pick for the best full-suspension mountain bike for the money. 

Juliana designed the Wilder to be a featherweight ripper, balancing the capability for fast cross-country riding and mixed trail riding . The frame is Santa Cruz’s Carbon C with excellent stiffness-to-weight characteristics, complementing this bike’s character. In addition, it has slack and long geometry for an XC bike, improving stability and handling on rougher trails. 

The Wilder C R TR build suspension components include a RockShox SID RL 120mm fork and a 115mm Float Performance DPS shock. These join by a single pivot Superlight platform that enhances rear-wheel traction and sensitivity on climbs and descents while improving overall pedaling efficiency. 

Other notable features include the proportional chainstay geometry for consistent qualities across disciplines, Maxxis Rekon 2.4″ tires, and an SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain with an 11-50t cassette.

Consider Juliana’s Wilder if you’re a woman who loves fast XC riding and tackling flowy trail days with plenty of climbing. 

15. Santa Cruz Bullit

Best full suspension electric mountain bike

• MSRP: $9,049
• Travel: 170mm
• Tire Size: 29 x 2.5″ + 27.5″ x 2.4″ (mullet)
• Plush and supportive suspension in any situation
• Relatively lightweight for an enduro e-bike
• Sleek integrated cabling and electronics
• Powerful motor
• Limited range
• Battery level reads in 20% blocks

The Santa Cruz Bullit is a mixed-wheel enduro electric mountain bike with almost unlimited capability but an eye-watering price to match. 

The 170mm of front and rear travel comes from a RockShox Super Deluxe Select shock and a ZEB fork. To enhance the monstrous ability of this bike, you have DoubleDown tire reinforcement on a 2.5″ Assegai front tire and a 2.4″ Minion DHR II rear tire. The wheelset comprises WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims with SRAM MTH hubs to handle repeated jumps on an almost 50lb bike. 

SRAM provides an NX Eagle drivetrain with an 11-50t cassette and Guide RE brakes. These brakes come with appropriately massive 220/200mm rotors to help keep you safe on the trail, which is especially important with electric mountain bikes. 

The electronics are Shimano’s high-end STEPS EP8 mid-drive motor with 85Nm of torque and 400% assistance from four modes. The battery is a 630Wh unit that provides a modest amount of juice. 

Overall, this is the best electric mountain bike for the money that would be a joy for any enduro rider who wants the thrills of rough descents without the strain of uphills. 

All You Need to Know About the Best Full Suspension Mountain Bikes

As we stated in the introduction, choosing the best full-suspension mountain bike isn’t as simple as picking the best components. Mountain biking trails and dual-suspension bikes vary so greatly that it’s essential to know what you’re looking for before starting to search. 

The following section will cover some of the most important things to consider when choosing. Remember, you can purchase a bike that almost fits your requirements and make changes to the build kit to enhance or modify performance. 

The Type of Riding You Do and Your Technical Abilities

The type of trails and terrain you intend on riding is the most important consideration when choosing a full-suspension mountain bike. Selecting a model that doesn’t leave you feeling under or over-biked is crucial. 

Dual-suspension bikes fall into five broad categories that match the difficulty and characteristics of the trails. Of course, your technical mountain biking skills should also influence your decision. For example, if you’re a beginner to intermediate rider, you may want a slightly higher travel bike that will be more forgiving and make challenging trails feel easier. 

Cross-country (XC): 100-120mm travel

Cross-country bikes are built for efficiency and speed on long rides. XC racing demands efficient and lightweight climbers with enough capability to handle moderately bumpy trails.

Beginners should avoid XC bikes as they aren’t very forgiving and require a high level of proficiency. Juliana’s Wilder is an example of a wicked fast and lightweight XC bike. 

Trail/Cross-country: 120-140mm travel

Low to mid-travel trail/XC bikes are more capable and stable on chunky, technical trails while maintaining excellent pedaling efficiency for long rides with lots of elevation gain.

These bikes have less of a focus on keeping the weight low, instead favoring comfort, stability, and traction . The Orbea Occam typifies an all-rounder trail mid-travel trail bike. 

High-Travel Trail/Light Enduro: 140-160mm travel

The high travel trail category is a popular bike as it hits the sweet spot of efficiency and descending capability for many riders. These bikes open up most trails without completely swallowing climbing ability.

High-travel trail bikes are capable on all but the most extreme terrain but require technical proficiency when venturing onto gravity trails. The Pivot Switchblade is an excellent example of this style. 

Enduro: 160-180mm travel

Enduro bikes are the most downhill-capable bikes that you also use for riding uphill. The category arose from enduro-style racing, which records rider times on descents and not on the uphill sections.

This means manufacturers can maximize descending capability without worrying about pedaling efficiency and weight for climbing. These bikes can handle the roughest terrain but are overkill for someone who mostly rides light trails. Cannondale’s Jekyll is a solid enduro choice. 

Downhill: 180-200mm travel

Downhill bikes are built for one purpose; descending. These heavy-duty bikes are ultra-capable on the world’s gnarliest trails and bike parks. However, you better not plan to ride uphill on a DH bike. Instead, count on taking a shuttle or a lift back to the top. This article doesn’t include any DH-specific bikes, but the Santa Cruz V10 is a prime example. 

You may also like…

• Best Short-Travel Dual-Suspension Mountain Bikes
• Best Trail & All-Mountain Bikes
• Best Downhill Mountain Bikes
• Best Dual-Suspension Mountain Bikes Under $4,000
• Best Dual-Suspension Mountain Bikes Under $3,000

Which Wheels Should I Choose?

Wheels have a massive impact on how a MTB rides. Variable like wheel size, material, and design influence the ride feel. For example, you can choose a bike with 26″, 27.5″, or 29″ wheels, each of which has different characteristics.

The bigger a wheel is, the more speed it can gain and maintain. In addition, you get more traction and stability on larger wheels. In contrast, smaller wheels accelerate faster, are more maneuverable, and are lighter.

Steel, aluminum, and carbon wheels also have different properties, carbon being the lightest and stiffest but also the most expensive. On the other hand, aluminum wheels are cheaper but aren’t as light or stiff.

Finally, rim width is another consideration. Wider rims allow you to run wider tires or get more traction from your current tires. 

Which Tires Should I Choose?

Tires are the most influential component that you can change quickly and easily. Riders can choose different widths, tread depths and patterns, material thicknesses and characteristics, and between tubeless and tubed tires (if the wheels are tubeless-ready).

Tubeless tires are more puncture-resistant, can run lower PSIs for more traction and comfort, and are self-repairing. We also have a detailed tubeless tires guide you can read.

Lightweight tires are more susceptible to punctures but provide better ride characteristics and reduce weight. In contrast, heavier tires are more durable.

You can also choose tires that roll faster but offer less grip or super grippy tires that create more rolling resistance. However, too little traction will require you to ride slower to stay upright, so finding the sweet spot is essential.

Finally, the width of a tire changes the level of traction, comfort, and rolling speed. Narrower tires are lighter and faster but offer less traction and aren’t as comfortable. 

Frame Materials Explained

Almost all full-suspension mountain bicycles are carbon fiber or aluminum. Carbon is undoubtedly the best frame material if the price isn’t an issue. Well-manufactured carbon is super light, stiff, and strong, offering unbeatable ride characteristics. On the other hand, aluminum is much cheaper and reasonably light, strong, and stiff. 

There is also a limited number of steel and titanium bikes on the market. Steel is cheap, strong, durable, and compliant but is very heavy. Titanium packs similar characteristics and is lighter, but it costs more.  

It’s worth noting that a high-end aluminum frame with excellent components (like the Diamondback Release 3) will likely be cheaper and ride better than a decent carbon frame with low to mid-level parts. 

Sizing and Geometry

When searching for a full-suspension mountain bike, we recommend trying out a range of bikes in your size at a bike shop to find one that suits your body and riding style. As with any bike, the geometry is highly individual and will impact how you feel when riding in terms of comfort and stability.

Once you become familiar with a bike you like, you can use its geometry to compare it when shopping for a new one. Additionally, you can change stem length, saddle position and height, and handlebar width and rise to personalize a bike’s geometry to your body. 

Some bikes even have flip chips and adjustable geometry that lets you change the handling and overall performance on the go.

What is the best type of full-suspension mountain bike?

Do i really need a full-suspension mountain bike, what is the lightest full-suspension mountain bike, what is the most popular mtb bike brand, what mountain bike has the best suspension, is a mountain bike better with full suspension, is it worth getting a full suspension bike, what is the average price of a full suspension mountain bike, how much should i spend on my first full suspension mountain bike, are full-suspension bikes more comfortable, share this on:.

