Bigger shoes, longer trousers, more jackets. In less than two years from the first Puky Wutsch to the Bobby Car and then to the Impeller. Children grow quickly and learn even faster. They constantly need new clothes and bigger challenges to satisfy their play instinct.
At just two and a half, our test rider Hannes is still a long way from being house-trained. Nevertheless, he has been enviously eyeing his big brother's 14-inch bike for weeks. He finally wants to pedal, no more pushing and shoving. The British manufacturer Black Mountain has come up with something very special to ensure that the first bike is not too small again after just a few weeks: Children's bikes that grow with your child. The patented frames can be extended in just a few steps using a screw system, allowing them to grow with the child. The smallest model in the range, the Pinto 14", can even be converted from a balance bike to a first bike.
Black Mountain Pinto 14" in detail
- Aluminium frame with grow-along technology
- 14" wheels with Kenda Small Block 8 tyres
- Tektro V-brakes
- Belt drive
- 92 millimetre crank length
- Interchangeable sprocket with 30/25 teeth
- Fits from approx. 90 to 109 centimetres tall
- Age: 2.5 to approx. 5 years
- Weight: 5.7 kilos
- Colours: green, blue, orange, purple
Price: 399 Euro / blackmountain.bike
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Pinto 14" - easy conversion
The Pinto 14" comes only partially pre-assembled and in the wheel setting directly from the island. However, with the clear instructions and the tools supplied, the children's mountain bike is quickly assembled. Straighten the handlebars, fit the wheels, attach the brakes and the fun can begin. But Hannes first pulls an offended face. That's right, he wanted to pedal, not push. So we skip the first stage and switch from wheel to pedalling mode. To do this, the seat post has to be removed and replaced with a post with a pre-assembled crank. Here too, the steps are clearly explained and within a few minutes the Pinto 14", now with belt drive, is ready to ride. At just under a metre tall, the toddler just fits over the frame in the lowest saddle setting so that he can still get his feet on the ground - essential for his first attempts at riding.
With his dad's hand on his shoulder, he rides the first few metres out the front door. Hannes sits comfortably upright on the bike thanks to the offset handlebars. Three spacers above the stem also leave enough room for future growth. The 92 millimetre short cranks fit his height well, as do the tiny-looking platform pedals. Only the pedalling doesn't quite work yet.
Coherent components
In general, the entire children's bike looks quite harmoniously adapted to the small body. Hannes holds the 430 millimetre wide handlebars securely in his hand with the 24 millimetre thin grips. Large end caps prevent little hands from slipping off the grips or damaging the handlebars when they are placed on the ground. The Tektro brakes can also be easily adapted to small hands and are easy to reach even for a toddler. Particularly clever: the belt drive is not only low-maintenance, but also easy on parents' nerves. There are no oil-smeared hands or oil stains on clothing.
A few days later, I'm also able to pedal. But it soon becomes clear that the low gear won't last long. Hannes already wants to ride faster than his short legs can pedal. Practical: the sprocket on the rear wheel is more or less double. If you remove the outer ring, you get a smaller sprocket and therefore a higher gear. But Hannes still has to wait for that. The change is only possible when the frame is also screwed into the longer position. Otherwise the belt would just hang limply in the frame.
Safely through easy terrain
Incidentally, the two of them have now completed their first off-road excursion and the little one was visibly thrilled. With its wide handlebars and 67 degree steering angle, the Pinto 14" rolls over the first few metres of trail with good control. The V-brakes are of course perfectly adequate, even if Hannes still prefers to dig his heels into the ground when braking.
One thing is certain: with the lightweight Pinto 14", the little one will have fun for a long time to come. The frame, spacers and brake levers offer plenty of room for future growth spurts and as soon as the longer frame setting fits, the change to the heavier gear can also be made.
Black Mountain Hütto Trail 20"
In addition to the Skog 16" and the Kapel 18", Black Mountain also has the Hütto 20" in its programme. The largest MTB model from the British company is available in three versions with V-brakes, disc brakes or disc brakes and suspension fork. All three models naturally also have the patented frame that grows with the child. This means that kids as young as six years old and 118 centimetres tall can take on the trails.
For children who start cycling a little later, the Hütto can be used as a balance bike with an optional kit. With a Spinner Grind Air suspension fork with 50 millimetre suspension travel and its 7-speed gears, the Hütto Trail 20" is already prepared for real trail use.
Hütto Trail 20" in detail
- Aluminium frame with grow-along technology
- Spinner Grind Air 50mm fork
- 20" wheels with Schwalbe Black Jack tyres
- Tektro mechanical disc brakes
- Sram X3 7-speed drivetrain
- Sram 3.0 Gripshift shift lever
- Fits from approx. 118 to 134 centimetres tall
- Age: 6 to approx. 8.5 years
- Weight: 10.1 kilos
- Colours: green, blue, orange, purple
Price: 740 Euro / blackmountain.bike
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Stefan Frey
Editor
