26 INCH FULL SUSPENSION BIKES
26 aint dead! Fitting kids as young as 9 or 10 on a 26 full suspension opens up trail selection and bigger rides for MTB families. We still look to weight in addition to dropper post compatibility as key when selecting a bike that kiddo will be climbing with. For lift access and shuttling we are not so hung up on weight or dropper but do like cranks in the 150- 160mm length. You can also look to kids size and adult xs 27.5 bikes for kids starting in the 5 foot range but there our advantages of sticking to a 26 inch, namely handling/maneuverability/playfulness.
Spawn Rokk 26
A cool convertible 24/26 inch 140 mm travel frame that uses a geo chip to keep the chainstays and BB height normalized between wheel sizes. The 26 inch version has 27.5 Rock Shox Revelation 140 mm fork, Sram NX 11-42T, Sram Level T brakes, pivotal seat, 160mm cranks, and maxxis highroller 2.4 tires. Geo is 64 HA, 74 STA, 450mm chainstays, and 345mm reach. Spawn also has a larger frame that is a 26/27.5 convertible bike that retails for $3600. See our 27.5 page for details
Weight: 29 lbs | MSRP: $3150 | Min/Max inseam: 26-31 inches | Where to buy: Spawn
Rocky Mountain Reaper 26
From the North shore to Squamish to Whistler, this bike improved my sons skill set and comfort on the single black trails. The shorter reach of around 350mm make it a small fitting 26 which is nice to take advantage of the bigger wheels (this frame also can take 24 inch wheels). Ride 9 adjustable geo lets you set a 63.9-65.3 HA and 420-417 mm CS. The 2021 model has 130mm front travel with a RockShox fork and the rear 130mm suspension works amazing. Maxxis Minnions and a dropper post round out a smart build. The only thing I would switch out would be the Shimano MT400 brakes to something with a better lever...like the Shimano Deore brakes. This is a fantastic bike and tons of value. OUR FULL REVIEW HERE
Weight: 28.4 lbs | MSRP: $2499 | Standover: 28.6" | Where to buy: Jenson USA
Marin Riftzone Jr 26
We actually prefer this 130mm front/130mm rear travel bike with 26 inch wheels as it has a longer 380mm reach. Good value here as you get great kids tuned x-fusion tuned 130mm fork and rear shock, 2.4 inch V-tire flow snap tires, tubeless rims, hydraulic disc brakes, 11-51 T rear cassette with deore clutch derailleur, 425mm chainstays, 76 STA and 65.5 HA. 170mm cranks! Why Marin, Why? They should use the 152mm from the 24 for this bike and put 140mm on the 24 inch. Luckily it's a $40 fix on ali express, check out our kids crank page. New geo and travel for 2023. The 2022 model can still be purchased so careful.No dropper post on this one.
Weight: N/A lbs | MSRP: $1799 | Recommended Height: 4'6-5'2 | Where to buy: EVO | Jenson USA | Bikes Online
Dartmoor Black Bird Junior
A nice dedicated 130mm Front and Rear 26 inch smasher for the young ones. Great geometry at 365 mm Reach, 66 HT, 425mm chainstays, 73 STA, 750 mm standover and 558 stack. The build option comes with X-fusion suspension, mircroshift clutch advent 9 spd 11-42T, 165mm cranks, Tektro hydraulic brakes and 2.3 inch WTB tires. A frame option (3.25 kg with RS monarch) also exists to build up on your own if you choose ($835 USD), fantastic.
