Best Mountain Bikes for 8-11 Year Old Kids

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The best mountain bikes for 8-11 year olds

Hitting the trails with your 8-11 year old? If your rider isn’t quite big enough for a full sized mountain bike, but is ready to graduate from a 20-inch wheel bike, a 24-inch wheel bike may be the perfect middle ground. 24-inch bikes can last your kiddo 2-3 years and can definitely take your kid to the next level. Check out our list of best mountain bikes for 8-11 year old boys and girls below.

The best mountain bikes for 8-11 year olds

Importantly, before you shell out the money on a new mountain bike for your kid, you’ll want to be sure that your kid can straddle the bike with both feet flat on the ground (for beginners) or on tip toe (for more advanced riders). Get a good stand-over height measurement by measuring your child’s inseam.

Additionally, we recommend that you look for a bike that has the biggest wheels available for your kid’s stand-over height. Firstly, bigger wheels roll more easily over obstacles on the trail. Secondly, a bike with larger diameter wheels will be more stable and more efficient for longer rides than smaller wheels because they require less effort to keep their momentum going. Kids on the taller side may fit on a 26-inch wheel bike, so you might want to check out our list of  best mountain bikes for 11-14 year old kids before making a purchase.

Here is an overview of our top ten best mountain bikes for 8-11 year old boys and girls. These mountain bikes all have 24-inch wheels. Check out the comparison table at the end of the article to see all the size, cost and other data in one place.

Buy mountain bikes for the whole family
Specialized riprock 24 kids mountain bike

Specialized Riprock 24-inch kids’ mountain bike

The Specialized Riprock 24in kids’ bike is a great step up for kids ready to shred. It’s designed with aggressive geometry and top-notch components to support skill progression. The bike boasts a high-quality butted alloy frame, internal cable routing, dropper post compatibility, hydraulic disc brakes, and a reliable 1x drivetrain. Not only are the structure and components suited for advanced riding, but the geometry is too, with a steep 67-degree head tube angle that instills confidence when riding downhill. Its nearly 1000mm wheelbase ensures stability on challenging terrain, while the short 390mm chainstays allow for agile handling. Plus, the 73.5-degree seat tube angle keeps them in a strong position for climbing.

The Specialized Riprock features quality components that enable our young riders to keep honing their skills. The microSHIFT Advent 9-speed drivetrain offers smooth and dependable gear shifting across a wide range. Hydraulic disc brakes, equipped with C-STAR Hydraulic Disc Brake brakes and 160mm rotors, provide reliable stopping power for downhill confidence. Lastly, the Specialized Ground Control Sport tires, 2.35 inches wide, deliver excellent grip and traction on various terrains.

Buy this kids’ 24″ mountain bike from:

Wheel Size24 inches
Min. Standover Height24 inches
Frame MaterialAluminum Alloy
Drivetrain1×9
BrakesC-STAR Hydraulic Disc Brake
Shifter(s)microSHIFT Advent SL-M6190, 9-speed
DerailleurmicroSHIFT Advent
Forkrigid
Shocknone
MSRP$700.00
Live PriceCompetitive Cyclist

Radio Zuma 24 inch kids bike

Radio Bike Company Zuma 24in Bike

Radio’s Zuma range streamlines the process of selecting a kid’s bike, and the Zuma 24in Bike is a good choice for beginner family mountain bike outings and weekend adventures. Crafted with a lightweight aluminum frame and fork, it offers durability and comfort for young riders. Equipped with double-wall rims and kids-specific components, such as those from Promax, KMC, FSA, and VEE Rubber, it ensures a smooth ride and easy handling. Additionally, featuring 2.25in tires and a comfortable geometry, the Zuma provides stability and confidence for kids as they learn to balance and pedal. Whether navigating trails or city streets, parents can rest assured that their child is well-prepared on their Zuma.

Buy this 24-inch kids’ mountain bike from:

Wheel Size24 inches
Min. Standover Height24 inches
Frame MaterialAlloy
Drivetrain1×8
BrakesPromax Disk-310
Shifter(s)Promax BL-42
DerailleurPromax BL-42
ForkRigid
ShockRigid
MSRP$709.00
Live PriceCompetitive Cyclist
Prevelo Zulu Four 24-inch mountain bike

Prevelo Zulu 4 kids’ mountain bike

The Prevelo Zulu Four is a top-tier 24-inch mountain bike engineered for young riders eager to conquer challenging trails. Its low and narrow geometry, combined with a slack head tube angle and short chainstays, ensures excellent control over rough terrain. Crafted with lightweight aluminum and custom-formed 6061 triple-butted tubing, the bike offers durability and agility.

Additionally, featuring stealth cable routing and a readiness for a dropper post, the Zulu Four provides a sleek appearance with room for future upgrades. Furthermore, its tubeless-ready wheels and tires, along with a 12mm Thru-Axle rear hub, enhance stability and responsiveness. The kid-engineered direct mount crank maximizes pedaling efficiency.

Moreover, with 95% assembly out of the box, requiring only basic installations like the handlebar and pedals, the Zulu Four is designed for easy setup and immediate trail enjoyment. In essence, it offers young riders a high-performance mountain biking experience in a compact package.

