Frame for a 12 year old - are jump Frames suitable?

[Bullpup]

Good evening

It looks like my 12 year old son has just about outgrown his 24" wheeled bikes and is looking to move up to a suitably sized 26" wheeled frame.

However there don't appear to be many small frames around let alone child friendly ones.

There do seem to be a lot of so called jump frames around in the smaller sizes - are they likely to be suitable or too heavy / wrong geometry?

I am guessing I am looking for something around a 13" to 14" frame?

Does anyone have any recommendations please?

 

[benjy]

alot of jump bikes are around 14 inch, dmr do a good few, think most have now gone single speed

 

[Barneyballbags]

I'd recommend something along the lines of a Specialized Stumpjumper/Rockhopper/Hardrock or a Kona.

They all come in a 13" flavour

 

[Bullpup]

Thanks for that.

Do you have suspension fork recommendations as well please?

 

[hamster]

Jump bikes are too heavy I think to be decent riders. A small Lava Dome did the job just fine for my 10 year old son though; a few nice bits and it's a 25lb bike, which is respectable.

 

[Barneyballbags]

Thanks for that.

Do you have suspension fork recommendations as well please?

You can't go far wrong with Marzocchi Bombers (coil/oil rather than air/oil) - they're probably the most reliable out of the lot. Depending on what frame you get, I'd either go for a pair of 80mm or 100mm travel ones.

 

[Bullpup]

Thank you all for your advice.

I have sourced a 13" Hardrock XC frame and matching rigid forks to start the ball rolling until we thin his fleet to pay for the goodies.

He has a 1997 classic steel Specialized Rockhopper 24, a Marin Bayview Trail 24 and a Specialized Hotrock A1 FSR to sell. I think Gumtree may be the best way to sell these unless there is likely to be demand on here?

 

[hamster]

I would also try the CTC forum - you will at least get a clientele who understand the value of a decent bike not £69 Tesco tat.

 

[Bullpup]

I have not come across CTC before - I will have a look thank you.