Meet the Trailcraft Maxwell 26. You don’t have to worry about making any modifications to this kids’ mountain bike designed for 26 inch wheels unless you purchase one of the frame only sets. Our son Tyge had the chance to try out one of the Special Build models in orange with a 32-tooth chainring. The price of Maxwell 26 varies due to build options.
One of the most interesting things about the Trailcraft Maxwell 26 is the fact that you have five different options. You can purchase one of the ready to ride models, like the Pro XT M8000, the Pro Deore M6000, or the Special Build Maxwell 26. You could also buy just the Frame (which comes with the frame, the headset, the derailleur hanger, and the seat collar) or the Rolling Frameset Package. This makes it incredibly easy to customize (or not) for your kid’s exact needs.
This kids’ mountain bike has 28h Stans Crest MK3 wheels paired with Joytech Boost Hubs. For tires, you can choose from 2.25 inch Schwalbe Nobby Nics or a pair of 2.1 inch Schwalbe Rocket Ron tires. The aluminum spindle has 152mm direct-mount cranks and the Horst link suspension system is designed to take on an uneven patch of trail with ease.
Depending on which model you choose, the bike either comes with a Rock Shox Reba RL fork or a Rock Shox Judy fork. The former is on the Pro XT and the Deore models, while the others feature the latter. Since both options are designed for high performance, the choice really is yours.
A Rockshox Monarch RT with 120mm of travel is the rear shock for all Maxwell 26 builds. All models include a Trailcraft Precision Sealed Cartridge headse and Trailcraft lock-on grips.
Varies
26.5 inches
1 x 10
26 inches
About 26 pounds
Approx. 10 – 13
Our demo bike featured Shimano M396 hydraulic disc brakes. The more we have been able to demo and test kids’ bikes, the more our riders appreciate this brake technology. Well designed hydraulic brakes enable kids to control their speed efficiently without tiring out their hands and arms. This means longer rides and and more fun for the entire family.
The Maxwell 26 Special Build is powered by kids, but that power is sent to the wheels via a 1×10 Shimano drivetrain composed of a Zee 10 speed shifter with Deore derailleur. Our model even had a rear cassette with a 46-tooth ring.
The Trailcraft Maxwell 26 is designed to fit young riders who are approximately 10 – 13 years old with a minimum inseam of 27 inches; and who are 4ft 10in tall to 5ft 2in tall. The chainstay length is 420mm (millimeters), while the wheelbase is 1.082m. The angle of the seat tube (74 degrees) and the head tube (68 degrees) are designed for comfort while on the trails. On top of this, the bottom bracket height is 320mm, and the standover height is 675mm. All of this adds up to a very well-designed mountain bike.
Not only is the Trailcraft Maxwell 26 a high performance, lightweight mountain bike designed specifically for kids, but it also comes in four different colors – neon green, deep orange, turquoise, and orange. Trailcraft branded Lizard Skins protective chain slap wraps are fashioned around the chainstay and seat stay tubes on the drive side. Cable ports for an internally routed dropper are included. The quick-release seat collar made it easy for Tyge to adjust the saddle height when the terrain told him to. It’s these details that make the ride even more enjoyable.
We say it over and over – a proper fitting child’s mountain bike enables your young-un to benefit from all of the research and development that goes into a high performance bike like the Trailcraft Maxwell 26. Because our rider fit the bike so well, he was able to use it as it was intended.
Getting on the bike for the first time, our kid was immediately comfortable. The bars on our Maxwell 26 were about 10mm wider than his normal bike. This allowed him to have a more “open” stance as it forced his elbows out a bit more.
As previously mentioned, our demo bike featured a rear cassette with 46t ring. When we hit our first tough climb during a test ride, Tyge down shifted and started chugging away. After a ascending a couple dozen yards, he said “Wow. This is a lot easier than my other bike!” This bike’s drivetrain allowed our kid to obtain new heights when getting to the top of some hills. We did run into some hike-a-bike (for all of us) during our demo period, but again – the weight of this bike makes it easier to push it up a hill, too.