About the Author

Jordan Grimes

Best full-suspension mountain bikes 2024 – we put the top XC, downcountry, and trail MTBs to the test

Which full-suspension mountain bikes are the pick of bunch for XC, downcountry, and trail riding? We've tested the best full-suspension machines for whatever you ride

Best full-suspension trail bikes

1. best aggro trail all-rounder, 2. best for trail riding fun, 3. best for suspension performance, 4. best for trail agility, 5. best steel full-suspension trail bike, best full-suspension xc bikes, 6. best for racing, 7. best for rowdy cross-country courses, 8. best for cutting edge xc tech, 9. best for marathon racing, best full-suspension downcountry bikes, 10. best value downcountry bike, 11. best for downcountry racing, 12. best for aggressive downcountry riding.

• Full-suspension bikes explained

With technology and design around suspension linkages and frame design constantly being refined, the best full-suspension mountain bikes have taken over all disciplines of mountain biking.  

No longer reserved for gravity-orientated riders, we're seeing everyone from trail to XC riders adopting the best full-suspension mountain bikes as they offer a wealth of advantages including more traction, added comfort, and confidence when riding rough terrain.

Keep reading to find out our pick of the best full-suspension mountain bikes for three categories – cross-country , downcountry , and trail riding .

While these are the best full-suspension mountain bikes, you don't need to spend loads of money to get a great full-sus bike. If you are looking for great value bikes check out our best budget full-suspension bike guide.

Best full-suspension mountain bikes

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We'll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

As the way most of us ride and the places we go to get our fix have become increasingly extreme, trail bikes have been getting more confident, controlled and tougher. That inevitably means they've got heavier too, but as most of them pedal so well it doesn't matter. I've tested a ton of properly awesome all-round trail bikes in the past year too, which makes picking a top five hard. I reckon you can't go far wrong with any of these options though.

Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Comp

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If you want to read a more sensible account of why the  Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Comp  is brilliant you should read my full review. But while I'm chained to a desk following an injury, here are some Stumpjumper Evo vibe vectors you might not find elsewhere.

Yes, there is an alloy bike and it's really good for all the same geometry adjust, plush suspension, and 'lovable like a labrador' reasons as the carbon one is. It's a win if you don't trust carbon either. It is a lot heavier though and you get both a hop up from SRAM NX to GX  and  the carbon frame for not much extra cash on the Comp. There's no storage either.

What makes the carbon Evo stand out though? The fact you can play around with the geometry in several ways just with an Allen key and a few trailside minutes is brilliant. You can produce some properly radical results with it too, rather than just correcting the numbers from outdated to OK like some bikes. 

Specialized started the internal storage revolution and they still do it better than anyone else – I certainly haven't been able to fit three full-size sausage rolls into any other bikes. The whole bike from grips to tires is sorted as well and while they don't officially offer a lifetime warranty, Specialized customer service is ridiculously good. 

While not everyone agrees with me, I reckon the Evo pedals better than the standard shorter travel Stumpjumper too. It's still a bit soggier in feel than the stiffest bikes in the category, but then FSR suspension always has been and you never have to worry about climbing traction on it.

Most of all though it's just a really fun, forgiving, and friendly bike to ride on every ride. Maybe not the sharpest or showiest, but one that'll show you a damn good time every time. It'll generally bring you home less battered afterwards too, so you're fresh to go again the next day. The fact it's still in my workshop as a go-to benchmark months after I posted the review is a big thumbs up too.

Check out our full review of the  Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Comp .

Canyon Spectral 29 CF 8

I've gone for Canyon Spectral 29 CF 8, but to be honest, any of the massive Spectral family could have made the 'best full-suspension bike' cut. That's because the fundamentals of really well-designed and detailed frames, totally sorted progressive geometry, and impeccably neutral four-bar suspension all loaded with killer value specs are the same throughout the range.

Having ridden the standard carbon frame in two different spec formats the significantly lower weight (lower than a lot of so-called 'downcountry' bikes) makes it worth stretching your wallet for. From what I've heard, the alloy bikes are still really well sorted though and at the price they start they're pretty much unbeatable in terms of ride and features.

As well as a huge range of price points – from Shimano entry-level to SRAM Flight Attendant auto suspension – there are different wheel, frame and travel options under the broader Spectral umbrella too. The mullet wheel, coil-shock bike is perfect if you've got hero corners to slash. The shorter travel  Spectral 125  is great for those who want more pop than plush too. You're not gaining any advantages in terms of weight though so the  fancy frame CFR option  is the win if you've got the cash for a proper, premium trail racer. 

Even that's a comparative super bargain though, but don't forget a lot of that money is saved by skipping the expensive shop bit and sending you your Spectral in a box. Just like everything else Canyon, it's a nicely designed box though. 

For more, see our full  Canyon Spectral 29 CF 8 review .

Santa Cruz Hightower V3

Santa Cruz's latest Hightower is longer, slacker in the head, steeper in the seat and comes with internal storage where you can keep the  massive sense of totally predictable progression.

Yes, as a cynical old sod, I wasn't expecting to be that blown away by the new version of Santa Cruz's 29er all-rounder. Mainly because the old one was already my benchmark of how good a mid-travel (150mm front/145mm rear) 29er could feel. And like most other evolution models from most other brands, I didn't think a door to a secret store was really worth more weight and a £1000 price hike.

"Ha," said Santa Cruz and immediately set about making me look like one of those reviewers who doesn't bother to weigh things or think of the consequences and realities of paying nearly 10k for a "push bike". The fractionally shifted, smaller pivot kinematic of the VPP suspension whispered sweet nothings in my ear. I'm not going to go into how the new RockShox Super Deluxe shock produced an ecstatic "oh yes" from me, but I can tell you every click of that spring-detented, low-speed compression dial does something really special.  

The slightly altered handling told me how incredible I was every time I held off the brakes a little bit longer or tipped the bars into corners a bit deeper. The boxier carbon frame, perfectly shaped Santa Cruz bars and bulge-reinforced Reserve carbon rims told me their no-quibble lifetime warranty didn't matter because the way they rode made me feel invincible anyway.

And when I clicked the sweetly over-engineered catch on that internal storage it wasn't just like opening the door on a top-spec German whip. It was like I was important enough for someone to be opening my car door for me.

So, whether you get it from these utterings or you still need to read the  full Santa Cruz Hightower V3 review , if you've got a pile of cash or a robust lack of financial responsibility, the Hightower is the 'super trail' all-rounder to beat right now.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR

Mondraker brought the super short stem, long reach stability geometry revolution to the mainstream with their Forward Geometry bikes. The Raze is their latest expression of that rebellious responsiveness with a super lively lightweight carbon frame and 150mm front, 130mm suspension split.

What sounds like a wonky amount of travel works well to encourage you to attack with the front wheel as much as possible. That's because it's when the Raze geometry is at its best and Mondraker even fits a reinforced front tire but not a rear one to reinforce the point.

The stunningly looking slimline frame not only looks fast standing still. It feeds into the 'grab the trail by the throat' vibe with a sinewy, feel that snakes and swerves through trouble while laying down awesome traction. The race-honed Zero suspension gets extra setup assistance via the wireless MIND travel tracking sensors front and rear too. That makes the Raze RR a live wire both technically and in terms of ride character. And while not everyone will need that level of tech or want that much in your face, synapse reactive responsiveness deserves a shout-out as something special.

Guy had this to say about the Raze's handling when he reviewed it, "despite so many bikes following much of Mondraker's pioneering geometry lead, it has managed to keep its signature ride character deliciously distinctive. The light, lithe, perfectly imbalanced suspension of the Raze RR makes it a proper ‘chef’s special’ in terms of accentuating that agility and inherent ‘skill gifting’ to the maximum." 

For more, check out our full  Mondraker Raze Carbon RR review .

Cotic Jeht 2

You're probably not surprised to see carbon bikes from a string of mega brands filling this best-of-guide. Steel from a small outfit near Sheffield UK though? Really?

And yes, the ferrous alloy is heavier than fiber composites by an average of a kilo for same-category bikes. You won't get the same stiffness as a big box frame and it doesn't scream 'Look how much I've spent on all this tech' either. The carefully curated steel tubes of Cotic's mid-travel trail machine add a subtle spring and flow that's almost impossible to weave into a composite, shape into an alloy tube, or dial into a damper though. Ovalisation and oversizing where it matters still means the Jeht 2 can place its front wheel perfectly and drive its rear wheel powerfully too. The latest Longshot geometry is confidence-boosting without killing the visceral, responsive vibe of the frame. 

A whole range of build specs and rolling chassis options offer surprisingly good value for a small company and Cy and his team will work with you to create any custom of partial build solutions you want too.

Guy has spent a load of time on the previous Jeht and was even more impressed by the latest Jeht 2. "Its notably quiet and damped vibe underlines how hard you can push the latest Jeht on the most challenging trails and it’s certainly got the chops to go head-to-head with the most hardcore bikes in any material now."

