Mountain Bike for 13 year old

[fattony]

Hi

I’m looking to buy a mountain bike for my 12 year old daughter but I’m not sure about the size.

She is 5ft 2 and manufacturers are stating 26inch small frame but as she’s still growing do I go for a medium frame and let her grow into it

thanks

 

[vickster]

Go to your LBS with her to try for size.
I wouldn’t buy a bike that’s too big. Get an Isla or Frog which hold their value super well and sell on when really too small. Replace with correct size then

 

[Kingfisher101]

I'd buy her one of the Carrera MTBs from Halfords in a small. That will fit her and allow growing room, plus if she gets fed up with cycling you can just sell it on and not lose a lot. Or try to get a secondhand one. A medium will be too big for her. I'd look on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace as well.

 

[vickster]

Look at the female specific models too, the different sizes might cover a different height range to the 'unisex' ones

 

[Cycleops]

26" would be the wheel size not the frame. Maybe 16"?
Decathlon have a woman's specific MTB @£400. S is in stock so hurry, stock levels are low so not much around. Try for size before you buy.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-27-5-mountain-bike-st-530-rr/_/R-p-327654
They also do a model £220 but out of stock.
Decathlon bikes are great VfM and warranty is excellent.

 

[Cathryn]

Hi

I’m looking to buy a mountain bike for my 12 year old daughter but I’m not sure about the size.

She is 5ft 2 and manufacturers are stating 26inch small frame but as she’s still growing do I go for a medium frame and let her grow into it

thanks

I'm 5'1 and a bit and I got a Trek Marlin in XS. It's perfect. You could do a Small frame on the Treks for her to grow into it. My son has a Medium in the same bike and there's no way I could ride it.