When the trails we rode got technical on climbs and descents, the front and rear 120mm suspension performed beautifully. The lock out on the fork was used when climbing smooth surfaces and switched to the open position for choppy terrain. The Rocket Ron tires kept kept our rider on-trail and in control – even through a few loose sections on Thunder Mountain Trail.
Maneuvering the bike through a terrain park and skate park were done with enjoyment and ease. The combination of the crankset length, bottom bracket height, and 26-inch wheels made getting through features and over obstacles a fun time on the bike.
Taking into account the build quality and weight of this bike, you’re not going to find anything better in the do-it-all category than the Trailcraft Maxwell 26. Pair it with a skilled rider and she or he will have no problem on XC rides, enduro races, dirt jumps and the in the bike parks. Compare it to other bikes. You will find that they are going to be heavier or not full-suspension. And remember, with the multiple build options Trailcraft offers, you can start with a fabulous frame and build this bike however you like.
Looking for something a littler smaller? If this bike sounds amazing, but is a bit big for your rider, check out our Trailcraft Maxwell 24 Review.
Are you ready for a real bike rack for your family’s mountain bikes? Tired of your mountain bikes getting scratched or damaged during transportation? In our opinion, these are the best bike racks for mountain biking families because each option holds 4-6 bikes; they all require a 2-inch trailer hitch. This results in safe, secure, damage-free transportation.
Our current favorite mountain bike rack for families. It’s a well-priced, functional piece of equipment for mountain bikers who need to get more bikes on cars. The Yakima Hangover follows a similar approach as other vertical racks. A mast extends vertically from your vehicle’s hitch and 2 perpendicular bars span the width of your car. These 2 perpendicular bars (horizontal with the ground), are the base for attaching the crown of your bike and its rear wheel. Rotate a “H” 90º and you’ll get the picture.
Here’s how to load bikes onto this rack. Firstly, lift your mountain bike up to nestle the suspension fork between the brace and post on the top bar. Secondly, pull the strong rubber chain strap over the fork and connect it to the knob on the rack. Thirdly, tilt the bike towards the lower horizontal bar and fasten it against the wheel cup with locking plastic strap.
Unfortunately, this rack will not work with kids bikes with 20 inch wheels or smaller. Additionally, Yakima’s Hangover racks are made for mountain bikes with two stanchion suspension forks only.
To add convenience, the Hangover features a foot-operated tilt mechanism. You can adjust the angle of the rack for hauling bikes and accessing the rear of the vehicle.
The Yakima Hangover 6 is ideal for our family for a few reasons. First, as a NICA coach, I often transport more than 4 riders. Second, our family of 4 often rides with friends. In the past, we had to take 2 cars in order to get 6 riders with bikes to the trails. Now, with the Hangover 6, we can easily get 6 full-sized bikes and 6 riders to the trail in our mini-van.
The Kuat NV 2.0 is a bicycle rack that’s designed to be both stylish and durable. The original rack holds a total of two bicycles, but with the add-on option, it can handle up to four. This rack has an adjustable front tire cradle system, meaning that your front wheel won’t be dangling in the air or spinning around while your vehicle is in motion. This keeps your mountain bike extremely secure. The rear wheels are held in place with a strap.
On top of this, it has a foot assisted pivot system. All that you need to do is tap the pedal on the bike rack, and it will automatically pivot downward, making it simple to remove the bicycles. The rack itself mounts onto your vehicle’s trailer hitch with the included hitch lock and hand tight cam system. The cable locks, which lock your mountain bikes onto the rack are fully integrated into the device. Basically, your bikes aren’t going anywhere, until you loosen the locks by hand and remove them.