Buy this 24″ kids’ mountain bike from:

Wheel Size24 inches
Min. Standover Height24-inches
Frame MaterialAluminum/Alloy
Drivetrain1×10
BrakesTektro M281 Hydraulic Disc
Shifter(s)10 speed Microshift Advent X Pro
DerailleurMicroshift Advent X Pro
ForkSpinner 300 24 AIR - 100mm travel
ShockN/A
MSRP$1049.00
Live PricePrevelo/span>

MTB Helmets For Kids

Make sure your kids have proper, well-fitting head protection.

Mountain Bike Helmets For Kids

G-Form knee pads for kids

Knee Pads For Kids

Knee pads are another level of protection for young riders.

MTB Knee Pads for Kids

Camelbak LUXE hydration pack for kids

Hydration Packs For Kids

Is your kid big enough to carry their own water and supplies?

MTB Hydration Packs for Kids

Wahoo 24 Trail Trek kids mountain bike

Trek Wahoo 24 Trail mountain bike

The Wahoo 24 Trail is a sturdy bike tailored for young adventurers who relish exploring uncharted territories. Crafted with a robust aluminum frame, it finds an ideal balance between agility and toughness. Consequently, it enables young riders to navigate twists and turns on the trail effortlessly, while also boasting the resilience to tackle rugged terrain.

Featuring a 9-speed 1x drivetrain, the Wahoo 24 Trail provides an abundance of gears, facilitating the conquering of steep inclines with ease. Whether ascending uphill or descending downhill, the bike’s disc brakes offer exceptional stopping power, empowering riders to modulate their speed and halt safely as necessary.

Tailored for riders measuring between 51 and 59 inches tall, the Wahoo 24 Trail perfectly suits burgeoning adventurers eager for trail thrills. Noteworthy are the hydraulic disc brakes, which furnish the same formidable stopping capabilities found on adult mountain bikes, ensuring safety and control throughout each ride. Simultaneously, the 9-speed drivetrain offers a diverse range of gears without overwhelming young riders, while the wide and knobby 2.4-inch tires deliver ample traction for navigating challenging terrain with confidence.

Buy this 24″ kids’ mountain bike from:

Wheel Size24 inches
Min. Standover Height20.8 inches
Frame MaterialAlpha Silver Aluminum
Drivetrain1×9
BrakesTektro HD-J285 hydraulic disc, short reach
Shifter(s)microSHIFT Advent Quick Trigger Pro SL-M6295, 9 speed
DerailleurmicroSHIFT Advent, 9-speed
Forkrigid
ShockN/A
MSRP$699.00
Live PriceTrek
woom off 24 inch Best Mountain Bikes for 8-11 Year Olds

Woom OFF 5 – 24 inch wheel bike

The woom OFF 5 gives kids a superlight and durable mountain bike perfect for challenging rides on tough terrain. The hydraulic disc brakes make it easy for children to negotiate even steep descents without getting tired. Full speed uphill, full control downhill! There are many features to love about this 24inch wheel bike. Firstly, the frame is made of light, high-quality AA 6061 aluminium with butted tubes. Secondly, the geometry is designed for agile and easy handling. The low entry, very low sitting position and forgiving steering geometry to provide good control and more riding fun. Thirdly, there are 8 speeds. The SRAM X4 twist shifter make for easy transitions. Fourthly, two independently operated V-brakes with braking power are adapted for children. Finally, the high-quality, lightweight tires for good shock absorption, low rolling resistance and maximum grip. Read our full Woom 5 review.

Buy this 24″ kids’ mountain bike from:

Wheel Size24 inches
Min. Standover Height20.28 inches
Frame Material6061 aluminum
Drivetrain1×9
BrakesV brakes Brake
Shifter(s)SRAM trigger shifter
DerailleurSRAM X5 derailleur
ForkRigid
ShockN/A
MSRP$849.00
Live PriceWoom

Trailcraft Maxwell 24

The old saying goes that “you get what you pay for”. Unquestionably, you get one of the best trail riding kids’ mountain bikes in the business if you buy the Maxwell 24. Your mtb kids can dominate any kind of trail thanks to this full-suspension bike. With attention to detail, all of the components used on this Maxwell 24 are of the highest caliber and kid-sized.  Never worry about the quality that you are getting with the Trailcraft Maxwell 24. Without reservation, these bikes get our highest recommendation.

Buy this 24″ kids’ mountain bike from:

Wheel Size24 inches
Min. Standover Height25 inches
Frame MaterialAluminum Alloy
Drivetrain1×10, 1×11
Brakes3 Options, Shimano
Shifter(s)2 Options, Shimano
Derailleur2 Options, Shimano
ForkRST Snyper 100mm
ShockMonarch R-100mm travel
MSRPVaries
Live PriceTrailcraft
Transition Ripcord 2020 - full suspension mountain bike

Transition Ripcord

Transition’s affinity for the trails of the pacific-northwest is embodied in the brand’s Ripcord – a full-suspension mountain bike for kids. Once the front and rear air suspension are dialed-in, your kiddo with will be ready for everything from Galbraith to Gooseberry Mesa. The Ripcord is lightweight with high quality components. To be sure, this is a premium mountain bike for kids who are eager to ride the bike parks and advanced single track.