Weight: 30.75 lbs | MSRP: $1945 USD | Min/Max rider height: 140-160cm | Where to buy: ZM Cycle | Country Distributor
Trailcraft Maxwell 26
An amazing 120 mm travel 26 inch trail bike for 9-13 year olds available in three builds. Rock Shox Reba with 120 mm of travel and rebound adjustment, 11-42T rear cassette, 152mm custom cranks, tubeless 2.1 or 2.25 inch wide tires, great geometry (68 HA, 74 STA, 420 mm CS) and overall light weight make this an exceptional little machine. A larger reach of 400mm make this a bit bigger fitting and ads to the stability of the bike. Stealth dropper compatible and KS Lev available with builds. Climbing to earn those descents? This bike must be considered... OUR FULL REVIEW HERE
Weight: 25-26 lbs | MSRP: $3199+ | Standover: 26.5" | Height Range 4'7-5'2 (140-157 cm)| Where to buy: Trailcraft Cycles
Scott Ransom 26
Same frame two sizes, good value at this price. Available in 24 and 26 platforms, the 140mm front/130mm rear Ransom comes with X-fusion suspension, 140mm cranks, 2.4 inch Kenda Hellcat tires, Shimano Deore 2 pot brakes, 11-51 Shimano cassette and 80mm dropper post. Geo is 65 HA, 76 STA, 425mm chainstays, and 360mm reach.
Weight: 30.64 lbs | MSRP: $1699 | Standover: 24.46 inches | Where to buy: Scott Dealer
FT Stomper FS 26
This is an interesting new addition for 2023. GT offers a value priced 130/120 mm travel bike with a dropper, great WTB tires, microsift advent x drivetrain, and tektro hydraulic disc brakes in a small fitting geometry 26, allowing smaller kids to get on a bigger wheel size. A standover of 675mm, 425mm chainstays, 335mm reach, 1058mm wheelbase and 65 degree head angle are the geo numbers of interest. We personally like this 29er principle for kids and would even drop the BB height lower (its a 7mm drop) with shorter cranks to take even further advantage. The unknowns for us are the performance of the Suntour suspension for the light kids and total weight.
Weight: unknown lbs | MSRP: $1500 | Where to buy: GT Dealer
Cannondale Habit 26
Cannondale enters the kids full suspension ring with a 120/120mm alloy 26 inch trail bike. Smart 10 spd Advent X 10-48T drivetrain, x fusion rear shock, suntour air fork and tektro hydraulic disc brakes anchor the build. Great trail geo with 65 degree head angle, 350mm reach, 76.5 STA, 1073 wheelbase, 425mm chainstays. It would have been nice to see an x-fusion fork on this bike and some unknowns for us are the overall weight and crank length.
Weight: unknown lbs | Min-Max Height: 4'6-5'2 MSRP: $1650 | Where to buy: Cannondale Dealer
Chromag Minor Threat S2
Bike Park Weapon and Enduro machine, the Minor threat is packed full of features and offers great suspension kinematics for lighter weight riders. No dropper on the builds but you could always ad should you want. A 150mm fork and 140mm of rear travel, this is a born descender. 155mm cranks work great on a 26 inch bike and the flip chip allows for adjustment of the Head Angle (64/65), Chainstays (427/430mm ), and reach (400/410mm ). RS Pike, Sram G2R brakes, 10-51T cassette and a bunch of cool Chromag parts round out the build. However, this bike is really expensive and the weight definitely makes it favor lift access bike park over trail riding.
Weight: 30.8 lbs | MSRP: $3400 USD | $3950 CDN| Standover: 630/642mm | Height Range 4'7-5'2 (140-157 cm)| Where to buy: Chromag
YT Primus 26
A bigger fitting 26, this bike is suitable for older/stronger kids in the fit spectrum. Great frame with 140 mm travel and great angles (65.5/66 HA, 76.5/77 STA, 415 mm CS) the bike has a reach of 397 mm. Great build with 140mm Manitout fork, SunRingle Duroc 30 wheelset, SX Eagle drivetrain (unfortunate as the 24 inch comes with better/lighter NX), Sram guide brakes and a dropper post.
