Prevelo Bravo Two
This is the bike Dads. It fills the gap left from the 16 inch lil shreddder icon (no longer available). This is the bike that rules them all when it comes to 16 inch. Yes, a DJ but so much more for the aggressive 4-6 year old (pump track/flow trail riding). Pivotal seat/post combo gets the seat low, bomber 60 mm travel Heir Fork (yes, the fork is amazing), 110mm cranks, kendo booster tires, bang-on geo, hydraulic tektro rear brake. If debating over this vs the Zulu, you would chose this for its versatility.
Weight: 16.8 lbs | MSRP: $999 US | Min inseam: 16" | Where to buy: Prevelo
Prevelo Zulu 2 Heir
It must be said that the carbon lowers rebound adjustable air fork is amazing. It is specific to 16 inch wheels and works, it actually works! The rest of the bike is tricked out with a 66 degree head angle, hydraulic disc brakes, 2.1 inch wide Innova tires and weighs in at 18 lbs. No cassette or derailleur option but that is fine with us as we prefer a tow whee over the added weight and price of an unused geared drive-train. My four year old has spent a lot of time on this bike and I am blown away by the terrain and skills he is mastering. OUR FULL REVIEW HERE
MSRP: $849 | Min-Max seat height: 18.1"-25" | Where to buy: Prevelo Bikes | Prevelo Canada
Flow Kids Bikes 16
Available in 16 and 20 inch wheel sizes and adjustable geometry (reach plus HA), this bike also has a big fit range. It's awesome. An air fork with rebound adjust, the suspension works with even the littlest of riders. Home mechanics will love the adjustable drop outs, the ability to add a derailleur, easy to bleed mineral oil brakes, threaded BB (although increases q factor a bit) and standard sized parts.
MSRP: $950-$1400 | Min-Max inseam: 15"-19" | Where to buy: Flow Kids Bikes
Little Shredder Icon
With two top tube lengths available and the ability to run both 16 and 20 inch wheels, this frame is truly amazing. The smaller frame in a 16 inch wheel format will accommodate a rider as small as 3 feet tall. The larger frame and 20 inch wheel setting will fit up to 4 foot 6. You also have the ability to customize the bike as a dirt jumper or a trail bike complete with drive train. We have this bike and its on kiddo number three, it is truly incredible. You may have to look to second hand for this bike as Early rider is not producing the frames like they are the Lil shreddder Full Suspension frames. OUR FULL REVIEW HERE
MSRP: $1950-$2250 US | Where to buy: Little Shredder
Slater Bikes Gateway
Many options for this rad little frame. 16/18/20 inch wheel builds with the option for rigid or suspension fork, you can also go with a single speed DJ build or opt for a 7 spd trail killer. Another family pouring the passion of shredding bikes into amazing kids bikes. Reach out and these guys can get your kin railing berms and airing doubles in no time.
MSRP: $900-$1500 US | Where to buy: Slater Bikes
Hi, my 4 year old just started pedaling on her woom 2 but has outgrown it now. We ride at the local mountain bike park but she’s still learning to stand up and coast the downhill so we have mostly been riding the pump track. She liked riding the downhill trails on her strider but hasn’t figured it out with the pedals yet. We also ride around the neighborhood/parks etc so it will see some pavement use.
I’m debating between the zulu 2 heir (too much bike for her skill level?), forth X1 16″ (heavier but like the longer wheelbase), and Early Rider seeker 16″ (would prefer disc brakes but do like that it’s 3lbs lighter than the other two options). Should I be considering the alpha 2? She has a 19″ inseam so the Prevelo website suggests alpha 3 but I would rather have her on a smaller bike without gears yet. Basically wondering if the heir will just be a lot of extra bike for no reason or if it will be helpful for progression on the downhill. She will probably only be on this bike for a year or so, then would like to graduate her to Zulu 3 or forth X2 20″. Thanks for any thoughts and for this awesome website/resource!
Because of her age/size we would Keep her on lightest bike as your wallet allows so she can build skill and confidence.
Thank you for building this website! My almost 4 year old has outgrown his Woom 2 (no more seat post left to extend) ans I was thinking about stepping him up to a 16” Woom or Prevelo with the 2 speed hub. Am now debating jumping to a 20” hardtail. I don’t think he’s ready for gears but he’s a tall kiddo.
We do a lot of riding around school playgrounds, the skatepark and do trips to the bike park/pump tracks. I’d love to get him out on more trails with me.
What are your thoughts?
Prevelo Bravo Two sounds exactly what you need.
Thank you for the fast reply and reco! Happy Nee Year!
Anybody made an ebike out of an14/ 16”. I made out of a 12” balance bike but he’s happy pedalling around now. But no way he can pedal up the trails. Hmmm
Can I actually purchase a 16” fork separately and just put it on my son’s 16” bike
You need to match headtube/steertube spacing (i.e 1 inch 1/8) and axle spacing (if you want to use same wheel).
OK, but where can I find such forks? I’ve been trying to browse web but to no avail so far :/
https://thebikedads.com/kids-forks/
Can you also please let me know your thoughts on pros / cons of prevelo 2 heir vs Flow vs Slater with a similar setup (front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, single gearing) for similar application (downhill bike park and trails)?
Also, I talked to Lil Shredder and they aren’t making bikes anymore. They did some collaboration with Early Rider and don’t produce the Icon or Prodigy any more.
Thanks!
Yes, sadly the icon is no longer in production. In short, the zulu heir is specific to 16 inch wheels plus slackest and made for going downhill on trails with the best fork (it actually works for little light kids under 50 lbs), the slater is a DJ oriented frame designed around 20 inch wheels, the flow is fantastic in 20 inch setup as you can adjust geometry and reach, the dropouts are specific to 16 inch wheels which is nice but the stack height will be high in 16 inch configuration due to 20 inch fork.
I am trying to decide what type of bike to get my son when he turns 4 and is a bit bigger. I would like to do more trails with him and more downhill (and hit the bike parks). For a bike for bike parks, I was debating between getting him a Prevelo 2 heir or a Propain Frechdax. The prevelo is obviously lighter, but will last only a year. With the Frechdax, it looks like there wouldn’t be issues with standover height (fits down to 3,3″), but then I would be able to use the bike for a longer time. Also, what are your thoughts on tradeoffs between full suspension Frechdax vs hardtail Trailcraft Blue Sky 20? Thanks for all the great info on your site! Super helpful!
Put him on a hardtail first…Just use tire pressure for a little rear squish. Propain makes a nice hardtail as does Prevelo and Trailcraft. All awesome and would fit your needs. If he is really ripping and/or you guys are hitting lift access bike parks- look to Frechdax- its aamzing for its purpose. Resale price on all you mentioned is high.
My daughter turnes 3 in april. She LOVES to ride bikes and her dad rides. We would like to get her a mtb for her birthday, but are not sure wich one to go with.. she’s a tiny chic, but knows how to use the pedals.
What would you recomend?
She probably needs a 14 inch wheel bike. Measure her inseam and match to minimum seat heights. Anything on our site, we recommend. It’s a matter of fit, riding terrain and budget. Cheers, Colin
My son just turned 4 and he’s an awesome rider for his age. We have had the Prevelo Alpha one since he turned 3. What bike would you get next. He’s an average size kid.
I would go with a 16 inch for another year or so then on to a 20 inch hard-tail if MTB is your game. Cheers.