In the ever-expanding world of kids bikes, it can be hard to keep up with all the new announcements. Here’s one addition you should pay attention to though. Salsa Cycles announced the release this week of two new kids bikes: the Salsa Timberjack 20 and Timberjack 24. Both bikes boast 3″ plus-sized tires and are adventure-focused.
The Timberjack is ideal for parents who want to buy their child a mountain bike that can be ridden on dirt or snow. While not a true “fat bike,” for lightweight kids, 3″ tires are plenty beefy to ride in hard-pack snow conditions. The inclusion of fork mounts also allows the bike to carry gear for overnight bikepacking if that’s your families jam.
Geometry, Sizing, & Weight
We like the child-appropriate geometry of the bike. It has a down-sloped top tube that provides a comfortable stand-over for kids. Salsa also advertises that it has super “responsive. We can’t speak to that without testing the bike, but we’ll take their word for now.
The Salsa Timberjack 20″ has a standover height of 467mm — which means to be comfortable your child needs to have around a 19″ inseam. In terms of height, Salsa has a recommended rider height of 4’1″ to 4’9″. This makes it pretty average in terms of sizing for a 20″ bike.
The Salsa Timberjack 24″ has a standover height of 593mm, and has a recommended rider height of 4’7″ to 5’2″.
The (uncomfirmed) median weight for the two bikes is 24 lbs, 9 ounces. Not super light, but decent for a plus-sized steed.
Frame & Components
The Timberjack frame is made of 6061-T6 heat-treated aluminum. Pretty standard stuff.
The components aren’t top-shelf by any means, but decent for an entry-level affordable mountain bike. The Timberjack is built up with mechanical disc brakes, a 1×8 Shimano drivetrain with grip shifters, and Cane Creek headset.
Price & Where to Buy
At $550 and $560 respectively, the Timberjack is an affordable option — particularly for parents looking for a bike that can tackle snow and/or bikepacking.
The bikes will be available for purchase starting in January 2018. You can find a local dealer on the Salsa website. They will also be sold online thru REI.com* (you can pre-order now).
Salsa Timberjack Specs
For additional frame specs, geometry specs, and sizing information visit the Salsa website.
Comparison to Other 20″ and 24″ Kids Bikes