If matching your bike rack to your vehicle is a priority, then you’re in luck. The Kuat NV 2.0 comes in two different colors: gray metallic with orange accents, and black metallic with gray ones. The frame is made from metal, and the entire rack (the original without the add-on system) weighs a mere 52 pounds. Overall, the Kuat is designed to hold bicycles that have a tire diameter of between 20 and 29 inches, although a separate adapter is needed for the ones that are between 20 and 24 inches.
The Yakima HoldUp calls itself the “serious bike lover’s rack.” This seems to be the case, as this mountain bike rack boasts that it only takes seconds to load and secure your bicycle to it, no matter the size of your wheels. It’s designed to help you cart around bicycles of all types with wheels that are between 20 and 29 inches, no adapter needed. It can also hold models with disc brakes, full suspension, and through axels. Really, there’s not much that it can’t handle.
The main model of the Yakima HoldUp securely holds two bicycles in place while you’re on the road, thanks to its SKS lock system. There’s an additional adapter called the HoldUp + 2 that attaches to the initial rack, allowing you to double its capacity. No matter which model you have (the initial HoldUp or one with the add-on connected to it) you can adjust the amount of space in between the bikes to keep them from bouncing into one another as you drive from one location to another.
The Yakima HoldUp comes in black with red accents and attaches to your vehicle’s trailer hitch. When you’re ready to load and unload, the rack tilts downwards to make this a breeze. You won’t have to lift the bikes over your head, potentially injuring yourself or scratching the bike, while trying to move it. Once you’re done using it, the entire device folds up and stays out of the way.
The Thule T2 Pro XT bills itself as a “pro” level rack, and it certainly lives up its hype. It’s a platform hitch rack that has a frame-free ratcheting arm. If you’re worried about your rack putting pressure on your bike’s frame, then this is the one for you. It holds the bikes by the tires, and even adjusts so that you have plenty of clearance between the two bikes that the initial rack holds. You can always choose to upgrade the system with an add-on that allows for two additional bicycles.
This mountain bike rack weighs a mere 52 pounds when empty, and comes in a solid matte black. This ensures that it will match any vehicle. You don’t have to worry about your vehicle’s color clashing! The Thule was designed to accommodate many different types of bikes. It can handle mountain bikes, as well as downhill and fat bikes, as long as the wheels are between 20 and 29 inches in diameter, and no more than five inches wide.
The patented HitchSwitch lever makes it easy to get the bikes on and off of the rack. All that you need to do is press that lever, and it will tilt downwards for easier access. Plus, you don’t need to use any tools in order to install the Thule T2 Pro XT on the back of your vehicle. The AutoAttach system is just as simple to use as the entire rack itself.
If security while in motion is a concern, then you certainly don’t have to worry about it with this mountain bike rack. It comes with an integrated cable lock and lock knob, both of which keep every in position no matter how bumpy the road is.
The Alta Six GPR is a vertical bike rack. It can hold up to 6 bikes very well. The front wheels of your bikes are nested and secured in baskets. The rear wheels are secured against a horizontal metal bar. We had the opportunity to test one of these and could see why this style of bike rack is becoming more popular. Read our Alta Six GPR bike rack review and see if this is the winning solution for your mountain bike family.
The Woom 5 comes from a line up of children’s bikes crafted with the intent of enabling kids to become cyclists through positive experiences. The bike weighs just under 18.5 pounds and its 24-inch wheels make it a wonderful candidate for riders 7-11 years old and 49-inches to 57-inches tall.
Designed by company co-founders Christian Bezdeka and Marcus Ihlenfeld in Vienna, Austria – Woom offers bikes sized from the Woom 1, a 12-inch wheel balance bike through the 26-inch wheel Woom 6.
The Woom 5 is perfect for cruising the neighborhood and dirt roads. We love that it has a kickstand. It’s available in red, blue, green, and purple.
Click the link below to purchase this bike directly from Woom.
