This is the junior Matts that gets a suspension fork. An SR Suntour XCS28 with 50mm of travel and a spring tuned for light riders sits up front, which is worth having if your child is riding rooty singletrack rather than laps of the park. Behind it is the same aluminium frame technology used on the adult Matts hardtails, with clearance for tyres up to 24 x 2.25 and a 135 x 9mm quick release rear axle. It fits riders of roughly 129-137cm.

The parts that matter most on a child's bike are the ones they touch. Braking is Tektro HD-J2820 hydraulic discs on short reach levers, so a light hand can still stop the bike quickly on a descent. Shifting is a single Microshift Acolyte trigger with a gear indicator, running an 11-38 eight speed cassette against a 32 tooth chainring, which means one lever and a low enough gear for a steep hill. Kenda Small Block 8 tyres in 24 x 1.95 roll quickly on hardpack, the bar is 600mm with a 25mm rise, and the cranks are a proportionate 127mm.

Features

• Matts J.24 aluminium frame, 135 x 9mm quick release rear axle
• SR Suntour XCS28 coil fork with 50mm travel and light rider tune
• Suits riders of approximately 129-137cm
• Tektro HD-J2820 hydraulic disc brakes with short reach levers
• Microshift Acolyte 8 speed trigger shifter, short reach with gear indicator
• 32 tooth chainring with 11-38 cassette, 127mm cranks
• Kenda Small Block 8 24 x 1.95 tyres on Merida Jr. aluminium rims
• Merida Expert Jr. 600mm bar with 25mm rise, junior grips and saddle
• Threaded BSA bottom bracket
• Fork rated for tyres up to 24 x 2.25