Rockin' the teeter totter on a 26" bike
In order to have a fun and successful experience at Fairfax Cycling Camp, your child should come with the right tools! This includes a well-fitting helmet, proper clothes, sunscreen, water bottles or a Camelbak, and the right, tuned-up bike. We understand that purchasing the right bicycle can be expensive, but we encourage you to see it as an investment - not just in your child's summer camp experience, but to get to and from school, and as a fun family activity.
For our youngest campers, we require a minimum 24" wheeled mountain bike with a triple chainring. The large wheel size allows your child to roll over obstacles with more grip on the trail, and the triple chainring allows them to climb the many hills they will be conquering. Trust us, your child will have a much more positive experience at camp, and with mt. biking in general if they are adequately equipped.
For our middle-sized campers (9-12), we recommend a 26" wheel for all of the above reasons. How do you know if your child has outgrown their 24" bike? When their seat post is nearing its maximum extension, take your child out and carefully watch them pedal. When their foot is in the down stroke position, their knee should still be slightly bent. If their knee is more than slightly bent, it's time for a bigger bike!
Please feel free to email us with any questions - we're happy to help in any way we can. Our local bike shops, Sunshine Bikes and Fairfax Cyclery can help answer any questions you may have. Remember to tell them that we sent you! Trek also has an informative page on kids' bikes: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/kids