24.5 inches
1 x 8
24 inches
18.41 pounds
Approx. 7 – 11
When our Woom 5 arrived via mail, I was eager to see how how much effort it would take to assemble. It was pleasant to see the instructions presented in a plastic envelope adhered to the top flap of the container. That was like getting a polite greeting before having to roll up the sleeves for a bit of wrenching.
Zip ties secured most everything to the frame including the handle bars and front wheel. The bike was very well protected in small sheets of foam padding and there were plastic inserts guarding the front wheel’s axel. Putting the bike together was a snap. The headset on the bike only has one bolt that needs to be tightened to the stem. The pedals had to be attached as well. But, Woom has included a 6mm allen key and 15mm wrench so you don’t have to dig out the tool box. I just used a pair of household scissors for the zip ties.
The best part about assembling the bike was the no-nonsense installation of the front wheel and setting up the front v-brake. I can’t guarantee this of all bikes shipped from Woom, but the front brake on our bike was already configured and centered properly. All I had to do was attach the brake cable anchor bolt to the cantilever arm.
Woom has assembled a collection of datasets which are used to properly calculate the frame geometries for all their bikes. While doing my research, I even found an article where Christian Bezdeka, Woom’s founder and industrial designer, discusses the importance of children’s foot-to-floor ratios and average bone lengths. No matter what brand bike you choose for your kid, fit is paramount. It ensures your rider can safely control the bike, build confidence, and learn to enjoy cycling. Our rider was a perfect fit for the Woom 5. This was her first time on a 24-inch wheeled bike with multiple gears and she was comfortable on the bike quickly.
The Woom 5 frame is constructed from certified AA-6061 aluminum and the top tube of the bike is cleverly straightened out for about 8 inches as it extends from the seat tube. This enables a proper sized rider to straddle the bike easier. There is a quick-release seat collar with a lever designed so children can raise and lower the saddle themselves. The child-sized saddle provides stability and it looks great, too.
Following the frame, a bike’s wheelset is major feature where quality can be addressed. Most manufacturers obtain wheels and hubs from outside companies. For Woom Bikes, this was another opportunity for the designers to achieve high standards for weight and durability. Woom’s proprietary wheels are branded SOOPA-DOOPA-HOOPS and they are single chamber aluminum rims with 20 spokes laced to sealed bearing hubs. The Kenda Small Block tires measuring 24″ x 1.5″, which are made to function well on-road as well as non-technical trails, complete the wheel set up. The tires have old-school Schrader valves.
A SRAM shifter, X-4 short cage 8-speed derailleur, 11t-32t cassette make up the majority of the 8-speed drive train. The highlight of the drive train is the crank set. Woom chose to customize this component in order to make the bike fit young riders better. On the Woom 5, the length of the crank is 5.12″ – not a nice round 5″ or 5.125″; but 5.12″. The raw aluminum/alloy cranks paired with the black 28t chain ring make it look elegant. And, that makes us want to get it muddy. The brake levers are designed so your small-handed rider can easily give them a squeeze to slow the bike down. The grips are comfy and attached to 23″ wide handlebars. There’s even a nifty bell included.
Our rider enjoyed this bike. She rode it on pavement, double-track, and a bit of single track. As with all bikes, fit is paramount. The proper fit allows the rider to control the bike safely and get the most from the machine.
Cruising up a moderate grade was a piece of cake for the Woom 5 and its 8-speed rear cassette.
This was the first time our bike rider rode a 24-inch wheel bike. She was very pleased with how the bike handled and how her power got transferred through the bike.
Consider the weight, the price and the ergonomics of this bike. If your child rides on pavement and a bit of dirt, this bike is a great candidate. About 85% of this bike’s parts have been painstakingly customized in order to offer an exceptional riding experience. Woom even offers the upCycle program/membership. In a nutshell, it’s a buyback program for when your child outgrows their Woom bike.
