trek 27.5 full suspension

• Fuel EX 5 Gen 5

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"A world-class trail bike"

"Fuel EX is a beautifully balanced and capable trail bike. The rear suspension is beautiful; as close to ideal as any bike I've ridden. It's sensitive where you want it to be, firm and crisp where it should be. It feels deep and controls big hits very well, and there's a nice platform for pedaling, and to pump and pop off when you're playing."

"Good at pleasing everybody"

"Fuel EX has a few tricks that help it keep a level head when outside of its comfort zone, and to be a cloud on rails when it's in the zone. Everything about the Fuel EX, which was already good at pleasing everybody, is now even better at it."

"An absolute trail rocket"

"Thanks to its burlier components, increased travel, and more aggressive geometry, it has become more of a shredder than ever! More performance, fun, and trail prowess."

"Perfect all-arounder"

"In a world where most new full-suspension mountain bikes are amazing, Fuel EX stands apart as even more than that."

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Trek Full Suspension Mountain Bikes

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• Full-Suspension

What is Full Suspension?   A full suspension mountain bike has a main frame made up of three parts: the front triangle, rear triangle, and connnecting pivots and linkages.  A shock controls the rate of compression and rebound. The front wheel is connected to the front triangle by a suspension fork.  Both fork and shock allow the wheels a certain amount of controlled vertical movement that varies depending on the style of bike (Cross Country = 60-120mm; Trail = 120-150mm; Enduro = 150-180mm; Down Hill = 180-200mm).  Suspension is designed to give riders more comfort, stability, and control by keeping the wheels on the ground while on rough terrain.

Read Our Trek Full Suspension Mountain Bikes Guide

Who is it for?  Full suspension is smooth, comfortable on rough terrain, and stable on descents.  This means more control and more confidence.  However, these benefits cost more money, add weight, and decrease pedal efficiency.  Is a full suspension bike for you?  That depends on how much you want to spend and what types of trails you'd like to ride. If you're comfortable investing $2,000 + in a bike and would like to experience the widest range of Utah trails (which tend to be narrow, rocky, and loose), a full suspension is probably a good fit. We recommend visiting your local bike shop to talk with a professional about your cycling goals.  It's a good idea to test ride some different models and note what you like or dislike about each.  The most popular and versatile full suspension model we sell is the Trek Fuel EX.  Swing by and check one out today.

For those looking for the cost-savings or simplicity of a hardtail, please take a look at our selection of Trek Hardtails .

Trek Remedy 7 27.5in review

• Alan Muldoon
• September 8, 2015

Superbly tuned, competitive spec and solid feel topped off with a great ride

Product Overview

Overall rating:, trek remedy 7 27.5in.

• The top level performance at a great price
• The low geometry setting could be lower

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

The Remedy has undergone numerous revisions over the years. One thing that’s remained unchanged however, is its intent — it’s always been Trek’s do-everything trail bike.

>>> Click here to find the best mountain bike for under £2,000

In its current format, that means 140mm travel along with the choice of either 27.5in or 29in wheels — the biggest wheels being the preserve of the higher price point bikes. Even on the entry-level 27.5in bike, you still get all of the Trek’s frame technology, including its top-quality aluminium construction with an E2 tapered head tube and ABP (Active Braking Pivot) suspension.

Buy now: Trek Remedy 7 27.5 (2017) at Evans Cycles from £2,200

You even get rubber armour on the underside of the down tube, to protect the frame from rock strikes, just like you do on the expensive carbon models.

The Remedy frame is not the lightest though, and the weight of the bike will creep up even further if you choose to fit a dropper post . The Remedy is, however, very solid — something that heavier riders will no doubt appreciate.

Watch our thoughts on the Cannondale Jekyll that also has adjustable geometry

Being the entry-level bike in the range, the Remedy 7 doesn’t come with Trek’s new RE:aktiv damper. You still benefit from Trek’s DRCV shock, with its twin air can design. And Trek has finally delivered on its promise of two shocks in one; the Remedy 7 offers great support at sag, but thanks to the second air chamber — which sits on top of the shock and kicks in mid-way through the travel — you can still blow the O-ring clean off the shock body on bigger hits.

Revised DCRV float offers two shocks in one (Fowler)

Up front, the 140mm RockShox Revelation fork doesn’t get Trek’s signature G2 steering geometry, with its increased offset, and the handling on the Remedy is so much better for it. The steering is much less twitchy at speed, and felt less floppy when climbing too.

OK, so the Remedy doesn’t get a dropper seatpost. But just like a TV without a remote, it doesn’t affect the quality of the picture. Yes, it’s a pain having to stop to raise or lower the saddle — just like getting off your ass to switch channels — but given that the Trek is £200 cheaper than similarly performing bikes, you could actually buy yourself a RockShox Reverb with change to spare.

We never thought we’d say this about a Trek, but the Remedy had a 70mm stem! And while 70mm isn’t short by today’s standards, it offered the best fit and feel straight out of the box. The 750mm bar is plenty wide enough, but it had a little too much backsweep for our liking. This probably worked in Trek’s favour though, as the profile of the bar had the same effect as reducing the stem length.