For more, see our full  Cotic Jeht 2 review .

The top racers in the world used to all ride hardtails for minimum weight, but tougher courses mean the fastest riders are now choosing the best full-suspension bikes instead. 

The great news is that it’s creating some really versatile high-velocity, short-travel machines that are as happy raving on your favorite singletrack as they are ripping up the race track. But which are the winning machines and what do you need to know to work out which is the best bike for you?

Santa Cruz Blur CC X01 AXS RSV

Santa Cruz hasn't had a proper podium-focused full suspension XC race bike in their lineup for years but the fourth-generation  Santa Cruz Blur  impressed me so much that I awarded it five stars in my full review. 

For the new Blur, Santa Cruz strived to combine XCO-race-worthy speed with the brand's signature handling that can be found on its range of popular trail bikes. New to the frame is a flex in the seat stay as well as a new suspension design that diverges from the brand's usual VPP setup. The suspension features 100mm front and rear, and there is a 120mm TR version of the bike available too. 

RockShox SID suspension front and rear are combined with SRAM's X01 Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain along with SRAM Level RSC brakes. Lightweight carbon rims are specced from Santa Cruz's in-house wheel brand Reserve and a 100mm Fox Transfer SL dropper post is also specced. Despite being seriously light you still get a full lifetime warranty on the frame, rims, bearings, and handlebars and no weight restriction either.

It's the effortless acceleration, effervescent flow and fun of the Blur that made it a favorite of our testers though, both on the race track and off.

Scott Spark Team Issue AXS

The Scott Spark is by far the most successful cross-country race bike of the last decade, and the latest model is faster, more controlled, and uniquely sleek looking too. 

The most obvious change is that Scott has hidden the rear shock inside the frame so that it's not exposed to the elements. The brand has also bumped up the rear suspension travel to 120mm on all Spark models, not just the downcountry/trail ones. The already progressive, control-boosting geometry can also be made a degree slacker in just a couple of minutes on the trailside which boosted my confidence when I was testing it.

The Team Issue AXS is a real sweet spot in terms of value for racers too. The excellent RockShox SID fork and Deluxe rear shock suspension feature bar lever controlled open, traction, and lock settings for maximum efficiency. The SRAM GX Eagle AXS electronic drivetrain is flawlessly fast and you get the superlight Syncros Hixon all in one carbon cockpit. The Syncros Silverton wheels are light too and Maxxis Rekon 2.4in tires roll super fast while staying rocky section safe. 

Guy spent most of his testing time on the Scott Spark hustling trails at e-MTB speeds and had this to say about Scott's XC bike. "A narrow flat bar, downturned stem, and fixed seat post confirm that the RC is a racer at heart, but it’s a brilliant example of just how far race bikes have come in terms of capability, confidence, and big-grin speed. 

Read more about the Spark in our full  Scott Spark Team Issue AXS  review. 

BMC Fourstroke 01Two

If you're looking for a cutting-edge XC bike then few come close to the BMC Fourstroke 01. BMC's latest race bike features aggressive and progressive geometry, triple mode shock control, and most significantly BMC's Airdrop seatpost. 

The geometry is pretty radical and wouldn't look all that out of place amongst the best trail bikes. The slack 66.5-degree head angle, short 432mm, and low 53mm bottom bracket mean the Fourstroke feels simultaneously planted and maneuverable. When it got updated, BMC completely changed the Fourstroke's frame layout too, squeezing in two inline water bottles alongside a new horizontal-orientated APS suspension system.

The big talking point around the Fourstroke 01 frame is BMC's Airdrop technology. Previously BMC used a RAD-integrated dropper post, they have now gone one step further by integrating an air chamber in the downtube which compresses the dropper post without the rider sitting down. It seems like a small detail however it potentially saves a lot of rider energy throughout a race and makes it easier to get the saddle out of the way on technical undulating segments.

Graham was lucky enough to test the BMC Fourstroke 01 on the challenging French Tokyo Olympic test track and was impressed by the Fourstroke 01's performance. In his first look, he says "Riders who want a super capable, confidence-inspiring XC bike are going to love the Fourstroke. It's agile and punchy with no loss of composure when the trails get rough assuming you stay within the remit of the fork. 

You can read more about the unique Airdrop technology in Graham's  BMC Fourstroke 01 TWO first ride review .

Cervelo ZFS-5

In the past road brands that have made the jump to off-road haven't always been all that successful. However, Cervelo has done an excellent job with their ZFS-5, producing a lightweight, fast, and capable XC bike.

The ZFS-5 packages a lot of our favorite features from the other XC bikes on this list. It features suspension characteristics from the Santa Cruz Blur (which is under the same Pon group corporate umbrella), similar geo and low weight as the Specialized Epic Evo, and the same 120mm travel and triple mode shock control as the  Scott Spark .

Whether that was a culmination of extensive testing or a paint-by-numbers exercise doesn't matter, the Cervelo is a hyper-competitive XC bike. 

Guy Kesteven spent a few months testing the bikes and had this to say about it. "The ZFS-5 is superlight with a beautifully balanced frameset feel and pedaling/control suspension character for effortless climbing and race reaper/distance shrinker speed. Slack head angles are combined with compact reach to create an aggressive but agile ride that rewards dynamic riders brilliantly and can be pushed surprisingly hard in savage situations too. It won’t autopilot you out of every mistake though so it’s still XC rather than DC at heart, even in the longer travel format."

It was good enough for him to award it full marks too, to find out more check out the full  Cervelo ZFS-5 frame review . 

With trail bikes getting heavier and longer travel all the time, a new breed of agile, responsive but still impressively controlled and fun to rally 'downcountry' bikes have appeared. There are lots of bikes that claim to be in this category but are too heavy or slow though, so we've picked our favorites carefully.

The Izzo is YT's debut into the lightweight full-suspension bike category is a seriously fun yet surprisingly fast machine. At 130mm of travel front and rear and 12.5kg in weight, this may not be a pure-bred race bike. However, it can still handle those marathon days and keep up with the fast guys on climbs before shredding them on the descents. 

The suspension is Kashima-coated, Fox Factory specs both the front and rear and the shock has a remote lockout for long, smooth transfer climbs. The bike is outfitted with a SRAM X01 Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and SRAM G2 brakes but the real win is the DT Swiss XMC 1200 Spline wheels. Just like the Izzo the carbon-rimmed favourites are very light yet properly trail tough and they've been wrapped in Maxxis tires for low drag, all conditions traction. 

Like most YT bikes, the value for money is excellent too, although I reckon more radical riders might want to swap to a shorter stem than the climb-optimized one supplied.

Most of the  Bike Perfect  team have been lucky enough to test the Izzo and Editor Rich Owen sums up its ride feel, "the YT Izzo is a serious blast to ride. A short-travel bike that gives a superbly planted feel and hunger for out-of-the-saddle sprints and pumps overflowing, undulating, yes, ok, 'everyday' trails. YT's sorted geometry means it's more capable than 130mm travel might suggest and the Izzo can take tough trails in its stride."

Check out our full review of the  YT Izzo Pro Race ,  and we've also reviewed the  YT Izzo Core 3  model.

Specialized Epic Evo Expert

The radical 'Brain suspension' Epic has been Specialized's flagship XC bike for nearly twenty years, but the latest generation of the Epic Evo is a lot more than just a trail version of that bike. As well as removing the 'Brain' from the suspension (which makes it the lightest full suspension frame option from Specialized) travel is also bumped up to 120mm front and rear and geometry is a lot more progressive too.

The RockShox SID forks and shock combination still keep it superlight and some of Specialized's pro XC racers are picking this bike over the normal Epic. The Roval rims are wrapped in Specialized's excellent downcountry tires too, complementing the beautifully lively and agile ride. 

Slacker angles and a 150mm dropper post from X-Fusion to keep the seat out of the way mean it still loves dancing down properly technical trails. It can get twangy if you push properly hard though, but to be honest, playing with that edge of control is a big part of the thrill of riding it.  

If you're looking for a bargain, the Comp version of this bike has all the trail-shredding capability and is still impressively light even with a lower-tier parts spec. Plus it has skin wall tires so we reckon it looks better as well. 

When Guy reviewed the Specialized Epic Evo Expert he found it to be "extremely light for its powerfully, aggressive performance and a lot more confident in dealing with the speed it so easily generates, the Epic Evo is a standout bike at the racier end of the ever-growing ‘downcountry’ category."

Light enough to race but rowdy enough to rally, check out our full thoughts in our  Specialized Epic Evo Expert review .

