Woom is one of the more recognizable kids’ bike manufacturers. The company has always gone above and beyond to make bikes that kids enjoy and last longer than one season. These aren’t super-suspension, mini-gravel bikes to match their parents — these are bikes that kids like to ride and can ride with ease.
Woom’s second gen OFF and suspension fork equipped OFF Air are examples of why. The OFF started as a light XC kid’s bike but morphed into a jack of all trades with the addition of a full carbon rigid fork. The new version of the Woom OFF and OFF Air boast a weight reduction (21lbs for OFF 5), easier-to-grip handlebars, dropper post compatibility, a kids-specific saddle, and more.
Meet the new Woom OFF and OFF Air.
The Woom OFF and OFF Air kids bike line is designed for kids/parents into off-road riding with the option of exploration. The main difference between the two; Woom OFF comes with a rigid fork (carbon), and the Woom OFF Air comes with a suspension fork. The OFF/OFF Air will fit riders aged 6 to 14, with 20″, 24″, or 26″ wheels and nearly all the trappings of an adult bike.
Woom OFF and OFF Air— What’s new?
The second generation of the Woom OFF and Woom OFF AIR mountain bikes see many minor tweaks to offer a better riding experience. Starting from the touch points, the grips and saddles are kid-sized with inventive sizing to help aid comfortable riding.
The updated small grips mean a 19mm clamping zone for easier gripping for small hands. For the saddles, each Woom OFF (and others) now arrive with saddle sizes based on the bike size. The smallest Woom OFF 4 comes with a more narrow saddle than the Woom OFF 6, making for more comfortable riding in the long run.
The Woom Kid’s saddles come in three sizes and will be available for after-market purchase if you want to update your kiddo’s ride.
The brakes are also updated, increasing rotor size (F160 and R140mm) and enabling more braking power. The frame stays relatively unchanged, with a new chain guard to keep the paintwork pristine for as long as possible.
With this second generation of the Woom OFF and OFF Air, customers now have the option to make changes to the bikes to suit them. The Woom OFF and Woom OFF AIR can be a tubeless tire system in all three sizes — choose the option at check out, or buy some 25mm tubeless tape and do it yourself.
And the 24′′ and 26′′ versions are dropper post compatible — in case your little one is ready to send it!
New Color Options
Woom has mostly been a solid color bike company, and its mountain bikes are usually in a matte black paint job. It’s utilitarian, but variety and the new color option Terra Coppa is excellent.
Why an orang-ish copper color for MTB? We’ll let Woom’s Product manager Lisa Ribarich explain: “The matte copper color makes the link between mountain biking and nature in a big way. The name’ terra coppa’ definitely helps create that connection by bringing in the Latin word for earth (terra). And you can’t help but think of terracotta, a warm and earthy shade, when you hear it.”
Carefully Chosen Parts — Woom OFF and OFF Air Specs
Another way to make a bike great for kids is to choose a spec that will last and work with kids learning to shift. Wooms’ design team carefully chose every part for the OFF and OFF Air. It’s not as simple as “get the smallest crank arms and big cassette.” It’s about gear ratios and leverage.
For the drive train of the Woom OFF 5, Woom specs a 28T front ring with short 130mm cranks; This spec enables easy and highly frequent pedaling. Combined with the 34T cassette, there are enough gears for a good uphill/downhill.
The SRAM 9-speed setup is proven to take lots (tons) of abuse and is easy enough to find a replacement part for if it goes the wayside.
For the OFF Air, Woom choose the new RST Rel B fork. This fork is an updated RST model F1rst, with a redesigned lower leg and improvements on the dampening side.
Tires are another point where Woom maximizes its footprint. The Woom OFF comes in three advancing sizes (4, 5, and 6), all of which take different wheel sizes but max out at 2.35″ wide — right on the money for XC and some exploration.
Woom OFF and OFF/Air Geometry
The Woom OFF and OFF/Air has a uniquely dropped bottom bracket and an easy-to-maneuver geometry; a 69° head tube and a 70° seat tube. The sporty geometry with a long wheelbase helps with descending and confidence.
The deep-drawn kink in the top tube provides additional safety, allowing the rider to get off quickly.
Woom OFF Pricing and Availablity
The new Woom OFF Air and Woom OFF are available now from Woom online and Woom dealers.
- Woom OFF: OFF 4; $849, OFF 5 $899, and OFF 6 $950
- Woom OFF Air: OFF Air 4, $999, OFF Air5, $1099, and OFF Air 6, $1199
Look for a full review coming shortly. For more information and purchase, check out: Woom.com
