Children's bike test: As one of the manufacturers of sporty bikes par excellence, our expectations of the Specialized Riprock were correspondingly high. The fact that these could only be partially fulfilled is due in particular to the high weight of over 12kg.
With a suspension fork, beefy tires and disc brakes, the Specialized appealed to the boys among our little testers in particular; biking parents know the brand and are positively biased. However, both parties have to realize that the bike is aimed more at taller people - you have to be six feet tall if you want to take a seat on the MTB. Then, however, the Riprock pleases with a child-friendly upright sitting position, optimally operable brake levers with reach adjustment and a smooth-running twist grip, which of course also only shifts seven gears. With 11-34, the sprocket cassette is broad; the 30 sprocket at the front ensures that the development does not become too great in view of the voluminous tires. The mechanical disc brakes grip powerfully, and the suspension fork with 60 mm of travel also gives way when you reduce the preload of its steel spring.
The frame, which is available in three color variants - including pink - is manufactured as cleanly as you know it from aluminum mountain bikes. There is no provision for a quick release on the seat clamp, which is not necessarily a disadvantage - the soft, rather wide seat cannot be stolen so easily.
Ultimately, the limiting element of the Specialized is its weight: just over twelve kilos (and that without a side stand!) is a fat dog, although converting to narrower tires could help. The 71 mm wide tires make little sense, especially in view of the suspension fork.