We have been through our share of bike racks, so when we got the opportunity to demo the Alta Six GPR (general purpose rack) from Alta Racks, we had some high hopes.
To qualify our expectations, here’s our family’s history of bike racks…
Phase One, Pre-Kids: No bike rack. My wife and I would just take the front wheels off of bikes and get them in a car somehow.
Phase Two, Pre-Kids: We had a rack that would strap onto the back of a car and it would hold a couple of bikes without rear suspension.
Phase Three, with Kids: A hitch rack where we would hang bikes off the back. This would hold bikes fine, but they would bang together resulting in broken components and scratches. We even had to get a couple of adapters so all four bikes could fit on the rack. This was a mess and a waste of money.
Phase Four, with Kids: A hitch rack with horizontal trays. We still have to put the bikes on a certain order so the bars and components don’t touch, but this has been a functional solution. Our current rack is only good for bikes. It cannot hold skis or be used as a foundation for other accessories.
The Alta Six bike rack is the next step in bike rack design and functionality. The bikes are attached vertically on an Alta Rack where the front wheel is secured in a slanted basket. The bike’s rear wheel is fastened to a a lower support and a 2-inch hitch is required for the system we tested.
With a background in military design engineering, the company’s principal knows what it takes to design a durable, ergonomic product that is easy to source and produce in America. Utilizing latest technology in metal fabrication to ensure high precision in build which leads to longevity, Alta Racks are build to last. None of the hardware on the rack is proprietary, and can easily be replaced at the local hardware store. As of this writing, racks are available in the following colors: black, red, dark gray, desert tan, and orange. Custom colors are also available.
The Alta Six GPR At A Glance
Capacity: Six bikes
Weight: 82 lbs
The baskets for the front wheels are slanted to the left so the bike’s handlebars do not touch. This is a practical solution that not only succeeds in eliminating one bike touching another and getting damaged, but it allows up to six bikes to be stored on a rack instead of just four. The front and rear wheels are secured to the rack using heavy duty Voile power straps, again a solution that is non-proprietary. The rack will hold 24-inch mountain bikes to 29-inch wheel mountain bikes easily. The rack can also hold smaller mountain bikes with 20-inch wheels and bmx bikes, but there may be some contact with the rack. Bikes with wheels smaller than 20 inches need to be stored inside, or on top of the vehicle.
Attaching the rack to our mini-van was easy because the two bolts that needed to be secured to the hitch were accessible from the top side of the bumper. And, the weight of the rack is over twenty pounds less than our current tray rack.
Loading the bikes into the rack was simple for me, my wife and my 15 year old son. Our 11 year old was just too short. It has to be noted that he is also too short to load all the bikes into our tray rack. To load the Alta Racks system, all you have to do is lift the front wheel of a bike high enough to clear the basket on the top support beam; angle the wheel to the left and gravity takes care of the rest. Align the bottom wheel below the top basket so the frame of the bike is straight up-and-down and strap the wheels in place using the provided Voile power straps. The bikes do not hang, they are nestled in the upper baskets and the weight is distributed from the front of the bike to the rear wheel’s contact point on the lower support.
It’s important that you load bikes from right-to-left due to the orientation of the baskets for the front wheels. This way, the bikes horizontally ‘stack’ so the handlebars and levers do not contact each other. My son started loading the rack backwards, from left-to-right and I just let him struggle. He had to work hard in order to put each consecutive bike under the preceding bike. In the video, you can see him do it in the correct order. Bikes can be secured to the rack with a cable lock (not included).
When the bikes were properly loaded I gave the rack a good shake to see if there was any play or movement from the rack’s tongue to the hitch and nothing moved. It was very secure and stable. For off-roading, you can increase the stability of the rack by attaching guide lines from the upper ends of the top horizontal tube to the hitch bar. Next, we hit the road.
It took a few minutes to get accustomed to a different style of mountain bike rack on our van when we started traveling. The rack did not vibrate at all. None of the bikes shifted while in transit. I even had clear vision between the bikes in my rear view mirror.