Buy this 24″ kids’ mountain bike from:

Wheel Size24 inches
Min. Standover Height26.57 inches
Frame MaterialAluminum Alloy
DrivetrainSRAM NX 11 speed
BrakesShimano MT400
Shifter(s)SRAM NX 11spd
DerailleurSRAM NX 11spd
ForkRockShox 30 Silver TK 26, 100mm Travel
ShockRockShox Monarch R
MSRP$1,699.00
Live PriceTransition
Rocky Mountain Reaper 24 - mountain bike

Rocky Mountain Reaper

The Rocky Mountain Reaper is a design that allows your young mtb enthusiast to send it big and pedal on demanding trails. It’s a full-suspension kids’ mountain bike that allows you to switch out the 24-inch wheels for 26-inch wheels. On account of this versatility. you can keep the bike in the family for an extended period of time.

Buy this 24″ kids’ mountain bike from:

Wheel Size24-inch (stock)
Min. Standover Height27.24 inches
Frame MaterialFORM(TM) Alloy
DrivetrainShimano 1×10
BrakesShimano MT200 2 Piston / Shimano RT30 180mm / Shimano RT30 180mm
Shifter(s)Shimano Deore
DerailleurShimano Deore
ForkSuntour Raidon 32 LOR DS 120mm
ShockRockShox Monarch R
MSRP$1,949.00
Live PriceRocky Mountain
Rosignol Trail Mandate enduro bike for kids

Rosignol Trail Mandate JR 24

The Mandate JR 24″ has a frame adapted to young riders, very manageable and ready for them to enjoy a casual ride or ripping in the bike park. All the ingredients are in the plate: SR Suntour air fork and shock, Shimano 9 Speed transmission, and Tektro M285 2 pistons brakes are ready to provide the best experience to the next generation of talented riders!

Buy this 24″ kids’ mountain bike from:

Wheel Size24-inch (stock)
Min. Standover Height15 inches
Frame Material6061 Alloy
DrivetrainShimano 1×9
BrakesTektro M285, hydraulic disc
Shifter(s)Shimano Alivio M3100
DerailleurShimano Alivio M3100, SGS
ForkSuntour Raidon 32
ShockSuntour Raidon R
MSRP$1,499.00
Live PriceRossignol

Mountain Bike Real Cost Calculator

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Mountain bike real cost calculator

Use our Mountain Bike Real Cost Calculator to determine if you made out like a bandit or got hosed.

How Much Did That Bike Really Cost You?

We have developed this calculator to prove that no matter how much you spend on a your kids’ mountain bikes, or your bikes for that matter — mountain biking is always worth it! Over the years, we have learned that high-quality mountain bikes have the highest resale value. Use this calculator and let us know if you agree by commenting below.
Start Over

You Win Some – You Lose Some

In our experience, we have found some really good deals as well as the occasional self-induced money pit. Our first kid’s downhill bike was a Kona Stinky 2-4. We bought it used for only $250; owned it for 4 years and sold it for $300. On the other side of the coin, dad’s last bike cost $2,300 and there were close to $1,500 in upgrades and maintenance. It sold for $1,800.

Kona Stinky 2-4, a great kid bike
This kid-sized Stinky 2-4 was the best deal ever.
Dad's old Trek Remedy 7
Dad just could not stop upgrading this thing.

5 Tips For Mountain Biking With Kids In Colder Weather

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Mountain biking with kids in colder weather

Tips for biking with kids in cold weather – Natural born dare devils make their “worry-wart” mom a nervous wreck but also a very proud one. Jordan Soley and Jason Soley are twin 5 year old boys. Since day one, both boys have been obsessed with wheels. Tonka trucks, wagons, tractors and lawn mowers – you name it/ When they discovered a bike, it was love at first sight. And once their legs grew long enough, they were off pedaling.

Allowed to ride in the house in the cold winter of Pennsylvania is where they learned to pop their first wheelies – training wheels and all. They were even hitting ramps with those things on. The next winter the training wheels came off. Winter is a great time for riding even when you’re too big to ride in a house.

You can get your kids riding outside in ally types of weather with the proper gear. They need that movement. And you probably need the break!

Soley twins riding a ferry with their mountain biking family
Hitting the dirt jumps
Jordan and Jason - mountain biking brothers

Here Are 5 Tips For Mountain Biking With Kids In Colder Weather

Plan Shorter Rides

A short ride is better than all day on the couch! Although riding can break a sweat, we need to take note of our colder outdoor temperatures winter brings. Try keeping the rides high activity, but shorter in duration when biking with kids in cold weather.

Layer, Layer, Layer

Sounds easy enough. You know this concept. Your first layer should be something that wicks away moisture, the mid layer being thermal to keep warm and the outer layer is our wind stopping layer. So go ahead and pick up that windbreaker for the holidays.

Consider A Winter Helmet

Hat as a key ingredient for warmth. As 30 percent of body heat is lost through the head, less vents are best for winter riding. If two helmets aren’t an option especially for our growing riders you could use a helmet cover which simply goes on over the helmet. Or, try a ski cap under your helmet.

Use Running Gloves or Cold Weather Bike Gloves Instead of Regular Bike Gloves

Warm fingers and make a HUGE difference! If your kids’ hands are big enough, try cold weather running gloves instead of your biking gloves. Running gloves work great because they’re made of thicker, warmer fabrics. Many of them even have textured material such as a thin coat patterned rubber to help grip the handlebars.