Trek has finally cottoned on to the idea of short stems (Fowler)

Performance

When the Trek showed up, we thought we’d been sent the women’s version by mistake — the frame looked so low-slung and compact. The numbers don’t lie, however, and sizing and reach on the 19.5in frame felt absolutely bang-on once we hit the trails.

Best of all, it took minimal effort on our part to get a good suspension set-up — the Remedy offering the most neutral and balanced ride from the get-go.

The rear suspension provided a lot of support, and we loved being able to ride it, up or down, with the shock always in the open setting. It just felt so efficient and responsive. It also comes with a Bottomless Token preinstalled in the fork.

It’s one seriously solid bike too. Slam a berm, or land a drop sideways, and the Remedy brushes it off and presses ahead with no loss of pace or composure. Add into the mix that the rear tyre always breaks traction just before the front washes out, and it’s a sure-fire recipe for a fun, confidence-inspiring trail bike.

Even though the Remedy 7 27.5 is the entry-level model, it’s got all the bases covered. The alloy frame is bomber solid, the 140mm travel suspension is superbly tuned and easy to set up, and while the specification isn’t standout, it’s competitive and, more importantly, functional. The bike feels built to last too. Of course, there are some things we’d change to gain those final few per cent in performance — like swapping the handlebar and tyres — but these are easy fixes. Trek’s already got the perfect blend of ingredients, and any changes would just be the icing on the cake.

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• Mountain Frames
• Session 27.5 Carbon Frameset

Trek Session 27.5 Carbon Frameset

Session C 27.5 frameset is an agile carbon DH mountain bike that's built for tearing up the biggest descents. Strong and light OCLV Mountain Carbon tubes, 190mm of travel with a FOX Factory shock, and the best frame tech make it the perfect platform for downhill speed. It's right for you if... You seek out the steepest descents, the fastest lines, and the biggest jumps. You're looking for a fast, agile, light DH ride with a high-quality shock and the best frame tech for ridiculous speed in downhill races. The tech you get A strong and light full OCLV Mountain Carbon frame, 190mm of travel with an adjustable FOX Factory Float X2 shock tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, Carbon Armor frame protection, and adjustable fixed-angle FSA Orbit headset, and exclusive trail tech like ABP and Mino Link. Built for 27.5? wheels. The final word This light and nimble bike is built for speed and agility on the biggest, roughest downhill runs. Why you'll love it - Session has the heart of a monster truck: it rolls over everything, gives you the confidence to take on rougher trails, and saves you when you don't take the right line - OCLV Mountain Carbon is light and strong, even on the wildest runs - Race or get rowdy? This bike does both - 27.5 wheels are great for flicking the bike around through the most technical trail - Mino Link and fixed-angle headset cups let you adjust your geometry for the exact handling you want

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* Subject to change without notice.

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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.

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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

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• Rider Notes

2022 Trek Remedy 7

A 27.5″ full suspension enduro bike with high-end components. Compare the full range

For This Bike

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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Add custom gearing

Aug 2019 · MBA Action

Trek has over 15 years of wheel-size development experience that dates all the way back to the first 29er they introduced under the Gary Fisher brand, the

Read Review

May 2019 · Christoph Bayer

The Trek Remedy 8 made it to the very top of the group test. It impressed all of our test riders with its outstanding performance!

Efficient climber

Super fun and balanced on the descents

Best suspension in the test

Great value for money

Brakes and tires limit the bike

We've had our Trek Remedy for over 6 months of hard riding and abuse, taking it well above your average review test. Find out how the bike endured.

Apr 2019 · Alan Muldoon

Blink, and you could miss the latest round of revisions to the Trek Remedy 8. The biggest change to the frame is move away from Full Floater shock mount.

The Trek Remedy 7 is a long travel trail bike that sets a great standard for this category of bike. It’s reasonably well priced for a ‘shop bought’ bike, providing a nimble ride that will put a smile on your face. It's probably not the fastest bike you'll ride but it is a lot of fun!

The remedy’s trail-eating suspension and geometry inspires a spirited, almost-childlike ride.

Trek's updated 2019 Remedy 8 trail bike climbs very efficiently and gobbles up bumps on the descent.

Aug 2018 · BHowell

Trek just made the Remedy stiffer and lighter while tweaking the suspension. We've already got a few months on the bike. Get the scoop!

Last updated 30 March

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Five Full-suspension 27.5+ Bikes from Cyclofest

Over the last year, full-suspension 27.5+ bikes have exploded into the marketplace. At this years Fall Cyclofest demo event, this was especially evident. Here are five we rode that possess some serious backcountry exploration potential…

After a significant amount of time with the Salsa Pony Rustler , it’s clear why the full-suspension 27.5+ platform is taking off. Bigger tires translate to added traction, expanded terrain and elevated confidence. Couple these traits with a lightweight carbon frame and well-engineered suspension, and the result is a backcountry machine tailored for folks who like to push these capabilities, and the level of trails they ride. And since more tires are coming available, such as the wildly popular new Maxxis Recon+ 2.8 — which was specced on every one of the bikes below — more and more bike companies are offering a 27.5+ option. Here are five that we tried at the Fall Cyclofest this past weekend, each with notes and a few specs — listed in order of length of suspension travel. CycloFest is the new East Coast demo event put on by the same folks that organize Interbike; it was held this year at the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC.

