Help Choosing a 24" MTB

[cosmicbike]

Why do children grow upwards so quickly? 2 years the last bike has lasted my boy, so now on the hunt for a 24" wheel MTB. Budget wise I'm looking at £250 ish.
I've had a gander at some of the Felt/Spesh stuff online, just wondering if anybody has experience of these small machines?
Do any, for example, come with rapid fire shifters, as opposed to the horrible Revoshift?

Thanks

 

[I like Skol]

When my oldest son went from a 20" wheeled GT MTB to a 24" wheeled bike we looked at Spesh, Cube and Ridgeback. The Ridgeback MX24 made the most sense financially, spec wise and for size. But not for long! When we bought it the seatpost was about 1-1.5" showing out of the frame and it fitted him well. Within 3-4 weeks the seatpost started to creep up at an alarming rate and I guess about 12 months later we bought an extra long seatpost to keep him on the bike. He's just turned 11 now and has moved on to a 26" wheel MTB and although he's tall he is not exceptionally so. The problem with most of these 24" wheel bikes is that the frame geometry is massively distorted to get 'young Johnny' on a big boys bike that'll last him ages, except it wont because the seat tube is often not much longer than the 20" bikes.
Having said that, I can give the MX24 a big as it has been a great bike, he's loved riding it and now his younger brother is pushing it to the limits too. @fossyant bought one secondhand and I believe he has been very happy as well. Can be had for £250 or less so right in budget.

 

[fossyant]

We got the MX24 as a second school bike for my lad. Replaced the grip shift chain pads and freewheel. Also fitted a longer seat post. Been a fine bike so far and it still fits despite him having a 26 bike as well

 

[I like Skol]

We got the MX24 as a second school bike for my lad. Replaced the grip shift chain pads and freewheel. Also fitted a longer seat post. Been a fine bike so far and it still fits despite him having a 26 bike as well

I would just like to point out that despite the extra long seatposts, the geometry is still right as the frame is so ridiculously squashed in the seat tube area that the longer post simply puts the saddle back where it really should be in relation to the handlebars and pedals.

 

[fossyant]

Geometry is correct with the long posts as Skolly says. Agree there.

 

[T4tomo]

Carrera blast isn't a bad bike for the money. Twist grip shifter I'm afraid though

 

[cosmicbike]

Thanks for the comments folks. I found a Ridgeback MX24 on ebay locally last week, and won the auction today. Picked up this afternoon, it was honestly sold and needs a little TLC, but for the price was a bargain.

 

[fossyant]

Good stuff. My sons needed some TLC but it's been fine since

 

[I like Skol]

Thanks for the comments folks. I found a Ridgeback MX24 on ebay locally last week, and won the auction today. Picked up this afternoon, it was honestly sold and needs a little TLC, but for the price was a bargain.

Well done. I don't think you will be disappointed. Unless it has been badly neglected or abused it should just need a thorough service and then be good to go

EDIT: Oops, cross posted with Fossy. Even the one I bought brand new for my son has needed some TLC along the way (doesn't every bike that gets used?). Main disappointment was the bottom bracket which was pants and didn't last long. That was sorted with a Shimano UN55 which should easily out last the rest of our ownership. Other than that it has just been servicing such as hubs and headset. Most recently had to strip the forks as one leg seems to have filled with water but they are back in action now.

 

[cosmicbike]

First up is a full strip and clean. RH shifter is smashed (as described when I bought it), so will swap out for an Altus M310 trigger shifter. Needs a pair of tyres too, but even with all that I'm still well under half the price of a new one. and it won't matter if it gets scratched a bit

 

[cosmicbike]

Bit of help needed here, aimed at @I like Skol and @fossyant in particular
Rear mech hanger looks like an aftermarket job. It works, but is a real PITA. Pic attached, are yours the same??

 

[fossyant]

That looks aftermarket. Ours fills the space.

 

[fossyant]

Looks like the mech was replaced at some point. Some mechs come with a fitted hanger, or they may have bent the original.

 

[I like Skol]

I'll try and post some close-up pics tomorrow

 

[I like Skol]

Here you go.....

I think THIS might be the hanger you need, it certainly looks similar. You will also need the bolt to secure the mech to your new hanger