Every now and then bikes come along that immediately grab your attention, this shrunken version of Trek’s awesome Fuel EX certainly makes that grade. Its an ‘all-singing, all-dancing’ kids 26” wheeled, full suspension enduro weapon, made with the same technology and design as its bigger brother.

My boy Tod fits right in the middle of the height range (132-152cm) for this bike at 140cm and was out growing his old Ridgeback 20” hardtail, made with the cheapest of parts! We managed to grab the first one sent to the UK for Tod to run as his long term test bike; to say he was excited is the biggest understatement of 2015!

The proudest kid on the block, ready to step into dad's shoes!
The proudest kid on the block, ready to step into dad’s shoes!
One happy chappy!
One happy chappy!
First trip, to get the kid-proof frame wrap at Invisiframe fitted.
First trip, to get the kid-proof frame wrap at Invisiframe fitted.

This thing comes with all mod-cons, including the plushest 90mm of suspension travel in the form of X-Fusions smallest Microlite RL air shock and Velvet forks, both of which feature very affective lock-out levers. At 29kg I was amazed at just how little air pressure I had to put in the forks and shock to suite such a lightweight lad, as he’s only a skinny little thing! The suspension has to be set so soft that the bike reacts like a DH bike when dropped from a height, with no bounce back up at all out of the forks and full-floater suspension!

A tiny shock for a tiny frame, but so plush and great with the lock-out lever,
A tiny shock for a tiny frame, but so plush and great with the lock-out lever,
The X-Fusion forks complement the shock wonderfully with a very plush 90mm travel front and rear.
The X-Fusion forks complement the shock wonderfully with a very plush 90mm travel front and rear.
Fully adjustable too!
Fully adjustable too!

Cranks are Trek’s own custom 160mm versions to suit the shorter leg and the bike comes equipped with a custom chainstay guard, fantastic outer cable lugs and proper mini through-axle bolts; it’s all very impressive for a kids bike. The wheelbase is fantastically short for a 26” wheel full-suss bike at 104cm and with the tiny frame in those size wheels it kind of looks similar to a short adult sporting a small 29er!

Shimano brakes work a treat, if a tad heavy.
Shimano brakes work a treat, if a tad heavy.
The lever is set-up more like a cable brake, as no four finger pull is necessary even with the weaker pull of a kid's grip.
The lever is set-up more like a cable brake, as no four finger pull is necessary even with the weaker pull of a kid’s grip.
A dropper lever may be a more effective gadget on this bike than a front mech.
A dropper lever may be a more effective gadget on this bike than a front mech.

When it comes to looks this thing screams quality, you really do have to second glance it to realize it’s a kids bike and not an adult’s. It was taken straight to Invisiframe for a wrap, to hopefully avoid those likely drops onto rocks, which only kids seem to do best!

Tyres are perfect for a kid, enough traction, not too heavy and great rolling. The wheels hold some weight though.
Bontrager tyres are perfect for a kid, enough traction, not too heavy and great rolling. The wheels hold some weight though.
Great short bars/stem for the kids, retaining the bike's mini adult bike look.
Great short bars/stem for the kids, retaining the bike’s mini adult bike look.

Planned Changes

The first thing I noticed on arrival was that at 12.7kg (28lbs) it would be a fantastic weight for an adult bike, but I feel it needs to shed some excess baggage to be seen as a proper kids enduro machine! When fitting the wheels to the bike they felt excessively heavy and I’m sure a fair bit of weight could be dropped with some lighter cranks, bar/stem and saddle. Also weight could be reduced by replacing the low-end Shimano brakes with lighter models, with much shorter levers, more suited to kids hands. Also I think two-by up front is not really necessary, as kids just need a very small front ring to get them up the steepest of hills and aren’t particularly bothered about spinning out on the fastest of DH sections, so a one-by could be the way forward there.

Funny to have a 26" wheel set named 650!
Funny to have a 26″ wheel set named 650!
Shimano Diore, a failsafe option.
Shimano Deore, a failsafe option.
We especially liked the pure simplicity of the cable guides.
We especially liked the pure simplicity of the cable guides.

As for planned changes, it shall be small steps, a bit done at a time, he needs to appreciate what an amazing bit of equipment he has and notice every small change, as they are made during the coming months; then maybe if he’s real good it could get fitted with a small dropper post! I shall be out riding with him every week, so watch this space and the Long Term Test Timeline (here) for constant posts on the bike’s performance.

Ten speed, that will be fine for a nipper. The bolt through axles are fantastic too.
Ten speed, that will be fine for a nipper. The bolt through axles are fantastic too.
And if you are real good and do all your homework, we may consider a dropper post!
And if you are real good and do all your homework, we may consider a dropper post!
This is one fantastic looking kid's bike.
This is one fantastic looking kid’s bike.

Price: £1400.00 / $1799.99

Website: trekbikes.com

Words and photos: Jim Buchanan Rider: Tod Buchanan


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