Weight: 30.6 lbs | MSRP: $2299 | Minimum Height 145-160cm | Where to buy: YT
VPACE Moritz 26
A fantastic 26 inch full suspension 125mm travel bike. 390 mm Reach, 65 degree head angle, 75 degree seat tube, 425 mm chainstays, 130 mm Mantiou Machete kids tuned fork, 135mm cranks, 11 spd 10-42 cassette, 2.35 Rocket Rons, dropper post...a lot to love here. The 135 cranks make sense as this bike fits smaller kids than most 26 inch bikes. Look to their 27.5 as an alternative if your child can fit it. It's light, slack and very capable. Dropper compatible with option to purchase. UPDATE: No longer shipping to North America.
Weight: 26.5 lbs | MSRP: $2399+ | Minimum Height 130-150cm | Where to buy: VPACE
Trance Jr 26
A 26 inch full suspension 120 mm travel bike. 68 degree head angle, 73 degree seat tube, 371 mm reach, 435 mm chainstays, 100 mm Rock Shox Recon fork, 160 mm cranks, 11-50 cassette, 2.35 Minion/Rekon. No dropper post but it is compatible as is front derailleur option. The geometry is dated and the spec for the price is expensive. We would look elsewhere.
Weight: N/A lbs | MSRP: $2500 | Minimum Height 145-160cm | Where to buy: Giant
Mondraker Factor 26
True to Mondraker form this bike has longer 415 mm reach coupled with other wise moderate trail geometry numbers (67 HA, 71 STA, 420 mm chainstays, 545 Stack Height). No dropper, Sram Level Hydraulic brakes, SX drivetrain with 155 mm cranks and 11-50T cassette and 30T front chain ring, 2.4 inch Kenda Booster Tires and tubeless compatible wheelset. The 120mm X fusion fork and 120 mm xfusion rear work very well.
Weight: N/A lbs | MSRP: $2899 | Recommended Height: 145-165cm | Where to buy: Jenson USA
Hello, I have a question regarding my 10 year old son’s bike, a Mondraker factor 24 which I have just upgraded to 26 wheels. I have the possibility of buying a Marzocchi Z2 fork with 120mm travel at a very good price to replace the current fork mounted on the bike which is an X fusion 100mm. Do you think it’s worth it? By changing the stem in a while, I think the bike will suit him for at least one or even two more years (he is currently 1.37m tall) before moving on to a 27.5… He does enduro quite intensively and a bit of bikepark , the bike must therefore remain rolling…
Probably get one more year on the Mondraker as the 374 cm reach may be too short for two years of use. For bike park, 100mm of travel is on the short side…
trying to decide between the Commencal Clash Junior (26″ wheels) and the Chromag Minor Threat S2 for my son. the plan is to utilize mostly for lift serve downhill parks. any thoughts or opinion on which may be the best bet for this use? Thanks for all of the content!
Both great kids Bike Park bikes. It is highly dependent on size and skill of kiddo but the commencal does a nice job of maximizing travel (160mm front and rear) in a small reach of 380mm compared to 400mm of chromag (150/140mm travel).
Hi i am a 11 year old i am 136 cm i own a marin rift zone jr 24 inch currently but i need a 26 inch full sus for around 3200 and it has to be avalible in nz
Hi Anya, your best bet might be to find a used 27.5 inch small or XS bike and put 26 inch wheels on it plus some shorter cranks in the 150mm range. If you can ask an older rider you know, they can defiantly help you out.
I was looking at the liv intrigue. but i ending up getting the rocky mountain reaper.
Do you recomend any upgades to do on the reaper?
shorter cranks would be the best upgrade.
Did your son have any issues with the rear shock bottoming out as I cant hit drops as hard now even though i´m around 2 clicks off tortoise and with like 200 psi
No problems with bottoming out. Sounds like you may need more air in the shock or possibly some volume reducers.
I feel like spawn should be downgraded at this point, have had two, they are heavy, the trunion pivot is known for loose bolts. They have scale because they are close to Whistler not because of the quality of the build or the ride.