The current version of the Alta Racks, Alta Six GPR is the fourth iteration of the system. Initially launched in may of 2017, the rack’s dimensions, features and designs are still being tweaked. The owner of the company knows who to ask for feedback, too. His bike racks have been tested by shuttle companies in Moab running mountain bikers up to the top of world famous Whole Enchilada route. Alta Racks has even enlisted pro mountain bike freeriders who have competed in the Red Bull Rampage to help with getting important tips on how the system can be improved.
The rack will pivot from its base so you can open your vehicle’s rear hatch door or tailgate. Although our mini-van’s rear hatch could not be opened all the way, it did allow us to access the cargo in the back such as a travel bag or tool box.
Be sure to check the Alta Racks website so you can see all the options for this system. Other sports items can be transported and accessories can be used with the rack such as: skis, a repair stand, motorcycle attachment, hammock and table. Shade systems are on the way as well.
We enjoyed using the Alta Racks, Alta Rack Six GPR. Even though it’s designed as a utilitarian solution to be used for several applications, it’s ability to transport more than four bikes makes it a great option for mountain biking families. It checks off everything you want in a mountain bike rack. It’s easy to load and unload. It’s durable and made in the USA. And most importantly for us, the bikes get securely attached to the rack without touching. When you’re ready to upgrade your old hitch rack or need a system that can hold more than four bikes, take a look at Alta Racks.
Bell Super 3r Helmet With MIPS For Kids – Review: When our 11 year old’s last helmet met its untimely demise in a Moab parking lot last fall, we had to get a new one in a jiffy. Standard helmets cushion the skull (and the brain beneath it) from bumps and bruises. But if you’re serious about mountain biking, you need a helmet with proven features and durability – like the Bell Super 3-R MIPS helmet.
The “MIPS” in the name stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. This means that the helmet is designed to withstand many different types of forces. The MIPS protector sits inside of the shell of the helmet. It’s a thin, inner basket that rotates as needed upon impact. Since the helmet also has an outer shell to protect against blows to the head, the addition of the MIPS provides a second layer of protection. There’s a layer of X-Static padding in there as well, making the helmet comfortable to wear.
Where To Buy The Bell Super 3r
Bell Super 3r MIPS available for kids and adults at Backcountry.
Bell Super 3r MIPS available for kids and adults at Jenson USA.
Although the Bell Super 3r MIPS helmet is designed for adults, it comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Here is a size chart. It is suitable for our kid with a Charlie Brown shaped head as well as his teenage brother. Our 11 year old wears a medium. Your child has his or her choice of colors, including matte black and white, matte smoke and pear, matte black and Orion, matte black with gloss black and cherry accents, matte black with copper gloss and black accents, and even matte hibiscus.
Click above for size chart
CLAIMED WEIGHT
784.1 grams
SIZING
S, M, L (20.5″ – 24.375″)
VENTS
27 helmet, 6 chin bar
The helmet is also designed with an adjustable Goggleguide visor, as well as a camera mount that breaks away should a crash occur. The Bell Super 3r includes a lightweight exterior shell with cooling vents built with breakaway screws. Should a serious crash occur, medical professionals will be able to use them to remove the helmet quickly and easily.
Our kid has liked this helmet quite a bit. Like its predecessor, the Bell Super 2r, it it suits many needs. With the chin bar removed, it is a great basic trail helmet. When the chin bar is attached, the helmet provides full face protection without having to lug around a full face helmet in addition to a trail helmet. Our 11 year old has even competed in an enduro race where this helmet was the best choice. It is very well ventilated and light.
In addition to all of the Bell Super 3-R’s safety elements, it contains a number of snappy features. The chin guard is removable, and easy to put back on when necessary. Your child can carry the piece along so that it’s nearby should the terrain get tougher. On top of that, the visor fits over many different types of goggles, cutting down on sun glare while on the trails.
