24 INCH FULL SUSPENSION BIKES

131 Comments

1. 

   Eric PoomsNovember 20, 2024

   Have an opinion on new Ripcord?

   Appears fairly nice. Wondering if bike park capable.

   Thoughts on Ripcord vs Norco Fluid 1 24 n

   Reply
2. 

   sam PlunkOctober 26, 2024

   Updated Transition Ripcord 24 to be released shortly. Will you be reviewing?

   Reply
   1. 

      The Bike DadsOctober 26, 2024

      Nothing on the books yet. We love the XS Transition bikes for the 10 plus crowd, lets hope they filter down the giddy up to the new ripcord.

      Reply
3. 

   MomGoesBikingMay 15, 2024

   Hi Bike Dads!
   Love this site. Have a 60lb 126cm tall wiry 5yo who is doing his second season of bike park/trails this year in Whistler. Last year he rode his 20” hardtail in the park (greens/blues) and this year the 20” looks so small. We are looking to upgrade to FS 24… Think the RM Reaper is too big; looking at the Norco FS 1 vs a used vpace Moritz… thoughts re size/weight?
   Thanks!!

   Reply
   1. 

      The Bike DadsMay 16, 2024

      VPACE Moritz hands down.

      Reply
4. 

   BenNovember 19, 2023

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

   Reply
   1. 

      The Bike DadsNovember 21, 2023

      Nice Catch! Thx.

      Reply
5. 

   MathieuOctober 12, 2023

   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).

   Reply
   1. 

      The Bike DadsOctober 15, 2023

      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.

      Reply
      1. 

         MathieuOctober 16, 2023

         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.

         Reply
         1. 

            MathieuOctober 16, 2023

            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) ?

            Reply
            1. 

               The Bike DadsOctober 19, 2023

               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.

6. 

   HeroldSeptember 26, 2023

   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?

   Reply
   1. 

      The Bike DadsSeptember 27, 2023

      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.

      Reply
7. 

   HarrySeptember 22, 2023

   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?

   Reply
   1. 

      The Bike DadsSeptember 24, 2023

      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.

      Reply
8. 

   JasonAugust 23, 2023

   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?

   Reply
   1. 

      The Bike DadsAugust 25, 2023

      Check out our wheelset and cranks pages for options.

      Reply
9. 

   BobbyJuly 20, 2023

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

   Reply
10. 

    AdrianJuly 9, 2023

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

    Reply
    1. 

       The Bike DadsJuly 10, 2023

       not at this time…

       Reply
11. 

    Tim KJune 2, 2023

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       The Bike DadsJune 6, 2023

       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.

       Reply
12. 

    3BrothersMtnBikeMay 25, 2023

    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?

    Reply
    1. 

       The Bike DadsMay 26, 2023

       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.

       Reply
       1. 

          3BrothersMtnBikeMay 27, 2023

          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…

          Reply
          1. 

             Tim KJune 2, 2023

             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?

             Reply
          2. 

             The Bike DadsJune 6, 2023

             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.

             Reply
13. 

    SamOctober 22, 2022

    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!

    Reply
    1. 

       The Bike DadsOctober 24, 2022

       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.

       Reply
14. 

    RobertSeptember 28, 2022

    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

    Reply
    1. 

       The Bike DadsSeptember 29, 2022

       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.

       Reply
       1. 

          RobertOctober 18, 2022

          Hi Colin,

          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!

          Robert

          Reply
          1. 

             RobertNovember 24, 2022

             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

             Reply
15. 

    GonçaloSeptember 16, 2022

    Hi there,

    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,

    Gonçalo

    Reply
    1. 

       The Bike DadsSeptember 18, 2022

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

       Reply
16. 

    JakeSeptember 13, 2022

    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

    Reply
    1. 

       The Bike DadsSeptember 15, 2022

       Nice work Dad!

       Reply
17. 

    THayJuly 24, 2022

    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.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    1. 

       The Bike DadsJuly 25, 2022

       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…

       Reply
18. 

    AlecJune 1, 2022

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinJune 2, 2022

       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.

       Reply
19. 

    VuMay 29, 2022

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinMay 30, 2022

       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.

       Reply
20. 

    NathanMay 24, 2022

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinMay 24, 2022

       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.

       Reply
21. 

    MitchApril 25, 2022

    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?

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinApril 27, 2022

       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.

       Reply
       1. 

          MitchMay 4, 2022

          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?

          Reply
          1. 

             ColinMay 4, 2022

             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!

             Reply
22. 

    David ButlerApril 12, 2022

    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?

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinApril 12, 2022

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

       Reply
23. 

    BenDecember 6, 2021

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinDecember 6, 2021

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

       Reply
24. 

    Tristan ColliflowerOctober 5, 2021

    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.

