Children's enduro bikes, mini race bikes and special tow ropes - you would think that the industry had realised overnight that youngsters are the future of our sport. Where parents used to wait years for their kids to finally fit on a decent 26-inch bike, today high-quality children's bikes are springing up like mushrooms. Almost every major manufacturer lists corresponding models in their 2022 catalogue. Most bikes, even for children of primary school age, come with single gears, high-quality suspension elements and disc brakes.
Not all manufacturers have yet realised that the weight of children's bikes plays an even greater role than that of adults due to their low body weight. Even lightweight children's bikes often account for over 30 per cent of the rider's weight, while a lightweight fully only accounts for around 13 per cent of an 80-kilo adult's weight. No wonder that the fully models from Propain, YT and others are more suitable for bike park use than for longer rides. However, manufacturers also have lightweight models available for sporty, ambitious kids who pedal uphill themselves. With suspension forks and carbon frames, some hardtails even break the seven-kilo mark. The only catch: the fun can cost parents up to 3000 euros - quite a lot when you consider that the bikes often only fit the height of the toddlers for two years.
Bulls Tokee
With the Tokee Ultra Lite 20, Bulls gives kids the benefit of lightweight construction from an early age. The 20-inch hardtail uses carbon fibre for both the frame and the rigid fork. Also on board: 9-speed gears and hydraulic disc brakes with extra small brake levers. The weight is 8.4 kilos. Price: 999 euros. www.bulls.de
Cube Elite 240 C:62 Carbon SL
The new children's race hardtail from Cube is called Elite, just like the adult bikes. Only the suffix 240 reveals that the mini racer rolls on 24-inch wheels. According to the manufacturer, the carbon frame and suspension fork reduce the weight to just 6.7 kilos. Narrow handlebars, extra-thin grips, 130 mm crank arms and a narrow Q-factor make the bike ideal for small riders. For the gearing, Cube relies on an 11-speed GX groupset from Sram. A super-light MT8 brake system from Magura reliably brings the young savages to a standstill on fast descents. In favour of the lightweight construction and the low weight of the kids, the brake discs measure just 140 millimetres in diameter. If you want to spoil your child with the lightness of the Elite 240, you will have to pay 2099 euros - an attractive price considering the equipment. More about the new Cube Elite kids bike you can read here.
Propain Yuma
With 140 millimetres of suspension travel, Propain's new Yuma youth bike should provide plenty of off-road fun. The total weight of the bike is 12.3 kilos. The wheel size is available in 24 or 26 inches. The mail-order bike is priced at 2199 euros. www.propain-bikes.com | More Read more about the Propain children's bike here.
VPace MaxC
With the MaxC, VPace is specifically targeting young racers. Depending on your height (130 to 170 centimetres), the carbon hardtail rolls on 26, 27.5 or 29 inch wheels. The weight is 8.7 kilos for the 26-inch model. Price: 2599 euros. www.vpace.de
Cube Stereo 240
With the Stereo 240 One the Upper Palatinate company is launching a more affordable 24-inch kids' bike for 2022. The 120-millimetre bike with comfortable Manitou suspension, Magura MT Thirty brakes with four-piston calipers at the front and 1x9 Microshift gears costs 1749 euros.
Climbing aids
With tow ropes, kids can set off on big tours with mum or dad from an early age. The uphill aids are available in different versions from CommitmentTrax, TowWheeShotgun or Kidreel. Cost: approx. 50 euros.