Pivot Mach 429 Trail, 27.5+

Ignoring the fact that the Mach 429 is the shortest travel bike in this list — 130mm Front/116mm Rear — it’s appropriate that the Mach 429 Trail appears first. On paper, it is perhaps the most versatile and bikepacking friendly of the five. It features a relatively short travel suspension platform, provided by Dave Weagle’s DW-Link four-bar design — currently only licensed to Pivot, Ibis, Turner, and a couple other companies. DW-Link provides the Mach 429 with a snappy feel for solid climbing and XC speed, but working in tandem with the 2.8″ tires it also can dig deeper at an all-mountain level when needed. In addition, with a large frame triangle and down tube bottle bosses, it makes a good case for a do-all rig with bikepacking potential. We look forward to further testing it with a bag kit.

• Travel 130mm Front/116mm Rear
• Max tire size 3.25″
• Under Downtube bottle mount Yes
• Standout features I9 hubs (with wheel upgrade); DW Link suspension
• Bikepacking features Large frame pack space; climbs like a goat
• Intended use Trail riding and singletrack bikepacking
• Price (minimum complete) $4,199.00

Niner Jet 9 RDO Plus, 27.5+

With RDO Carbon Compaction, BOOST, [R]evolution geometry, and the Constant Varying Arc (CVA) suspension platform, Niner packed a lot of proprietary lingo into its all new Jet 9. But not having paid that any mind before riding the Jet 9, it didn’t really matter. The Jet 9 rides fluidly and confidently on trails. It felt very quick and snappy, but when pushed a little, it didn’t seem to hesitate. Similar to other bikes in this lineup, the Jet 9 comes in 27.5+ or 29er.

• Travel 140mm Front/120mm Rear
• Max tire size 3″
• Under Downtube bottle mount No
• Standout features Threaded BB; very lightweight carbon frame
• Bikepacking features Climbs well; good geometry
• Intended use Trail riding and XC singletrack bikepacking
• Price (range complete) $4,800.00

Ibis Mojo 3, 27.5+

Released earlier this year, the Mojo 3 is Ibis’ latest iteration in the Mojo series. Included in the new Mojo 3 is an upgraded swingarm with BOOST rear end and space for 2.8″ tires. The 3 is another DW-Link rig, albeit a tad bit ‘bigger’ bike than the Mach 429 Trail. However, on the flowy root-strewn trails at the Whitewater Center, the Mojo 3 pedaled like a nimble XC trail bike. But make no mistake about it, point it downhill on some technical bits and the Mojo 3 comes to life. And with under down tube bottle bosses and a couple of interesting spaces for custom framebags, this is an intriguing do-all bike.

• Travel 140mm Front/130mm Rear
• Max tire size 2.8″
• Standout features DW Link suspension
• Bikepacking features Interesting frame bag potential; DW-Link; under downtube bottle mounts
• Intended use Big trail riding and backcountry singletrack exploration
• Price (minimum complete) $3,999.00

Rocky Mountain Pipeline, 27.5+

Rocky didn’t re-release the Sherpa — their purpose-built bikepacking-specific full-suspension 27.5+ bike — in their 2017 lineup. So the newly minted Pipeline started looking awfully tempting to folks who had their eye on the sold-out limited release Sherpa. After all, it’s a bike with similar bones, although it has a bit more travel than the Sherpa. The Pipeline felt really good on descents, however it did seem like a bit much for the rather mellow trails at the US National Whitewater Center. But if your domain is steep and rough, it might be worth a look.

• Travel 150mm Front/130mm Rear
• Standout features 1x specific
• Bikepacking features Straight frame design for frame pack; under downtube bottle mounts
• Intended use Big descents and backcountry singletrack
• Price (range complete) $4,799.00

Pivot Switchblade, 27.5+

Pivot claims the all-new Switchblade as “Purpose-built to meet the demands of enduro and aggressive trail riding.” With super short chainstays and slack lines, combined with DW-Link suspension and 27.5×2.8″ Maxxis Recon+ tires, the Switchblade 27.5+ is set up to combine fun with all-terrain exploration. Although on paper the Switchblade is far too big a bike for the rooty and generally non-technical flowy trails of the Whitewater Center, during our test ride the Switchblade never really felt like it was too much. Granted I’d love to try this bike on the steeper and gnarlier trails up the road in Pisgah, it was overall a very impressive bike.

