29 Mongoose Ledge 3.1 Men's Mountain Bike Black Blue Reviews

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There comes a time in every parent's life when they have to choose a bike on behalf of their child. With wide wheels and proper suspension, a dedicated mountain bike might be the most suitable choice, even if your child currently has no interest in heading out on the trails. On the other hand, if they're going to be flying down mountains, it's even more important that you make an informed decision. Check out our top picks and advice on getting the best kids' mountain bikes below.

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Benefits of Kids' Mountain Bikes

• Boosts confidence. Mountain biking can enhance a kid's riding skills and build their self-confidence. Overcoming the challenges in the sport encourages children to try out new things and believe they can do anything.
• Optimized physical fitness. Mountain biking helps kids to burn extra calories, increase muscular strength, and improve their balance and agility. It's a good physical activity that exercises all core muscle groups without stressing the bones and joints.
• Improves mood. Cycling is one of the best ways to improve mood. Cycling outdoors in natural surroundings is good for kids, as it reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Spending time in nature lowers stress and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Types of Kids' Mountain Bikes

Full Suspension

These are perfect for rugged terrain and off-road adventures as they offer greater control and extra comfort. They reduce fatigue on joints and muscles—even when you're riding at a high speed. Full suspension bikes feature a suspension fork with 100-180 mm of travel. They provide more traction, resulting in a better ride. The bikes are equipped with both front and rear suspensions and are costlier than hardtail mountain bikes.

Hardtail

Also known as semi-rigid bikes, they have suspension only at the front to decrease upper limb fatigue. They are built to refine a kid's riding skills, no matter their riding level. The bikes are lighter, more durable, and feature simple designs. Hardtail mountain bikes are a great choice if you are on a limited budget, purchasing your kid's first bike, or looking for a multipurpose bike.

Rigid

These are the simplest mountain bikes as they have no suspension. They are easy to maintain because they don't need regular servicing. The bikes don't compress under load, and their rigid front-end fork offers accurate and more predictable steering, enhancing a kid's riding skills. Rigid bikes are best for kids who love riding in any weather and those concerned about their weight. They are ideal for very smooth trails and wide-open terrain.

Top Brands

Schwinn

Ignaz Schwinn, a mechanical engineer, established the Schwinn Bicycle Company in Chicago, Ill., back in 1895. Its mission was to create bicycles that encouraged people to attain the freedom and confidence that came with a bike ride. Schwinn considers learning to ride a bike an adventurous rite of passage. One of its best-selling bikes is the Schwinn Elm Girl's Bike.

Diamondback

This company was founded by Western States Imports in 1977 as a BMX brand in Newbury Park, Calif. Now a huge bicycle brand, it's located in Kent, Wash., and makes bikes for people of all ages. The company is passionate about cycling and cycling products. It focuses on continuous innovation and strives to offer the best biking experience. The Tess Mountain Bike is one of its popular products.

Raleigh

Raleigh was founded in 1887 when Sir Frank Bowden bought shares in a small bicycle company located on Raleigh Street. He wanted everyone to discover the simple happiness that came with riding a bike. The Raleigh Bicycle Company was founded in 1890 and is among the oldest bicycle companies in the world. Its bicycles are created with one purpose: to make riding fun. One of its best bikes is the Raleigh Bikes Rowdy Kids Bike.

Mongoose

Mongoose bicycles were originally manufactured and sold by BMX Products LLC. Skip Hess formed the company in 1974 in Simi Valley, Calif. It is currently owned by Pacific Cycle and has specialized in manufacturing mountain bikes. Mongoose makes two different types of bikes: entry-level bikes (for those who are just getting started) and high-end bikes. One popular Mongoose bike is the Mongoose Exlipse Mountain Bike for Kids.

Kids' Mountain Bikes Pricing

• $50-$100: These are simple bikes with a little cushioning. They are not very durable and their bearings don't roll smoothly. They are difficult for kids to ride.
• $100-$200: These bikes are made of steel, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. They are of good quality and have all the basic features. However, because of their material, they tend to be heavy.
• $200 and up: The bikes in this category are typically made of aluminum and have a unique design. They come in a variety of colors. They are highly durable and have high-quality parts, like rear derailleurs and branded brakes.

