Youngsters’ bikes have come a great distance because the mid-2000s when first Islabikes redefined and redesigned what we thought a toddler’s bike must be. In 2013, Frog Bikes joined as a key participant within the revolution, focussing on designing bikes that fitted the proportions of children slightly than being simply scaled down variations of grownup bikes.
The 53 is Frog’s smallest 20” wheeled and geared bike for teenagers with a 50-65cm inseam (sometimes 5-7 yr olds). As it will likely be for most children, this was our tester’s first time driving with gears and with wheels this large. How would he get on and the way would the Frog 53 stack up in opposition to the remainder of the finest children’ bikes?
(Picture credit score: Rachel Sokal)
Frog 53 children’ bike
The 20” wheeled bike has an 11” body. The 53 refers back to the minimal inseam sizing (53cm for a tentative rider, 50cm for a assured rider) so provides a sign of the stand over peak of the bike. Moderately than guessing Frog’s sizing information and app is a superb strategy to examine match. For some children this might be their first pedal-equipped bike, others (like our tester, aka my son) they may have ridden on 14″ or 16″ wheels.
(Picture credit score: Rachel Sokal)
The body, forks and wheels are all aluminium as is way of the ending equipment. There’s an 8 pace Shimano Altus derailler with a customized small-levered FrogFit Know-how® youth-specific shifter (from microSHIFT) with a pleasant and quick (114mm) Frog crankset. The Tektro brake levers are kid-specific though the four-finger pull means they’re nonetheless comparatively giant. Tyres are the superb Kenda Small Block Eight which offer good off-road grip with out being unduly draggy on tarmac.
The Frog 53 comes geared up with full mudguards (a pleasant bonus for the washer) in addition to a quick-release seat put up collar which makes it a lot simpler to tweak the driving place as your child will get used to their new bike. There are additionally bottle cage mounts to allow them to carry their very own drink round all day.
Quick cranks for brief legs
(Picture credit score: Rachel Sokal)
There’s a wonderful alternative of colors (which might be of significant significance to the younger rider) together with six completely different daring color selections and an sensible white and colored spotty model. Our bike weighed in at 8.1kg, a lot lighter than many cheaper bikes. At this weight I’ve nonetheless have the ability to tie a baggage strap around the bike and sling over on my again while driving to high school for pickup.
Eight-speed Shimano mech and gears completely listed
(Picture credit score: Rachel Sokal)
Frog 53 children’ bike unpacking and arrange
Frog Bikes promote direct to shopper and likewise by means of a spread of native and on-line bike retailers. In case you order direct your bike will arrive in its (just about) plastic-free packaging just about constructed. The packaging and closing meeting have been rigorously thought out, there are actually clear directions and even the precise quantity of grease on the pedal thread. On our evaluate bike the gears have been properly listed, brakes properly arrange and mudguards completely aligned.
Our tester was on the decrease restrict of the sizing we made the a lot of the vary of the bike, shifting the saddle forwards on the rails, decreasing the handlebars and winding within the brake levers so he had a snug attain. In case you’re not assured doing these items your self then it is in all probability price shopping for by means of your native bike store the place workers might be ready that can assist you establishing the bike to suit.
(Picture credit score: Rachel Sokal)
Frog 53 children’ bike experience
Determined to experience (and as quickly as his mother and father had completed faffing) we set off. Though he’s a fairly assured rider it was superb to see how he instantly took to the Frog; and that’s regardless of it being chunk larger than his earlier bike. The 53 is simply so properly balanced that he managed to experience regardless of – at occasions – his questionable mixture of substances, pace and line alternative.
Since then he’s barely appeared again, the Frog 53 is simply such a pure bike to experience. After just a few journeys to high school we set off on our first correct experience. The brand new pairing of boy and bike have been a unbelievable mixture and managed 12 undulating off-road miles and not using a single grievance (however the fixed questioning of when the subsequent snack cease can be). Every time we experience there are new ranges of enjoyment and confidence, and the related methods (driving one handed while throwing poses is our present favorite).
(Picture credit score: Rachel Sokal)
To maintain this story on the facet of a motorbike evaluate slightly than parental gloating, I’m blissful to say that this prowess is as a lot concerning the bike as it’s the boy. It’s so properly proportion – to itself in addition to to him – so it stays evenly weighted and is extremely simple to deal with; there’s no wandery entrance finish, it responds shortly to the pedals being turned, and the gears, brakes and pedals are all simple to function with out overstretching. The low backside bracket and flat deal with bar are key within the stability of the bike however but don’t all the time characteristic on children’ bikes.