• Travel 150mm Front/135mm Rear
• Standout features DW-Link suspension; great medium travel backcountry bike
• Bikepacking features Good frame pack space; under downtube bottle mounts
• Intended use Big trail riding and backcountry singletrack bikepacking
• Price (range complete) $5,199.00

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27.5 INCH FULL SUSPENSION BIKES

Yes, kids as young as 11 can fit a 27.5 inch wheel bike, amazing. the advantages of the bigger wheels; traction, speed, roll-over, definitely helps in some scenarios but generally the bigger wheeled bikes are not as playful as a similar sized 26 inch wheel bike. two options exist: 1) a kids specific 27.5 bike or 2) an adult xs/s 27.5 bike. the kids specific 27.5 bikes can generally fit kids a couple inches shorter but the differences in stand-over, stack height and reach with the xs adult bikes are sometimes neglligible...so dig into the geometry numbers. also, still pay attention to weight for the younger kids. if you are total mtb heads like us, grab a small frame and build a master piece. check our video below..

Rokk 26/27.5

A cool convertible 26/27.5 inch 160 mm travel frame that uses a geo chip to keep the chainstays and BB height normalized between wheel sizes. Rock Shox Pike 160 mm fork, Sram NX 11-50T, Sram G2 brakes, pivotal seat, 165mm cranks, and maxxis highroller 2.4 tires. Geo is 63.2 HA, 74 STA , 1143mm wheelbase, 22mm BB drop, 439mm rear center, and 372mm reach.

Weight: 30 lbs | MSRP: $3600 |  Min/Max inseam: 27-32 inches | Where to buy: Spawn

Rocky Mountain Reaper 27.5

We really like the Reaper platform for kids as Rocky has a great bike here at a competitive price. The shorter reach of around 371-383 mm make it a small fitting 27.5 which is nice to take advantage of the bigger wheels but do keep in the mind the listed standover is quite high comparatively, 792mm. Ride 9 adjustable geo lets you set a 66.4-67.6 HA and 424-426 mm CS.  The 27.5 model has 150 mm front travel with a RockShox Recon Gold fork and the rear 140mm suspension works amazing. Maxxis Minnions , Race Face 165mm cranks, 11-51 Deore Cassette and a dropper post round out a smart build. Like the 26  model, I would switch out would be the Shimano MT4100 brakes to something with a better lever and more power. We really like this for a kid who spends equal time climbing, shuttling and lift access.

Weight: 31.4 lbs | MSRP: $2850 | Min Rider height: 4'11 | Where to buy: Rocky Dealer

Canyon Neuron Young Hero 27.5

Two sizes in essentially a XXS and XS neuron 130mm rear travel trail bikes. No dropper but the routing is there. Both bikes  see 165 mm Cranks, 67 degree HA, 74.5 STA, 430 mm stays and 130mm Forks. Reaches of 378 cm (xxs) and 398 cm (xs). Lots of value here but a heavier Judy fork in 29er configuration (this is weird as there are great 27.5 forks available) and sram SX components are also heavy. Does have a nice tubeless ready wheelset and 2.25 inch tubeless ready tires. You can also look to the XXS and XS mens and womans Neurons as they are the same frame and offer different builds with dropper posts but 170mm cranks and more money. UPDATE: The new build available in Europe comes with a Manitou Machete 130mm fork (a far better fork for the kids). OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

Weight: 30.1 lbs | MSRP: $1899 | Height Range: XXS 144-155cm XS 155-165cm | Where to buy: Canyon

Trailcraft Maxwell 27.5

As young as 11 can get on this 120mm trail bike with 120 or 140 mm  fork options. 11-46 or 10-51 T rear cassette, 165mm custom cranks, tubeless 2.25 inch wide tires, great geometry (64.5-66.5 HA, 74 STA, 425 mm CS, 685mm Standover) and overall light weight make this an exceptional light weight bike for kids. A modern longer 425mm reach ad to the stability and capability of the bike. Stealth dropper compatible and KS Lev available with builds. As with all Trialcrafts, the build leaves nothing to be changed  and these bikes are made to climb extremely well in addition to descending single track like rockets. This bike excels for the enduro climbing kids out there that like a fast single track descender and will pop into the bike park on occasion to crush some jump trails. Choose the 140 fork for the gnarlier kiddo.

Weight: 24.75-27.5 lbs | MSRP: $2999+ | Height Range 4'11-5'6 | Where to buy: Trailcraft Cycles

YT Primus 27

New for 2023 the 275 Primus is for pre-teens, teens and small adults. Great bike and spec but the Sram SX stuff has to go. Grab a cheap 150-165mm crankset from Ali express and swap in microshift advent x. We also would have preferred a pike over a lyrik to lighten up the build a bit but not as big of a deal as drivetrain. 442mm reach, 598mm stack, 1167mm wheelbase, 432mm chainstays, 65.7-66.2 Head Angle.

Weight: 33.4 lbs | MSRP: $2399+ | Height Range 5'1-5'5 | Where to buy: YT Bikes

VPACE Moritz 27.5

A fantastic super small fitting 27.5 inch full suspension 130mm travel bike with 140m Fox fork. Reach 415 mm, 65 degree head angle, 75 degree seat tube, 435 mm chainstays, 415mm reach, 145mm cranks, 11 spd 10-50 cassette, dropper post, 28 or 30T front chainring, 2.25 Nobby Nics...a lot to love here. The 145mm cranks make sense as this bike fits smaller kids than most 27.5 inch bikes and the bottom bracket is low. It's light, slack enough and very capable. This is an equal climber and descender that is no stranger at the lift access bike park for kids to get after it! UPDATE: No longer shipping to North America.