Key Features

Frame Material

The material used to make a bike's frame determines its price. It has an impact on the weight, durability, strength, and aesthetics of the bike. The best kids' mountain bikes are made from aluminum or steel. Aluminum bikes are durable, lighter, and almost rustproof. They are also more expensive. Steel bikes are inexpensive, strong, and also durable.

Gears

There are different types of bike gears: old school (3×9), the more popular 2×10, and SRAM's revolutionary XX1 1×11. A single-speed gear is best for a kid who is beginning to cycle, as it simplifies the biking experience. It has a good pedal ratio and allows your kid to pedal effortlessly. As your kid's riding proficiency improves, you can increase the gears to seven or eight. A 20-inch bike can have as many as 21 gears.

Brakes

There are two main types of brakes found on kids' bikes: coaster brakes (pedal brakes) and hand brakes. The coaster brake is activated when the rider pedals backwards. Hand brakes are a lot easier for kids to control and enhance the riding experience. Coaster brakes can be frustrating as most kids pedal backwards when learning.

Other Considerations

• Tires. Kids' mountain bike tires come in three types: clincher, tubeless, and tubular. Clincher tires have beads that hook onto the wheels with clincher-type rims. Tubeless tires don't have a traditional inner tube, they attach themselves directly to the wheel rim. Tubular tires have no inner tube and are often glued to the rim.
• Weight. This is determined by the bike's size, the tire type, and the material used to make the frame. The heavier a bike is, the harder it is for a child to control, which means they won't enjoy the experience. Bike weight is increased by large tires and additions such as suspensions and gears. A good kid's mountain bike should not weigh more than 22 pounds.
• Seat Height. Confirm the bike's lowest and highest seat height and the standover height before purchasing it. The minimum seat height for kids' bikes is 25 cm (or 10 inches) while the maximum is 100 cm (40 inches). To check whether your child can comfortably fit on the bike, let them stand over it. When they sit on the bike, their feet should slightly touch the ground.

Best Kids' Mountain Bikes Reviews & Recommendations 2020

Best Overall

Built to match your child's body type, this bike with a steel frame is available in different fully-adjustable sizes to fit all heights and ages. It has kid-size proportions—like smaller grip diameters and a narrower pedal position—for a more comfortable riding experience.

To enhance control, the durable frame is lightweight. The bike is equipped with front caliper brakes and a rear coaster brake for additional braking power. The training wheels included will help your child quickly learn to cycle.

Schwinn gives a lifetime warranty for the bike, so you can be confident about your purchase. You will love the fully-covered chain that ensures your child stays safe as they ride.

However, the bike has a few downsides. It is quite heavy and the Allen wrench you need to assemble it is not included in the package.

Honorable Mention

Featuring a durable steel frame, this Diamondback mountain bike is perfect for young, inexperienced riders. It comes with a six-speed Shimano drivetrain with a trigger shifter for hilly terrain. It is designed to change as your child grows, adjusting to more adventurous rides. Its 40mm HL Zoom travel fork improves comfort, control, and traction on rooty or rocky terrain.

The bike is ideal for children whose height is between 44 and 55 inches (ages approximately 4-9). Its 20-inch wheels and fat tires enhance performance on all kinds of terrain. It's a great bike for a child who loves to explore beyond the neighborhood.

This is a RideReady bike, which means it's easy to assemble. You only need to attach the seat, wheels, and pedals. If more than one kid uses the bike, you can effortlessly adjust the brake levers for each child.

However, the bike's frame is a lot smaller than the wheel size, so it may not be ideal for tall kids. Also, the tires tend to wear out very quickly.

Honorable Mention

This Segway bike is ideal for boys and girls who are 5 to 10 years old. Most parents find it suitable for mountain biking because of the sturdy construction and comfortable design. The aerospace-grade aluminum alloy frame with PU form makes the bike both incredibly sturdy and lightweight.