In fact, we’ve had just a few hiccups and crashes alongside the best way. As we’d anticipated adapting to the gears has proved a bit tough and there’s been loads of crunching chain and sprockets as he mashes the gears till he finds one he likes. He’s additionally discovering it a bit tough to make use of the shifter as he has hypermobile thumb joints. With practise he can reliably upshift however nonetheless struggles with the higher resistance on the downshift.
Small gear shifter can nonetheless be tough to function however the giant brake lever is straightforward to modulate
(Picture credit score: Rachel Sokal)
There are equally sized bikes which can be geared up with grip shift. Nonetheless, in its analysis Frog has discovered that these might be even tougher for teenagers to function because of the shifting power required, significantly as components put on. As compared, set off shifters require much less power and are extra constant in efficiency making shifting simpler and safer for teenagers (and fewer upkeep for the grown-ups). The child-specific levers that Frog use have a brief stroke which makes them simpler for small arms to function. This could imply that just a few children – like our tester – might battle at first with the power required. I’ve deployed the Playdoh and a few squeezing workout routines to get him skilled up.
Moderately opposite to the small-hand challenges of the gears, the brakes have been easy to function and I’ve been impressed how properly he and the levers and calipers have been in a position to modulate his braking. That is regardless of the four-finger design of the levers doubtlessly encouraging children to haul on the brakes every time they try to cease.
Ability growth necessitates bespoke bike stickers
(Picture credit score: Rachel Sokal)
Frog 53 children’ bike worth
At £425 the Frog 53 sits in the midst of the 20” geared bike value vary. Equally specced bikes from mainstream manufacturers like Large (the ARX 20; £425) and Cannondale (Fast 20; £420) are matched for value. It’s additionally simple to spend extra with a MTB-style bike which comes with larger tyres and disc brakes (just like the Specialised Riprock 20, £500). Or you would go cheaper with one thing just like the Boardman Jnr (£340) however these bikes are typically heavier and with fewer kid-specific elements.
The Frog 53 comes with a ten yr guarantee on the body and forks so your funding is properly protected if in case you have a couple of little one. And after they do outgrow the bike, Frog’s high quality means they do have a tendency to carry their worth on the second-hand market.
(Picture credit score: Rachel Sokal)
Frog 53 children’ bike conclusion
Having geeked out on the main points, I had feeling concerning the Frog 53 earlier than we acquired it. What I didn’t think about is sort of how nice it was going to be. Our tester’s driving talent, confidence and pleasure has elevated exponentially within the 6 weeks we’ve had the bike on take a look at which has been superb to see. And I … lastly … eventually … really feel like I’ve nailed slightly little bit of parenting.
Specification
- Product Security Certification ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
- Approx Age 5-7
- Wheel Dimension 20″
- Bike Weight 8.15kg (incl pedals)
- Body 6061 T6 warmth handled Aluminum alloy, seat tube 11″ (280mm)
- Fork 6061 T6 warmth handled aluminium alloy
- Entrance Hub Quando, Aluminum, sealed hub, Fast Launch, 20 gap
- Rear Hub Quando, Aluminum, sealed hub, Fast Launch, 20 gap, Shimano kind 8/9spd free hub physique
- Cassette/Free wheel 8-speed, 11-32t
- Rear Derailleur Shimano Altus, M310, 8-speed
- Rim Aluminium, 20″, double wall, machined braking floor
- Seat Clamp Aluminium, Fast Launch
- Headset Neco, 1″1/8 semi-integrated threadless, Frog Bikes prime cap
- Stem Aluminium, 1″1/8, 38mm, 4 bolt clamp
- Grips/Bar tape Frog Bikes particular, lock on, slim grips
- Gear Shifter FrogFitTechnology®️ youth-specific 8-speed with quick lever journey and ultraslick gear cable
- Brakes (F&R) Tektro 836AL, Aluminum, linear pull
- Tyres Kenda K1047, 20″x1.5″, Hybrid, (ETRTO/ISO 38-406)
- Mudguards Full size, resin, black
- Equipment field Bell, bike reflectors white/purple, wheel reflectors orange/white, paint plasters, body protector patches
- Crank set / Chainring Frog Bikes Patented,114mm, Aluminum straight arm cranks, 32T chainring, black
- Backside Bracket Thun Shorty-ML-SL; sq. taper, 68/108/107.5
- Pedals Frog Bikes, eco-friendly rice husk & plastic composite, with reflectors, 9/16″
- Chain KMC, 8-speed
- Handlebar Aluminium, flat bar, 460mm
- Brake Levers Tektro JL510, aluminium, simple attain
- Saddle Frog Bikes child-specific saddle (small), metal rails
