Description
The last thing your kid wants to do is ride with an extra 5 pounds. Especially if they plan on riding uphill! They may be at the age that a 27.5" wheel bike is just too unwieldy coming off a 24" bike. A Maxwell 26 is just the bike you need! 120mm travel. Boost front/rear. NOTHING to modify because we’ve made it super light and easy to assemble right out of the box.
We've crafted the ultimate trail-shredding machine with our Maxwell 26. Dominate both the descents and ascents with this incredible bike - named after Maxwell Trail in Fort Collins, Colorado, a favorite destination for our rides. It's a super technical, steep, and rocky trail, but the downhill reward is well worth it. While it can be tackled on a hardtail, it's infinitely more enjoyable on a full-suspension bike! If your local riding area demands a climb to access the prime terrain, then the Maxwell 26 is your next bike.
Our Maxwell 26 starts right around 26 pounds in our ELITE level build with best-in-category components. That's right, just 26 pounds and the PRO AXS level build is even lighter! Attention to detail with top-shelf level components include lightweight wheels, 85-gram ultralight rotors, an extended range 10-51 cassette, and 152 mm direct-mount cranks with aluminum spindle typically found on much more expensive bikes. We’ve built the best bike with the best components so you can spend more time riding and less time pushing a heavy bike uphill.
Ride some days at the park but also want an all-arounder type of bike for big trail/enduro style rides where you still need a bike to climb well? Click the 130mm travel PIKE UPGRADE checkbox!
This is a fun, playful, super flickable bike for all types of mountain bike riding. The Maxwell 26 is built for next level riding with some key geometry features designed specifically for riders of young and old! The Maxwell 26 features a Horst link suspension design which is active under braking and very plush over both small bumps and bigger hits. Short yet stable 420mm chainstay length and a 1082mm wheelbase is the perfect 26" trail bike for riders coming off a 24" bike.
ALL level bike builds get our new lightweight 152mm Trailcraft Cycles aluminum spindle direct mount cranks with your choice of 26, 28, 30 or 32 tooth narrow-wide style chainring. Choose 26 or 28 tooth if you are riding steep hills and lung burning mountain climbs. Lower elevation levels or flat areas are fine with a 30 or 32 tooth chainring selection. Most adult bikes don't even offer this level of configuration out of the box!
Fits riders with a 26.5” stand-over height, or about 4'7”-5’2”.
We Offer 4 Build Levels for the Maxwell 26:
Maxwell 26 PRO
Sale: $3,299 - $2,599 (21% OFF!)
- Features: Shimano Deore 11 Speed components, including Shimano Deore 6100 brakes, a Deore 11 Speed derailleur, a Deore shifter, and a Deore 11-51 cassette. It also features our 1600 gram SUPERLIGHT Trailcraft wheelset. We also set this bike up tubeless for you, so you don't have to worry about inner tubes ;)
- Weight: 27.5 pounds with pedals!
- SIX cool colors to satisfy even just about every young rider!
Maxwell 26 ELITE
Sale: $3,999 - $3,499 (14% OFF!)
- Features: 12-speed Shimano XT level setup with a 10-51 cassette, coupled with STANS FLOW MK4 wheelset for super duty strength!
- Weight: 27.25 pounds WITH pedals!
- SIX cool colors to satisfy even just about every young rider!
Maxwell 26 GX AXS
Sale: $4,499 - $3,999 (10% OFF!)
- Features: 12-speed SRAM GX AXS level drivetrain, featuring a 10-52 cassette equipped with electronic shifting. It also boasts a SUPER light Trailcraft Wheelset and a Deore M6100 brakeset.
- Weight: 27 pounds WITH pedals.
Maxwell 26 X01 AXS
Sale: $4,999 - $4,299 (15% OFF!)
- Features: 12 Speed SRAM X01 AXS level configuration with a 10-52 cassette, equipped with electronic shifting. It also features a SUPER light Trailcraft Wheelset and Shimano XT M8100 brakeset.
- Weight: 26.5 pounds WITH pedals
Want to go a bit more custom or full custom on this build? Contact us! As a small family business dedicated to crafting the finest kids' mountain bikes, we're passionate about what we do. Check out our Instagram and custom builds page to see some of our work.
We import frames from Taiwan (unassembled) and assemble each bike to order in Fort Collins, Colorado, using US labor. Unlike many others who import complete bikes, we maintain rigorous quality control by assembling everything from the headset and bottom bracket to the derailleur hanger right here in the US. You can proudly tell your kids that their bike is unique and truly built to order from the frame up!
