Market: Specialized is one of the bicycle manufacturers that also dedicates a lot of effort and attention to detail to smaller bikers - hardly any other manufacturer has so many different children's bikes in their range, from MTB to racing bikes. We take a look at the different models.
Finding the right bike for the offspring is often like running the gauntlet - wheel size, geometry, appearance, weight, equipment, orientation - numerous factors need to be included in the purchase decision. To make matters worse, only a few manufacturers offer a corresponding selection of different sizes and models, especially if you are looking for a children's bike for sporting use.
However, the US manufacturer Specialized is one of the manufacturers who offer the right children's bike for all requirements, from MTBs to all-rounders, fat bikes and racing bikes. Reason enough for us to take a close look at the selection and present it to you in brief.
Specialized Riprock: Shred like Mom and Dad
The Specialized Riprock is Specialized's kid's mountain bike that was introduced last year and is one of the very few children's bikes available on the market that even the little ones can really let loose on the trail. The smallest Riprock comes with 12″ wheels – so kids from the age of three can make their first attempts at walking or driving off the beaten track. The sporty character of the new Specialized children's bike is also underlined by the disc brakes, which are already used on the 20″ bikes. The two top variants Riprock Comp 24 and Riprock Expert 24 even rely on full-fledged hydraulic brakes. Of course, a suspension fork should not be missing either – these are also available from 20″ wheel size.
The choice of tires is very trendy: If you like, all Riprock models come with plus tires. Up to 20″ that means 2,3″ tire width, for the larger bikes even real 2,8″ tires, which ensure proper traction, give the little ones a lot of safety and of course also ensure a lot of comfort – the bikes look cool with the wide tires anyway. The low standover height of the frames allows the driver to get off the front quickly and easily; another feel-good and safety factor that mum and dad also know from the trail.
The Riprock Coaster 12 is the perfect introduction to the first trail adventures. The coaster brake brings the bike to a standstill and with the rim brake on the front wheel, the kids can already get used to using brake levers. Of course: An all-round chain guard and the padded stem protect against injuries. The 12×2,3″ tires not only look strong, but also give a lot of grip.
wheel size: 12 inch
For age: up to three years
Price: € 199
The Riprock Coaster 16 shines with the same advantages as the smaller 12 inch model, but as the name suggests, it comes with 16 inch tires for kids from around 6 years of age.
wheel size: 16 inch
For age: 6-7 years
Price: 229€
Biking like the big ones! At first glance, the key data of the Riprock 20 does not sound like a children's bike - suspension fork, disc brakes and 2,8″ tires not only promise a lot of fun, but also a lot of safety and comfort.
wheel size: 20 inch
For age: 10-13 years
Price: € 399
Now it's getting serious - the 24 inch models of the Riprock are fully grown MTBs and therefore also suitable for real, serious biking. It's no coincidence that the largest model of the Riprocker is also available in the Comp and Expert versions that are typical of Specialized. But even the inexpensive basic model comes with disc brakes, plus tires, 70mm suspension fork and 8-speed gears.
wheel size: 24 inch
For age: 10-13 years
Price: € 449
The Comp variant of the full-blown Riprock comes with an air fork, Shimano Alivio drive and hydraulic brakes from Tektro. This means that the 24-inch bike does not have to hide from adult bikes.
wheel size: 24 inch
For age: 10-13 years
Price: € 599
The top model of the Riprock, which costs almost 900 euros, not only comes with a 10-speed drive and XT rear derailleur, but also with the really good Shimano Deore brakes, which can reliably bring even a full-blown Enduro bike to a standstill.
wheel size: 24 inch
For age: 10-13 years
Price: € 899
Specialized Hotrock: The all-rounder
The Specialized Hotrock is a good, old acquaintance of the Californian manufacturer and has been available in one way or another for several years. The model series is not only very popular because of the relatively low price, but also the wide range from the balance bike to the full-fledged 24 inch MTB is a cornerstone for the large fan base of Hotrock children's bikes.
In addition, Specialized offers almost all variants of the Hotrock as a variant for the girls, which not only differs in terms of appearance, but also in terms of geometry.
wheel size: 12 inch
For age: 1-3 years
Price: € 169
wheel size: 12 inch
For age: 3-4 years
Price: € 199
wheel size: 16 inch
For age: 4-5 years
Price: € 229
wheel size: 20 inch
For age: 7-9 years
Special features Coaster and rim brake
Price: € 249
wheel size: 20 inch
For age: 7-9 years
Special features Rim brakes front and rear, 6-speed gears, suspension fork with 50mm travel
Price: € 299
wheel size: 24 inch
For age: 10-13 years
Special features 7-speed gears, rim brakes front and rear, suspension fork with 50mm travel
Price: € 349
wheel size: 24 inch
For age: 10-13 years
Special features Front derailleur, suspension fork with 50mm travel, rim brakes
Price: € 349
wheel size: 24 inch
For age: 10-13 years
Special features Front derailleur, suspension fork with 50mm travel, rim brakes
Price: € 399
Specialized Kids' Fatboy - Fat bike fun for the little ones too
The Kids' Fatboy - the fat bike for the little ones - has been in the Specialized portfolio since 2014 and is enjoying ever-growing popularity. The mighty 4-inch tires are happy to forgive one or the other driving mistake, invite you to discover them and also dampen the bumps in the forest and trail. Of course, disc brakes should not be missing on such a bike and both variants - 20 inch and 24 inch - are equipped with a 9-speed derailleur gear. The Specialized Fatboy costs €799 in both versions.
Specialized Allez Jr. - For the little asphalt cowboys
Up to this point, all Specialized children's bikes have one thing in common: They were primarily designed for off-road use; this is a trend that can be observed with children's bikes in general anyway - there are many MTBs in mini format, but if the youngsters prefer to be sporty on the asphalt and want a racing bike in the appropriate size, the selection is much smaller. For some time now, however, Specialized has had the right bike for this: the junior version of the aluminum racer Allez.
The Specialized Allez Jr. uses 27,5″ wheels and the frame with its 40cm seat tube should be good for boys and girls around the age of eight. Sturdy add-on parts and decent equipment, including a Claris-Shimano drive and brakes from Tektro, enable little racing bike fans to try their hand at walking and riding. The Allez Jr. is only available in one trim level and costs €799.