While many kids prefer to ride on paved trails and biking paths, others opt for a little more excitement. The compact design of kids' mountain bikes provide increased maneuverability and control for novice riders. Despite the smaller dimensions, kids' mountain bikes are equipped with all the working components of the full-size model, including knobby tires and a hand-brake system.
Pedal-Less Mountain Bikes
Due to a specialized model of the mountain bike, kids as young as 5 years old are able to tackle off-road terrain. While some parents prefer to equip their kid's mountain bike with a set of training wheels, others opt for a bike that doesn't feature pedals at all. According to "Mountain Bike" magazine, these pint-size mountain bikes are equipped with a rubber shock between the frame and seat. These pedal-less mountain bikes have a height that ranges from 13 to 18 inches. The petite mountain bike frame usually weighs less than 10 pounds.
Seat Tube Size
When your child begins to outgrow his pedal-less mountain bike, it may be time to upgrade to a youth model. Most companies who manufacture kids' mountain bikes measure the tubular frame based on the size of the seat tube. A seat tube that is too long will hinder your child's ability to maintain control of the mountain bike pedals. According to Kona World, kids' mountain bikes often have a seat tube that measures between 12 and 13 inches.
Top Tube Size
The top tube is the horizontal component of the kids' mountain bike that stretches between the headset and the seat post clamp. Manufacturers offer the top tube in different size options to accommodate the varying arm lengths of novice riders. If your kid has to strain to reach the handlebar grips, choose a mountain bike frame with a smaller top tube. According to Kona World, the top tube of the kids' mountain bike ranges from 17 to 20 inches.
Bottom Bracket Height
The distance between the ground and the bottom bracket of kids' mountain bikes varies, depending on the specific model. A bottom bracket that is too low may cause the pedals to scrape against the ground during hairpin turns. Pedal-less mountain bikes for small children feature a bottom bracket height of about 6 to 8 inches. Mountain bikes designed for more experienced kids feature a bottom bracket height of about 10 inches. Many kids' mountain bikes have an adjustable bottom bracket.
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