Ready for something a bit bigger? Our 26″ and 27.5″ wheeled bikes include mountain bikes for older children, teenagers and smaller adults. From first rides on local trails to weekends at the bike park, there’s a wide range of bikes here for riders who are ready to go further.
| Rider Height | Age | Suggested Wheel Size |
| 86 – 102cm | 2-4 years | Balance Bikes and 12” |
| 99 – 117cm | 3-6 years | 14” and 16” |
| 114 – 132cm | 5-8 years | 20” |
| 127 – 150cm | 7-10 years | 24” |
| 146 – 170cm | 9+ | 26″ and 27.5” |
Not sure whether 26″ or 27.5″″ wheels are the right step? Compare your child’s height with the other wheel sizes, then explore the range that fits best.
For the young rider who heads straight for the trails and wants to keep progressing, the Sythe 27 is a serious full-suspension mountain bike. It pairs 27.5″ wheels with a 150 mm fork, a dropper post and four-piston hydraulic brakes, giving a suitably sized rider the equipment for steeper, rougher riding and bike park days.
The Kimu 27 H20 is for a growing rider ready to move onto a 27.5″ hardtail without giving up a bike built around younger cyclists. Its 110 mm suspension fork, wide tyres, Shimano CUES ten-speed gearing and hydraulic brakes make it well suited to longer rides and increasingly adventurous trails.
A bike for the rider moving beyond their first mountain bike and looking for more confidence on the trails. The Secta uses a 27.5″ front wheel and 26″ rear wheel, paired with a 100 mm air fork, hydraulic brakes and eight-speed gearing. That mixed-wheel setup makes it a distinct option when comparing fit and handling with a conventional 26″ or 27.5″ bike.
For a suitably sized older teenager or smaller adult whose riding now centres on technical descents, trail centres and enduro terrain. The Alpine Trail 1 is an adult full-suspension bike with 160 mm rear travel, a 170 mm fork and a 29″ front / 27.5″ rear wheel setup. It belongs here as a possible next step for the right rider, with frame sizing checked carefully before purchase.
The Tracker 275 Sport suits a teenager or smaller rider looking for a versatile first 27.5″ mountain bike. With suspension up front, 2.4″ tyres, Shimano ESSA eight-speed gearing and hydraulic disc brakes, it has a straightforward build for family rides, tracks and early trail riding. Fork travel differs by frame size, so check the size selected before quoting a travel figure.
For a rider who is more interested in jumps, corners and rough trails than simply getting from A to B, the San Quentin 1 offers a more aggressive hardtail option. Its 130 mm fork, wide tyres, clutch-equipped nine-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes make sense for a suitably sized teenager ready to develop their trail riding.
The Bolinas Ridge 2 is a more accessible way into a 27.5″ mountain bike. It suits a rider who wants to tackle park paths, forest tracks and introductory trails, with a 100 mm suspension fork, eight-speed gearing and hydraulic disc brakes. It is a sensible option to compare against the more trail-focused bikes above.
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Start with the rider’s height, then check the size guide for the specific model and frame size. Age 9+ is a broad guide to this category, not a fit range for every 26″ or 27.5″ bike. Two bikes with the same wheel size can feel quite different because of their frame geometry and reach.
It can be, if the frame fits and the rider can comfortably reach the controls. Check the manufacturer’s height guidance, the bike’s reach and how it feels to handle. An adult bike should not be chosen simply because it offers more growing room. Lots of adults bikes come in smaller sizes, those smaller sizes often feature a 27.5″ wheel set up, which can be found in this category.
The Nukeproof Tracker 275 Sport is a good place to start. It’s a 27.5″ hardtail for riders who want to explore woodland trails and build confidence off road. If they’re already drawn to more technical riding, take a look at the Marin San Quentin 1 too.
The Orbea Kimu 27 H20 is aimed at growing riders who want to go further and try varied terrain. For a more affordable introduction to mountain biking, consider the Marin Bolinas Ridge 2. Think about where the bike will be ridden most often: that will tell you more than choosing by wheel size alone.
The Whyte Secta 26 MX and Marin San Quentin 1 are the hardtails I’d compare first. Both make more sense for a rider who actively seeks out trails than for someone who mainly cycles on roads or smooth paths. The Secta has a 27.5″ front wheel and 26″ rear, so it offers a different setup from a bike with two 27.5″ wheels.
If they regularly ride rough trails or bike parks, the Whyte Sythe 27 is the standout youth specific full suspension choice here. For gentler routes or a first mountain bike, start with a hardtail such as the Nukeproof Tracker 275 Race or Orbea Kimu 27 H20.
Yes, some of the 27.5″ models could suit smaller adults as well as teenagers. The Nukeproof Tracker 275 Sport, Marin San Quentin 1 and Marin Bolinas Ridge 2 are worth comparing if you want a smaller mountain bike. Choose by the available frame size and how the bike feels to ride; “kids’ bike” in the category name doesn’t mean every model is designed only for children.
The Marin Alpine Trail 1 is an adult enduro bike for a suitably sized older teenager or smaller adult who rides steep, technical trails. It has a 29″ front wheel and 27.5″ rear wheel, so it’s a specialist option within this selection, rather than the natural next step for every child moving up from a 24″ bike.
Start with the rides they talk about. For exploring local trails, shortlist the Nukeproof Tracker 275 Sport or Orbea Kimu 27 H20. For a rider dreaming about trail centres and bike parks, look at the Whyte Secta 26 MX or Whyte Sythe 27. Once you have a shortlist, check their height and the available frame sizes before ordering.
Wheelbase builds and checks mail-order bikes before shipping, but standard-delivery bikes require some final setup at home, including fitting the front wheel and pedals. Bikes collected in store are set up and handed over by the team. Review the delivery information so you know what to expect.
