When children cut the cord, it's not always easy for parents. Adults are then as uncool as tight cycling shorts and are only needed when the pocket money runs out again. But there are good reasons why biking parents in particular should encourage their children to cut the cord. The sooner the offspring learn to roll on their own tyres, the sooner the days of pulling even the sluggish children's trailer along dull forest tracks will be over. Real terrain finally comes back into view. What's more, when the little ones are hanging out with their mates on the pump track while YouTube idols like Die Lochis are blaring out of their smartphones, parents can once again go for a ride without having to take a break for jelly babies and endlessly whinge about when we'll finally get there. And let's be honest: is there anything better for cycling-mad parents than looking for a suitable bike for their offspring?
Mountain bikes for children
The range of solid children's mountain bikes is constantly growing. More and more manufacturers are catering for the next generation and developing lightweight frames with child-friendly geometries and sensible add-on parts. Investing in a high-quality bike pays off in two ways: Firstly, children learn much faster on a well-designed bike. Secondly, high-quality bikes are easier to resell as soon as the offspring have outgrown the frame size. On the following pages, we present new models with exciting approaches in 20 and 24 inches as well as the right accessories for off-road dwarves.
And believe us: as soon as your children see what adventures they can have with their parents in the field, they will quickly become as popular as Die Lochis or smartphone games.
NEW 20" BIKES
The fun really starts with 20-inch bikes. The first models with gears, disc brakes and suspension forks are already available for five to nine-year-olds. This allows youngsters to really let off steam off-road.
Early Rider Seeker 20
Price 699 Euro | Weight 8.6 kg
With the new Seeker, the Brits want to satisfy children's hunger for adventure. Thanks to ten-speed gears, mechanical disc brakes and 2.25-inch fat studded tyres, the youngsters can already whizz through the terrain. The brushed aluminium frames are almost like a trademark.
Rascal 20
Price 540 Euro | Weight 7.9 kg
The bikes from the Czech Republic are not just an eye-catcher. In addition to the shimmering paintwork, the Rascal bikes are equipped with a belt drive and three-speed hub gears. This can also be shifted when stationary and is particularly low-maintenance. What's more, there is no rear derailleur that can bend if the kids simply park the bike on the ground. The 20-inch bike fits children from around 110 centimetres tall.
Black Mountain Hütto Trail 20"
Price 649 Euro | Weight 9.8 kg
Because children grow quickly, the Brits have devised a frame that grows with them thanks to an adjustment system. So the Black Mountain Hütto Trail Children from a height of around 118 centimetres and over a period of almost three years. Seven gears, mechanical disc brakes and 50 millimetres of suspension travel pave the way through the terrain. Alternatively, the Hütto is also available with rim brakes and a rigid fork. Black Mountain ships free of charge throughout Europe.
GREAT FUN with 24"
Shred dad in the bike park? Or whizz round your mates' ears on the pump track? 24-inch bikes are real mountain bikes. Eight to ten-year-olds can really get going on them.
Vpace Danny 24
Price 899 Euro | Weight 9.2 kg
The brand new Danny 24 is set to become the best buddy of all young jumpers. This is the first time the children's bike specialists have rolled a dirt jump bike onto the pump track. It should be able to take a beating and, despite its robustness, weigh just 9.2 kilos. A single-speed drive and a lightweight RST fork make it possible. With skinwall tyres and a gaudy frame, the look is just right. Despite the reliable partner, the kids still have to conjure up the big tricks from the helmet themselves.
Naloo Hill Bill 11-Speed
Price 1199 Euro | Weight 9.4 kg
The Swiss company's mission is: bikes for children with adult technology. On Hill Bill from Naloo The robust Shimano SLX sorts the eleven gears, and the RST First Ride, which was specially developed for children, also allows youngsters to enjoy an air suspension fork. Together with easy-rolling Rocket Rons, the youngsters can handle even longer bike adventures with ease. The 24-inch Hill Bill fits riders from 115 centimetres tall.
Commençal Clash 24
Price 2149 Euro | Weight 13.7 kg
The developers in Andorra are really stepping on the gas: in the extremely wide Range of children's bikes In addition to trail hardtails, there is also the 24-inch fully with sophisticated suspension kinematics and 145 millimetres of suspension travel. The visually really successful Clash with whitewall tyres and Manitou suspension can be ridden by kids from around 130 centimetres tall. Due to its high weight, however, its strengths lie more in downhill riding despite the eleven-speed drive.
Propain Yuma
Price 1899 Euro | Weight 13.0 kg
The Yuma is the ideal bike for young downhill aspirants and was one of the first real children's fullys on the market. The latest version has 145 millimetres of suspension travel, 203 millimetre brake discs at the front and a Sram 11-speed drivetrain. The Yuma fits bikers from 130 centimetres tall and grows with them for a long time thanks to a separately available 26-inch wheelset. In addition, the Propain Yuma configure via modular system.
You can find this article in BIKE 5/2020. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
Stefan Frey
Editor
