Link Viper 26" Boys Mountain Bike

Link's Viper 26 is one of our most popular kids recreational mountain bikes. It's designed for riders from 9 years old who are riding on bike paths, dirt and gravel surfaces and suburban bike paths.

In this preview, we'll explain why you should consider it and some key features.

What is the Viper 26?

The Viper 26 has been designed as a kids recreational mountain bike.
It's designed for suburban bike paths but is also capable on smooth dirt and gravel surfaces.

The frame on the Viper 26 is on the larger side. It's a bit taller and longer than some of our other 26-inch bikes, like the GT Stomper 26.

This means kids will get more use out of the Viper 26. Because the seat post won't reach it's maximum length as fast.

Kids will also find that the larger sized wheels provide better efficiency and more stability.

More efficiency because per rotation of the wheel, the bike travels further. Kids are going to be less tired and they'll be able to keep up with adults better.
Bigger wheels are also more stable.

Kids will find the bike less "wobbly". Once they've put in a couple of pedal strokes, the bike will stay upright - improving their confidence.

Viper 26 Features

Starting at the front. The Viper 26 comes with front suspension.

The suspension has a red dial that is a lockout. It makes the suspension soft or hard.

Making the suspension hard makes it easier to ride on hard surfaces. Making it soft allows the suspension to absorb impacts from rough surfaces.

Next we have the brakes.

The best type of braking system on a bike is hydraulic disc brakes. This goes for adults bikes too.

But they are especially beneficial for younger riders with small hands.

That's because hydraulic disc brakes use much less hand effort than mechanical disc brakes. The effort needed to pull on the brake lever is a lot less, plus it feels smoother than mechanical brakes do.

Another major advantage is that there's less maintenance needed with hydraulic brakes.

The Viper 26's gears are very easy to use. There's 1 front gear that's paired to 8 back gears. Gearing parts are mid-range Shimano.

There's no front derailleur, gear shifter or cable. So it reduces moving parts and maintenance.

Where most bikes use a grip shifter, the Viper 26 uses a trigger-style gear shifter. Kids change gears by pushing or pulling a lever instead of twisting.

Gear changes are more precise than a trigger style too.

Lastly, a lot of the major components are made from aluminium.