Blake Hemming –
I personally think that the Maxwell 26 is a amazing bike! It climbs really well and is a phenomenal descender. We chose a custom build with Crest wheelset and Maxxis Aggressor tires, because I use it to race enduro in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and California. I won the Gunnison Enduro on this bike! It goes down like a champ and it rides back up the stage transfers like a boss. If you are looking for a bike that is really light weight and has lot of travel I think that this is an awesome bike for you!
gblack –
This bike is outstanding! The Trailcraft folks designed a very thoughtful frame design for kids who pedal more than use gravity. But the bike can also rip on downhills The bike just works. And works very well. XC race on Saturday and shuttle runs on Sunday – no problem. We ordered 2 custom Maxwells last fall and the trail possibilities opened WAY UP from their 24″ hard tail trail bikes. If you’re on the fence, just do it. You won’t regret it. Brett was fantastic to deal with and we have two very happy 10yr old girl rippers! Thanks for making awesome bikes!
bryanrides –
We purchased this bike for my 10YO son after he outgrew his 24” hardtail. I’m super impressed with the quality of the frame and the care that went into the bike’s assembly and packing. My son is beyond stoked! Brett was really great to work with, and went out of his way to get a bike built for us in short order. Wildfires this season notwithstanding, we can’t wait to get this beautiful bike dirty!
Trailcraft –
Hi Bryan, Thanks so much for the thoughtful review! Have fun getting that bike dirty!! Cheers, Ginger and Brett
Benjamin Okin –
Pandemic and no bikes for my nine year old available. My wife found this site and a head of the local mountain bike association gave Trailcraft a thumbs up. Purchased the Maxwell 26 Nothing but positives to report. Aside from being a great quality product, he has the lightest bikes by far of all his friends. Just ordered a Maxwell 24 for my daughter.
Alejo Beleta (verified owner) –
It’s obvious that this bike is amazing. It has a perfect frame and top components, but what impressed me the most is what a game changer it has become. Before the Maxwell 26, riding with my son was more like a “cute family thing”. Now he has progressed so much and so fast that it is more like “shredding with the guys”. At this pace, it won’t be long till he doesn’t want to ride with me anymore….. but for the time being I am enjoying every ride with him. Thanks!
Jordan Barnett (verified owner) –
Game changer for my 9 year old. On his first real ride, hit some jumps he’s been scared of, climbed technical hills he’s never come close to doing before, and has increased his love of biking. Phenomenal bike with adult capabilities in a kid size. Trailcraft team was top notch.
David Sinclair (verified owner) –
This bike is rad! My son is 9 and 4’8”, about 75lbs. He’s been ripping the trails on this like never before. He fly’s with confidence off the jumps, so he’s riding faster. He can actually climb most of the spots to earn it too. He absolutely loves this bike and now he asks to go ride every day, even in 30 degrees he didn’t care. Little dude can ride with dad now on real trails, doing real jumps.. it may be expensive, but the hours of laughs and fun are absolutely priceless. You won’t regret this bike for your kid.
bryanrides (verified owner) –
Just purchased a second Maxwell 26 for our younger son (10YO). This one is as perfect as the one we bought 2 years ago for our older boy (now 12). Both kids are so stoked on their rides and it’s just so fun to have them on bikes that allow them to go as fast as they want – up OR down. Thanks again Brett and Ginger!
Kevin Purvis (verified owner) –
This is our third Trailcraft, my daughter starting on the Bluesky 20″, then Pineridge Carbon 24″, now the Maxwell 26″. She’s 8 years old and 52″ (4’4″) tall. She’s a little short to easily straddle/start, but she’s an experienced rider for her age and races. Once on the bike she’s got great control and is happier than the small 24″ frame. The bike’s higher bottom bracket and longer cranks have made it much easier for climbing, top speed. We miss the lightness of the carbon Pineridge, but when she’s not racing, she’ll hit some serious descents and rooty climbs for her age. The rear suspension and slacker head tube was what tipped us from a Timber 26″.
Lamar Miner –
My daughter, Daisy, got her first “quality” kids mountain bike, a Trailcraft Pineridge 24 Hardtail in 2022. After 2 years of great reliability and FUN on the Pineridge, she was ready for a bigger bike. She loved her Trailcraft Pineridge sooo much, that she wanted the next bigger version, The Maxwell, same color (Turquoise and Pink). She opted for a full suspension version this time. Her first ride, she was amazed at how “nice and comfy” the bike rode. She is ready to go for her first NICA season!
Chris Souki –
Very happy with the bike