Weight: 27 lbs | MSRP: $3500+ |  Minimum Height: 4'7 (140+cm) | Where to buy: VPACE

Marin Rift Zone 27.5

Wow, this bike offers a ton of value and will get more kids into mountain biking because of it, well done Marin. The XS size has a reach of 410mm, 579mm stack, 66.5 HA, 430mm chainstays, and a standover of 647mm. Cranks come in at 170mm, you get a Rock shox recon fork with solo air spring, motion control damper but heavier steel stanchions. No dropper on the Rift Zone 1 but the other builds do. You could easily throw one on with its internal routing for $150. 10-51T rear Cassette, clutch derailleur, hydraulic brakes, Crown Gem tires and 120mm/130mm travel make this an absolute winner of a bike for this price and weight. Also available in two different builds with higher end components dropper post etc.

Weight: 31.5 lbs | MSRP: $1899-$2999 |  Min rider height: 4'8 | Where to buy: | Bikes Online

Trek Fuel EX5/EX7

This is a great 140mm front 130 mm rear travel trail bike that fits really nice an XS for kids. The Jump up to the EX7 is probably worth it to get the weight down and the better suspension. The XS has a reach of 395 mm, Head Angle of 66 degrees, Stack height of 559 mm, Chainstays of 436 mm, and 75 seat tube angle. You get 100mm dropper on both builds and 170mm cranks.

Weight: 31-34 lbs | MSRP: $2449-$3249 |  Minimum Height: 4'6-5"1 | Where to buy: Trek

Norco Youth Sight 27.5

A brawler of a bike, the spec on this bike packs a punch. 140mm Rear and 150mm Pike upfront, this is a capable suspension package. A 650mm standover and 395mm reach, this is a small fitting 27.5. 63.5 HA, 425mm chainstays and a 77 degree STA make it a very progressive geo in a kids package. Dropper post, Maxxis minions, 165mm cranks, and 11-50T cassette finish the build. Unfortunately , the SRAM SX stuff adds to weight which is pushing it for smaller kids. Great Bike Park bike that can get up the hills with a little effort.

Weight: 33 lbs | MSRP: $2999 US |  Rider Height: 4'7-5'2 | Where to buy: Norco

Canyon Spectral Young Hero

A nice aggressive trail bike from Canyon at a very good price for 11-14 crowd. Like the young Neuron you do get lower end heavier SS drive train parts and a heavier steel stanchioned 150 mm fork. The frame is great with a cable cover and well thought out 140mm rear travel with kinematics for the kids. Another win on the build is Race Face wheelset plus the DHF front tire for grip and Aggressor for rolling and cornering. Crank length is good at 165 cm and a good length 125mm dropper post. In an ideal world, I would pay more for an alloy stanchioned lighter fork (Recon Gold) and would love to see something like a Microshift AdventX drivetrain instead of the heavy 12spd SX stuff. Great geo with a 66 Head angle, 373 Reach, 430 Chainstays and a 74 degree Seat tube angle.

Weight: 32.5 lbs | MSRP: $1899 | Height Range: 2XS 148 -158 cm (4'10-5'2) | Where to buy: Canyon

Commencal Clash XS Mullet

Polygon Siskiu T7 27.5

What you get here for this price is so amazing for a 150mm front/140mm rear travel bike. Recon fork with great damper and air spring, 10-51T 1x12 Deore drivetrain, 170 mm cranks, 150 mm dropper, 4 piston front brake for more power and great hans dampf tires. Very modern geometry with a size small 440m reach, 76.5 STA, 65 HA, playful 425 chainstays, stack height of 594mm , and standover of 667mm. And like all Bikes Online bikes, free shipping to lower 48, 14 day no hassle returns, and lifetime warranty of polygon frames. We can't over state how pumped we are to see bikes like this at this price from the likes of Polygon and Marin. At 440mm reach it really is for teens over 5'4 mark.

Weight: 34 lbs | MSRP: $1899 |  Min rider height: 5'1 | Where to buy: Bikes Online

Commencal Supreme DH XS

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50 Comments

Moving my 10yr old boy (he’s tall for his age) from a 24″ YT to a 27.5″ XS size bike. What kind of suspension settings are people using for kids when it comes to actual Fox shocks/forks? Can find data on the Manitou Junit stuff for kids but not much out there for Fox Factory stuff for kids.

Settings for kids is basically finding a compromise between effective travel and the ability of the fork to return quickly (effectively no rebound dampening in most adult forks). Too little air and the rebound will slow down causing the fork to pack-up and feel really harsh. Adding more air will help this but limit the effective travel of fork or shock. This is why we go for as much travel as possible (but still a good size fit for standover/stack) in pre-teen bikes. Play around and film in slow-mo over a rough section to see what is going on, then make adjustments to air pressure and dampening accordingly.

Hi. I’m looking for a solid next level mountain bike for my almost 10 year old son (4’9”) a full suspension, dropper post etc to support his development as a rider. I’d love to hear what your top recommendation is these days for a bike in this category. Any advice is welcomed. Thank you!