Hi, any update or experience with the GT Stomper FS 26 and knowledge about weight ?
nope, we have not ween in person yet.
He fellas, love the content! Thank you for posting!
Question: Is Spawn the only company currently making a 26/27.5 bike?
TYIA!
As far as we know, yes. Another option is to look at adult xs and small F/S bikes and just throw on 26 inch wheels.
Hello! Would you recommend trailcraft or Rocky Mountain reaper? Reallllly wanting VPACE but they still aren’t shipping to the US!
The Reaper is great because it fits really small in a 26 and has a really low standover. Fantastic bike park bike that is also very good at climbing. The Trailcraft fits bigger and has a substantially longer reach. It is light and every component is thought of with kids in mind, it shines in trail riding where climbing is involved and carrying speed on singletrack.
What would you recommend for a $2000ish budget. Kid is 10 years old, 4’6” and currently on a 24” Little Shredder Phenom. I was thinking about buying the Canyon Young Hero and then upgrading parts over the next few months. We mostly ride Northstar bike park, shuttle runs at local spots and maybe 30% of the time places we need to pedal.
Spectral young hero would work great at that budget for mostly bike park/shuttles. I would upgrade fork first then drivetrain (cranks, cassette, derailleur/shifter),
Someone Please get me a Rocky Mountain Reaper 26
make my dad get me a reaper 26
Done. Send me his phone number.
I just recently scored the 26” Chromag S2 from Freedom Bike Shop in BC Canada for my 10 year old son. They shipped it to me in the states. Absolutely amazing bike and they were super cool to work with. Maybe they have more in stock?
I was thinking about getting the ransom 600 for my son but it appears there is no where to buy it second hand. Please could you leave a list of all the places I could buy it second hand?
Thanks for your help.
Try pinkbike and facebook marketplace but it will be rare to find these days…even a new one.
Hi, my name is Dani, an 11 year old MT biker. i need a 26 in. full suspension bike for 1500 or less. i’m on a small budget right know so you know what i need.
Thanks, Dani
Hi Dani, Check out the Scott Ransom or Marin Riftzone. Happy shredding!
Hi, thanks for putting that list of bikes together. My dilemma (huige first world problem here) is that my 7 year old is on a Little Shredder Phenom, and loves it. His next bike was supposed to be the hand me down from his older brother, the Trek Fuel EX Jr. It has been converted to a 1x setup with dropper post and trailcraft cranks. Pretty sweet ride but only 90mm travel and a 68 degree head angle. The little guy shreds and I feel this bike may be to conservative for him especially coming from the shredder. I am leaning towards the Yt or the Chromag but they are a fair bit heavier than the fuel (the fuel is just under 27# with pedals!)
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
For what you are describing and his age (unless he is a really big 7), I’de go Reaper 26 with that short reach and slack HA. If need be, put some shorter cranks on it. Better yet, grab a 24 Reaper just in case he needs the smaller wheelsize at first (you also get the shorter cranks and a 26 vs 27.5 fork) and throw on a 26 wheelset when he is ok with stand-over.
We ended up getting a Marin Rift Zone 26 for my 13yo daughter with 27″ inseam since it was the only XXS fs bike we could find anywhere (and were on wait list for 2 months for them to come in). It seems pretty good so far w good brakes and shifting, nice geometry for her, and soft adjustable travel. The only pain is that the shaped seat tube has a really short insert length that really limits the seatpost adjustment and is making using a dropper post a challenge. I have read about this problem on a lot of XS womens bikes too these days. I am going to try the strategy of using a 27.2 diameter post with shim so that it can go down another 25mm past the darn welded derailleur hanger obstruction that is preventing full size seat tube going in more than 150mm. This makes most droppers with 250mm length stand up too high for both dropped and extended positions.
Yes, this can be an issue with some smaller bikes. What dropper did you end up purchasing?
Hi,
I am having the same problem on the Marin. What dropper did you installed?
