Specialized Unveils First Full Range of Plus Size Bikes for Kids with Riprock 20 and 24!

Written by Zach Overholt Nov 17, 2015 11:46 a.m. ET

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If plus size bikes are the perfect tool for beginner and intermediate riders as we’ve been told, then it should come as no surprise that kids’ bikes are thrown into that mix. Thanks to the terrain clawing traction the big tires provide along with increased stability, the plus size tires really do seem to increase a rider’s confidence.

While we’ve heard the beginner and intermediate angle for some time now, most companies have been slowly releasing their plus size creations a few bikes at a time. Whether an indication of things to come or Specialized’ belief in big tires for little riders, the big S is introducing the Riprock – a full line of 20+ and 24+ bikes that harness the benefits of 2.8″ tires for stoked children everywhere…

Specialized Riprock 20 24 plus kids bikes comp expert big roller 2 (3) — All photos c. Specialized

Riprock Expert 24

Starting with an A1 Premium Aluminum frame, the Riprock series is built with low standover heights. This is likely an important feature given the additional height of the big tires and should keep the bikes easy to mount and dismount. They also feature custom SR Suntour XCT suspension forks set at 70mm for the 24″ bikes and 60mm for the 20″. The higher end bikes (Comp and Expert) even feature an air spring and multi-circuit damping with hydraulic lockouts while the Expert (above, grey and orange) gets further improvement with aluminum stanchions rather than hi-tensile steel.

Since this is technically a new tire size for both 20 and 24″ wheels, Specialized is using their own tire, the new Big Roller in 2.8″ widths for both wheel sizes. The 60tpi wire bead tires are mounted to double wall Alex aluminum rims laced with stainless spokes to 6 bolt disc brake hubs. All of the bikes down to the Riprock 20 include disc brakes with the Riprock 20 and 24 the only bikes to use mechanical discs – all others are hydraulic. The entire line also includes 1x drivetrains (7, 8, 9, and even 10 speeds for the Expert) to keep things fun, add tire clearance from the chain, and prevent constant front derailleur adjustments. Instead, each bike has a bash guard and upper chain guide to keep the chain in place.

Riprock Comp 24

Riprock 24

Riprock 20

Officially, the frame sizes are listed at 11″ for the 24″ bikes and 9″ for the 20″ models. ~~Available soon, we’re tracking down pricing info and will update when it’s available.~~ We’ve just received word that as of 11/15, the bikes have been shipped to Dealers are available in store. Pricing is as follows:

Riprock 20 – $450
Riprock 24 – $500
Riprock Comp 24 – $750
Riprock Expert 24 – $1000

specialized.com

Zach Overholt

5,630 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Mr. P

8 years ago

Specialized is evil!!!

(to parents with kids who MTB! these are awesome!)

One issue I do have, is finding the perfect tire pressure on a kids bike. I put 2.25 tires on my kids’ bike to soften up the ride, but it’s really hard to guage their small body weight and their ability to run straight over sharp rocks vs. pinch flats. I’m guessing it is even harder to guage on a 60tpi fat tire?

M Hirsch

8 years ago

Krampus for Kids!? With Suspension? Yes please!

I need prices and weights, I’ve got some groms on the way who clearly need this.

Mark

8 years ago

This is a win if bike weight is under 24 pounds.

If not, then it is just another heavy kids bike with weight in the worst possible spot – the wheels and rotating weight.

Why not put a rigid fork on it? That should lighten it up at least 2 pounds.

BubbRubb

8 years ago

@mark because they are selling the bike to the parents, not the kids. As a parent with a ripper 4 year old, all that matters is weight. Keep the weight low and the kids rip. Add weight and you’re just making biking needlessly hard.

MikeS

8 years ago

No thanks. I’ll be buying Isla Bikes for my kids. Solid company, killer product, nice people, community supporters, and to my knowledge they haven’t sued anyone for trademark infringement.

