The Hedgehog compares well with other 16 inch premium bikes when it comes to minimum seat heights and standover. With the optional smaller seat post, the minimum height of 17.5 inches allows kiddos to come off Cleary's 12 inch Ghecko bike with no issue. Essentially, you can skip a 14 inch using the small post on the 16 inch Hedgehog.
We would definitely recommend getting the optional post to extend the fit range down. This makes a huge difference for kids just learning to ride as you don't want the minimum seat height more than their inseam. When learning to ride, kids benefit from being able to put both feet firmly on the ground while seated.
The 70 degree head angle and 708mm wheelbase allow for a stable enough ride but also makes it a nimble little whip for the pump track and skate-park. The 102 mm cranks pair nice with a lowish bottom bracket height (lower BB heights also help stability).
The new cockpit serves to widen the bar and raise it up over the previous model which makes it appealing to a wider skill spectrum of kids . This results in a slightly less aggressive riding position. That said, make no mistake, this is still a bike for the 3-6 year old shredder who likes stand up and mash on the pedals around the cul-de-sac or get in to some light trails with Mom and Dad.
Drivetrain
A 25T front chainring and a 16T freewheel cog make for a very light gear ratio. This makes it easy for the kids to gain momentum off the start but they will be spinning fast to keep-up on flat terrain. The hub on the Cleary allows you to thread on another freewheel on the opposite side of the 16T should you want to experiment with a different gear ratio.
Wheelset/Tires
The 2.25 inch tires may seem like overkill but they are really amazing for kids that ride on trails. You can lower the tire pressure for loads of grip and a bit of dampening for these future MTB kids. There is not a lot clearance for the tire at the v-brake cable so it may be an issue in super muddy conditions. We never had a problem.
Brakes
The junior tektro v-brakes are great. An easy pull with kid sized levers, make sure to dial in the reach of the lever to fit their little hands.
Touch points
Cleary provides nice plastic pedals with decent grip for the little tykes without the worry of sharp pins. A nice low diameter bar pairs nicely with 19mm grips for little hands. The width of the bar is 500mm which can be cut down for fit. Further refined, the plush vegan leather seat looks and feels great. The option for the shorter seatpost/smaller seat is nice for the smaller inseam kids where you want the minimum seat height as low as possible.
What fell short?
Just a few little nitpicks. Perhaps longer brake arms for further tire clearance of the bigger crown gems and a quick release at the seat-post (easily fixed on Amazon for $7). Not as big an issue as the 12 inch, the cranks could be a narrower q-factor (width between the pedals).
The Bike Dads' Take:
"The re-designed Hedgehog keeps the aggressive kiddo happy while also making the more timid learner at home with its 50mm rise handlebar. Like a good marriage, its riding position provides great compromise. Same great geo with an even lower stand-over and minimum seat height than the previous model, the steel machine maintains its built to last essence while being more refined.!" -Jack