It really depends on what terrain he rides the most and a little bit on his strength and skill level.

I’m torn between the clash xs and the Norco. Leaning towards the clash because of the mullet style and color. I would love your expert opinion on the better built bike. My son is 4’7” and growing. Thanks

We would go Clash over Norco but keep in mind they are both fairly heavy for a pre-teen to climb. We opted to build out a lighter bike with even more travel with our Evil build because pedaling a 33 lb bike is a lot for a 12 year old. Lift access bike your jam? The clash and Norco will be great.

Hi Bike Dads, according to your recommendation, I purchased a 2022 27.5 Reaper. Is the Recon gold fork on this sufficient or should I replace it and sell it as a take off before he ever rides it? Our local trails are pretty flat or rocky but we travel to Northwest Arkansas 3-4 times per year.

We would think for terrain described and Northwest Arkansas, the Recon Gold will be just fine. It uses Alloy stanchions so not too heavy and the motion control damper performs pretty good. If he is Charging hard, you may want to look to a RS pike or fox 36 if you can find a good sale.

Thank you for the reply. It was a pricey investment but there are few 22’s left we picked up for delivered sub 2200. With having a 6 year old I figure this bike will see great use for them both. Thanks for all you do. I did use your link and buy goldix 140,150 mm and a 28,30 tooth rings so we can have some options depending on destination.

Hi Bike Dads, Great site and YouTubes! I think you guys are more on point to what I am looking for than the other kids’ bike review sites that I would visit when my guys were smaller. I think you had the question before, but … anyways … my 12-year old kid is 5′ (152 cm) and his arms are 5’2″ and inseam is about 28-29″ if I measured right. I am looking at the 27.5 Rocky Mountain Instinct or the Cannondale Habit. I’m thinking about the XS, but wondering, should I go with the S? He is on either end of the size ranges for both bikes, but don’t want to go XS if he’ll grow out of it before the spring. I’m also willing to hear about other comparables in 27.5 bikes if there are any. Thanks! Keep up the good work!

I meant to say his armspan is 5’2″. Thanks

At 12, he is likely going to quick so sizing up a good idea. Anything with a low seat tube and a reach in the 410-430 range should be good. 145-155 mm after market cranks would also be a good idea for any bike.

Hello dad’s, do you have any opinions on the Ghost Riot Youth Pro? Debating that against Canyon Neuron because it is a good price at the moment. Thanks!

They are very similar bikes but the Neuron might hold the edge in suspension, particularly the Euro version with the Manitou Machete. We would swap out the cranks with both bikes to 150mm vs the 165 mm stock cranks. Both drivetrains are heavy/entry level and could be replaced eventually as well. The reach is also a fair amount longer with the ghost (419mm) vs 398 of the neuron XS. At 419 reach, you can also be looking at XS or Small 27.5 bikes if you want more options.

Thanks- I went with the Ghost becuase it is priced at Euro 1100 at the moment. It also has the GX drivetrain versus the SX on the neuron. My concern is that it is pretty heavy, so will wait and see.

FYI the new Neuron with the Manitou suspension also seems to have updated geometry – 66HA, 76SA, 390 Reach. Combined with the Deore 12S it seems like a pretty awesome ride. It would be worth updating the stats in your article, though FYI it is not even listed on the US website (lucky I’m in AU where it is available!)

What do you think of the Kona Process 134 DL 27.5” in a size XS for a 4’10” kid?

https://www.jensonusa.com/Kona-Process-134-DL-275-Bike

yep, great. throw on some 150/155mm cranks and call it a day.

Your page is so so useful! My son’s 4’6″ on a 24″ prevelo this year (it’s getting too small) and will be looking to move him up next year. I was hoping to jump to 27.5 and avoid 26″ to try to eek out more time without having to buy another bike somewhat soon. However, my kid mostly wants to climb, climb, climb (2000 ft plus) so weight is the main consideration. Was considering going hardtail. Are there good hardtail options that would fit a kid, light, and won’t break the bank in 27.5? Or would you still recommend a full suspension? The light full suspensions are just so expensive.

Look at an extra small or small adult 27.5 hardtail with a reach around 400mm and a decent standover. As for Full suspension vs Hardtail it really depends on descending terrain and if benefits of f/s start to outweigh the weight difference (differs depending on kiddos skill level and strength).

Is there a 27.5 out there for a sub 4’6″ rider. My son is definitely ready for a more serious ride. He’s outgrown/worn out the capability of his Vitus Hardtail 24″ (which I also found on this site and chose because of his stature) but not necessarily the frame size. I was hoping to skip to a 27.5 with more substantial components and better suspension but it looks like we’re only going to be able to move up to a 26″. I was stuck on a hardtail being his next bike but after our last bike park trip I’m thinking full sus might almost be a matter of safety/control at this point. Would love any advice for a solid bike for a very short but capable rider. 50lbs or so. V Space looks like it might work but I see the shipping note…Canyon Neuron? Thanks very much for this site.

