Test Bulls Tokee Ultra Lite 20: With the 20-inch carbon wheel, Bulls is presenting an unusual concept that is technically impressive but makes no compromises in terms of price. No other MTB for small children looks so grown-up, and the equipment is also close to what you find on big mountain bikes.
A certain playfulness is not only inherent in children, it can also be found in the bicycle industry from time to time. Sentences that start with "Let's do it..." or "Don't we want to..." are not just for the little ones, and the Bulls product developers recently ended such a sentence with "... develop a 20-inch bike with a carbon frame ?
Said and done! The Bulls Tokee Ultra Lite 20 is the result of such mind games, and it's not only extremely original, but also quite well done. And quite uncompromising, which is reflected in the high price, which is more in the direction of an adult bike.
Bulls carbon frame: good even “small”.
What does the Bulls Tokee Ultra Lite 20 offer? It sets itself apart from its stablemate, the Tokee Lite 20, in a number of ways, without being significantly lighter. “Ultra” are above all the concept and equipment on this bike. It all starts with the frame, of course, which is unlike anything else that rolls on 20-inch wheels. The typical carbon look with flat shapes and smooth tube transitions is also good “small” and the weight of a noble frame is also reduced. And that leaves room for maneuver in terms of equipment, which the Bulls know how to make full use of.
Because if you sensibly do without a suspension fork on a 20-incher, you would do well to provide shock absorption and riding comfort elsewhere if the bike is intended for demanding terrain. And so Bulls mount 2,25 inch / 57 mm wide tires, but not just any old ones: The Schwalbe Rocket Ron come with a medium-strong, rather open profile, but above all they can be ridden tubeless like the rims on the Bulls. So hose out, valve and sealant in - that further reduces the weight of the small off-roader and optimizes the driving characteristics in terms of rolling resistance and puncture protection. Well, maybe tubeless on children's bikes is a gimmick - but bike-crazy parents like to treat themselves to the fun.
At a Glance: Bulls Tokee Lite 20
8,5 kg (with pedals) / 1.099 euros / for children between 110 and 130 cm
+ Lightweight carbon frame with child-friendly geometry
+ Well equipped
+ Slot for battery spotlight
+ Wheels can be converted to tubeless
- High price
Our test driver Alois is four years old and 107 cm tall.
Frame geometry is a serious matter, but Bulls has enough experience in this area. Even our little Alois, who is four years old and 107 cm tall, hasn't quite grown into the Tokee Ultra Lite 20 yet, sits well on the carbon bike and has no problems with the overhang height either.
Easy to use with a short gear ratio and children's brake handles
The Bulls is child's play to use anyway. The modern 1×9 circuit is short and suitable for mountain use with 11 to 36 teeth at the rear and a 29 chainring; with the Tektro HD-M282, a hydraulic disc brake with special children's brake handles is mounted. The brake line and shifter cable are fully integrated into the frame, giving it a smooth finish (and making it easier to clean, too). And if you want, you can also mount mudguards. In terms of completion, details like the magnetic bottle holder and the slot for a special battery light on the handlebar stem are also pleasing.
Bulls doesn't set the weight record with the Tokee Ultra Lite 20, and many a lighter bike with similar equipment is cheaper. But where the play instinct can really let off steam, not everything has to be perfect.