Mountain Dew Drinking Flatbiller

8 years ago

MikeS: I’m sure we won’t find you violating any of your hard-stance principles on any of the other products you purchase, right?

For example, I know you investigated the supply chain of that $99 Blu-Ray player you bought, all the way down to the criminal record of the guy who applied the UL Labs sticker on the back, correct?

But, of course, I’m sure you’re going to cherry pick what companies you want to stand against, because it’s more convenient depending on the cause du’jour.

Oliver

8 years ago

I have built 2 of the 20″ and 2 of the 24″ Riprocks up this week and let me tell you something, best car park test rides in a loooooooooooooooooooong time. I haven’t weighed them but they weren’t noticeably heavier than any other kids bikes and were a lot more fun.

Rick

8 years ago

It would be helpful if these brands list weight of kids bikes. Frustrating to find out these bikes weight 28 pounds post-purchase, then you need to spend another $500 to make them light.

When you are 60 pounds and on a 28 pound bike that suuucks for a kid.

Jeffy

8 years ago

@MikeS – Specialized donated $2500 and another $2500 in water bottles to sell to help raise money to build a pump track in my community. Giant donated a little over a hundred and Trek donated zero. To imply that Specialized is not a “community supporter” is defamatory.

People are quick to judge a company/person on their worst moment and that is ridiculous. I’m seriously glad I’m not being judged on my worst moment.

BTW, the bike looks like a blast and I’m glad that there are nicer bikes for kids.

Allan

8 years ago

I can see the comments coming from a mile away anytime there is a Spesh or Trek article. Especially fun is tying in Lance Armstrong to Trek articles. Are we not over this stuff yet?

Anyhoo…I am impressed with the price ranges. A grand for a kids bike that may only be used for a few years is a little much IMO (unless you keep churning out the little ones!), but in general, I’m glad to see the prices being fairly reasonable.

Mike

8 years ago

“To imply that Specialized is not a ‘community supporter’ is defamatory.” Whoa there, Barrister. Put down your powdered wig and go knock back a pint with your mates. Then go pick up Black’s Law Dictionary.

But seriously, these look awesome assuming they’re not super heavy. My kiddo’s on a Cleary at the moment, but he’ll need something with more cushion and tread soon. Looks like a cool option (I also don’t like the big S, because rabble, rabble).

baaa

8 years ago

Wow, with how heavy kids are these are essentially fat bikes and would probably ride great in sand, snow etc (in terms of pressure exerted on ground)

Robo

8 years ago

These are so cool!

Nick

8 years ago

These are looking awesome. I’ve got twin girls (turning 3 next week) who already love bikes a bunch, and these look awesome for a few years for now.

Honest, no snark question: With everything I’ve heard about fat tires and PSI, how will these play with kids on the light body weight spectrum? Low single digit PSIs? 🙂

Also, another vote for a community who’s received money and stuff for local trail development. And received great support from Spec shops.

joe

8 years ago

@Nick – These are 2.8″ tires, so not a true “fat bike” width per say but for a small kid I would say low double to high single digits.

Specialized had true kids fat bikes this time last year. https://bikerumor.com/2014/11/20/specialized-launches-20-24-kids-fatbikes-with-lots-of-color-options/ Wonder why they no longer are on the website this season. I can’t imagine these Riprocks replaced a true fat bike.

AlanM

8 years ago

@Nick, for some reason they only show the kids’ Fatboys on the Fatboy page, not the kids’ page.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/fatboy

Slim

8 years ago

@Nick,

My 75 pound daughter can ride her 26×3.0 Knards at ~3 psi in snow, ~ 7psi on dirt.

These are awesome! I just wonder about the gap in sizes between the 24″ bike and the S sized Ruze.

Steve

8 years ago

Yeah, these bikes are cool for flat terrain. Remember a 28 pound bike like this for a 60 pound kid is like a 150 pound adult riding a 70 pound bike uphill.