Near-adult wheels, built for the trails.
For riders who have outgrown a 24in and are not yet ready for an adult frame. A suspension fork, disc brakes and seven gears, so they get the capability of a bigger bike without stretching to control it.
Will it fit?
| Height |
142 to 162cm |
| Inside leg from |
approx. 67cm |
| Ages |
10 to 13+ |
| Weight |
13.9kg ready to ride, with pedals and kickstand
|
Plenty of mountain bikes at this size come with rim brakes, and a heavier rider on bigger wheels going downhill is exactly where that shows. The Eastie 26in has mechanical discs front and rear, a suspension fork, and a frame still built around a young rider, so the reach and the levers are set for them rather than for an adult.
What you get
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Mechanical disc brakes, front and rear. The pads grip a steel rotor at the hub rather than the wet rim, so they stop just as well in the wet as in the dry. It matters more at this size, because they are heavier and going faster.
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Front suspension fork, 50mm of travel. The fork compresses over roots and loose ground instead of bouncing the front wheel off line, so they keep their speed and stay in control.
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Shyre Junior Fit on 26in wheels. Shorter cranks than an adult bike, a 580mm bar and levers set for their hands. Adult sized wheels on a frame they can control.
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LTWOO 7-speed drivetrain with a thumb shifter. One shifter on the right, worked with the thumb, so changing gear takes a single click. An LTWOO A2 SL rear mech and enough range to get them up a climb sitting down.
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6061 aluminium frame, 13.9kg ready to ride. Weighed with the pedals and kickstand on. Tough enough to be dropped, and covered by our lifetime frame warranty.
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28-hole double-wall alloy rims on 2.35in tyres. Double-wall rims and a higher spoke count take repeated drops better than a lighter road wheel, and the wide tyre gives grip in mud without feeling slow on hard paths.
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Quick-release seatpost clamp and kickstand. Drop the saddle for a descent, raise it for the climb back, no tools needed.
Why not just buy an adult mountain bike
It seems like the obvious next step, but it rarely works well. A small adult frame puts the bars too far away, which pushes their weight onto their hands on a descent, and the brake levers are set for an adult grip. A rider who cannot brake comfortably rides more slowly and enjoys it less.
A bike that fits properly does more to keep someone riding at this stage than anything else you can buy them. If they are on the trails regularly, a set of gloves and a decent helmet will do more for their confidence than any upgrade to the bike.
How to measure their inside leg
Stand them against a wall with their shoes on. Hold a hardback book between their legs, spine upwards, and raise it until it sits comfortably. Measure from the top of the spine to the floor.
This is more reliable than age. Children of the same age can differ by 15 to 20cm in height, and as much again in leg length.
It arrives 90% built, A basic tool kit is in the box and there are assembly videos to follow.