The Bell Super 3-R MIPS helmet is designed for adults, but suitable for kids who are big enough to fit into it. Thanks to the amazing array of vents (23 in the helmet, 4 in the brow, and 6 in the chin bar) your rider will remain as cool as possible, despite the temperatures on the road or trail. However, the safety features are what make this helmet one of the best. It’s truly designed to protect against falls of all kinds. We highly recommend the Bell Super 3r helmet for kids!
Mountain biking trail etiquette is important! Just because you are are riding on singletrack in the woods does not mean that you should not exhibit courteous behavior with other riders or pedestrians. Teaching trail etiquette to young mountain bikers is a key element of safety and good riding practices in your future biking enthusiast.
Mountain biking has been growing a lot over the last few years. It’s an opportunity for young and old to come together to enjoy the great outdoors. However, as with any sport, there are certain rules that every rider should know and follow. Those rules apply to both adults and children. Here are a few pointers to help you teach young riders trail etiquette.
Children often have the innocent outlook that they own the trail. They are often so self-absorbed in their riding and the adventure around them that they do not pay attention to where they are in relation to the trail and the surrounding environment. This poses a severe safety issue if the child is in the middle of the trail or on the wrong side and someone comes sailing full throttle down the trail. A head-on collision can occur and injuries may be sustained. Teach your child to share the trail with other bikers, pedestrians, and even wildlife. As a parent, you always have to remain vigilant to your child’s location on the trail and frequently remind the child to share the trail. Some paved paths have a painted divider line. Like in a car, always stay in your lane.
Instill good passing practices in your young mountain biker by making sure they always pass slower riders and pedestrians properly. Pedestrians and hikers always have the right of way. It does not matter if you are riding uphill or downhill. Directional mountain biking trails are growing in popularity to help curb traffic. On a multi-directional trail, it’s a general rule that downhill riders must yield to uphill riders – but this may not always be the case. Some trails will have signage specific to that trail or riding zone.
When coming up on slower riders from behind, giving a quick heads-up to the people you would like to pass is courteous and normally very much appreciated. Let everyone know your presence. When acknowledged, communicate that you will be passing on the left or the right when it is safe so they are prepared. If someone plans to pass your child, make sure your little one knows to stay to the right or left of the pathway so the person can safely pass by without incident. Knowing how to pass properly is a hugely important part of mountain biking trail etiquette.
Many trails allow horseback riding. A horse is a 1,000 pound plus animal that can do a great deal of damage if it kicks or takes off in fear. Always let your child know to stay calm and quiet when trail riders are encountered. You should make quiet verbal contact with the rider and make sure it is safe to pass the horse. Tell your child to never try to touch the horse or reach out towards it while passing. Also never ride quickly up close to the rear end of the horse.
Children love to throw anything and everything. If you are taking a break by the side of the trail, be sure to let your child know it is never okay to throw sticks, rocks, or twigs at passing riders or hikers.
Never disturb wildlife. Never chase it or ride after the frightened animals. Wildlife can be observed at a safe distance but your child shouldn’t try to touch one of the creatures.
Keeping single track single is a very important part of mountain biking trail etiquette. Children often want to veer off the trail to explore but this damages the neighboring fauna and disturbs wildlife habitats. Teach your child to always stay on the trail and only leave the trail in designated areas. Riding off the trail damages the sides of the trail and creates an area that is difficult to traverse. Cutting corners eventually erodes away the trail and causes considerable damage.
Children are notorious for throwing down small things such as wrappers, bottle lids, etc. Teach your child that they must always pick up their garbage and should never litter along the trail. A good rule of thumb is to always pack out what you pack in.
If your child has to go potty and there is no available outhouse or bathroom then the child will need to hike at least 200 yards off the trail and dig a hole. When done, all evidence should be thoroughly covered with soil. Paper products need to be picked up and disposed of into a plastic bag until you encounter a garbage receptacle to throw away the paper and bag.
