We love this category of bikes, 20 inch hardtails with an air fork. Prevelo brings a true mountain bike to market for the 5-8 year old crowd. Be honest with yourselves, if your child is prone to neighborhood riding, tarmac and light trails use, check out the alpha line of bikes from this great company. If they are wanting to rip singeltrack, crush descents, bust jumps and rail corners...read on. Thanks to Prevelo for supplying the bike so we can shed some light.
Prevelo Zulu Three Details:
- Intended Age: 5 to 8 (measure inseam and compare to min seat height for best fit)
- Weight: 21.2 (Heir)-23 lbs
- Min/Max Seat Height: 22.8-28.0 inches
- Features: 80 mm travel Heir fork, 2.25 Crown Gems, 11-36 cassette, Zee clutch derailleur, low BB, 66 degree HA, 74 STA, 340mm Chainstays, 120 mm cranks
- MSRP: $899-$1199 (Heir Build) USD
- Available at: Prevelo
The Bike Dads' Take:
"With a 66 degree head angle and 74 degree seat tube angle, the Prevelo Zulu 3 is a bike meant to climb up with its low rotational weight wheels and thrash down with its progressive geometry and air fork. No other Hardtail is as aggressive and stable on descents in a 20 inch platform. If you have that thrill seeking 5-8 year old, this may be the bike for them. Fantastic builds in both regular and Heir, you have a bike to get the kids on more technical and steeper terrain that will not brake the bank like a full suspension bike." -Colin
How would you compare the Prevelo Zulu Three Heir to the Tailcraft Blue Sky 20? Both seem to be excellent bikes with similar wait times. I’m having a hard time deciding between the two. This is for a 6 year child about 4 feet tall with an 21″ inseam. Any major differences in the geometry?
Same Fork and similar Wheelset. Difference is Geo and Weight. Prevelo is a more stable bike with longer wheelbase and slacker Head Angle. Great for descending steeper MTB terrain. Trailcraft is lighter and quicker handling. Great for more XC/undulating terrain and local skills parks.