Junior FS/DH bike

othello

After a trip to Bikepark Wales yesterday, my 10yr old son now wants a FS bike (he did 5 runs on his hardtail). I'm not one to discourage learning about N+1 at his age

Now ideally I don't want to spend big money on this. He still enjoys riding XC and will keep his hardtail, plus some of it will be coming from his pocket money stash! There doesn't seem a huge amount of choice out there, as expected. I've only really spotted two options, unless anyone else has any ideas?

Commencal Supreme Jr. Proper DH focused bike, and *heavy*. But some deals around.

Trek Fuel Ex Jr. Only 90mm travel, and new so not many bargains around.

He currently rides a 14" frame, 26" wheel MTB and isn't the tallest. Any adult bike would need to be an XS. Any suggestions?

The Rookie

viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12982278

As a thought provoker!

othello

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684649#p19684649]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12982278

As a thought provoker!

Interesting! I've built up all his various bikes, so am not afraid to do a self build. But would need to find a frame that can take a long fork and be small enough for him.

lostboysaint

You need to be reading this thread you do!

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13034448&p=19684046&hilit=ripcord#p19684046

othello

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684724#p19684724]lostboysaint[/url] wrote:

You need to be reading this thread you do!

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13034448&p=19684046&hilit=ripcord#p19684046

Not seen many of them over on this side of the Atlantic! More reading and inter web scouring this weekend then

rockmonkeysc

You don't want a long fork on a kids DH bike, they don't have the weight to make the fork work properly and don't need the rigidity of a big fork.
The Transition Ripcord would be ideal but if you don't want to spend that much yet then there are a few used options. The Commencal Supreme 24 is very good and really popular as a first DH race bike so there are plenty of used ones around. The Kona Stinky 24 is also not bad but a bit heavier than the commencal.
Don't bother with DH specific parts, a 10 year old isn't heavy enough to need them. Go light with parts, a nice set of light air sprung 100mm forks (26" forks are commonly used on 24" bikes) and some reasonably light wheels.

othello

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684849#p19684849]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

You don't want a long fork on a kids DH bike, they don't have the weight to make the fork work properly and don't need the rigidity of a big fork.
The Transition Ripcord would be ideal but if you don't want to spend that much yet then there are a few used options. The Commencal Supreme 24 is very good and really popular as a first DH race bike so there are plenty of used ones around. The Kona Stinky 24 is also not bad but a bit heavier than the commencal.
Don't bother with DH specific parts, a 10 year old isn't heavy enough to need them. Go light with parts, a nice set of light air sprung 100mm forks (26" forks are commonly used on 24" bikes) and some reasonably light wheels.

I know what you mean! I have a set of SID race 100mm forks on my sons current MTB, with the air pressure set well below the minimum, so he actually gets some movement out of them

I have been wondering about dropping down to a 24" wheel or not. He is currently on 26" wheels for his hardtail and fits the bike fine. I guess dropping to a 24" wheel will mean a smaller bike and better control, but perhaps a more cramped reach?

poah

unless your son is into doing jumps then I doubt the kona or the commencal are worth it. I thought about doing a commencal 24 build for lewis but the bike is just too much for him. also something to consider is the chain stays on these bikes are quite long for 24 inch wheels. I think the ripcord is the best 24 bike for kids at the moment but its 30lb with pedals which is the same weight as my bike and the cranks are too long.

You can get it frame + shock only as well as a full build for 2016. I would recomend a lighter fork and smaller crank. I was able to put all Lewis's upgraded hardtail parts on the bike plus his uncle bought him the sids and gave him his old reverb.

rockmonkeysc

The Commencal is actually a very good kids DH bike. There's loads of them at races and plenty of used ones about. The new shape is pretty light as well.
The Transition is probably very good but it's very expensive and there won't be any used ones about yet.

poah

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19685338#p19685338]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

The Commencal is actually a very good kids DH bike. There's loads of them at races and plenty of used ones about. The new shape is pretty light as well.
The Transition is probably very good but it's very expensive and there won't be any used ones about yet.

I've no doubt its a good kids DH bike but its not a good kids bike. If all lewis did was uplifts I'd have built up a commencal for him but he doesn't. 2016 is a complete redesign but not avalable yet

rockmonkeysc

But the OP asked for a kids DH bike.

poah

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19685341#p19685341]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

But the OP asked for a kids DH bike.

well FS bike too - I'm not disagreeing with you

othello

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19685332#p19685332]POAH[/url] wrote:

unless your son is into doing jumps then I doubt the kona or the commencal are worth it. I thought about doing a commencal 24 build for lewis but the bike is just too much for him. also something to consider is the chain stays on these bikes are quite long for 24 inch wheels. I think the ripcord is the best 24 bike for kids at the moment but its 30lb with pedals which is the same weight as my bike and the cranks are too long.

You can get it frame + shock only as well as a full build for 2016. I would recomend a lighter fork and smaller crank. I was able to put all Lewis's upgraded hardtail parts on the bike plus his uncle bought him the sids and gave him his old reverb.

How old, and tall, is your son if you don't mind me asking? I'm wondering if dropping to 24" wheels would be OK or not.

To be honest I'm not quite sure what bike my son needs (or is after)... He has his hard tail for longer rides, XC racing etc. We don't live near an uplift to use every week, so any FS/DH bike will be for mucking around in the woods, and trips to Bikepark Wales when we can. In reality it won't be his 'main' bike.

poah

Lewis is 10 (11 in december) and is abouit 137cm tall. The 100mm reverb is down at the bottom and he uses the full length.

othello

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19685736#p19685736]POAH[/url] wrote:

Lewis is 10 (11 in december) and is abouit 137cm tall. The 100mm reverb is down at the bottom and he uses the full length.

Thanks, similar in height to my son. Looking at the picture the smaller frame (and shorter reach) and wheels over my sons 26" wheeled 13" frame, certainly makes it look more 'chuckable'.

Angus Young

Perhaps you can find a used Scott Spark Jr 24 (I don't think Scott make then new anymore). My 9 year old has been riding one of the 20" versions for the last 3 years and it's been brilliant.

rockmonkeysc

Good natural position on the bike there. Some of the kids in the rippers category at races are terrifying to watch, they always look about two seconds from crashing.