Specialized, founded in 1974 in California, is one of the world’s largest bike builders. So you know that when they put their mind to remodelling the MTB for juniors they’ll have considered all the angles. The main goal for the new Riprock was an affordable children’s trail bike that performed like an adult’s, so your kids could join you on the toughest tracks. It’s been built to safely flatter and foster their handling skills. It has plus-sized 2.8in Big Roller tyres for great traction and a geometry with a low standover, which makes it easy to hop on and off, and gives a broader range of fit across the years. It also has suspension forks and disc brakes to improve stopping power and allow small hands to yank on the brakes faster. And it’s mercifully light for little legs (evanscycles.com).
Price: £350
Frame: aluminium
Gears: 8-speed Shimano
Email Martin at martin.love@observer.co.uk or follow him on Twitter at @MartinLove166