Norco Optic C2 SRAM

There is still some debate about whether a downcountry bike should be a slackened and sturdy cross-country bike or a short-travel lightweight trail bike. Norco's C2 falls into the latter with its 65-degree head angle and downhill spec suspension making it feel like the proper downhillers’ trail bike.  

The combination of 140mm RockShox Pike and 125mm SuperDeluxe Ultimate, backed up with burly spec items like Stan’s enduro-level Flow S1 wheels means you can confidently attack technical trails with precision and feedback that can be lost with the  best enduro bikes .

Mick Kirkman didn't feel like the Norco's short travel held it back at all, stating in his review that the "bike straddles the tightrope of travel and technical capability just about right. For sure, the absolute limit of hard-charging and still expecting to grip/get away with it is slightly lower than with a 170mm bike’s worth of get-out clauses, but that adds extra excitement, pump, and pop, and while the Optic is constantly stimulating senses through palms and soles, it rarely gets so edgy you can’t hammer along and push your limit."

For a full review of this short travel shredder, check out our  Norco Optic C2 SRAM review .

Best full-suspension mountain bikes: how to choose

What are the benefits of a full-suspension mountain bike.

Hardtails will always be the cheaper, lighter option and if you’ve got the skills you can skip and skim them through some pretty technical terrain, too. 

When the surface gets relentlessly rough or there are big drops and rocks involved, full-suspension is a massive advantage though. It sucks up bike-stopping impacts to help you sustain speed, keep you on line and ultimately keep you on the bike. The rear wheel is more consistently connected for better technical climbing traction and cornering speed too. The days of power-wasting bob and bounce, rapidly wearing pivots and unreliable rear shocks are mostly long gone too. That means you can carry more speed with less fatigue and risk wherever you ride. 

How much mountain bike suspension travel is best?

150mm is the average real-wheel movement for most trail bikes. It’s enough to make a big difference in control off drops and through rock gardens but not so much that it disturbs pedalling or geometry even at full travel. Most shock and suspension setups are sorted enough that there’s no saggy middle stroke section or lost power either. 

There are some trail bikes with 125-130mm travel feel for a tauter, tighter feel and some of them exploit that with a lighter-weight overall build too. Meanwhile, 120mm 'downcountry' bikes pack a surprising amount of control into a significantly lighter package while pure XC bikes run 100mm of travel to achieve sub 10kg weights.

What's the best mountain bike frame geometry?

Geometry has been the fastest-changing part of mountain bike performance recently. The slackest trail bikes are now running 63-degree head angles that would have been on DH bikes only a few years ago. Even the most progressive XC bikes can be adjusted to 66 degrees now when 70 degrees was the average not long ago. To stop them feeling like DH bikes though the latest thing is for seat angles to steepen to triathlon bike numbers. That all works to put you in the center of the action for the best turning and handling balance while the suspension does its job at either end.

What are the best mountain bike components?

Most bikes run Fox or RockShox suspension with Shimano or SRAM stop-and-go equipment and you can't go far wrong with either. SRAM AXS is our favourite top-end spec though, while Shimano Deore and SLX are awesome at the affordable end. Other brands like Cane Creek, Ohlins and Hope get a look in occasionally too and that's generally fine by us. 

Wheels vary from brand name to own brand and while few are rubbish, the best thing is that most bikes come with decent tires. A lot of them are set up tubeless from the shop too which is a definite win. Bars, stems and dropper posts are generally the right shape/length and reliable too, which is a big change from 5-10 years ago. 

In short, it's pretty hard to go wrong with most bikes now, although the price of entry to decent full-suspension is more like £1500 than £1000 like it was a few years back.

How much should the best full-suspension mountain bikes weigh?

The lightest full-suspension race bikes still sneak in under 10kg and premium downcountry bikes are in the 11 to 12.5kg bracket. Cheaper XC and DC bikes are in the 13 to 14kg range, but by that point, they're short-travel trail bikes. Most trail bikes are now in the 14 to 15kg range with some big hit or low price options sneaking significantly over that.

The good news is that while most bikes have got heavier, they mostly pedal better which offsets the weight on climbs or when accelerating out of corners. More control and confidence mean you can carry more speed through turns and technical sections as well, so there's less accelerating to do afterwards.

That won't help you lift your bike over a gate or into a car though and when it comes to long, not technical climbs, less weight is always an advantage.

The top racers in the world used to all ride hardtails for minimum weight but tougher courses mean the fastest riders all use the best full-suspension XC bikes. 

The great news is that it’s creating some versatile high-velocity, short-travel machines that are as happy raving on your favorite singletrack as they are ripping up the race track. But which are the winning machines and what do you need to know to work out which is the best bike for you?

Meet the testers

Our testers have ridden all the full-suspension bikes in this guide on a wide range of terrain, from groomed trail center to technical and challenging singletrack, in a variety of weather conditions, from bone dry to properly sodden. We test bikes over several months so we can assess how they fare over time. 

Guy Kesteven is  Bike Perfect's  contributing tech editor. Hatched in Yorkshire, he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. He spent a few years working in bike shops before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear

Graham is all about riding bikes off-road. Based in Edinburgh he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK right on his doorstep. With almost 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing

An ex-elite downhill racer, Mick's been mucking about and occasionally racing mountain bikes for over twenty years. Racing led to photo modeling and testing kit for magazines back in the day, and, nowadays, he's mostly riding enduro-style terrain on conventional and electric bikes.

Guy has been working on Bike Perfect since we launched in 2019. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. He spent a few years working in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. To make sure he rarely sleeps and to fund his custom tandem habit, he’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and talks to a GoPro for YouTube, too.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Forbidden Druid V2, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

• Richard Owen Editor, Bike Perfect
• Graham Cottingham Senior reviews writer, Bike Perfect

Best mountain bike clipless pedals 2024 – the top-rated clipless MTB pedals for XC, trail and gravity riding

Best MTB saddles for comfort 2024 – 6 top-rated butt-pleasing perches for mountain biking and off-road cycling

Three new e-MTBs, a ton of new suspension including Fox's ultra-bling forks, fresh gravel and MTB bikes, plus much more – the week's off-road cycling top stories

Most Popular

• ALL MOUNTAIN
• ACCESSORIES
• ALL (130 Forums)
• WHEELS & TIRES

Trek Liquid 10 All Mountain Full Suspension

• USER REVIEWS

i love the bike, its really a jack of all trades, the fox talas is awesome and the components are quite good, the frame is already 16 years old now but still doing great, the wheels are also the same age and i never had to replace them, and i kind of ride a lot of enduro so i can pretty much say the bike is really good, i should definetly buy it.

there is a little sound it makes when the frame sags in, but i think i can get it fixed, also the front shock, that is a rockshox psylo c is a bit of a problem, i really like the 125 mm travel, but the topout is terrible, it makes a very loud 'clanck´ noise and i really hate it, and also the rebount is not ajustable, still a very nice bike, i am going to buy the marzocchi dropout freeride fork for it

Great on climbs, descents, technical spots

It's kind of heavy, can't hike a bike with it, needs better wheels

I am not a bike expert. I have owned five mountain bikes since I started riding in 1991. I would never have bought this bike except the salesman talked me into testing it out in the parking lot. My original intention was to get something light and cheaper like a Specialized Stumpjumper or Rockhopper. But now, seven years later, I think I like the Liquid overall for its good climbing, excellent suspension setup (replaced blown out Psylo with new Fox). I still miss not being able to hike a bike it. Oh, well, can't have everything.

Similar Products Used:

overall great bike and i have had the bike for two years and never had to replace any major parts

none because when i crash which is my fault and when i break components

i love this bike and i would reccommend it to anyone whether a beginner or expert

COMFORTABLE, Disc brakes, Lifetime warranty

Bontrager Saddle, does not fit my bike rack and must be put in via the hatchback.

OK, this bike is a great jack-of-all trades bike. I always find it odd that people will buy an XC bike and then complain when it sucks on downhills or vice versa. I bought this to replace my Cannondale SuperV and it's been a perfect replacement. I don't race or do 5+ foot drops, I do mostly singletrack, hard pack, fun recreational riding. I think most of the components are fine, except the pedals/seat. I have not been able to reproduce the earlier poster's problems with the chain constantly rubbing the chainstay(or anything else). I think this bike is a great value. I think Trek really hit the nail on the head with this bike. I LIKE the less aggressive riding position. Bike manufacturers have building FS bikes to be function specific for too long. I'm guessing there are a lot of folks that can appreciate a general purpose, all-round full suspension setup. We may not be hardcore, but we still enjoy riding and this bike seems to fit that niche very well. 5 Chilis for recognizing a need and responding with a solid offering.

Sugar 3+, Cannondale Jekyll, Giant AC2

Solid very well built and pretty good parts specs. The Psylo up front and the rear suspension

If anything the tires and the wheel set. My rear wheel is slightly loose on the axle already.

