Balance bike & children's MTB: Perfect entry-level aids for a biking career

Fortunately, the days when children's MTBs were more tin toys than serious sports equipment are over. This is good news for bike-loving parents who can look forward to being able to step off the hamster wheel, torn between lead-heavy children's bikes with pannier racks and baskets or the cheap entry-level models from the DIY store.

Today, kids stand at the starting line or at the start of the jumpline in the bike park on fully-fledged mountain bikes. Children's MTBs are available from 16 inches (wheel size) with and without suspension. Even full-suspension fullys with 16- or 20-inch tyres are available for children from the age of six. And even the youngest talents of tomorrow can practise on a perfectly balanced balance bike from the age of 2. Here are a few recommended examples.

Propain Bam Bam 14" wheel

Kids between 90 and 110 centimetres tall can train basic biking skills with the Propain Bam Bam. Thanks to the low entry, speed and balance can be easily controlled. Studded tyres make early off-road excursions possible. A disc brake can be retrofitted. The compact foot platform does not get in the way when pushing and literally ensures rapid progress.

Price: 279 euros | Weight: 4.5 kilos

Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero 12" / 14" balance bike

The New Zealand child seat specialists have developed a balance bike on which you can easily switch between 12-inch and 14-inch wheels. The developers believe that children should learn to brake before they learn to pedal. That's why the Dirt Hero can be ordered with optional Magura disc brakes. With 2.25-inch wide Vee-Tire Crown Gem tyres and a geometry based on adult mountain bikes, even the first trail rides are possible.

Price: 340 to 459 euros | Weight: 4 to 4.7 kilos

For up-and-coming racers: Cube Elite C:62 SLX Rookie

Cube manufactures the fast children's MTB from the same carbon material as its race bikes for adults. This makes it the ideal base for young racers. Kids from 124 centimetres tall can go on the hunt for seconds with a stiff chassis and flexing seat stays. In frame size XS, the Cube Elite Rookie rolls on 27.5-inch wheels, while size S has 29-inch wheels. With lightweight Newmen wheels and 12-speed Sram NX Eagle gears, kids can master any cross-country race course. On the trail, the lightweight Manitou Markhor suspension fork is designed to provide sensitive damping even at low body weight. Magura's MT Thirty disc brakes provide the necessary deceleration.

Price: 1799 Euro >> available here Weight: 10.4 kilos | Suspension travel: 100 mm

Woom Off Air 4 children's MTB

With the Off Air 4, even smaller children between 118 and 130 centimetres tall can ride a fully-fledged mountain bike with 20-inch wheels. Kids can enjoy grippy Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres, a suspension fork, nine-speed gears and disc brakes. The compression and rebound damping can also be adjusted to optimally adapt the fork with 60 millimetres of suspension travel to light children. A lockout makes sprints and climbs in the cradle easier. A wheelbase of 850 millimetres and a 68 degree steering angle improve riding stability.

Price: 899 Euro >> available here Weight: 9 kilos | Suspension travel: 60 mm

20-inch speedster Supurb BO20

Supurb is back! Family father Sebastian Tegtmeier once designed high-quality mountain bikes for his own son. Three new bikes have now emerged from a co-operation with Bike-Components. These include the Bo20 for kids between 120 and 140 centimetres tall. A particularly balanced wheel load distribution makes the 20-inch speedster with fat tyres easy to handle. A suspension fork is available as an upgrade.

Price: 999,99 Euro >> available here Weight: 9.1 kilos S

Professional bike Early Rider Hellion X20

The British family business was a pioneer in children's bikes for the bike park. It goes without saying that the Hellion X20 should offer young shredders all the advantages of a professional full-suspension bike: tubeless-compatible 20-inch tyres, Shimano Deore disc brakes, ten-speed gears and shocks with switchable platform damping. With the 100-millimetre fully, bike park socialisation can begin from the age of six. It is also possible to switch to 16-inch wheels.

Price: 2399 euros | Weight: 10.15 kilos | Suspension travel: 100 / 95 mm