Keep The Warm On The Inside

Cozy and delicious! My best tip yet if the kiddos will allow is a thermos filled with warm water or better yet delicious tea or cocoa for a warm hydration break. You can also pre-warm, by drinking something hot just before you head out.

One of the mountain biking Soley boys
Mountain biking with kids in colder weather

As for now the boys are hitting trails across America as they travel in an RV with their parents. They have noticed riding is a bit more popular in Colorado, Washington and such and are loving it. It provides the boys with a bike friendly atmosphere and more diverse riding.

Check out our list of Holiday Gifts for Mountain Bikers form some items that will be helpful when biking with kids in cold weather.

Jeanette Soley - Nomadic by NatureThanks to Jeanette Soley and her family for contributing this article. Follow the boys and their adventures on Facebook at Nomadic By Nature and let them know your favorite season to ride and how you stay warm. Hey maybe they might swing by and go for a ride with you!

Prevelo Zulu One Review

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Prevelo Zulu One review - featured photo

Zulu One Review: The first item we took note of when we started our Prevelo Zulu One review was the Tektro HD M276 hydraulic disc brake set. The second feature we noticed was the internally routed rear brake cable. It spans a whopping 7.25 inches from port-to-port along the top tube of this 14 inch wheel kids’ bike. The third thing we liked on this bike right away was the bash guard protecting the 25t front gear ring and chain. With such a low profile, the addition of a the ring guard is a pretty smart move.

You can purchase one of these for your 3-5 year old on the Prevelo website.

Prevelo Zulu One review - featured photo

Assembling The Prevelo Zulu One

We love it when bike manufacturers include all the necessary tools to get your kids rolling. And, that’s the case with the Prevelo Zulu One. They include a pedal wrench and the appropriate hex keys to assemble the bike. Prevelo also makes sure that all the assembly that can be done with this bike- is done when you take it out of the box. This is a big deal if you have ever had to set up disc brakes. Not to worry with the Zulu One because the bolt-on wheels are already attached to the fork and BOXT rear drop outs.

At a minimum you only have to attach the pedals, and affix the handlebars to the stem. If your child is on the small end of the fit range for this bike, you can swap out the installed seat post for the included shorter option. If you get in early with this bike, it means it could fit your child for well over 18 months.

Our 12 year old got this aluminum/alloy framed bike ready to go. Then it passed dad’s QA testing. Mom exclaimed “Wow. I wish my bike was that color.” It’s true. The semi-luminescent gun-metal gray paint job with red accents make this bike a looker. The photos can’t quite capture the slight reflective paint job, but it’s attractive.

Where to adjust the Tektro brake levers

Perfectly Dialed in!

Oh yeah, did we also mention the reach for the brake levers is adjustable? Take a look at the illustration from Tektro to see where a 2mm hex key will allow you to adjust the distance your kiddo needs to wrap their paws around the brake levers.

The claimed weight for the Zulu One on the Prevelo site is 15.9 lbs. We confirmed this using the tried-and-true bathroom scale method. A 520mm wide Heir handlebar with 35mm rise and 25.4mm – 19mm taper will allow you to adjust the bars for your child’s reach. Kid-sized grips are also a feature of the Zulu One.

The Prevelo Zulu One, At-A-Glance Numbers

standover height icon

SADDLE HEIGHT

16in – 25in

drivetrain icon

DRIVETRAIN

Single Speed

wheel size icon

WHEEL SIZE

14 inches

weight icon

WEIGHT

15.9 pounds

age icon

AGE RANGE

Approx. 3-5

The 14 inch aluminum wheels are paired with 2.1 inch wide Innova tires. The tread on the tires is impressive for a bike this small because they’re definitely not street tires. A 85mm long crankset was spec’d to accommodate your your 3-5 year old’s inseam.

The minimum seat height is 16 inches and the maximum seat height for the Prevelo Zulu One is 25 inches. Again, this is due to the 2 seat posts included with the bike. We strongly encourage you to check out the rest of the measurements on the Prevelo website . They are located under the Zulu One page’s SPECS tab to confirm this bike is the best kids bike for your child.

Tektro brake lever on the Prevelo Zulu One
Stem detail on the Prevelo Zulu One
Prevelo Zulu One, Innova tire detail
Rear hydraulic disc brake detail - Prevelo Zulu One
Bashguard crank and pedal - Zulu One
Internally routed brake cable on the Prevelo Zulu One

Riding The Prevelo Zulu One

After a few minutes of getting used to the Zulu One, our rider was standing up and pedaling like a pro. We even rotated the brakes on the handlebars so he could stand up at speed on the pedals in a race position.

Introducing the Prevelo Zulu One

Fit is paramount when selecting a mountain bike for your child. A proper fitting bike allows your kid to ride safely and utilize all the features a bike has to offer. The end result is more fun for everyone. And, that was certainly the case with this little guy and the Prevelo Zulu One. He definitely approved of the disc brakes and learned how to feather them evenly. He was crushing corners like a boss in no time.

Riding a curved bridge on the Prevelo Zulu One

Our test rider loved the Prevelo Zulu One right away because he is an experienced BMX rider. The combination of the bike’s features and our rider’s skill set were a perfect fit.

