Shrinking bikes intelligently is the job of children's bike developers. Everything has to be smaller and lighter so that the proportions are right. Our test field with nine bikes, including four fullys, shows that this can be achieved. Special frames make large wheels rideable from an early age - the 29er effect - and selected suspension elements also work for lightweight riders. But as with adults, lightweight construction costs money. The lightest bike in the test weighs 8.7 kilos without suspension (KUbikes) and costs just under 1000 euros. The lightest fully weighs 9.8 kilos and costs 1600 euros (Propain), while the lightweight 26-inch fully from Vpace costs as much as 2500 euros. So if you want to give your children the ultimate in riding fun, you should start saving. Maybe on your own bike?
A fair division could be that adult and children's bikes cost the same. This is a good investment for joint endeavours. Because the children's possibilities increase quickly. As soon as they have outgrown the balance bike, they can hit the trails. With a good bike, it's even quicker and more fun for everyone. Of course, children are not endurance athletes who want to pant their lungs out. But serial sprinters. That's enough for shorter trails, but also for longer descents with ascent assistance - from dad's arm to the gondola. And then you have a shared hobby, and anyone with children can confirm how much that is worth.
Our test shows that the standard of children's bikes has risen, even if there are still rivets in the details. Current trends such as single-speed drivetrains are eradicating the absurdities of the past such as inoperable 3x8 drivetrains. The best kids' bikes are trail machines for little riders that make getting into real mountain biking a breeze.
You can find the entire test with these children's bikes including the technical data and ratings as a PDF in the download area below:
- Cannondale Cujo 24 Ltd
- Canyon Grand Canyon AL 24
- KUBikes 24s Custom Made Disc
- Scott Scale Pro 700 27.5"
- Trek Roscoe 20
- Mondraker Factor 24
- Propain Frechdax
- Rocky Mountain Reaper 27.5"
- VPace Moritz
You can find this article in BIKE 5/2019. 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:
Downloads:
Stefan Frey
Editor
