Disc Brakes 

Although not a necessity, having disc brakes can drastically improve the ride experience. There are 2 types of disc brakes:

1) Hydraulic discs which use brake fluid. These take less force to action the brake, and if installed correctly will require less maintenance.

2) Mechanical discs which use a cable.  Mechanical disc brakes take more force to get power, and will require more maintenance to keep them running smooth.

Kids specific brake levers are also a must, as these are designed for small hands. Being able to adjust the lever close to the handlebar means the kids can reach the brake properly without compromising their control.

Short cranks & grippy pedals

Cranks.... something that most don't even know or think about. Unfortunately a lot of bike brands spec crank arms that are way too long for a little kid. In most cases we have to run the saddle as low as it goes to get the kids on the bike. This means that when they pedal, their knees are almost higher than their head!

Running shorter cranks puts your kid's body in a much better position for pedaling efficiently, and still enables them to touch the ground when on the saddle.

Grippy pedals might seem scary, and yes they will scratch your kids leg if they blow a foot off. But one of the main reasons kids blow their feet off when riding, is the pedals they're on have no grip.. If they can trust that their feet won't bounce off when riding, then they can concentrate on actually riding.

Kids specific bars & grips

Little groms - Handlebar diameter and grip sizes are often overlooked, however they are one of the most important touch points on the bike. 19mm diameter handlebars allow you to run the smallest grips possible, which means your little one can hold onto the grips properly, and still reach and operate the brakes effectively.

Big Groms - Still just as important, most youth can use normal 22mm diameter handlebars, but the grip choice now becomes important, as there are many sizes and shapes to choose from. For most groms, a 30mm diameter grip will be the choice to go for, but you can go even smaller if you need to. 

Grips not only effect the overall comfort and control on the bike... they come in lots of fun colours which is perfect for customising your bike at a low cost,

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Quality tyres

Tyres that are not too heavy, have good volume, good rubber compounds and a good tread pattern, something that not all brands spec on their bikes.

Maxxis, and Vee Tire Co have some great options that tick all the boxes:

The Vee Crown Gem is a high volume tyre, which comes in most wheel sizes. The tread pattern is really good, and not too slow rolling. This is the tyre of choice for rigid or hard tail bikes, as the high volume provides a little bit of suspension and comfort.

Maxxis offer the Minion DHF and DHRII in tyres from 20" and up. This is probably one of the highest grip options, if your little one is really shredding!

Accessories for the bike

This is where the fun starts! Adding colourful and practical accessories make the bike way more exciting!

Spokey dokes, colourful bum bags, baskets for the favorite cuddly, bells that look and sound cool, frame protection and of course STICKERS.... these all add up to your little one or grom being stoked on their bike. Sometimes its the smallest thing that makes the biggest difference.

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Tow ropes are also a must. Yes, its good for kids to get pedalling, but also having a great time on a ride is key. Towing them up the hills just means more fun on the descents!

low standover

Stand over height is usually measured from the ground to the top tube of the frame, just in front of the saddle. Use this measurement on geometry charts as a loose guide, as not all brands take the measurement from the same position.

For the little groms, the more important measurement is the ground to the top of the saddle when it is in its lowest position. This measurement is key because when they need to stop, they will usually stay seated and try to put a foot down on the ground for balance. If the saddle isn’t low enough, then they cannot reach the ground which makes it very hard to start and stop confidently.​