Description
Conquer both uphill and downhill trails with ease on our 2026 Maxwell 24 trail bike. This bike was inspired by the challenging Maxwell trail in Fort Collins, Colorado where we live, renowned for its technical, steep, and rocky terrain. If your local trails mirror the demanding terrain of Maxwell, where climbing is rewarded with thrilling descents, then the Maxwell 24 is the ideal choice for your kids next dream bike.
What’s New on the 2026 Maxwell 24?
- All-new 7005-series alloy frame – lighter, stiffer, faster!
- Three AWESOME build kit levels to suit a wide budget and performance level.
- Full suspension setup with Rock Shox Reba and Pike options, 2026 Deluxe rear shock.
- 12x142 thru-axle rear end + SUPERSTEALTH threaded axle!
- Universal derailleur hanger (UDH) which most bike shops carry if you break one on vacation!.
Build Levels for the Maxwell 24:
Maxwell 24 PRO
$2,599
- Features: 11-speed bike with Deore 11-51 cassette, Deore rear derailleur, Deore 11-speed shifter, Deore 6100 short-reach levers, and superlight 1500 gram Stans Crest K wheels!
- Weight: 25.5 pounds
- Four awesome colors to satisfy even just about every young rider!
Maxwell 24 ELITE
$3,499
- Features: 12-speed bike with XT 10-51 cassette, Shimano XT M8100 brakes, XT Shifter, XT Chain, XT Rear Derailleur, and a burly wheelset with high engagement 6-pawl hubs
- Trailcraft Carbon riser bar
- Four cool colors to satisfy even just about every young rider!
- Weight: 24.5 pounds with Kenda Boosters tires set up tubeless!
Maxwell 24 SRAM GX AXS (NON-Transmission)
- Features: 12-speed electronic shifting with GX AXS, 10-52 cassette, and
- Our superlight Trailcraft wheelset with high engagement 6-pawl hubs
- Tailcraft Carbon riser bar
- Four cool colors to satisfy even just about every young rider!
- Weight: 24 pounds
With complete bike builds starting in the 24 pound range, our new Maxwell 24 sets a new standard for lightweight performance. While surpassing most 24" hardtail complete bike weights on the market, our Maxwell 24 full suspension bike boasts 120mm of travel both in the front and rear, providing superior handling and comfort on rough trails. Its category-leading complete bike weight is achieved through meticulous attention to detail and the inclusion of top-shelf components typically found on much more expensive bikes. This is an adult level bike shrunk down to a kids size. Our ultimate goal is to create the lightest production 24” full suspension trail bike, leaving no need for further modifications to make it lighter. With the best components meticulously assembled, we've crafted a bike that allows your kid to spend more time riding and less time worrying about performance tweaks. 4 cool colors in this model and 3 different bike build levels (including GX AXS electronic shifting!) is unheard of for this level of bike.
The Maxwell 24 is a versatile and fun mountain bike designed for all types of riding. Featuring a Horst link suspension design, it remains active under braking and offers plushness over bumps. With a short 390mm chain-stay length, it's agile and stable at speed, perfect for manuals and conquering obstacles. Internal dropper post compatibility adds versatility. This 120mm trail bike is lighter than most other brands' 24' HARDTAIL offerings, ensuring more smiles per mile on any terrain.
Jordan McInerney –
All our 10 year old wanted for Christmas was a light weight full suspension bike he could compete on and this is it. We’ve only had the Maxwell 24 for a short time, but it’s already been an incredible upgrade. We rides a mix of jump lines and serious downhill trails, and this bike has been a perfect fit for the way he rides. From the first ride, it felt stable, predictable, and incredibly well balanced.
The geometry is spot-on — it feels planted at speed but still easy for him to maneuver through tight turns and technical sections. We went with the Pike upgrade and the suspension setup is impressive, soaking up chatter while staying incredibly supportive on big jumps and landings.
What really stands out is how much confidence this bike has given him from the moment he got on it. The weight and geometry are perfect for him. He’s riding faster, hitting features he used to hesitate on, and carrying speed in a way he never did before.
Overall, the Maxwell 24 has exceeded our expectations. The build quality, ride feel, and attention to detail are excellent, and it’s clear this bike was well designed. It’s been an incredible investment and easily the best kids’ bike we’ve owned.
Also worth mentioning — the customer service at Trailcraft has been fantastic. Highly recommended all around.
Adam Heagy –
From Wyn (8yo rider): “I really like my new bike! It’s real nice, and it makes going over rocks and roots a lot easier. Full suspension makes me more confident, and I really like how it feels. It makes me want to ride even more than my old bike did. I like the color a lot, too!”
From Dad (bike shop owner w/ 15+ yrs of industry experience): I’m extremely happy with the Trailcraft Maxwell 24! The quality is very good, and it’s clear that it was assembled by people who care about what they’re doing. I’ve built a lot of bikes from various brands over the years, and this was one of the best put together and adjusted bikes I’ve pulled out of a box. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another Trailcraft in the future, based on that alone.
My wife and I, along with a family friend who has ridden with our son a good bit, have been blown away by how this bike has stepped up his game. I was a little concerned that moving up in size would result in a temporary loss of confidence, as I’ve seen with a lot of kids as they move up to the next size, but he took to the bike immediately. We’ve only been able to ride a couple times since getting the bike, but both rides were longer and faster than he’s ever ridden, and he rode some sections of trail that he’s historically walked, plus didn’t hesitate to try a technical climb on a section of trail he’d never seen before. For parents who want a high quality bike that pushes their young rider to progress, the Maxwell 24 should be very high on your list.
Kinley Gardner –
Kinley (8) absolutely loves this bike. She was on a rigid mountain bike prior to this and was riding really well, but I think it was holding her back. We had prioritized light weight over suspension, but with the Trailcraft we get both. After a couple rides at our local bike park she has ridden most of the single black trails (some of them for the first time) and looks super confident. She asked me yesterday, when we are going next.
Jakub Wegrzyn –
Bike is awesome, as advertised and corroborated by online reviews. But responsiveness to questions about our specific needs and implications on build selection and logistics were truly top notch.
About the bike: I was a little worried that it would be too big for our almost-8-year-old daughter ~4’ 1-2”, moving up from a 20” Woom Off Air 4. It is not. Handlebar is within reach – not “ape hangers” at all – and seatpost is a smidge above minimum on first ride. Choice of chainrings is great – the smallest is great for our kid’s main step-up being climbing endurance, and we can upgrade as she grows and learns.