Balance bikes seem to be a dime a dozen lately, but some stand out more than others. Bikes like the new Airborne Gnome which squeeze in large tires in spire of the tiny frame.
Instead of the standard rubber or even plastic of some balance bikes, the Gnome kicks things up a notch with 3″ wide plus tires. Even more impressive, those tires are mounted to 40mm wide aluminum rims to give them a proper profile. Angled schrader valves should make inflating the tires a bit easier given the small 12″ wheels.
Elsewhere, the bike is built to be a bit more durable than many balance bikes with a 1″ threadless press-fit headset and an actual 40mm long stem with a 31.8mm bar clamp to match the 6061-T6 aluminum riser bars.
While the frame is constructed from lightweight aluminum, the fork is hi-tensile steel, both featuring 3/8″ dropouts. Those dropouts correspond with chromoly axles in the hubs of each wheel and should hold up better to future rippers. Weighing in at 10 lbs, 1oz, the Gnome has a seat height of 12.5″ to 14.25″, and is available for $159.95 in black or yellow.
