Kids’ bikes are a funny thing. Many parents often cringe at the thought of spending big bucks on something their child will quickly outgrow, but at the same time you want to get them a bike they’ll actually ride. A lot of that comes down to weight – if the bike is a 1/3rd the weight of the child (or more), they’re less likely to actually want to pedal the thing around. Then there’s the whole quality/durability issue where the bike needs to be strong enough to withstand repeated drops and crashes, but still functional and easy to use.
Lately, there have been a lot of ideas on what the “ultimate kids’ bike” would be, but for newcomer Pello, the answer is simple, light weight, high quality bikes that don’t cost a fortune…
At the top of the range you’ll find the Pello Rover, a bike with 20″ wheels and 7 speeds. The build kit is what you would find on most adult bikes in this price range in terms of quality – a 6061 aluminum frame and fork, Cane Creek threadless headset, aluminum bars, stem, and seatpost, plus a SRAM X4 7 speed drivetrain with aluminum crank and Tektro Mini-V brakes front and rear. Even the wheels and tires are speced well with Alex double wall aluminum rims, stainless spokes, alloy nipples, quick release hubs, and Kenda K-Rad 20×1.75″ tires. As built, the bike comes in at just 18.5 lbs (8.39kg) with pedals and a bell.
The most expensive bike in the fleet, the Rover runs $429, and is meant for ages 6+ with a minimum inseam of 20″.
If the Rover is a bit too much in terms of gearing or pricing, Pello has another 20″ bike in the form of the 17 lb Reddi. Technically a bit smaller thanks to the lower standover height, the gearing is simplified with a SRAM Automatix 2 speed hub (or single speed), but still offers Tektro Mini V brakes front and rear and a similar high quality build kit. Sold as single speed for $349 or 2 speed for $399, the Reddi fits riders 5+ with a minimum inseam of 18.5″.
Getting smaller, the Revo drops to 16″ wheels with a single speed coaster brake hub and an additional Tektro Mini-V brake out back to help the child transition to hand brakes. Complete the bike comes in at 16.2 lbs and sells for $299 for riders 4+/17″ inseam or greater.
Finally, the Romper comes in with 14″ wheels but still all of the same quality build. Still using an aluminum frame and fork and a full aluminum build kit, the single speed coaster brake bike comes in at 15 lbs with pedals and a bell. Because the bike uses many of the same level components, the price doesn’t drop much ($289), but at this age and size, children will definitely benefit from a lighter bike.
Obviously, ‘affordable’ is a relative term when it comes to kids’ bikes, but if you want the best for your kid (without resorting to something silly like carbon fiber and disc brakes), the Pello collection looks like an interesting option. Available in orange only, the bikes are shipped direct and arrive “95% assembled.”