Like with full-sized adult bikes, the geometry of a kid’s bike is important. The ergonomics of the Zulu One’s frameset and crank length allowed our little shredder to comfortably ride in the saddle and dance on the pedals through the berms.

Standing up on the Prevelo Zulu One was comfy for our rider
The Prevelo Zulu One is coming at you
Taking a fast turn on the Prevelo Zulu One

The 2.1 inch wide Innova tires loved the pump track. They gripped the dusty wood features at the bike park without slips or slide-outs.

Son and dad riding together

Our Ultima Parola On The Prevelo Zulu One

Of course this single-speed kids’ bike can be ridden on the sidewalks and paved trails. However, the bike’s quality construction and build deserve more. Simply put, this bike wants to get messy. The disc brakes and grippy tires yearn to gobble up dirt as your family gets off-road for the first time. This bike will provide new experiences for your mountain biking family. We’re happy to state the Prevelo Zulu One is going to be a wonderful first mountain bike for a lot of children in the years to come.

More family time and more skills!

As an added bonus with this bike (if you don’t already know how), you may wish to learn how to change brake pads and bleed brakes with your kids. Owning this bike means additional maintenance and it introduces the opportunity to do yet another bike related activity with your kids. This is just another example of how owning and riding bikes together can help you bond with your little ones and spend some quality time together.

Prevelo Alpha Zero Review

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Prevelo Alpha Zero - Review

Can you imagine the beginning a long, enjoyable story that will take several decades to consume? If the equivalent to this saga is the start of your little one’s enjoyment of cycling, then the preface can take place upon the Prevelo Alpha Zero.

Prevelo Alpha Zero - Review

Prevelo:  Website | Instagram | Facebook

The Alpha Zero is Prevelo’s 12-inch wheel balance bike/run bike engineered for kids who, on the entry side, are about 18 months old and up. It has a standover height of just 7 inches and a minimum saddle height of 11.5 inches. The maximum saddle height for the bike is 14.6 inches. MSRP for the Alpha Zero is $199.00 USD.

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A Quick Overview Of The Prevelo Alpha Zero

standover height icon

SADDLE HEIGHT

Min ~11.5 inches

drivetrain icon

DRIVETRAIN

None – It’s Push-Powered

wheel size icon

WHEEL SIZE

12in

weight icon

WEIGHT

~8.5 lbs

The Prevelo Alpha One Is Minimal. And That Makes It Huge.

When we normally do a bike review, we pour over the specs in order to inform readers of all the details. In this case, the facts are minimal because the bike is minimal. The drivetrain consists of your kid’s feet, legs, and gumption. In the beginning, slowing down the bike and braking will be done with the aforementioned items. After the beginning, your little one will learn how to use the rear Tektro v-brake on the bike controlled by a hand lever on the right side of the bars. The cable for the brake streams neatly from the lever and it’s internally routed through the down tube. It’s nice looking.

Seat collar on Prevelo Alpha Zero

Colors And Add-Ons

The bike’s looks are classic and will appeal to both girls and boys. Color options for the frame include Speed Silver, Power Purple, and Braap Blue. When shopping on the Prevelo website, you can also add optional: colored grips, a bike bell, rider name lettering, or USB rechargeable lights.

The Prevelo Trade Up Club

Learn About The Prevelo Trade Up Club

Prevelo also offers a Trade-Up Club Membership. As of this writing, the cost is $69.00 USD. The program allows you to save money when sizing-up while your kids continue to ride a Prevelo. Get all the detail and terms by visiting the Prevelo website.

Hand brake detail - Prevelo Alpha Zero
Prevelo Alpha Zero - Top Tube Badge

Start With This Balance Bike Instead Of A Pedal Bike With Training Wheels

The Prevelo Alpha Zero is made to introduce your kids to the concept of balancing on a bike without the distractions of pedals or the safety net of training wheels.

The same will or gumption that drives your children to propel themselves along by walking or running the bike as they’re firmly planted on the saddle is going to allow them to progress.

Once comfortable with the physical demands of achieving basic angular momentum, your child will discover that if the thrust is increased, she/he will be able to keep both feet off the ground longer and glide greater distances without their feet touching the ground. In our experiences, this has been the most important skill that enables a young rider to safely transition to a pedal bike with confidence.

Having the right tool for the job is important. Again, that’s where the Prevelo Alpha Zero comes in. It’s made to fit small, young children. It’s made to help them succeed.

Cockpit view - Prevelo Alpha Zero
Rear end - Prevelo Alpha Zero
Tire tread detail - Prevelo Alpha Zero

Geometry For The Prevelo Alpha Zero

A Wheel Size12"
B Wheelbase22.9 in / 581 mm
C Effective Top Tube Length11.6 in / 295 mm
D Head Angle67°
E Seat Tube Angle69°
F Chain Stay Length8.9 in / 225 mm
Prevelo Alpha Zero Geometry Diagram

