

You get great control and more comfort on steep sections. This means your kid's hands are also higher, leading to a more upright riding position. Riser: A sweeping form with the bar ends that are higher than the stem.But before we reveal the ideal set-up for kids' mountain bikes, here's a basic whats-what of MTB bars: On technical terrain this set-up lends more stability and control. In recent years trends have leaned towards wide bars with a short stem. The shape of the bars and their position have an influence on your child's body position while riding, as well as how the ride feels and handles. The bars aren't just partially supporting your child's body weight, they're also in charge of steering the front wheel. TThe bars are an important point of contact between bike and child. If they are unable to do this, loosen the screw of the shifter clamp and move the lever along the bars until it is optimally placed. Your child should be able to reach the gear shifter comfortably without having to strain their thumb. This retains a natural position for their wrist and will mean their hands won’t go to sleep while riding. What you’re aiming for here is a straight line down your child’s forearms, wrist and fingers when on the brakes, so make sure there's no kink in their wrist. This involves loosening the clamp bolt (but don't unscrew it fully). You can also adjust the angle of the levers. The brake lever should never touch the handlebar grip, even when squeezed hard. Ideal scenario: You want the levers to be virtually parallel to the bars at the moment that the brakes start to bite. loosen the screw, and the distance increases.The more you screw it in, the closer the levers come to the handlebars.The reach of the brakes – how far the lever is positioned away from the grips – can be easily adjusted by turning the adjustment screw on the brake levers. Disc brakes are a huge asset on kids' mountain bikes as they are easy to modulate and deliver a great braking performance without the need for a lot of force – one or two fingers will do the job.

Tip: A decent mountain bike will be equipped with high-quality disc brakes, like those found on our woom OFF.

Make sure they can comfortably reach the brake lever with their fingers without having to lift their hands off the bars. Your child's safety is the biggest priority here. Got a good grip? Positioning the brake levers correctly is important so that your child can brake safely without undue effort and come to a stop in every situation. In this bike fitting guide, we highlight the most important components and tell you which nuts and bolts will need twisting.
#Mountain tweaks full
The reason why? A rider can only enjoy full control and a confidence-inspiring ride if the bike is perfectly tuned to them. After a growth spurt is another prime time to check on their bike fit, even if it's mid-season. That's why it's so important to set up the mountain bike so that each component is perfectly tuned to your child – particularly before the first ride or after an extended period away from the bike.