You can go a low standover, shorter reach 27.5 and always throw on 26 inch wheels and shorter cranks. The Nueron would fit that bill nicely. Our 4’3 Nine year old is currently on a 2019 27.5 XS Bronson with 26 inch wheels and 127mm cranks, works great.

The Canyon Neuron ditched not only the Judy fork (now a Manitou Machete as mentioned above) but also SRAM SX is replaced with Shimano Deore.

So basically the two main complaints you had have been addressed – looks like a solid buy now – right?

Very Solid buy now!

I missed one thing – they now use 150mm cranks. Wonder if they take hints from thebikedads.com !? Must be!

XS santacruz 5010 or Bronson too

That’s what we are building right now…XS Bronson.

Hi, Are you building a full 27.5 bronson or mullet? harder and harder to find full 27.5 bikes these days!

It’s a 2019 XS Bronson that is getting 26 inch wheels and 145mm cranks…It might even start with 24 inch wheels and 130mm cranks LOL.

I am looking for a bike for my 11 year old son. He is 4’11 and I saw that the Yt primus 26 was now for sale for 1500$. Would you recommend a 27.5 or the primus?

At 4’11 I would go XS or S 27.5 with low stand over and reach number in the 400-415cm range and put on 152mm cranks to take advantage of the bigger wheels. But, at this price that YT is a steal (would also put on 152 cranks).

I would like to stay under $2000.

Go YT 26 and swap the cranks out then, can’t beat that price and he should get two years out out of it.

Hi Colin, looking at the Reaper 26 size chart, I feel it is really off. My son is 9 year old, 146 cm and has already outgrown the reaper 26. The reach is so short and seatpost + dropper is at maximum extension. With short seatube making it hard to install a longer one.

I would like to stay with RM, as I really like the brand and quality. I could have a 2022 Small instinct C50 in 27.5. If sizing is on the short side like the reaper 26, it might fit next summer…standover height is similar to Reaper 26 , but reach on the new instinct is very long at 430 compare to 377 on the Reaper. I know there is XS for instinct too, but i,m afraid it will not last 2 summer. On the other side I don’t want to stretch him too much either even if he is a solid rider for his age…What other critical geo spec I should look at before making a decision ?

Do you think there ia a big difference between the XS and Small for INstinct

Hi Martin, The Reaper 26 is probably the smallest 26 out there in terms of reach and standover, makes it great for getting small kids on a 26. 430 is a big reach for 146cm. My 11 year old rides at 410cm reach at 148 cm tall and its perfect. Just getting him on 27.5 wheels will make a huge difference. Unfortunately, kids grow in spurts but at 410-430 reach bike should last 2-3 years. They can learn to live wiht a shorter reach bike, us Dads did for years, LOL.

Hi, I was wondering if you’ve heard of anyone doing a 26/27.5 mullet on an adult xs trail bike? I got my tall 9yr old an xs Trek Fuel Ex 8, and while the frame fits him really well the standover is a bit high (lots of low speed crashes) and it seems like he has a bit of trouble leaning it over. Switching to a 26in rear wheel would drop the bottom bracket and slacken it out, I’m not too worried about the negatives, as he has shorter 155 cranks on there and the effective STA wouldn’t be too slack. Just not sure if the it’s worth the cost of building a whole new wheel (haven’t been able to find boost 26″ wheels anywhere). Thoughts on if this would be worth it?

You can use offset bushings to negate some of the geo changes. I’de try this first. https://www.offsetbushings.com/pages/how-they-work Other option would be to go full 26 front/rear handbuilt wheelset. 155 cranks will probably deal wit the BB drop but you could always go down to 145/150 cranks. Might be hard selling just a rear wheel when are finished with it…

What is Bike Dad’s official opinion on the 27.5″ kids bikes in Germany/England? HUP is making a 27.5″ frame that supposedly a 3’11” kid can ride. . . It seems like for some kids bigger wheels would make a huge difference, especially for girls that don’t have the kind of upper body strength required to manual over roots/rocks, but can pedal uphill well.

It looks super cool. This is essentially what VPACE does with their Full Suspension bikes. Low BB, Very short cranks and low standover/stack. This allows you tho get smaller kids on bigger wheelsize which is really great for rollover, traction and speed. The price might get up there with various builds to the point I might look at a VPACE Moritz instead.

It looks like only the European build of the Canyon Neuron Young Hero comes with the Manitou suspension, sent a message to Canyon and they confirmed that North America still gets the Rock Shox Judy. Too bad as they are also currently in stock.

bummer, the machete such a superior shock for kids.

There’s too much focus on weight here. If the focus is downhill then the Clash is a clear winner. Besides, weight isn’t the only deciding factor of how well a bike climbs.

Kelan, at 5’1″ you have a lot of choices by considering any small adult bike out there.

Bike Park only and the commencal is great but the heavy rotational weight in that wheelset makes is a tough slog for a pre-teen compared to some other bikes available if climbing is on the menu. Now winners of losers here, its more about getting the right bike for where kiddo rides, their skill and strength level and parents budget.

Can a boy ride a Liv mtb?

We’re currently looking at a Liv hail for a 12 year old, and wondering if it could be fit for him.

