How To Choose The Right Kids MTB Bikes & Gear

There's never been a better time for getting kids into mountain biking, with a huge range of kids-specific mountain bikes and riding kit available! While all this choice is great for catering to a wide range of little riders, it can seem overwhelming when you have to work out what the best options are for them. To help make that choice easier, and to get your kids enjoying riding more, Neil has put together some tips that he's learned through kitting out his youngsters and introducing them to the world of bikes!

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:32 - Bike Sizing & Setup
1:26 - Helmets
2:32 - Protection
3:44 - Tow Rope
4:39 - Bags
5:27 - Clothing

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Have you got your kids into mountain biking? Do you have any tips for getting just the right bikes or riding kit? Share your thoughts with the community 💬👇

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[gmbn]

Have you got your kids into mountain biking? Do you have any tips for getting just the right bikes or riding kit? Share your thoughts with the community 💬👇

[sjaan]

Removing the cranks is the best way to transition from a balance bike to a pedal bike. Also as you mentioned its a great way for kids to get familiar with the brakes before the cranks for back on.

Another easier solution is to just remove the pedals and zip tied the crank arms to the frame. I've done this and the moment you put the pedals back on, they're gone! Another tip is to properly adjust the brake levers closer to bar for their small fingers. Also progressively moving the levers inward(depending on power of the brake system) allows them to transition from three/two finger to one finger braking. Cheers 🍻

[rbv]

Yes finally some kids gear content! Need more of these vids plus some kids guest appearances and their ride opinions & takes.

[bradd]

I bought my son a 12” pedal bike for his 2nd birthday. I set it up inside the house with the training wheels set up so the rear wheel was off the ground effectively making it a stationary bike. He rode his balance bike outside and we practiced pedalling and using the brakes on the 12” bike inside. At 2-1/2 years old I took off the training wheels and let him go outside where he had no issues. This worked really well for him because he mastered balancing on the balance bike and was already familiar with pedalling and braking on the new bike.

[Strideon]

Struggled & struggled getting the 4x yr old riding with hand-me-down bikes. The cheaper kind, which weigh almost as much as an adult bike.

Got an ‘early rider 16” & off the little one went with no issues at all. A few weeks later & we are almost ready for the Blues!

I find the cheaper, Smyths, Halfords bikes too heavy & cumbersome for little legs.

The residual value to sell-on for the Frogs, Early Riders & the like are worth it.

[cloakoffeathers]

I second the cheap shoes. For some reason the toe drag is an intuitive breaking solution for my kids as well 😂.

[wenschobert]

As for kids gloves: Dakine made gloves where you could kinda open the entire bank of the hand, so it was quite easy to get them on. Don't know if they are still doing this, my kids are a bit older than Neil's... So it's working fine now

[Anandlovesvalorant]

As a 3-year-old professional downhill racer, I can recommend all of this gear!

[lolcatmaroon]

TIKTOK HACK ACTUALLY TEACHES HOW TO CYCLE IN 10 MINS... Put a rolled up towel or jumper around their chest and under their arms like a pool noodle, and just release tension as they cycle. My 3yo got it in about 5 mins and i had one arm in a sling. Highly recommend

[dadbodlife]

My almost nine year old son has a Nukeproof Cub scout 26 coming in the mail tomorrow!! Factory yellow just like you guys ride!! He has outgrown his Commencal Ramones 24.

[EMTBOllie]

The Kids Ride Shotgun stuff is brilliant! The new balance bike they do comes in 12 inch and 14 inch wheel sizes with the option for a hydraulic magura rear brake! Plus you can fit the 14 inch wheels to the 12 inch model when they outgrow it! Winner winner all round

[WaRnb]

My little shredder is about the age where her 12" balance bike is too small, but she won't quite be able to run a crank bike yet... the tip of removing the crank for the first bit while learning the bigger bike and brakes is genuis!

[_Zane__]

I'm over 40 and I still smash my shins 😢

[madtownangler]

My grandpa bought me a sixteen inch tired Schwinn when I was like three years old but I mostly road my Big Wheels three wheeler and my trike. This was in the 1970's

[theimperialangler]

I bought a specialized rock hopper for my son today. Hopefully, he will gain the confidence to cycle it, and we can then hit the trails! We've both watched the video, some useful advice

[CinimodMG]

These are all spot on from my experience! Keep up the kids content!

[mape_trade]

Exactly the bikes my kids are riding. Good choice! 🤘

[Giftig--Daniel-P]

Loved this. This is the kind of content that's relevant to my life now.

[Strideon]

I’ve been waiting for a video like this to drop.

There seems to be plenty of clothing out there for 8+ year olds, but always so difficult to find for 3, 4, 5 years olds

[chrisprysok]

They grow fast. Dont over spend. Buy used.