The bike has a coaster brake on the rear wheel and a hand brake on the front. The rim brakes are adjustable to fit children's hands, and a fully enclosed chain ensures a smooth and quiet ride. Thanks to the soft silicone coat, ergonomic and adjustable saddle, and shock-absorption parts, the bike is highly protective and comfortable at the same time.

This Segway bike is quite expensive and not ideal for those on a limited budget. Also, when it comes to the bike's design, you might run into issues with the pedals, as they are a little tricky to get onto the bike.

Honorable Mention

This Mongoose bike is a stylish and quality bike with 21 speeds and 24-inch tires that provides comfortable and smooth rides. The bike has an aluminum suspension frame to enhance comfort and performance and other features and parts you'll find beneficial.

One of the things we like about this bike is the three-piece mountain crank that offers a wide rear range. There's also a suspension fork to smoothen rides on demanding mountain terrains and ensure more control for your little one. Furthermore, the bike has a fully adjustable seat and high-quality brakes to provide both comfort and stability.

There are two things to keep in mind before the purchase, though. Firstly, the bike is a little heavy: It's not ideal for long rides because your child will probably get tired quickly. Secondly, some buyers had a hard time assembling the bike—the process requires making a few adjustments.

Honorable Mention

This is a versatile little bike with a steel frame and 24-inch wheels. It's designed for girls older than eight that have a strong passion for mountain biking. Roadmaster made the bike with easy operation in mind, so children can have better control over it while feeling safe on the road.

The features that ensure smooth rides with this stylish bike are a front suspension fork and 18-speed twist shifters. The front and rear linear-pull brakes are also there to ensure crisp and easy stopping in all situations. Thanks to the alloy wheels and a sturdy mountain crank, children can enjoy the bike's performance for quite a while.

However, the bike is not that easy to assemble: The package sometimes lacks the pieces necessary for installation. A lot of parents also had to make modifications to the wheels and some other parts.

Tips

• Measure your kid's inseam to ensure you get a proper fit. Anything too big is dangerous, and anything too small will quickly become unusable. Pick a bicycle at the lower end of the recommended size range so that it's comfortable but can be adjusted up as they grow.
• When it comes to mountain bikes, suspension and quality are key. A good air spring and high-quality damping, for example, is preferable to extra travel. We recommend checking the specifications of the forks and shock absorbers. You can get exact model numbers from the bike manufacturer's website.
• If you know your child will be using the bike for mountain trails, then make sure you've got them fully outfitted. Mountain bike helmets are stronger and provide more head coverage than standard all-purpose helmets and usually offer a peak which, combined with glasses, will help protect the eyes and face from debris and flying rocks. A backpack is always useful, and you might also want dedicated shoes and/or pedals.

FAQs

Q: What's the best wheel size for children's mountain bikes?

In general, larger wheels are more stable because they handle bumps better than small wheels. They are also more efficient because less pedaling is required to keep the bike moving. Choose a bike with the biggest wheels available for your kid's height.

Q: Will I need tools to adjust my child's bike?

A basic bike tool kit is always handy for tightening bolts that may come loose after an epic, bouncy ride across the trails, but it's not absolutely necessary. Height adjustments usually just involve the seat, which is affixed to the bike by a clamp and can be moved by hand.

Q: At what age can my child start mountain biking?

This depends more on how big your kid is rather than how old he or she is. Based on average heights, a child between the ages of 10 and 13 should be fine on a mountain bike. However, as long as they have a suitably designed and properly fitted bike, there shouldn't be a problem with younger children joining in as well.

Final Thoughts

The well-proportioned Schwinn Koen Bike with SmartStart Frame is our best overall kid's mountain bike. The Diamondback Cobra Youth Mountain Bike, available in orange, is our best value pick.

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29 Mongoose Ledge 3.1 Men's Mountain Bike Black Blue Reviews

Source: https://www.thedrive.com/reviews/31226/best-kids-mountain-bikes

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