We were thinking as a lighter weight rider it would work for him.

100% they can. In fact, may be even better as the suspension will have a ligher tune and you can sometimes get an xs sizing not available in a Giant branded bike.

HI guys, I’m looking for a rowdy 27.5 bike in the next year. Wondering what options you might like better than others.

-Clash is way too heavy – Reaper has a junk fork etc – Sight isn’t bad but not sure they are making them…63.5 HTA seems pretty aggro even for my kid that’s a freeride/slopestyle beast. Maybe its fine and an Angle-set could solve all of that. REALLY like the geometry (beyond the HTA).

Also thinking about a Transition Scout XS. Its a bit longer in the reach (410mm) and 430mm chainstays and spendy. Wondering if there is anything else in 27.5 around that 140-150mm travel range in an XS that similar to the Sight/Scout.

If its the reaper you are after just grab a an xs Rocky alloy 50 instinct, great bike, 406 mm reach, awesome fork (the reaper is basically a xxs Instinct at reach of 377 mm). Not much else in that 140-150 range adult small 27.5 except the Giant Trance small (406 mm reach, 67 HA). Other small fitting adult smalls Santa Cruz 5010 and Nomad, Salsa Rustler and some Yetis. New Sight Youth should be coming out this Fall but still crazy times and things change. Let us know what you end up finding/going with. Cheers.

Unfortunately, Bikes online will not ship Polygon (or or the complete bikes) to Canada.

Hi, I’m 12 years old and am starting to outgrow my RM Reaper 26- I’m a smidge below 5’1″. I’m a very aggressive rider, hitting double blacks and 8+ foot drops at the bike park. Out of these bikes above, which do you think would be the best option? Should I maybe go with a XS or small sized adult bike? What price range is reasonable to look into at my skill level?

If you are in the bike park, I’de look at Reaper 27.5, Sight youth 27.5 or Commencal Clash youth 27.5. Some XS/S adult 27.5 bikes might be worth a look as well.

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Tesla starts using ‘Supervised Full Self-Driving’ language

Tesla and Elon Musk have started using the term “Supervised Full Self-Driving” when discussing their self-driving efforts.

What does it mean?

Tesla, and especially its CEO Elon Musk, has used controversial language when discussing its self-driving effort.

It started with calling and selling something called the “Full Self-Driving Capability” package all the way back in 2016. The automaker promised it would eventually enable level 5 self-driving capability through software updates.

Now, it has yet to happen, and Tesla has evolved its language around the promise over the years.

Musk previously often used the term “robotaxi” and said that “Tesla would enable 1 million robotaxis by the end of the year”. This was in reference to bringing full self-driving capability to Tesla’s existing fleet of over 1 million vehicles, now over 5 million, through a software update.

That also never happened.

Musk then started using the term “feature complete,” which refers to Tesla FSD Beta taking over all driving tasks. However, it still requires the driver’s attention and readiness to take control at all times.

Under SAE’s ADAS system ranking, this is called a level 2 autonomous system, and Tesla has clearly promised a level 4 or even 5 system in which driver attention is not required. That’s where we are now.

In the last year or two, Tesla, and especially Musk, as he is Tesla’s main spokesperson, have stopped referencing robotaxi or at least in reference to turning Tesla’s existing fleet into robotaxis. Instead, Musk used the term in reference to an upcoming new Tesla vehicle specifically designed to be a robotaxi.

When it comes to turning FSD Beta into a true self-driving system, Tesla and Musk have been much more vague.

Lately, they have focused on using the language of “Supervised” Full Self-Driving. Musk recently referenced it in an email sent to Tesla employees , and Tesla used the same term in recent social media posts.

It’s a reference to drivers having to “supervise” the system. In the previously mentioned email sent to Tesla employees, Musk proudly said that “supervised Full Self-Driving” actually works.

Electrek’s Take

“Supervised Full Self-Driving” indeed works, but you have to ask yourself if the supervised part is what makes it work. The answer is obvious.

I feel like I am repeating myself, but the only thing of value that Tesla can communicate on that front now is actual data about driver intervention and FSD disengagement in order to show a rate of improvement leading toward the “march of 9s”.

Top comment by Alain Tougas

The addition of "supervised" smells so much like a requirement from the Legal dpt... In the event of a crash, if you did not get in control (steering, breaking) within half a second after a "disengage" message is displayed, you are considered to be "not supervising". Tesla not guilty. End of story.

Personnaly, I don't mind. I think this is how it should be.

The “march of 9s” is what people in the autonomous vehicle industry refer to achieving a 99.9999x percent level of safety.

Right now, when it comes to Tesla’s FSD Beta, we don’t seem to be marching yet. There’s no clear path to it becoming an unsupervised system.

Now, I know that some people hold hope in the fact that Tesla recently launched FSD Beta v12, with end-to-end neural net, and that Tesla is reportedly not “compute constrained” anymore – meaning that FSD Beta could be trained faster and therefore, improve faster.

I still have some hope on that front, but I really want some real data. I can’t with the anecdotal experiences anymore, the continuously evolving language, and the moving goal post.

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