I am a 6'2" 225 lbs rider who beats the crap out of everything. This bike was built to be beat on. I have smashed the outer chainring into seven or eight logs and haven't damaged it. The most difficult part so far has been adjusting the rebound but that is to be expected. I normally don't like the rapid fires but they have worked perfect so far. I am a very technical rider and can now go places where I usually have not been able to go with this bike. The criticisms of this bike so far seem ludricous. How do you review a bike you haven't even ridden for any length of time? Maybe the bike shop doesn't know what they are doing? Or, they could talk to Trek?

Gary Fisher Supercalibre

I think it's awesome. I have no complaints. This is the first time in my life I have actually researched and taken time before a bicycle purchase. My last fs bike was a Proflex 454, aka chromoly pogo-stick, thus I was wary of the full suspension thing. It climbs great, handles great, stops great. I am entirely satisfied with it. A lot of these reviews seem to think that the LX derailuer is bunk, but it works just fine for me. I highly recommend this bike.

Heavy...The geometry takes a little getting used to...The stock pedals clog up severely if you look at mud...The back brake rubs and I can't seem to correct it...The only way to adjust the fork preload is to change the spring, which is somewhat of a project...Heavy...(It's worth the weaknesses)

Bang for the buck I don't think this bike can be beat. I have a lot of fun on it. I wish it was lighter, but I think as I break parts I can replace them with lighter stuff. I was shocked the first time I used it to climb, as I expected my old Proflex, and found that it was more anchored to the ground than my hardtail. The trailbear tires are great on the back, but I think as a front tire they're only okay. The adjustable travel is neat, but I don't bother with it except to get it in my van and for really long climbs. The seat is a piece of crap and I hate it. The rest of the bike is super. Don't buy it if you think weight is a major issue. If you want a sweet low-priced bike, then do buy it...

I checked out these: GT I-Drive, Bianchi Denali, Santa Cruz Superlight, Cannondale Jekyl My last bike was a Trek 7000 (Which I loved)

Fox TALUS, Hayes disc brakes, 125 mm travel on front fork

LX rear derailleur

This is my first full-suspension bike, and I shopped around for several months. I am very happy with this bike because ofers an excellent design with 5 inch rear travel, and 125mm of front travel. I usually keep both front and rear full out. Occasionally, I adjust the TALUS shock to the 1/2 or 1/4 position on long flat stretches, but don't always feel it necessary to do so. Disc brakes are awesome, esp. on muddy trails. Would have liked a XT rear derailleur, but will upgrade it eventually. Very little to complain about this bike though. I am a beginner to intermediate rider who likes to ride technical single track, and believe that this bike will last me for many years to come. I was on a budget of approx. $1500, and had to stretch it a bit to get this bike, but glad that I did.

Specialized Enduro, Specialized Stumpjumper, Cannondale Jekyll 600

The most impressive feature of this bike is the smoothness of the overall suspension design. The "Liquid" name is the most fitting name Trek could have come up with for this great bike. It is as smooth as liquid, no joke! Also, there is no power robbing, rear suspension bob during climbing.

When I purchased this bike (Trek liquid 10), I was aware the components were sub-standard to my old bike's complete XT setup and fully intend to upgrade the SRAM cassette, Deore rear derailer, and chainrings very soon (they generally suck and shift hard). I know I'm spoiled by the nicer components on my old bike but the additional $$ for XT components, rebound adjustable Psylo fork, and disc specific wheels were a little more than I could convince my wife to accept all at once... The only problem I have encountered thus far is with the rear Hayes, disc rotor / caliper housing alignment. It has a problem with center rotor alignment and tends to rub (and squeal) when I turn (left). I am currently waiting on a reply from Hayes regarding the fix to this problem. Also, the brakes stink like an old semi with a bad clutch after a long, hard downhill accent. (Thats Ok, it makes me feel like I've really done something).

The frame and rear shock are the exactly the same throughout the Trek 10, 20, & 30 models. If you are interested in entering into the 'next stage' of your mountain biking obsession and have been looking for the perfect full suspension, 'all mountain' bike, check this thing out. I am a 6'3", 220lb, hard riding, XC mountain biker that was looking to bring my sport to the next level and this bike fills the bill perfectly. I rip through many of the technical trails along the Northern foothills of the Rocky Mountains about twice a week. My average trip entails 75% of intense climbing and 25% of insane down-hill (time wise that is), therefore I was concerned about the weight and strength of the bike. My Liquid 10 - 19.5” bike weighs in at about 31~lbs. The difference between the Liquid and my lightweight hard tail was only noticeable when climbing through the technical stuff as the rear wheel stays anchored to the dirt and rocks! So far the frame will take everything I can dish out. I have much more climbing control and down-hill confidence than ever before.

Great beginner all mountain bike. Got me going for what I could pay at the time.

Snapped the frame (SWING ARM)....BUT Trek replaced Swinarm with Trek Remedy SA and it kicked ass. The Psylo Is not great at all, but I rode almost everything with it with no problem. DON'T BLAME THE BIKE, BLAME THE RIDER!!!! although I have since upgraded big time

Look, this bike may have been bottom of the line, but I loved it. Then it got stolen and I was forced to get a new bike (remedy 66) which I love, but the liquid had the exact same soul. I've ridden Everything...but I LOve the TREK all mountain Feel. Get em and up grade em if you need, but the feel is like no other.

You name it, I've tried it (kinda)

Sweet design. There's huge travel, and it still rides nicely. The adjustable suspension is almost unnecessary, but it's still a nice comodity. Relatively cheap/

The bike is a little heavier than my last bike, about 3 pounds heavier. I got this one down to about 28.7 pounds, which is still pretty light for a full suspension bike with this much travel.

This bike is awsome. The K2 counterpart is nothing compared to this bike. The adjustable travel is sweet, and even without it, the bike still has an easy ride. I've hit quite a few bumps/drops/jumps, and I still havent bottomed out. This bike has given me enough confidence to do just about everything. It's not a cheap bike, but if you have a little time to find the right deal, you'll be getting an amazing bike. If you can find it for under $1200, you'll be getting a great deal.

Trek Fuel 80, KHS Rage, K2 Attack 3.0

Get the latest mountain bike reviews, news, race results, and much more by signing up for the MTBR Newsletter

Hot Deals See All Hot Deals >>

• CLASSIFIEDS
• TERMS OF USE
• PRIVACY POLICY
• ADVERTISING

VISIT US AT

© Copyright 2024 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved.

login using Email

No Account? Sign Up Here

Create Account Manually

Already have an account? Login Here

UP TO 36 MONTHS INTEREST FREE FINANCE

• Service Centre
• Nationwide Store Locator
• 0800 424 537

Shop All Bikes

Mountain bikes.

• Full Suspension Bikes
• Hardtail Mountain Bikes

Electric Bikes

• Electric Commuter Bikes
• Electric Cruiser Bikes
• Electric Mountain Bikes

Ex-Demo Bikes

• Carbon Road Bikes
• Aluminium Road Bikes
• Time Trial & Triathlon Bikes

Gravel Bikes

Adventure/touring bikes, cyclocross bikes, special order bikes.

• Freestyle BMX
• Balance Bikes
• 12" Kids Bikes
• 16" Kids Bikes
• 20" Kids Bikes
• 24" Kids Bikes
• 26" Kids Bikes

Commuter and Urban

• Commuter Bikes
• Cruiser Bikes
• Vintage Bikes
• Cargo Bikes

Dirt, Pump & Jump Bikes

Full suspension mtb.