Trail etiquette should be instilled in children at a young age. Once they know the rules of biking and are mature enough for outings, then being courteous and safe helps create a positive experience for everyone involved.
Kimberly Sharpe is an outdoor sports and travel writer. She has spent a lifetime mountain biking the trails of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Florida, Northern California, and numerous other locations with friends and family.
We were excited to get a pair of the Five Ten Freerider Contact shoes. Why? Simply because when our kids grow out of their mountain biking shoes, it induces quite a bit less wallet trauma versus growing out of a bike.
Our eleven year-old’s last pair of Five Ten Freeriders served him well and we really wanted to get another pair. But, we needed a new pair of Freeriders quickly – and we could not get the same style in a larger size locally. In a jam, we glady paid the retail cost (for a women’s size 6 which is about a 3.5 kids’ size) because we are well familiar with the quality of Five Ten mountain biking shoes. These shoes will not fall apart. Our kid will outgrow them and we can sell them used.
Although they’re designed and marketed towards women, our boy doesn’t give a single shift click about that. Even I think they look cool. And, after trying on a few pairs, these were going to be a good solution for the season.
Five Ten Freerider Contact available in women’s sizes 5-11 at Adidas Outdoor.
Five Ten Freerider VCS available in kids’s sizes 2-10.5k at Adidas Outdoor.
Deity Components Compound Pedal available at Backcountry.
Race Face Chester Pedal available at Backcountry.
The links above are for affiliate partners. That means if you click on them and make a purchase, we earn a small commission. Read more here.
The Five Ten Freerider Contact has a smooth outsole where the ball of your foot will be on the pedals. Five Ten states this design will prevent slippage. However, the entire sole isn’t covered in this texture – the parts that are located under the heel and toe have a more traditional pattern. Similar to the first-gen Freeriders. Importantly, the entire sole is made of that wonderful Stealth® Mi6™ rubber. This translates into a shoe designed solely (no pun intended) for serious and hobby mountain bikers alike.
The grip is there when you need it, and the smooth section makes for a super-grippy pedaling surface. When I asked my son if he liked the smooth part of this shoe opposed to the other style, he said “It is a lot more grippy than my shoes with the small bumps on the bottom.”
Do not wear these shoes with inexpensive flat plastic pedals. They will slip right off and render the shoe useless. You have to pair these shoes with flat pedals featuring small metal pins extending from the pedal surfaces. There are examples of these recommended pedals above. This allows the surface of the shoe to almost absorb the pins and make a firm connection with the pedals. You have to be careful though, when your young one slips and takes a pinned pedal to the shin, it will cut their shin, bleed, and effing hurt. Ye’ve been warned.
Our test rider rode his bike hard for 14 days straight on some demanding terrain. He did not slip a pedal or complain about foot discomfort. We can’t guarantee the same results for your womp rat, but mom and dad were glad that this was not a concern.
These shoes are cool. Firstly, the entire profile of the shoe is low. Secondly, the toe cap is rubberized to provide protection. Thirdly, the entire upper section of the shoe is made of breathable and durable synthetic fabric with mesh sections to let in air. Finally, that fabric is also abrasion resistant.
The midsole of the Five Ten Freerider Contact is composed of a stiff, yet bendable compression-molded EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) material. Obviously, it protects the bottom of the foot from the pedal. Simultaneously, it’s very easy to walk in these shoes, thanks to the somewhat bendable nature of the EVA.
Overall, the Five Ten Freerider Contact mountain biking shoes are great for riders of all ages. Our youngest really likes his. Their unique outsole is purpose built for mountain biking and that super sweet Five Ten Stealth rubber helps keeps your feet from slipping off the pedals. With that said, they are keenly designed and comfortable enough for doing a bit of hike-a-bike on.