Click the photo to enlarge it

Prevelo Alpha Zero – Specifications

FRAME12"
FORK22.9 in / 581 mm
SEAT CLAMP11.6 in / 295 mm
REAR BRAKE67°
REAR BRAKE LEVER69°
HEAD SET8.9 in / 225 mm
RIMAluminum with grinded sidewalls
FRONT HUBLightweight alloy 1-piece forged CNC with low profile rounded hex bolts and sealed hub
REAR HUBLightweight alloy 1-piece forged CNC with low profile rounded hex bolts and sealed hub
TIRE & TUBEKenda 12 x 1.75
SADDLEPrevelo balance bike specific saddle
HANDLEBARPrevelo Aluminum - 375mm wide x 50mm rise - 22.2mm to 19mm taper
HANDLEBAR STEMAluminum 30mm extension
GRIPKraton rubber

Riding The Prevelo Alpha Zero

It isn’t complicated. It’s just fun. Our rider rode this bike for better part of the summer and his confidence grew as the season went on. The Prevelo works on grass, concrete, pavement, gravel, and dirt. The absence of a top tub on the bike makes it super easy to get on and dismount. The quick-release seat post collar allows one to adjust the saddle height as needed without the needing a hex key.

The Prevelo Alpha Zero even works on grass

Getting familiar with the Prevelo Alpha Zero in safe, controlled surroundings.

Taking on a pump track with the Prevelo Alpha Zero

Little kid – big world. You gotta have guts to hit pump track. Think about it. If these rollers were scaled up for adults, these would be serious obstacles. The right fitting bike makes all the difference.

Dressed to the nines on the Prevelo Alpha Zero

With a proper sized bike for this age category, your rider should be able to straddle the bike with both feet planted firmly on the ground.

Climb mode on - Prevelo Alpha Zero
Getting ready for the next leg of the ride
Looking good on the Prevelo Alpha Zero - a balance bike for kids

Riding Off Aboard The Prevelo Alpha Zero

If you have a young one who is ready, or soon to start cycling, the Prevelo Alpha Zero is a must-have balance bike. It’s sized right. It’s priced right. It is made so children can begin to learn the fundamentals of riding a bike. The kid sized saddle, handlebars, and grips are specifically designed to make your kid comfortable when they take the plunge into the world of bikes.

Following dad's lead on singletrack aboard the Prevelo Alpha Zero

Create A Free MTB Achievement Certificate

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Achievement Certificate - Mountain Bike Award for Kids

Create a free mountain biking certificate for kids!

Create a personalized achievement award! Commemorate your child’s first bike ride. Celebrate race results. Or officially take note of their positive attitude (i.e. lack of whining) during your last ride.  Above all, this certificate is an excellent way to recognize mtb accomplishment.

By all means, you can create a unique mountain biking certificate for kids with a photo of your little rider. Put it on the fridge or frame it for their room. Without a doubt, your mini mountain biker will love it! Have a group of groms that ride together?  Give them a team award! It’s FREE and available right now. Click the button above to get started.

Once you have completed your MTB certificate, check out our Destinations and Trails page for more fun places to ride!

Additionally, we’d LOVE to witness those accomplishments, so we can celebrate, too. share your kid’s videos and pics with MTBwithKids on Instagram or Facebook

10 Ways Mountain Biking Prepares Kids To Be Successful In Life

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Mountain biking can teach your kids life skills

Mountain biking is a dynamic sport that can teach lots of important lessons that can be applied to real life. As our kids grow up, we often use mountain biking as a metaphor to talk about the things they are experiencing in their non-mountain biking life – from homework to social issues. We think that mountain biking can help kids build the character and skills to help them deal with whatever life throws at them. Here is our list of ways that we feel that mountain biking helps kids be successful in life.

mountain biking brothers moab captain ahab
balance bike success
mountain bike kids jump virgin ut

Here Are 10 Life Lessons That Mountain Biking Has Helped To Teach Our Kids:

1. Planning And Preparation Is Important

Getting out on the trails for a day of biking helps to build skills to prepare for the unexpected. Now that our kids are older, we let them pack their supplies. What do you think you might need?  Snacks, water, maybe a rain coat? Sometimes, forgetting to bring what you need is the best way to remember next time. This skill can definitely transfer to preparing for a school day, camping trip or college.

Mountain biking builds grit

2. You Can Do Hard Things

You’ll hear the word “grit” to describe kids that know how to persevere through challenges. Mountain biking provides so many opportunities to practice digging deep and developing grit- from climbing hills to riding longer distances. On one memorable ride, we were at the mid-way point on the Slickrock trail in Moab when our youngest crashed his bike and rolled right into a cactus. After we removed as many of those tiny spikes as we could, our kid had no choice but to pedal the 6 miles back to the trail head.  It took a very long time, but we made it back to the car, and our kid often talks about how he rode 6 miles with cactus in his leg with a proud smile on his face.

3. Look Ahead, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

When your kid first starts riding a bike on trails, it is natural for them to notice and avoid all the rocks, roots and bumps in the trail. Seasoned mountain bikers know that looking at every little obstacle is a great way to get hung up and potentially crash. As your kid spends more time on the trail they’ll learn to see the small obstacles, but look ahead to where they want to go. There are so many ways that this lesson applies to real life!

Fixing a flat mountain bike tire

4. Things Don’t Always Go Your Way

In the last year, our oldest has had two races derailed by mechanical issues with his bike. One of them may have been prevented by checking tire pressure before a race (see lesson 1), but the other seemed to be a random occurrence. Each DNF felt awful to him. After each he spent a bit feeling upset and then started to look for the good in the situations and moved on.

