2022’s most awesome kids mountain bikes

If money's no object (I'm thinking lottery win!) and you're looking for the very best junior mountain bike money can buy then you would think it would be easy to splash your cash.

It's true that there has never been more choice for kids' mountain bikes (and the standard of bike is far superior to what it was in recent history) but for super high-spec, junior mountain bikes there is still fairly limited choice.

We've compiled a short-list of some the most outrageous junior mountain bikes in 2022.

It comes with a warning though, viewing these bikes may cause a parting of large amounts of cash to be your destiny!

You've been warned...

OPT OUT:  If you've come here to see more realistically priced kids mountain bikes click here

Commencal Clash

If you're looking to spend your cash this summer this isn't the bike for you as it won't be available until the end of 2022. However, we're taking a look now, to whet our appetites!

The Clash kids range will start at the 20" wheeled Clash 20 and goes right up to the 27.5" wheeled Clash XS, and are some serious pieces of kit starting at €2,950 Euros and going up to €3,900 Euros.

The specs on these bikes is pretty ridiculous, on the Clash XS you're looking at Fox 36 Performance fork with 170mm of travel on a frameset that boasts a Fox Float X Performance rear shock, which takes care of damping duties at the end of 160mm of travel.

Stopping duties are performed by TRP's Slate Evo four pot brakes. The drivetrain consists of a SRAM X1 crankset with a 32t narrow-wide chainring,  SX Eagle rear mech and a 12sp 11-50t cassette. Plenty of gear range for winching up climbs.

The Clash XS isn't cheap, by any stretch of the imagination, and you need to patient until launch but we suspect it's going to worth the wait as this kids mountain bikes look like an awesome package with the shrediest of junior rider in mind.

In the meantime you can pick up the slightly more affordable Commencal Meta HT range, with prices ranging from £1,399.

Nukeproof Cub-Scout Race 2022

The phrase "hardcore hardtail" was made for this bike!

The Nukeproof CubScout Race is a beast of a kids mountain bike and it's screaming out to be thrown down some rocky chutes in reckless abandon.

Does that sound like the sort of thing your wannabe downhiller aspires to? Then this is the bike for them.

The 2022 models starts at £1,199.99 making the Nukeproof, astonishingly, the cheapest bike on this list - which just goes to show you the calibre of bike that is now on offer for kids.

You get a lot for your money, the Cub-Scout Race features a Manitou Markhor custom Kids tune suspension fork with Boost spacing. Travel ranges from 80mm on the 20" wheel through to 120mm on the 26" wheel.

You get Shimano Deore 10 speed groupset featuring a sunrise 11-46t cassette, Clarkes Clout Kids Specific Hydraulic Brakes and Maxxis  Minion DHF tyres front and rear.

With two eye-catching colours available as well as the option to buy as a frameset only the Cub Scout is a solid choice for the budding gravity racer.

The 20" is sized from age 5 years, whilst the 26" is aimed at kids from 140cm up to 158cm which means the bike will see them through until they reach the wider world of adult sizing.

If you're looking for something with a slightly lower price tag, Nukeproof also do the "Cub Scout Sport" range which is a few hundred pounds cheaper than the Race model.

Propain Yuma 24"

Propain are a German company, less well known in the UK than some of the bigger brands but they've been making bikes aimed at gravity assisted side of bike riding since 2006.

The Yuma 24" is aimed at kids who measure 125cm to 145cm in height. The bike weighs 12.7kg which really isn't bad considering it's a fully-loaded, full suspension bike.

It offers 140mm of travel front and rear and features a high-end spec of SRAM GX drivetrain, Guide brakes and Manitou Machete JUNIT 140mm front suspension. The frame features a RockShox Deluxe Select R rear shock and a neat little storage bag that tucks in behind it. Perfect for carrying essential snacks and tools.

All in the bike comes in at €2,299.

Buy Now

That's our pick of our dream kids mountain bikes for the 2022 season, if money were no object.

We'd love to hear from you if your Cycle Sprog is lucky enough to have one of these bikes - what do they ride like, and would you recommend them to our readers?  And also, which bikes do you drool over and think we should add to the list? Do drop us a line in the comment box below.

Cheers - and happy riding / dreaming!

If, like us, you're working to a slightly lower budget, check out these articles instead

• Best kids 20" wheel mountain bikes for 5 and 6 year olds
• Best kids 24" wheel mountain bikes ages 7 to 10 years
• The best kids 26" wheel mountain bikes
• Best mountain bikes for teenagers and small adults
• The best full suspension kids mountain bikes
• Does my child need a full face helmet when cycling?
• Things to know when buying a mountain bike (for a child or an adult)
• Before you buy a bike for your teenager answer these questions