How to Choose a Youth Mountain Bicycle

Mountain bicycles are a great choice for youths who like to ride on the street and off-road. These durable bikes have wide tires and tough construction to handle off-road trails, front yards and hilly terrain. With gears and hand brakes, youth mountain bikes are best for older kids who have a working knowledge of how to switch speeds and apply brakes according to the terrain. Choosing a youth mountain bike requires investigating many styles and price ranges to find the perfect fit.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide where your child will be using the bike. If your child will be using the bike for a combination of street and trail riding, factor this into your choice. Biking primarily on the smooth surface of a street doesn't require a mountain bike.

    • 2

      Consider the suspension options available for mountain bikes. Rigid suspensions, offered on basic mountain bikes, don't cushion the rider as much as a hardtail mountain bike that features a front suspension fork to absorb shocks. Dual suspension bikes (also called dualies) are designed for comfort with an added rear suspension.

    • 3

      Determine how much you'd like to spend on the mountain bike. In general, basic rigid suspension bikes are cheaper than dualies or hardtails.

    • 4

      Visit a reputable bike store to shop around for prices and the best fit for your child.

    • 5

      Have the bike shop measure your child for the appropriate frame size and wheel height. In general, 3- to 5-year-olds should use 10- to 12-inch wheels, age 4 to 7 should ride on 16-inch wheels, 6- to 13-year-olds require 20-inch wheels, and 9- to 13-year-olds should ride on 24-inch wheels. Adult-sized wheels usually measure 26 inches.

    • 6

      Make sure any proposed mountain bike is test-driven by your child. In addition, make sure your child is capable of stopping with hand brakes and understands the correct way to use the bike's gear system.

    • 7

      Observe how the bike fits your child. The correct fit of any bike allows 1 to 2 inches of clearance between the crotch level and the middle frame bar. Your child should be able to comfortably reach the handlebars. The seat should be adjusted so both feet can be placed flat on the floor.