5. View Obstacles As Challenges

What would mountain biking be without rock gardens, roots and corners? BORING!  Our goal is to try to teach our kids to view life obstacles in the same way they view mountain bike obstacles. Problems that can be solved and even enjoyed with creativity, practice, patience and persistence.

mountain biking can teach kids to take healthy risks

6. Be Brave, Seek “Healthy Risks”

Mountain biking can be scary. A large part of why I enjoy mountain biking more than trail running is that feeling of exhilaration from trying something that scares me. The more time they spend on the trails, the more our kids know their abilities and feel comfortable taking “healthy” risks. In mountain biking, as in life, many obstacles look worse than they are. Through mountain biking, kids can learn to trust themselves to try new things.

7. Failure Is The Way You Learn And Get Better

We’ll often stop during our rides to session a challenging part of the trail. Sometimes, you can get over the obstacle by just pedaling harder, sometimes, you need to attack it from a different angle and sometimes, even after several attempts, you have to be willing to let it go and try again next time you ride the trail.

mountain biking is good for your mental health

8. Moving Outside Is Excellent For Mental And Physical Health

Several years ago, our youngest son would almost always start family rides with a bad attitude. He did NOT want to go on a mountain bike ride and his gloomy mood and frequent tears often made us question our will to get the family out.  However, when we persevered, it would take less than 20 minutes for him to be riding along and singing or chatting up a storm.  He has recently started to recognize the direct connection between mountain biking and his mood. Knowing how to take care of their own wellbeing is something we hope our kids learn from mountain biking.

9. Be Humble

Mountain biking can be extremely humbling. Just when you think things are going great, you strike a pedal on a rock and take a dive over the bars, or have a mechanical issue, or fall into a cactus. Mountain biking provides lots of chances to practice living with grace and humility.

find your mtb people

10. Community Is Important, Find Your People

Mountain biking can create a strong connection between people. Our boys love to ride with family, but adding friends to the mix makes things even better. Building a network of mountain biking friends can be positive and meaningful for your kids. Good mountain biking friends are supportive, helpful and up for adventure.

Are you already riding with your kids?  We’d love to hear what life lessons your family has gained from mountain biking.  Share your lessons with us on our MTB with kids facebook page

Wanting to get your kids out on bikes with you?  Visit our Tips for Mountain Biking with Kids articles to help you get started.

mtb kid jump fruita co
mtb friends little creek mesa
whistler skinny mtb kid

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag Review

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Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag Review

When our kids were too small to carry their own luggage, we’d pack their clothes in with ours in the rolling suitcases we got for our wedding. As the kids grew and needed more of their own space, we gave them roller bags. Although it was nice for each of us to have our own bags, roller bags were not ideal for the way we travel.

We almost always travel in the minivan. On road trips, we would get to our hotel, check in, put the bikes in the room and then make additional trips to the car to get 4 heavy roller bags. An extra trip to the car doesn’t seem like a big deal, but after a long travel day, neither grumpy kids nor exhausted parents wanted to take extra steps.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag Review

Last year, we started the research to find the prefect travel bags for our family. We quickly decided on duffel bags instead of suitcases because of their flexibility, light weight and potential for freeing up your hands with the addition of backpack straps. After reading hundreds of reviews, we purchased Patagonia 60L Black Hole Duffel bags. Over the past couple of years we have used our Black Hole Duffels for all of our long and short trips.

The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag Has These Great Features

  • Tough polyester ripstop with highly weather-resistant TPU-film laminate
  • Durable water-repellent finish
  • Large opening to main compartment, zippered side pocket, mesh pockets in lid
  • Padded, removable shoulder straps for a backpack carrying option
  • Reinforced haul handles for easy carrying
  • Padded base protects contents
  • Burly, reinforced daisy chains for lashing
  • Internal compression straps
  • Stuffs into its own pocket for easy storage

Some Of The Numbers

Weight: 2 lb. 7 oz.
Size: 25” x 13” x 10”
Interior size: 60L
Price: Click button below

Appearance Of The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag

One of the best features of these bags is that they come in a variety of colors. We purchased four different colored bags so each of us knows which bag is ours. This is helpful when rummaging for one particular bag in a packed mini-van and also lets each of us take care of our own supplies. Despite over 2-years of being used by our rough and tumble boys, they still look like new except for some very minor scuffing.

What fits in the Patagonia Black Hole 60L Duffel Bag

Exactly How Much Stuff Will Fit In This Thing?

  • 5 undies
  • 5 pairs of socks
  • 3 shorts
  • 1 pants
  • 3 jerseys
  • 2 tee shirts
  • Swim suit
  • Towel
  • Regular shoes
  • Fip flops
  • PJs
  • Warm jacket
  • Rain jacket
  • Bike shoes
  • Bike gloves

Water Resistance

A bonus! Since we live in the desert, our bags are more likely to get splashed with Gatorade or splattered with mud than doused in a rainstorm. Despite that, it’s nice to know that the bags will keep moisture out and can be easily wiped off in case of unexpected spills or storms.

Durability

These bags are tough! They have been packed to the brim, dropped and tossed onto the ground, and dragged on the asphalt. Amazingly, our Black Hole Duffels have no rips, tears or even noticeable worn spots in the rip stop laminate fabric despite the rough handling.