    Thanks!

    Reply
25. 

    Jeffrey NormanSeptember 14, 2021

    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?

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinSeptember 14, 2021

       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).

       Reply
26. 

    PaulSeptember 13, 2021

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinSeptember 14, 2021

       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.

       Reply
       1. 

          PaulSeptember 15, 2021

          Thanks for your support Colin. Very much appreciated.

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

          Reply
          1. 

             ColinSeptember 16, 2021

             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.

             Reply
             1. 

                PaulSeptember 20, 2021

                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.

             2. 

                DanJanuary 2, 2022

                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.

             3. 

                ColinJanuary 2, 2022

                We see 24’s more for the 6-9 crowd…

27. 

    MikeJuly 27, 2021

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinJuly 27, 2021

       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.

       Reply
28. 

    JonJuly 21, 2021

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinJuly 21, 2021

       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.

       Reply
29. 

    MartinJuly 17, 2021

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinJuly 19, 2021

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

       Reply
       1. 

          David FerrarApril 26, 2022

          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 ?

          Reply
          1. 

             ColinApril 27, 2022

             They do ship worldwide…

             Reply
30. 

    louis staleyJuly 13, 2021

    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?

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinJuly 14, 2021

       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.

       Reply
    2. 

       HuckJuly 27, 2021

       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.

       Reply
31. 

    ChrisJuly 2, 2021

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinJuly 2, 2021

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

       Reply
32. 

    AnonymousMay 11, 2021

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinMay 11, 2021

       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.

       Reply
    2. 

       tonik666May 18, 2021

       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).

       Reply
       1. 

          ColinMay 25, 2021

          Nice find on that stem!

          Reply
33. 

    AnonymousMay 11, 2021

    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?

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinMay 11, 2021

       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.

       Reply
34. 

    TOMASZ SWIERKOTMay 6, 2021

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

    Reply
35. 

    JoshApril 23, 2021

    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?

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinApril 24, 2021

       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.

       Reply
36. 

    MikeMarch 24, 2021

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinMarch 25, 2021

       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.

       Reply
37. 

    Donna C.March 19, 2021

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinMarch 19, 2021

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

       Reply
       1. 

          RedogMarch 20, 2021

          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.

          Reply
          1. 

             ColinMarch 20, 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.

             Reply
38. 

    AndrewFebruary 16, 2021

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinFebruary 16, 2021

       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…

       Reply
39. 

    AlexFebruary 10, 2021

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinFebruary 10, 2021

       Awesome, thx.

       Reply
40. 

    Cooper HelenOctober 17, 2020

    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.

    Reply
41. 

    Bill ZanoniOctober 15, 2020

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinOctober 16, 2020

       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.

       Reply
    2. 

       SamNovember 14, 2021

       i would suggest YT definitely

       Reply
42. 

    Craig FabischeSeptember 30, 2020

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinSeptember 30, 2020

       That can be a tough sell…good luck 🙂

       Reply
43. 

    Craig FabischeSeptember 29, 2020

    Sorry one more.

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinSeptember 30, 2020

       The VPACE had lowest standover.

       Reply
44. 

    Craig FabischeSeptember 29, 2020

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinSeptember 30, 2020

       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.

       Reply
45. 

    Craig FabischeSeptember 29, 2020

    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)

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinSeptember 30, 2020

       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.

       Reply
46. 

    Craig FabischeSeptember 28, 2020

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinSeptember 29, 2020

       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.

       Reply
47. 

    AnonymousApril 29, 2020

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinApril 30, 2020

       try Pinkbike.

       Reply
48. 

    KBFebruary 24, 2020

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinFebruary 27, 2020

       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.

       Reply
49. 

    MarcJanuary 17, 2020

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinJanuary 17, 2020

       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….

       Reply
50. 

    TheLargeOneJanuary 10, 2020

    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.

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinJanuary 10, 2020

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

       Reply
51. 

    AnonymousOctober 6, 2019

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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinOctober 7, 2019

       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.

       Reply
    2. 

       PhilipNovember 15, 2020

       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.

       Reply
       1. 

          ColinNovember 16, 2020

          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!

          Reply
       2. 

          ColinNovember 16, 2020

          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.

          Reply
       3. 

          BrentonMay 20, 2021

          Phillip

          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

          Reply
          1. 

             ColinMay 21, 2021

             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…

             Reply
       4. 

          RyanJuly 2, 2021

          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.

          Reply
       5. 

          Joshua BrucknerFebruary 25, 2023

          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.

          Reply
52. 

    Cortney ShierMarch 23, 2019

    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…

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinMarch 25, 2019

       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.

       Reply
53. 

    TreverOctober 18, 2017

    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

    Reply
    1. 

       ColinOctober 21, 2017

       rarely….

       Reply