With all the doom and gloom currently surrounding the cycling industry, one area that seems to be thriving is the children's mountain bike market with some amazingly specced bikes dropping lately. Trek launched the impressive Trek Wahoo, and YT Industries expanded its range with the new Jeffsy Primus 27. Specialized also gave us what could well be the most costly children's bike out there, with its Levo SL Kids e-MTB coming in at an eye-watering £3,500.
Vitus has now announced the launch of its new and expanded lineup of children's mountain bikes named after its award-winning and regular in our Best budget full-suspension bikes listings – the Mythique. Like its namesake, these kids' versions are full-suspension MTBs with two models available – the Mythique 24 and the Mythique 26. Both come with plenty of travel: a 120mm fork features on the Mythique 24, with the Mythique 26 increasing to a 130mm fork, and both versions have 120mm of rear-suspension travel.
Although this is the brand's first delve into full-suspension children's bikes, having only done the Nucleus hardtail previously, they come with an impressive spec, and we had a look over the features that aim to get your kids shredding harder than ever.
Vitus claims it has designed both models of the Mythique kids' bikes to deliver the same confidence-inspiring ride and be just as capable as the highly-rated adult-size Mythique, with the children’s versions getting many of the same features. The aluminum frame uses Boost rear-hub spacing and a Universal Derailleur Hanger, with a threaded bottom bracket which makes upgrading and maintenance far more cost-effective and easier.
The geometry sees both bikes getting a head angle of 66 degrees, the same as the adult version, but with a steeper seat tube angle of 75.5 degrees compared to 76.5 degrees on the full-size bike.
Tire width on the Mythique 26 is a maximum of 2.5-inches, and the Mythique 24 will accommodate up to 2.4-inches. Vitus has also given both bikes routing for fitting an MTB dropper post, making them ready for a future upgrade. To protect the Mythique from your hard-shredding youngsters, both models have rubberised frame protection on the downtube and a full-length chainstay protector that also helps to minimize noise.
Vitus says it has tried to balance performance with value for money and durability, giving the Mythique 24 a 120mm Manitou Junit Expert fork, while an X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock controls the 120mm rear suspension. The Mythique 26 gets a 130mm SR Suntour Raidon34 fork and uses the same rear shock. Braking power comes from Clarks’ Clout 1 two-piston hydraulic disc brakes, with the 26 getting 180mm rotors at the front and 160mm at the rear, and the 24 having 160mm front and rear.
Pricing, availability and spec
Both models are available now directly from Vitus and also through Chain Reaction and Wiggle, with the Mythique 24 and Mythique 26 both priced at $1,999.99 / £1,599.99 / €2,099.99. All the details can be found at Vitusbikes.com.
Vitus Mythique 24
- Frame: Vitus 6061-T6 Aluminum
- Fork: Manitou Junit Expert, 120mm
- Shock: X-Fusion O2 Pro R
- Drivetrain: Box Four, 8-speed
- Brakes: Clarks Clout1, 160mm F/R
- Wheels: WTB ST i30 rim, Vitus hub
- Tires: Vee Flow Snap 2.4in
- Size: S, M, L, XL
- Color: Space Silver
- Weight: 13.3kg
- Price: $1,999.99 / £1,599.99 / €2,099.99
Vitus Mythique 26
- Frame: Vitus 6061-T6 Aluminum
- Fork: SR Suntour Raidon34, 130mm
- Shock: X-Fusion O2 Pro R
- Drivetrain: Box Four, 8-speed
- Brakes: Clarks Clout1, 180mm F, 160mm R
- Seatpost: Vitus Alloy31.6mm Diameter, 300mm
- Wheels: WTB ST i30 rim, Vitus hub
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5
- Size: S, M, L, XL
- Color: Octane Red
- Weight: TBC
- Price: $1,999.99 / £1,599.99 / €2,099.99
