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Biking, biking, every free minute of biking. Sebastian Tegtmeier lives out his passion for mountain biking without restraint whenever possible. But when he wanted to give his two-year-old son a taste for mountain biking, he had a problem. He simply couldn't find a suitable bike for his offspring. Sebastian clicked through internet pages, leafed through catalogues and researched in internet forums. But no luck. There was nothing on the market. Almost every major company had children's bikes in its range. But they were either too heavy, too clumsy or too carelessly screwed together. Mostly both. The gaudy multicolour look often only concealed cheap crap.
Founding a company out of frustration
Out of sheer desperation, "Basti" finally decided to found his own brand. Super Urban Mobility, or Supurb for short. The fact that, as an employee of frame manufacturer Alutech, he had both the technical expertise and the corresponding infrastructure made the decision even easier. Supurb has now been in existence for a year and a half. The miniature BO12 (12-inch wheels), originally developed for Sebastian's two-year-old son, was the first model. The product range has now grown to five bikes.
New features include the aluminium version of the B016 (16-inch wheels). The speedster, painted in silver and acid yellow, weighs just 7.2 kilos thanks to its consistent lightweight construction - around two kilos less than the 16-inch bikes from the price/performance-orientated large-scale manufacturers. A great value when you consider the extreme ratio of body weight to bike weight in children. A budget model in the 16-inch league usually weighs half as much as its rider. Which is roughly the same as an adult going on tour with a 40-kilo clunker. Well, thank you too!
The equipment: well thought out
The 7.2 kilos seem even more pleasing when you take a look at the rear wheel hub - the automatic shifting two-speed Sram "Automatix" hub is installed, which promises rapid progress. Deceleration is provided by Avid V-brakes. The levers are ultra-compact and the lever width is adjustable - marvellous.
The cranks are made of aluminium, the pedals are made of light but grippy plastic and the fat head tube is fitted with solid FSA bearings. The cockpit is formed by an aluminium handlebar/stem unit. The clamp for the seat post is elegantly integrated into the top tube. However, the sticker set, with which the frame can be customised to your heart's content, is what will get the youngsters most excited.
Sit on it, ride off: The BO16 fits perfectly
The three-year-old son of BIKE reporter Henri Lesewitz, who has been an ardent fan of mountain biking since a Danny MacAskill show, has already given the bike a good workout. Switching from the 12-inch to the 16-inch model was no problem at all. Sit on it, ride off, done. The low entry makes it easy to get on. The high front in combination with the stubby stem ensures a relaxed, upright riding position so that the rider always has a good forward view. The centre of gravity is also quite low. Good for your sense of balance.
The automatic hub quickly turned out to be the absolute highlight. It makes accelerating easier and shifts into the higher long-distance gear at around 10 kilometres per hour. Rides of several kilometres in length are no problem. With 08/15 carrots, children usually either crank themselves a wolf or bend their legs when setting off. The brakes on the BO16 are also perfect and the ergonomics of the levers are perfect for children's hands. The V-brake callipers apply the brakes firmly when required and are easy to modulate.
The price is high: should you buy it anyway?
On the way to the ice cream parlour, you can also take short cuts through undeveloped areas. The BO16 masters gentle inclines and gravel with ease thanks to the automatic gearbox and studded tyres. A first-class and well thought-out bike for cruising, cruising and cruising around. But watch out! The BO16 is so much fun that the youngsters will soon think they have superhero powers. Reporter Lesewitz's heart almost stopped in shock when his son suddenly and without warning pushed the BO16 into the stairwell to ride down the stairs in the finest downhill style. "Just like Danny MacAskill!" he shouted in a sugar-sweet squeaky voice. Papa Lesewitz was only just able to catch him. As a deterrent, the "Best of Crash MTB Downhill" video was first watched on YouTube.
The BO16 costs 499 euros and is available from Bike components available. That's a lot of money. Cheap 16-inch bikes are available for less than 300 euros. But for those who can afford it, the Supurb is highly recommended. It makes it easier for the next generation to get into biking. Trouble due to technical defects is not to be expected. And the resale value is likely to be quite high.
