Could the Trek Wahoo be the best kid's MTB packed with grown up spec?

Jun 18, 2023

The kid's mountain bike sector has been hotting up with some interesting additions lately. Brands like Prevelo have recently launched high-spec, trail-ready, mini mountain bikes, while YT Industries also expanded its range with the new Jeffsy Primus 27. Specialized dropped what could well be the most costly children's bike to date with their Levo SL Kids e-MTB coming in at a whopping £3,500.

Trek has now announced the launch of its new and updated lineup of children's mountain bikes named the Wahoo Trail which they say are lightweight hardtails boasting improved off-road performance, and spec not out of place on some of the best budget mountain bikes for adults.

As mentioned, the new models are rigid aluminum hardtails, made lighter with a carbon fork, more tire clearance, hydraulic disc brakes, a MicroShift drivetrain, and internal routing for a dropper post. The bikes come in either 24-inch wheels or 20-inch wheel models. The previous Wahoo models were branded by Trek as hybrid kid's bikes, but these new models are proper off-road machines in a pint-size package, and we had a dig in to see what these bikes have to offer for little rippers cutting loose on the trails...

First up are the tires, that are fitted on very cool-looking oil slick alloy rims. Both Trek Wahoo models now come with 2.2-inch Kenda Amrak tires and also have clearance for a maximum of 2.4-inch tires. Braking power comes from Tektro with short-reach hydraulic disc brakes sized for small hands with impressive 160mm rotors front and rear. With bigger tires and disc braking, the weight was increased so Trek has given the Wahoo models a carbon fork to keep the weight down, which also comes with an integrated fender.

The upgrades continue with a MicroShift Advent 9-speed drivetrain and a wider gear range with a kid-friendly trigger shifter. Trek say they have added more aggressive frame shaping, with a dropped top tube and seat tube strut, that they add gives more standover clearance, and builds in space for an internal dropper post. Geometry upgrades come in the form of a much slacker 67-degree head angle, longer chainstays and more BB drop. Reach is around 20mm longer and has a lower stack and a longer wheelbase.

The new models in both the Wahoo Trail 20 and Wahoo Trail 24 come in two colors, either Plasma Grey Pearl or Power Surge Green. Weighing in at a claimed 10.7kg, the Trek Wahoo 24 is priced at $700 / £700 / €750. The smaller Trek Wahoo Trail 20 is priced at $680 / £680 / €730 and weighs in at 9.8kg.

Both bikes are officially available now to order online or at local Trek dealers, with more information available at Trekbikes.com.