• 27.5" Full Suspension
• 29" Full Suspension
• Mixed Wheel Full Suspension
• Electric Full Suspension

Hardtail MTB

• 27.5" Hardtail
• 29" Hardtail
• Electric Hardtail

Shop By Riding Style

• Cross Country Bikes
• Trail Bikes
• Enduro Bikes
• Dirt Jump Bikes

Shop By Brand

• Trek Mountain Bikes
• Giant Mountain Bikes
• Liv Mountain Bikes
• Polygon Mountain Bikes
• Haro Mountain Bikes
• Silverback Mountain Bikes

Shop By Frame Material

• Carbon Mountain Bikes
• Alloy Mountain Bikes
• Steel Mountain Bikes

Shop MTB Accessories

• Frame Protection

Shop MTB Clothing

• Baggy Shorts
• Fitted Shorts
• Electric Bike Racks
• Trek Electric Bikes
• Giant Electric Bikes
• Liv Electric Bikes
• Polygon Electric Bikes
• Tern Electric Bikes
• Shop All Electric Bikes
• Trek Gravel Bikes
• Giant Gravel Bikes
• Liv Gravel Bikes
• Polygon Gravel Bikes
• Aluminium Gravel Bikes
• Carbon Gravel Bikes
• Steel Gravel Bikes

Gravel Accessories

• Tubeless Kits
• Puncture Repair
• Hand Pumps & CO2
• GPS Computers
• Bottom Brackets
• Chain Guides & Tensioners
• Derailleurs
• Grips & Tape
• Seatpost Collars
• Shifters & Levers
• Sprockets & Freewheels
• Tubeless Systems

Bike Accessories

• Bike Storage
• Bottlecages
• Cycle Computers
• Electronics & Mounts
• Power Meters
• Trainers & Rollers
• Triathlon Accessories
• On-Bike Tools & Mounts

Bike Maintenance

• Maintenance Kits
• Fasteners & Gripper Compounds
• Puncture Repairs
• Indoor Training
• Urban Cycling
• Gravel Riding
• Mountain Biking
• Road Cycling
• Open Face MTB Helmets
• Full Face MTB Helmets
• Convertible MTB Helmets
• Road Helmets
• Urban Helmets
• Gravel Helmets
• Kids Helmets
• Troy Lee Designs

Cycle Clothing

• Baselayers & Compression
• High Visibility
• Hoodies & Sweatshirts
• Winter Clothing
• Body Armour
• Shoe Covers
• MGP Scooters
• Push Scooters
• Big Wheel Scooters

Scooters Accessories

• Scooter Grips
• Scooter Griptape
• Scooter Headsets
• Scooter Wheels

Shop Scooters

Shop kids accessories.

• Kids Protection
• Kids Clothing
• Kids Gloves
• Kids Hydration
• Child Seats

BOOK A SERVICE

Click & collect, evo home delivery, 100% kiwi owned & operated.

• 24" kids bikes

2024 Trek Precaliber 24" Kid's Bike Anthracite

Out of stock.

• DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION +

Precaliber 24 8-Speed Suspension is a versatile kids' bike built for young adventurers who love riding off the the road and into the dirt

It has a sturdy yet light aluminium frame with a performance suspension fork and an 8-speed drivetrain perfect for racing home from school, zipping through the woods and riding trails and paths with family. For kids aged 8-12, between 129.5 - 149.8 cm (51-59˝) tall.

It's right for you if...

You love exploring nature on your bike, and your kid loves adventuring with you! You're looking for a high-quality kids' bike that's comfortable, durable and has trail-ready parts for your up-and-coming singletrack shredder.

The tech you get

A strong, lightweight aluminium frame, a simple Shimano 8-speed drivetrain that's easy for kids to handle and a front suspension fork with 45 mm of travel to absorb bumps. Plus, a kickstand, rear rack mounts and a saddle with an integrated handle that can be swapped out for an integrated rear light mount. Everything on this bike is built to last, so it'll still feel like new when handed down to younger siblings.

Why you'll love it

• This bike can get your youngster hooked on a lifetime hobby that's healthy, environmentally friendly and fun
• Intuitive twist shift makes it easy for kids to switch gears when their terrain changes
• You can replace the saddle's integrated handle with an integrated light mount to boost visibility on family adventures and solo excursions
• Like all Precaliber bikes, the frame is lower so it's easier for kids to stand over and hop on and off
• Investing in a kids' bike from an established bike brand is worth it – Trek kids' bikes are designed and assembled by people who know bikes

The final word

This rugged, high-quality bike encourages fun and skill-building on the trail. It's perfect for kids who are getting into off-road riding, with a trail-smoothing front suspension fork and an 8-speed drive train.

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications +.

* All specifications listed are subject to change without notice. Please note that our specifications may be impacted by manufacturer component substitution changes caused by high global demand for bikes and resulting supply chain issues in the bike industry. We recommend confirming the specifications with your local Evo Cycles showroom if you have any questions. Bike Weight: Many brands strive to list the lowest possible weight, but in reality weight can vary based on frame size, finish, hardware and accessories. The most accurate way to determine any bike's weight is to have your local showroom weigh it for you.

MORE PRODUCT INFO

Assembly Guide

Buying Guides

You may also like.

Polygon Xtrada 24" Kid's MTB Blue

Ready For Trails

Trek Kids Precaliber 24" Bike Pink

24" Kids Bike

Giant XtC Jr Street 24" Kids Bike

Giant XtC Jr 24" Bike

Polygon Relic 24" Kid's Bike Red

Interest free* finance options, qcard or qmastercard.

Simply choose your card at Checkout then choose your term in the QCard portal to receive up to 12 months no payments and no interest.*

Or apply for a Q Mastercard online now.

GEM VISA OR GEM CREDITLINE

Already have a GEM card? Contact us to receive up to 12 months no payments and no interest.*

*Normal Terms, conditions and credit criteria apply. See here for more information.

RECEIVE YOUR PURCHASE NOW, SPREAD THE TOTAL COST OVER 6 WEEKLY AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS. INTEREST FREE!

Just choose laybuy at checkout..

Simply select Pay by Laybuy at checkout

Login or Register for Laybuy and complete your order in seconds

Complete your purchase using an existing debit or credit card

Pay over 6 weeks and receive your purchase now

BIKE SERVICE PLANS

Service plans are only available when buying a new bike from evo cycles..

A service plan includes 3 services to be used anytime over the next three years.

Why buy a Service Plan

• Save big on regular workshop pricing
• Bikes need regular maintenance, just like a car
• Regular maintenance improves the ride quality & the bikes performance
• Parts can last longer when appropriately serviced, saving you money in the long run
• We'll check the bike over to ensure it is safe to ride

What's Included

GET THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES YOU NEED TODAY, PAY FOR THEM OVER 10 WEEKLY INSTALMENTS. SIGN UP TAKES LESS THAN TWO MINUTES.

SELECT GENOAPAY AT THE CHECKOUT

Genoapay will be available in the shopping cart checkout, simply select Genoapay as your payment option.

COMPLETE YOUR PAYMENT IN 2 MINUTES

If you are a new user you will be asked to create an account, you will need your driver’s license to join and then select your payment method.

APPROVAL IN REAL-TIME

You don’t need to wait around, you can complete your purchase in real-time and get the product or services you need.

ITEM ADDED TO CART

Add a maintenance package.

Have peace of mind with regular servicing.

• Gold service plan $199
• Silver service plan $159 - Recommended
• Bronze service plan $129
• No, I'll service my own bike

GET VIP DEALS, EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & PREVIEWS WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO THE EVO CLUB

Thanks for signing up.

When it comes to anything bike, Evo are the experts that live and breath cycling. Not only do we stock a huge range of bikes at some of the best pricing around, but our crew can help with expert advice to make sure you get the right bike for your style of riding and ability. Our range includes bikes from some of the worlds largest brands including Trek, Giant, Liv, Kona, GT, Polygon, Reid and over 250 more quality bike brands. Whether you are an avid mountain biker, urban commuter, road cyclist or completely new to cycling, we'll have a bike to suit your needs. And, when your bike needs maintenance, we're here to help with qualified mechanics and a full service centre in all Evo showrooms nationwide.

STORE LOCATOR

Find your local Evo store and service centre. We have stores New Zealand wide!

Find all the answers to your frequently asked questions here.

DELIVERY INFO

Shipping and delivery options.

Call us on 0800 424 537, email us here, or chat with us now.

ABOUT EVO CYCLES

Shopping with evo, bicycle servicing, expert advice, customer service, we’re always looking to improve..

Let us know if you think there is something we need to improve.

About Evo Cycles

Shopping with evo, bicycle servicing, expert advice, customer service, delivery info.

Evo Cycles © Copyright 2024 | Privacy Policy | Returns & Warranties Policy

Heybike HERO review: The biggest, chunkiest carbon fiber fat tire e-bike you’ve ever seen

One of the beautiful things about the state of the electric bicycle industry currently being in the equivalent of the 1920s car market is that you’ve got around a hundred different e-bike companies all trying new and crazy things with sometimes wildly divergent design concepts. The recently-announced Heybike HERO is the purest embodiment of that idea, showcasing what happens when a company says “Let’s build a super lightweight carbon fiber frame but also stuff it full of suspension and heavy, high-power components.”

Want to see this thicc boy in action? The bike, I mean. Then check out my riding and testing video below. Then keep reading for my full thoughts on the Heybike HERO!

Heybike HERO video review

Heybike HERO tech specs

• Motor:  1,000W peak-rated rear hub motor (mid-drive version also available)
• Top speed:  31 mph (50 km/h)
• Range:  Claimed up to 60 miles (up to 100 km)
• Battery:  48V 18Ah (864 Wh)
• Weight : 75 lb (34 kg)
• Load capacity:  Claimed 400 lb (181 kg)
• Frame:  Carbon fiber full-suspension frame
• Tires : 26×4″ fat tires
• Brakes:  Dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes
• Extras:  Color display, front LED light, front and rear suspension, kickstand, internally routed cables, removable battery

So much to take in

There’s a lot to take in when you first lay eyes on the Heybike HERO.

