Weight is usually what decides whether a child enjoys riding, so the J.20+ goes without a suspension fork. A budget coil fork adds a couple of kilos to a small bike and does very little in return, so the money goes into a light aluminium fork and a double butted, technoformed 6061 aluminium frame instead. The result is around 9.5kg all in, which is a weight a child can actually lift, turn and pick back up. Maxxis Pace 20 x 2.10 tyres do the cushioning, and the flip-flop stem and spacers let you raise the bar as your child grows. It suits riders of roughly 109-129cm.

The controls are sized for small hands rather than shrunk down from an adult bike. Tektro HD-J3120 hydraulic disc brakes use short reach levers, so there is real stopping power without a child having to stretch for it, and the single Microshift Acolyte trigger shifter has a gear indicator and one click per shift across an 11-34 eight speed cassette. A 32 tooth chainring on 114mm cranks keeps the pedalling circle in proportion to short legs.

Features

• TFS 6061 aluminium frame, double butted and technoformed
• Approximately 9.5kg
• Matts J.20+ rigid aluminium fork
• Suits riders of approximately 109-129cm
• Tektro HD-J3120 hydraulic disc brakes with short reach levers
• Microshift Acolyte 8 speed trigger shifter, short reach with gear indicator
• 32 tooth chainring with 11-34 cassette, 114mm cranks
• Maxxis Pace 20 x 2.10 tyres on Merida JR 20+ aluminium rims
• Flip-flop stem and spacers to raise the bar as the rider grows
• Merida Expert JR 560mm bar with 25mm rise, junior grips and saddle