If you’re just getting into mountain biking as a family, choosing the right bike for your child can feel overwhelming – and expensive! I’ve been shocked at just how much new bike prices have risen in recent years, and when you’re kitting out growing children it’s easy to just decide not to bother with biking at all. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a bit of knowledge and some smart shopping, you can find a great bike that’s safe, fun to ride, and won’t cost the earth.
This guide walks you through what to look for, how to choose the right size, and how to confidently buy secondhand without compromising on safety.
Why the Right Bike Matters
A good-quality mountain bike will be:
- Lightweight enough for your child to control
- Sized correctly for comfort and safety
- Equipped with proper brakes and gears (when needed)
- Durable and trail-ready
Avoid heavy supermarket bikes or toy-like designs – these can be frustrating and even dangerous on uneven terrain. An ill-fitting or difficult to use bike can quickly put off the most resilient children from this fun sport!
Get the Size Right
Mountain bikes for children are usually sized by the wheel size (not the frame size, like adult bikes). General guidance on sizing is as follows:
- 12″ Balance bikes for toddlers
- 14″-16″ Ages 4-6
- 20″ Ages 6-8
- 24″ Ages 8-11
- 26″ Teens
As with clothing, shoes and anything else with “sizes”, these are a guide. If you are shopping online take care to look at the measurements, and if you are shopping in person, bring your child with you to try for size!
Other important measurements to consider are the standover height (the distance between the ground and the top of a bicycle’s top tube), reach, and whether they can comfortably pull the brakes.
2. Key Features to Look For
- Weight: Lighter = better. Aluminium or carbon frames are lighter than steel options, but do come at a higher price tag
- Brakes: V-brakes are fine, but disc brakes offer superior stopping power whatever the weather
- Gears: Simpler is better for beginners! Find a bike with just a single gear lever to begin with. Some smaller bikes offer a twist grip style gear lever – personally my eldest preferred the gear lever when he moved to his bigger bike, but some children might find a twist grip easier.
- Suspension: When just getting started, rigid or front suspenion only (hard tail) is fine. Once they are ready to hit the tougher trails, it’s time to consider progressing to full suspension.
3. Buying Secondhand: What to Look For
Used bikes can save you a huge amount of money, especially since children can outgrow them quickly.
Places to look:
- Facebook Marketplace
- eBay and Gumtree
- Local bike hubs or cycling charities
- Friends and community groups
Things to look for/check when you view on:
- Frame: Check for dents, rust, cracks or welds where there shouldn’t be.
- Brakes: Do they stop smoothly/firmly? Are they sticking when you pull them?
- Wheels: Do they spin true (not wobbly)? Are any of the spokes buckled?
- Headset/Steering: Turn the bars – any stiffness or looseness?
- Chain & Gears: These should move smoothly with no grinding or skipping.
- Tyres: Check for excessive tread wear, cracks, cuts or clear punctures.
- Size: Always bring your child/ren along to try them for size
If you’re not confident, take it to a local bike shop for a once-over before hitting the trails – most bike shops offer free ‘health checks’.
4. Where to Find Deals on New Bikes
If you can afford a new bike, brands like Decathlon (Rockrider) and Carrera (Halfords) often offer decent spec at a good price. High street retailers also give you the option to try several bikes to find one that best suits your childs size and needs.
Look out for end-of-season sales to bag a bargain, or look in the sales section of online retailers to find a “last years model” at a discounted price.
Online retailers can offer better credit options – Tredz for instance can offer up to 48 months with 0% interest with PayPal credit.
Final Thoughts
The best bike for your child is the one they’re excited to ride, feel confident on, and can grow with. Whether it’s brand-new or lovingly used, a good setup can spark a lifelong love for the trails – and doesn’t need to empty your wallet!
Do you have any tips for keeping family mountain biking affordable?
Want more gear tips or family MTB ideas? Head back to our main guide: How to Get Your Family Into Mountain Biking
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For my current bike, I went to a small local shop who built a bike for me based on what I wanted using selected components (rather than an “off the shelf one). Seemed to work for me and ended up cheaper, at least I think it did. It’s an aluminium framed hard tail (I don’t do anything serious enough to warrant the expense and extra weight of rear suspension) and light enough that I can easily carry over those sections that are out of my league to ride
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This is such a great idea! I looked at building one myself but by the time i put all the parts together the cost was as much as buying one done 😅
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