Rocky Mountain offer this same frame in 2 wheels sizes. We previously tried the 24 inch platform which is the same bike minus the dropper, different fork and shorter cranks. This time we give the 26 inch wheels a go with our nine year old to see how the fit and larger diameter wheels play out from the North Shore to Squamish to Whistler Bike Park. Thanks to Rocky for providing the review bike.
Rocky Mountain Reaper 26 inch Details:
- Bike Dad Recommended Age- 9 to 12
- Weight- 28.4 lbs
- Standover- 28.7 inches
- Features- alloy frame with 130 mm suspension, Rock Shox monarch rear shock and 120 mm Rock Shox fork, Ride 9 Geo adjust, Deore Clutch derailleur, Maxxis Minnions 2.3 inch tires, Shimano Hydraulic Brakes, 1X Shimano drivetrain with 11-42 Cassette
- MSRP- $2499 USD
- Available- Jenson USA
The Bike Dads' Take:
"We love this bike in the 26 inch platform. With a 350mm reach its a small fitting 26 that lets you take advantage of better grip, roll-over and speed of bigger wheels. We spent a full summer on the Reaper and my nine year-old improved substantially. With a low rotational weigh wheel/rim/tire combo the bike was easy to manage and the low stand-over allowed for the necessary room to move around on the bike. Perhaps you would swap brakes if doing a lot of bike park laps and maybe look to shorter cranks if you are squishing on a smaller kid on the fit spectrum. Other than that, this is ready to rip for any 9-12 year old! " -Colin
My son is turning 11 and 4’9″. Do you think this would be a good option or will it be too small when he grows over the the next year.
Kids grow, tough to say really. At 4’9 he can probably get on a small fitting 27.5 inch bike.
Colin, what dropper post was on your Reaper 26? How heavy was your son when he rode this bike and did he have any issues lowering the dropper?
70-75lbs on the stock Rocky Post, no problems, worked great.
My girl is weighting 60lbs and she can’t l’osée the dropseat.
Don you have any advice
Try a KS LEV. They work great at low pressure for light kiddos.
Hello. Wondering your thoughts on purchasing this for my daughter. She is 4’4 and I know she will be a little small for it. I found a used one for a really good price and kind of don’t want to pass it up. Worst case she continues to ride her 24 bike until she grown into it. Buying a 24 wheel set isn’t really an option but I’d consider shorter cranks. I feel with the dropper fully extended it may be too high.
Great option, where there is will there is a way. the reaper has a low standover so she may fit the 26 inch wheels nicely. Cheap flat rise handle bar off amazon and some cheap shorter cranks off Ali express (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005335472302.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.28993a8bjLyoMH&algo_pvid=ffb1d7eb-928a-4e97-b9bb-1be0182ed89b&aem_p4p_detail=202303261021262685497083654000023588990&algo_exp_id=ffb1d7eb-928a-4e97-b9bb-1be0182ed89b-0&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000032652654320%22%7D&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CAD%21203.61%2181.44%21%21%21%21%21%40211bf31616798512861523427d06f1%2112000032652654320%21sea%21CA%213408475691&curPageLogUid=Dk9JWufuKNWi&ad_pvid=202303261021262685497083654000023588990_1&ad_pvid=202303261021262685497083654000023588990_1) an you will be sorted.
At what age/height will the 350 reach be unbearable? That’s the one thing holding me back from choosing this bike. 350 seems extremely short.
Average 11 year old would be ready for something longer (375-400mm reach).
Hi – do you think this bike can be mullet-ed? My son is 8.5 with a 24in inseam and can only find the 26in available sort of close to me. I was originally planning on swapping out the 24″ wheels on his current bike until he grows into the 26, but just realized his front wheel is a QR. So far I haven’t been able to find a 24″ wheel that would work anywhere. You think I could just mullet this?
thanks!
I would not do it as that will leave you with 165mm cranks on a 24 (lower BB). It will also mess with the geo a bit which might make it less than ideal. I would buy the bike because its awesome and they are impossible to find and invest in new cranks (140-152mm) and new 24 inch wheelset (Stans Crest). You will be able to sell everything later at top dollar.
https://thebikedads.com/kids-wheelsets/
Thanks! If I’m able to find one – any downside on purchasing the 24″ version and switching the tires when he’s bigger. I see the fork, and obviously the wheelsets are different. Buy are there any other reasons that 26 to 24 would be better than 24 to 26?
better to buy 24 and then get a 26 inch wheelset. This gives better shorter crank length for 24 and 26 plus you are not running a high stack 27.5 fork on 24 inch wheels.