At first glance, it looks like a lot of step-through fat tire adventure e-bikes we’ve seen. But a closer look reveals hidden rear suspension in the form of horst link suspension. You almost don’t notice it at first because the shock is nicely designed to be tucked up into the frame behind the seat tube.

Then of course there’s the fact that the frame has a number of strange angles, throwing off the visuals. Those are made possible by the construction of carbon fiber. Good luck trying to get a funky frame like this with just hydroformed aluminum.

There’s a somewhat out of place moto-style headlight up front, mounted to the same place on the fork where a front fender is conspicuously absent. There’s also no rear fender, though that’s quite common with full-suspension e-bikes.

It may look like there’s a mid-drive motor, but that’s just a ruse. The Heybike HERO does in fact come in a 750W mid-drive variant, but we’re testing the 1,000W hub driver version. That means the mid-drive-lookin’ box down by the pedals is just an empty cavity, or may hold the controller and rat’s nest of wires, at most.

A surprisingly high-digit 9-speed transmission in the form of a Shimano Altus derailleur is tucked up next to one side of that chunky rear hub motor, and a 180mm disc rotor sits on the other side of the motor. A pair of dual-piston hydraulic calipers provide the stopping power.

Ok, but how does it ride?

So those are the specs and the loadout, but what is it like to hop and twist the throttle?

In a word, peppy! That hub motor puts out 100 Nm of torque, which is more than just about any hub motor e-bike we’ve tested. By the time you reach 65 or 70 Nm, you’re into fairly powerful territory. 100 Nm is more than anyone really asks for, but Heybike has no qualms about giving it to us!

Not only does the bike get up to an impressive (and questionably legal) 50-ish km/h, or around 31 mph, but it does it on throttle only. You can of course toss in your own pedaling effort to take advantage of the pedal assist, but unlike most e-bikes that cut the throttle above 20 mph, the Heybike HERO let’s you keep roaring to max speed with your feet firmly planted in the stationary position.

The handling is also better than you’d expect, at least for a 75 lb fat tire e-bike. The suspension feels quite good, though again, I’m going into this with the mindset of a 75 lb fat tire e-bike, most of which handle like a truck.

That four-bar suspension in the rear works quite well, and certainly better than I was anticipating. It’s not going to give higher end e-bikes a run for their money, but it’s a lot better than the cheap stuff or the hardtails, that’s for sure.

That being said, the bike is still a beast. It’s lighter than it should be (the last full-suspension fat tire e-bike I tried weighed nearly 100 lb), but it isn’t a featherweight. I wouldn’t even call it nimble. You’ve still got to plan your turns in advance when you’re riding twisty terrain, and I’d argue that the bike is best kept to more relaxed trails that don’t have a lot of tight hairpins meant to be taken at speed. This is no downhill mountain bike, but rather a fun adventure bike.

The 9-speeds are nice to have, though few people will probably run all the way through them, especially with unlimited throttle on tap. There IS a torque sensor built into the bike, so if you can resist the urge to throttle most of the time, you’ll enjoy having the wider range of gears and the added torque sensor for natural feeling pedal assist performance . But that full-speed throttle sure is nice, especially on a bike with the power and suspension to feel like a light trail bike or motorbike similar to Sur Ron-class rides.

All in all, I’d say the Heybike HERO is a lot of fun. I’ve been having a blast riding this thing, though I’m not sure if the added expensive of the carbon fiber frame warrants the added price, to the tune of US $2,399. The bike is also on Indiegogo right now where it is taking pre-orders. While I normally give a healthy warning about crowdfunding campaigns, in this case, we at least know that Heybike is a tried-and-true company that has been around for years and has delivered tens of thousands of e-bikes to customers. This is NOT some overnight startup.

So the Heybike HERO has definitely been a fun, powerful, and responsive e-bike that I’ve enjoyed playing around on the trails and even for street riding. But you’ve got to be real into that carbon fiber frame and the fun orange visuals on this funky frame to want to pony up the cash for this one.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Micah Toll is a personal electric vehicle enthusiast, battery nerd, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling books DIY Lithium Batteries , DIY Solar Power,   The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide  and The Electric Bike Manifesto .

The e-bikes that make up Micah’s current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0 , the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2 , the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission , and the $3,299 Priority Current . But it’s a pretty evolving list these days.

You can send Micah tips at [email protected], or find him on Twitter , Instagram , or TikTok .

Micah Toll's favorite gear

Lectric XP 3.0 e-bike sale

Best $999 electric bike ever!

Rad Power Bikes sales

Great e-bikes at great prices!

Shop in-store for even more deals!

Shop in store for even more deals we can't advertise!

Mountain Bike Suspension Service

Trade In Your Bike

• Base Layers
• Mountain Bike Shorts
• Bibs, Tights + Knickers
• Mountain Bike Shoes

SAFETY GEAR

• Adult Helmets
• Youth Helmets
• Road Helmets
• Casual Wear
• Road Bike Shorts
• Bibs, Tights & Knickers
• Road Bike Shoes
• Accessories/Parts

Safety Gear

• Women's Helmets
• Road Bike Helmets
• Mountain Bike Helmets

WHEELS & TIRES

• Road Wheels
• Mountain Bike Wheels
• Mountain Bike Tires
• Wheels Accessories and Parts
• Derailleurs
• Chains & Cassettes
• Cranks and Chainrings
• Bottom Brackets
• Cables and Housing
• Power Meters

BRAKES & PEDALS

• Clipless Pedals
• Flat Pedals
• Mountain Bike Brake Sets
• Mountain Bike Brake Pads
• Road Bike Brakes and Pads
• All Brakes/Levers/Pads

Forks & Cockpit

• Grips and Bar Tape
• Rigid Forks
• Suspension Forks

Accessories

• Car Rack Accessories
• Electronics
• Front Lights
• Tail Lights
• Locks/Security
• Media/Resources
• Bicycle Mounted Racks
• Pumps/Inflation
• Tools/Maintenance
• Trailers/Strollers
• Trainers/Rollers
• Travel/Storage
• Water Bottles & Cages

Brand Guides

Bike buyer's guides, gear guides, new bike releases, summit bicycles online (855) 245-3663 [email protected] email, burlingame (650) 343-8483 [email protected] email, summit outfitters (408) 878-3252 [email protected] email, los gatos (408) 399-9142 [email protected] email, san jose (408) 264-2453 [email protected] email, palo alto (650) 304-0035 [email protected] email, summit bicycles mobile we'll come to you schedule mobile service today, (855) bike-one - for online orders and rental inquiries.

• Account Account
• Subtotal : $ 0.00 Checkout Cart
• Bicycling Catalog
• Children's Bikes
• 24-Inch (7+ yr. old)
• Wahoo 24 Trail

Trek Wahoo 24 Trail

Wahoo 24 Trail is a light and tough kids' bike that's ready to roll off-road. Its sturdy aluminum frame is easy to maneuver as they weave their way down the trail, but rugged enough to handle the tough stuff. A 9-speed 1x drivetrain gives them plenty of gears for pedaling up steep trails, and disc brakes provide next-level stopping power to slow their roll or help them stop on a dime on the way back down. Perfect for riders between 51-59" tall. It's right for you if... You're ready to take your kiddo off-road and want a kids' bike that's up for the task. You want the added grip of big, knobby tires, plenty of gears to keep them spinning up hills, and the reliable stopping power of hydraulic disc brakes. The tech you get An Alpha Silver Aluminum frame with 24" wheels and wide 2.4" knobby tires that bite into dirt and give plenty of traction. Tons of gears to pick from with a 9-speed 1x microSHIFT drivetrain, and serious stopping power from hydraulic disc brakes. The final word Wahoo 24 Trail is a proper off-road ride in a pint-sized package. It's a kids' bike for little rippers who can't wait to cut loose and want a bike that's light, maneuverable, and darn tough, too. Its hydraulic disc brakes give your kiddo a serious advantage while they progress on the trail. Why you'll love it - Wahoo's aluminum frame is light enough for easy handling and tough enough to roll through the rough stuff - Hydraulic disc brakes give them the same serious stopping power you'll find on adult mountain bikes - A 9-speed drivetrain gives your kiddo plenty of gears to shift through, but isn't too much to handle - Wide and knobby 2.4in tires provide heaps of traction for confidence on the trail - Trek kids' bikes are designed and assembled by people who know bikes — and backed by a lifetime warranty

* Subject to change without notice.

Part Numbers

• Share full article

‘Star Trek’ Fan Leaves Behind a Collection Like No One Has Done Before

When Troy Nelson died, his shelves were filled to the rafters with memorabilia from the popular franchise. Soon, the massive collection will be boldly going, going, gone.