Hi, I am a nine year old boy and I am looking for a dual suspension mountain bike because I had a silver Kona mountain bike, it was a Hardtail and I broke it from doing too many crazy jumps. I tried fixing it but now it’s even worse and I really can’t fix it. I am looking for a full suspension mountain bike but the problem is I don’t know which one to choose and I can’t go too high of a price what do you suggest?
Make sure it fits your height is step 1. You may need to look at 24 inch bikes. Then start mowing lawns as they are all expensive!
Scott ransom
Hi Colin
Im looking for bike for son turning eight this month and will be earning his descent by cycling up fire roads etc so weight will be factor. He is 135cm tall with 24 inch inside leg. He is on a hard tail at moment and I’m torn between keeping him on same like vitus nucleus/ nukeproof Cub Scout or vpace max. What’s your view on Nukeproof as i note same isn’t in your review list? Also any view on keeping kids on hard tail versus easier option of full sus! If going full sus I was thinking VPace moritz 26 but no availability for quite a while so looking for good light weight alternatives available in Europe / UK. Any other recommendations? At 135 height I think a small fitting 26 would serve him longer ? Thanks in advance.
NukeProof 26 is on the list to add, great bike…just been riding too much these Days, LOL. Hardtails certainly do the job and are a lot of fun but if the budget is there and they are riding a lot on worthy terrain (chunky, steeper, trail drops/jumps) Full Suspension all the way. He may be a bit small for 26 with the exception of the Moritz 26 which is a phenomenal bike and if climbing is on the menu I would beg, borrow and steal for it. Have Fun!
Thanks, yes I’d run it as 26” only. The reach is something I’ve been trying to figure out, i.e. what would be ideal? He is now on Vpace Max24 with 330mm reach amd 69 degree head tube angle, and his attack position looks pretty good, and he seems to have good pressure/ grip on front wheel in corners. So would 360 with a slacker and longer fork actually be better than 390? Or is 360 too short (he is gonna be 140cm when he gets the bike). Also the 320 seat tube on the scott is really good. Max24 has 290mm seat tube, and in bike parks we have the seat with a normal seat post so that maybe 5cm of the post shows. So with a dropper on the scott we could get the seat as low as we have it now, but not necessarily with the Moritz. But the weight draws me to the moritz…
The Moritz 26 sounds like the bike for you.
Have you noticed the upcoming Scott Ransom 400 / 600? Any thoughts? Seems to tick many boxes, very short seat tube (320mm), modern geo, well sized cranks (127mm/140mm). Was dead set on the Moritz26 as my kid’s next bike for enduro and bike park type stuff, but now the ransom 600 seems very interesting. Just heavier than the Vpace…
https://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/product/scott-ransom-600-bike
Good to see another 24 and 6 inch bike! Geo looks pretty good but notice with these geo changing and wheel size swaps, you compromise. In this case the reach is actually greater in the 24 inch setting (366.8 vs 360 mm). It looks better as a 26 IMHO. Some unknowns for us is the x fusion suspension with kids tune, kenda hellcat tires. Compared to VPACE, the weight alone is a massive difference (5-6 lbs) and reach difference significant(390mm for VPACE vs 360mm for Ransom 600). You also get lower stack with VPACE (in the Scott 24, that is a high stack if trying to squish on a little guy/gal).
Any thoughts on specialized camber grom (from 2015-2016) looks like solid build and slightly dated geo, 24 or 26 wheels, 25 lbs, and pretty affordable (900-1k)
Yeah, it can work for sure, especially at that price. As you stated, geo is outdated a bit with the 68.5 HA but with a reach of 388mm you could also look at 3-6 year old adult xs and small 27.5 bikes and just chuck on the a 24 or 26 inch wheeelset and some shorter cranks…and probably get something with more updated geo and can last a few seasons. XC/NICA kiddo, the Camber grom would do great but the limitations of that steep HA and short travel come quick.