Test Ku Bikes 20S Trail: The small off-roader ensures a lot of riding fun with its extremely low weight; Geometry and sitting position are completely child-friendly. In terms of equipment, the bike offers numerous options, including a suspension fork and weight-optimized carbon components.
Ku Bikes is one of the growing number of bike manufacturers specializing in children's bikes. That was hardly conceivable ten years ago, but children's bikes have also benefited from the increased value of bikes in general. Now they are better equipped and more intelligently designed – and can therefore also be more expensive.
Ku Bikes 20S Trail: Lightweight bike with good features
All three also apply to the 20-inch model from Ku Bikes, which is of course available with different equipment for 499 euros. Our test model "Trail" with disc brakes and ten-speed gearbox weighs little more than seven kilos (plus pedals) with weight-optimized components, although you could slim down even further with the "carbon fork" option (+ 50 euros). This is a top value that the bike achieves with almost no compromises. Only the rider's weight is limited to 45 kilos, which is of course not a real limitation for a 20-inch children's bike.
A special feature of the specialist retail brand is that many Ku Bikes can be individually configured - various equipment details can be freely selected; there is also a wide range of colours. In addition to the carbon fork mentioned, the test bike also has the option of an air suspension fork with 80 mm travel (+ 80 euros), and tires of different widths/profiles can also be ordered. Instead of the Magura MT4 installed here, there is also a cheap Shimano disc brake (– 80 euros); if you want to make the bike lighter, you can get carbon handlebars (+50 euros) and a carbon seat and post (+110 euros). The 20S Trail is equipped with a ten-speed gearbox, with the 11-36 cassette being graduated wide enough. There are two sprocket sizes to choose from: 32 and 28 teeth.
Ku Bikes plans the 20-inch model for children from the age of four and a height of 105 cm, whereby in addition to the "S" there is also a slightly larger "L" model that is suitable for children from 110 cm. The 20L offers a 3 cm larger adjustment range for the saddle height (57-68 cm instead of 54-62 cm)
At a glance: Ku Bikes 20S Trail
7,15 kg (without p.) / 890 euros / for children from 105 cm
+ Extremely low weight
+ Numerous equipment options
+ Upright, child-friendly sitting position
+ High quality completion
+ Mudguards can be mounted
Our test driver Alois is four years old and 107 cm tall.
Also suitable for small bikers
The Ku Bikes 107S Trail fits our 20 cm tall test rider perfectly, although he could have sat a bit higher. The posture is upright, suitable for children, which is also helped by the spacers under the short stem. The overhang height is dimensioned in such a way that even smaller children can climb down to the front without any danger. Fenders can be mounted on the frame and fork; The brake line and gear cable are routed externally. The light wheels are mounted with classic quick releases - functionally not a disadvantage if you know how to use them.
Especially with its low mass, the Ku Bikes ensures a lot of riding fun; The lightweight offers small children a real handling advantage. The bike also pleases with useful and beautiful details: Ku Bikes installs weight-optimized thermoplastic tubes, and the anodized hubs and the cassette carrier provide cheerful splashes of color. A chain catcher is installed on the down tube, which together with the chain guard disc ensures that the chain strand always stays on the chain ring. The Shimano Zee rear derailleur comes from downhill sports and, with its short shift arm, is designed for a maximum sprocket size of 36 (as on the test bike). The extremely solid changer can do a lot - good on children's bikes! – and ensures precise, crisp gear changes.
Not cheap, but super light
At just under 900 euros, the Ku Bikes 20S Trail is not exactly cheap, but as I said, the test bike is super light and has very high quality equipment. And simpler, still very light variants are not more expensive than the bikes of the competition.