Evan Browne said her brother Troy’s love of “Star Trek” began with the original series, which he and his siblings watched at dinnertime. Credit... Connie Aramaki for The New York Times

Supported by

By Sopan Deb

• Published April 1, 2024 Updated April 3, 2024

Editors’ Note, April 2, 2024: After publication, The Times learned that Troy and Andrew Nelson were named in a civil lawsuit filed in Pierce County Superior Court in 1998, in which they were accused of molesting three disabled adults in a state-licensed facility that they operated. After a six-week jury trial, Washington State was ordered to pay $17.8 million to the plaintiffs. The state said it intended to appeal but missed the deadline and paid the victims. The Nelson brothers denied the allegations and were never criminally charged.

Troy Nelson and his younger brother Andrew were almost inseparable.

The two youngest of six, they were born two years apart. They lived together in their childhood home in Bremerton, Wash., for more than half a century. Near their home, there is a park bench on which they carved their initials as young boys.

The Nelson brothers never married or had children. They worked together at the same senior home. They even once, as teenagers, dated the same girl at the same time while working different shifts at the same pizza shop. This lasted a week until they realized it.

“Two parts of one body,” Evan Browne, their older sister, said of their relationship in an interview.

On Feb. 28, Andrew Nelson, who had been treated for cancer for years, went to feed the chickens and ducks that were gifts from Ms. Browne to her brothers. He had a heart attack and died. He was 55. Just hours later, Troy Nelson, who was stricken with grief, took his own life. He was 57.

“He had talked about it before,” Browne, 66, said, tearfully. “He said, ‘Hey, if Andrew goes, I’m out of here. I’m checking out.’ Andrew would say the same thing, and then it really happened .”

What Troy Nelson left behind has become a sensation. After his death, family members posted pictures on social media of his massive — and, really, the keyword is massive — collection of “Star Trek” memorabilia, which have now been shared thousands of times.

The items took up two living rooms and a bedroom, all lined with bookshelves, according to Elena Hamel, one of the brothers’ nieces. The centers of the rooms were lined with additional bookshelves — all packed to the brim — to create aisles. There were jewelry cabinets serving as display cases.

The shelves contained action figures. Dolls. Models of ships. Posters. Ornaments. Lunchboxes. Legos. Several toy phasers and tricorders. (For non-Trek fans, the phaser is a weapon, and a tricorder is, essentially, a fancy smartphone.) Multiple “Star Trek” lamps. (Yes, there are “Star Trek” lamps.) Trading cards. Comic books. Trek-themed Geeki Tikis (stylized tiki mugs). Life-size cutouts of famous characters. A life-size captain’s chair.

While it’s impossible to account for every private collector in the world, Troy Nelson’s collection is almost assuredly among the largest — if not the largest.

The last additions to the collection came in the final weeks of his life: Stuffed rabbits in “Star Trek” uniforms. “I’ve never seen a collection that size,” said Russ Haslage, the president of the International Federation of Trekkers , a “Star Trek”-themed nonprofit that Haslage founded with Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the franchise.

Haslage’s organization opened in 2020 a “Star Trek” museum in Sandusky, Ohio, that has received donations of memorabilia from estates. Those collections “pale in comparison” to Mr. Nelson’s, he said. (Haslage has reached out to the family to ask about donations from the collection.)

The older brother’s love of “Star Trek” began with the original series, which he’d watch with his siblings.

“It was our dinner meal,” Ms. Browne said. “When we had dinner, we were sitting in front of ‘Star Trek.’”

Troy Nelson began collecting in the late-1970s. His first acquisition was a model version of the Starship Enterprise. Then came Star Trek conventions. Why the franchise was such a draw to him remains a mystery to his family.

“I really can’t say. I mean, other than the fact that he was brainwashed with it at dinner time,” Browne said, laughing. “That sounds ridiculous. When we grew up, it’s like, ‘Dinner is at this time. And if you don’t get here at this time, you don’t get dinner.’ So it might’ve been a comfort for him .”

Troy Nelson would often monitor sites like eBay for items he didn’t have. On several occasions, he would express frustration on losing out on an item before being able to bid on it. Until he found out the reason.

“Andrew already got it for him,” Ms. Browne recalled.

Obsessive “Star Trek” fandom has long become an indelible part of pop culture, especially as the franchise — which has spawned several television series, movies, novels and comics — has been a long-running institution. There have been documentaries that have studied the subject, such as “Trekkies” in 1997. It’s been lampooned on “The Simpsons,” “Saturday Night Live” and “Family Guy,” and become a story line in an episode of “The West Wing,” among many others. For dedicated fans, accruing collectibles isn’t uncommon.

“When you collect these things, you’re closer to that genre that you enjoy so much,” Haslage said. “When I first started in 1979, I was grabbing everything I could get my hands on because it was cool, and it was a piece of the whole ‘Star Trek’ mythos. If you have these pieces, you’re a part of that universe in some way.”

It turns out that collecting is a pursuit that runs in the family.

Andrew Nelson collected mall swords, Ryobi-branded tools and statues of warrior women, like Xena, the warrior princess .

Browne’s house has a wall with thousands of smashed pennies and her living room windows are full of glass sugar and creamer bowls.

Browne’s father, Bud Peers, collected salt and pepper shakers, guns and knives. Troy and Andrew’s father, Norman Nelson, collected scrap metal and wood.

Hamel has 17 Christmas trees, all fully decorated with separate themes.

Browne’s son, Michael, who is 36, collects anything and everything related to black bears.

“ When you have a large collection like that and it’s displayed like that,” Hamel said, “and it’s something that is important to you, it’s often really calming to be in a space like that. It’s just all the things that you love. It’s soothing.”

As far as Browne knew, Troy had no history of mental illness or any previous suicide attempts. After Andrew died, she received a distraught and frantic call from Troy with the news. She told him that she was on her way.

Ms. Browne said she called him when she got to the Tacoma Bridge. No answer. And then again, at the Manette Bridge. No answer. When she reached their home, the back door was open. And then she found him. The phone call was the last time they spoke.

Troy Nelson did not leave a note, but did leave some things meticulously arranged by his computer, including a key to the house, burial plans for the two brothers, and bills.

“ I don’t know really what I thought,” Ms. Browne said. “All I could do was just scream.”

The Nelson family is boxing up Troy’s “Star Trek” collection to prepare it for auction. Andrew’s ashes will be placed in an urn carved in the likeness of the supermodel Bettie Page . (He was a fan.) Troy’s ashes will be placed in a “Star Trek” lunchbox.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.

Sopan Deb is a Times reporter covering breaking news and culture. More about Sopan Deb

Advertisement

Full suspension mountain bikes keep you in control and comfortable over rugged terrain. Trek's suspension solutions have been proven and refined over the years. Active Braking Pivot (ABP) and Mino Link make Trek full-suspension models a class above the competition.

Cross-country mountain bikes

From cutting-edge carbon race bikes to versatile models made for loads of fun on light trails, our cross-country bikes are fast, lightweight and efficient.

Supercaliber

Game-changing IsoStrut suspension tech makes this World Cup carbon race bike fast, light and smooth.

• See all models

The Top Fuel is a full-suspension XC ripper that’s fast on flow and loves getting down on techy trails.

Trail mountain bikes

Trek trail bikes are versatile, light and exceedingly capable. They climb just as well as they descend, making them ideal for everything from enduro racing to ripping laps after work.

A long-travel all-mountain bike built for racing rugged enduro lines and having a rippin’ good time in the rough.

Snappy 27.5˝ wheels make this the rig for popping off jumps, railing corners and throwing the bike around.

The ride-it-all MTB. It’s fast, capable and fun everywhere – no wonder it’s our most popular trail bike!

Electric mountain bikes

Our e-MTBs let you explore more of the mountain and rip more laps than ever before. The natural-feeling, trail-tuned boost powers you up climbs and lets you be your own shuttle.

The Powerfly is a versatile and powerful e-MTB that helps you explore more of your off-road world.

Powerfly Equipped

Built for trail riding and commuting, the Powerfly Equipped comes decked out with ride-ready accessories.

Our lightest full suspension e-MTB delivers the perfect amount of suspension and power for long, fast XC rides.

A hard-charging electric trail bike with plenty of travel and proven technology to get you through the rough stuff.

• Rail with Smart System

The Fuel EXe offers just the right amount of quiet assist when you want it and disappears under you when you don't.

Downhill mountain bikes

Our downhill bikes are built to go big and shred hard, whether you're ripping a World Cup downhill or charging through the gravity park.

This World Cup champ is built to clock the fastest times down the biggest mountains.

For those who spend most of their time in the air perfecting whips, flips and other gravity-defying tricks.