Mountain Bike

The Merida Matts J.24+ is a mid-range, good value off-road bike built for enjoyable trail riding and gentle off-road paths, designed to handle more challenging routes and give your child the confidence to explore the outdoors.

Keeping the weight down to around 10kg is a lightweight 6061 aluminium frame paired with a rigid fork, making it easy to manoeuvre for children aged 7-10 years.

A standout feature is the wide ‘Plus’ tyres, which provide excellent grip and comfort across mixed terrain, helping your child feel more in control.

Merida has fitted powerful Tektro hydraulic disc brakes which use child-specific short-reach levers, ensuring reliable and easy stopping power that parents will value.

The simple 1×8 Microshift gearing also makes changing gear easy, removing the complication of double or triple chainrings.

With a flip-flop stem and spacers, this bike is built to grow with your child, ensuring you get great value from your purchase.

Read our Best 24 inch kids mountain bikes for age 7-10 years buyers guide for more information on similar bikes.

BTWIN 20” EXPL 900R is a good value, budget-friendly mountain bike designed to help your adventurous child grow in skill and confidence.

The bike is on the heavier side for a 20” wheel bike at 9.9 kg, but our petite reviewer didn’t find this detrimental to the enjoyment of riding it.

It features mechanical disc brakes which provide powerful, progressive stopping in all weather conditions, a great safety benefit for adventurous riding.

The simple 8-speed Microshift 1x drivetrain and the innovative Easytrigger shifter make changing gears intuitive and fun for a child in this age group.

Cycle Sprog rates this bike highly for its good components at a great price point, which is why we’ve given it a full review.

Read our rider review of the BTWIN 20” EXPL 900R for a full breakdown of the features and what our reviewer thought.

The Shyre Eastie 24 is a good value mountain bike built for young riders who want to explore beyond the pavement and tackle real trails.

It features a lightweight 6061 aluminium frame, which helps growing riders feel confident and in control on rougher ground.

With front suspension and mechanical disc brakes, this bike is designed to make descents and varied terrain much easier to handle.

The chunky all-terrain tyres provide essential grip and stability when riding off road on gravel tracks and woodland trails.

The 7-speed Shimano gearing is easy to use and helps make hills and longer routes feel less strenuous for your child.

While we haven’t tested this specific model, we have previously reviewed the smaller Shyre Hopton 20 (their hybrid bike) and were impressed with the range’s build quality and focus on good value cycling.

The Shyre Eastie 20 is a brand new bike for Christmas 2025 and is a good value entry into off-road riding for your child.

This mountain bike is designed for fun on gentle off-road paths, trails, and tracks, making it ideal if your child is keen to explore beyond the pavement.

The bike comes equipped with easy-to-use gears to help your child manage uphill sections on the trails and front suspension to smooth the descent.

Although we have not reviewed this specific bike, we have previously reviewed their hybrid bike in the same wheel size and were impressed with its quality and budget-friendly components.

The Shyre Eastie 26 is a good value entry-level mountain bike built for kids aged 10 and up who are ready to tackle longer rides and more varied terrain.

The bike’s lightweight and durable alloy frame is easy to handle, which helps to build confidence on park paths and woodland trails.

It comes with a 7-speed Shimano gearset for smooth and reliable shifting on hills, making it a capable choice for weekend fun.

The front suspension fork and mechanical disc brakes add control and comfort, especially on bumpy grounds or in wet conditions.

The inclusion of a kickstand makes the Eastie 26 an excellent option for riding to school during the week, blending everyday cycling with off-road adventure.

The Whyte Secta 26 is a premium, lightweight mountain bike designed for early teenagers who are keen to explore off-road trails and tracks.

The multi-butted frame is purpose-built to reduce weight, making it easier for your child to enjoy climbs and longer rides without getting fatigued.

A standout feature is the air-sprung suspension fork, which is easy to adjust for maximum comfort and control, and includes a lockout for efficient pedalling on smoother roads and paths.

The bike is equipped with smooth Shimano 1×9 speed gearing, offering easy climbing, and precise hydraulic disc brakes for confident stopping in all weathers.

The high-quality components, including the grips, saddle, and cranks, are sized specifically for this age group, ensuring a great riding position as their trail skills develop.