Children's bike test: The Early Rider Trail stands out from the test field with its simple, high-quality look and seems almost a little too grown-up for a children's bike. What is undisputed, however, is the high-quality equipment and the low weight.
The English company Early Rider stands for a new generation of children's bike suppliers that meet the need for light, sporty models and have thus made many traditional manufacturers ponder (and to new models). The Trail shows the typical signature of the Brits: At first glance, the silver bike looks extremely simple, which is why our testers approached the bike a little more cautiously. However, it is perfectly tailored to small cyclists in every detail - or relatively small ones: Due to the long seat tube, the minimum body height is around 1,20 meters; if the saddle is placed all the way down, the step-over height can be the limiting element. The rigid fork builds quite high, especially since the bike can also be ordered with an air suspension fork; nevertheless, the front is rather low, so that the driver's upper body is tilted slightly forward.
The bike is equipped with a high-quality 1×9 gear system, which offers a large, sensibly selected gear ratio with 11-34 teeth and a 30 chain ring. On the one hand, the trigger shift lever is to be welcomed, but on the other hand, it is less easy to use for small hands. The mechanical disc brakes work well, but considering the high price one would wish for hydraulic brakes. The tires are rather narrow at 2,0 inches and designed for grip with their coarse profile; The high-quality, non-slip pedals are a positive eye-catcher. The light, very slim frame pleases with clean welding seams; with a chain tensioner and divisible seatstay, the bike could also be built with hub gears and belt drive.
At 8,7 kilos, the Early Rider is very light for a children's bike, although it does not have a side stand. A bike that is mainly used for sporting purposes can of course do without it.