Wearing the Patagonia 60L Black Hole Duffel Bag

Backpack (and other) Straps For The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag

Patagonia Black Hole duffel bags come with removable backpack straps which make them much more convenient to haul around than a suitcase. This feature frees up our hands to wheel bikes and carry luggage simultaneously. The shoulder straps are padded and comfortable. The carrying handles on the top of the bag are long enough to easily sling the bag on your shoulder if needed, but not nearly as comfortable as the backpack straps. There are also sturdy carry straps on both ends and daisy chain attachments to connect gear/helmets to the outside of the duffel.

Don’t let the people online who say the straps are hard to attach scare you! These straps are easy to attach (see video of our 11 year old attaching both straps in less than 20 seconds).

To attach the straps:

  1. Slide the narrow side of the rectangular plastic fixture attached to the strap through the plastic D-ring on the bag
  2. Once the rectangular piece is all the way through, turn the piece sideways so that the piece attached to the strap is the same direction as the D-ring on the bag
  3. Connect the straps to the bottom of the bag with the easy click-in buckles
Compressed and stuffed Patagonia Black Hole 60L Duffel Bag

Interior

The capacity of the 60L duffel bag is perfect for bringing all of our mountain biking clothes and accessories for a weekend or longer trips. First, it’s big enough to hold each family member’s belongings and small enough to be packed into the hotel by a 9 year-old. Second, there are two zippered compartments on the top of the duffle and a single side pocket that is accessible from both the inside and outside. These duffels hold everything we needed with room to spare.

But wait, there’s more! As if the above benefits weren’t enough, the entire bag (including straps) folds down into its own inside pocket. Great for storage!

Our family 100% recommends the Patagonia Black Hole 60L Duffel bag. It’s the perfect bag for our family mountain biking excursions.

The only thing I would change about this duffle is a larger top opening. The main top opening isn’t the same size as the bag dimensions. This means that you have to pull more things out to find items that might not be in the center top of the bag. However, this is only a problem when the bag is packed completely full, which is usually not the case.

Video – Somewhere Over There

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Video - Somewhere Over There Mountain Bike Trail

The Somewhere Over There Mountain Bike trail is brought to you by the good people at SORCA (Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association). Learn more about them here. And, support them here.

My family rode this trail in the summer of 2015. The Somewhere Over There Mountain Bike Trail was pretty humbling for mom and dad. Lots of walking. Our 11 year old LOVED it!

Somewhere Over There Mountain Bike Trail Description

This hand-built trail includes the best of Squamish riding in one fun and challenging trail. The access climb is an excellent warm-up for the mostly downhill fun ahead. Somewhere over There will treat you to the iconic features you expect from BS trails. Besides the flowy loam and challenging rock slabs, this trail features some amazing bridges. This trail is a great all-round ride for riders with strong intermediate to advanced skills.

Squamish, BC

Squamish, BC is one of our favorite family mountain bike destinations. First, there are so many amazing, well-built  trails, it’s impossible to choose a favorite. Second, the scenery is stunning. Third, world class lift-served riding at Whistler Bike Park is less than an hour away!  Check out our Destinations and Trails page for more videos.

For more videos like this, follow MTBwithKids on Instagram or Facebook

Get Your Kid A Mountain Bike That Fits

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Get your kid a mountain bike that fits

How important is mountain bike fit for kids? Many people mistakenly believe that a bike is a bike. As long as your kid(s) can reach the pedals and steer the bicycle, very little else matters. However, this is a falsehood. A properly fitting bike is one of the most important things you will ever invest in.

Many people don’t consider the importance of a professional fit when they purchase a bike for their kids. They just see the glitz and glamor of the shiny new machine and have to have it. Well in the world of bikes, looks aren’t everything. A bike must fit your kid’s body to make the ride smooth and inspire confidence.

Important aspects of fit

Bikes are somewhat adjustable. Parts can be changed out, and other modifications made to create the ideal custom fitting bike for your young rider’s particular body shape and size. When having your kid’s bike adjusted you should take into consideration these key points.

  1. Their overall comfort.
  2. Safety and the ability to quickly dismount the bike.
  3. Saddle size, shape, and contour
  4. Smooth riding performance

Mountain Bike test rides are critical

One of the best ways to determine if a bike is right for your child is to get them on the bike in question. Have them take it for a spin. See how it fits their body, how it performs, and the bicycle’s overall feel. Determining the best mountain bike fit for kids might take several test rides.

Get advice from a mtb professional

Prior to leaving the bike store with the newly purchased bicycle, you should have a bike professional make any necessary adjustments. When having a professional technician adjust the bike to your kid’s body, he/she should be wearing the bike shoes they’ll normally wear when biking and have the pedals you’ll be using readily available. If your kids wear a particular biking outfit, then on the day of the adjustments they should wear the same biking pants that they’ll traditionally wear for a long ride.

Most bike technicians could take a little time to fit a bike properly. Be prepared to be at the shop for awhile. Usually, the first step to creating a custom bike fit is to set the bike up on a trainer. Then they’ll have your child hop into the saddle and start pedaling. While watching them in action with your bike, the technician will be able to determine the necessary tweaks to make the machine flow smoothly with their body.

Check out: Tips for Riding with Kids for more info on how to make riding with kids enjoyable for everyone!


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.