First Look | Haibike SDURO HardFour RX E-MTB for Kids
“Are the kids really that lazy these days?” seemed to be a common reaction to the launch of Haibike’s inaugural E-MTB collection for kids for 2016. But E-MTBs have the propensity and potential to encourage the younger generation more than we could ever imagine. Find out here why!
The idea sounds inspired: using E-MTBs as the solution to minimize the difference in power and distance that exists between kids and adults, essentially using the pedal-assist bikes as a tool to enable the whole family to ride as one unit. But quite frankly, the benefits are far more wide-reaching. Let’s take a closer look at the mini E-bikes before we take you to family therapy.
Haibike have added two 24″ kids bikes to their SDURO collection, both of which are kitted out with 250 W Yamaha mid-motors and have a maximum speed of 20km/h for safety reasons. Both models rely on hydraulic disc brakes from TEKTRO, and the Shimano 2×9 shifting system should guarantee a broad gear ratio.
The SDURO HardFour RX in detail
The SR SUNTOUR XCR Air RL-R, which can be locked-out from the bars, gives the suspension at the front. The SDuro rolls on Schwalbe Table Top tyres with a width of 2.25″, providing comfort and traction. On the left of the bars, the Yamaha multi-functional computer display is intuitive to use, and shouldn’t pose any problems for the kids.
Spec:
Fork: SR SUNTOUR XCR Air RL-R
Brakes: TEKTRO Auriga
Drivetrain: Shimano 2×9-speed
Motor: Yamaha mid-motor 36 V, 250 W
Battery: Lithium Ion 36 V, 400 Wh
Display: Yamaha multi-functional display
Price: €1,999
Why should our offspring take to E-MTBs?
Kids love to play! And E-MTBs let them do this for longer, faster and better. The extra push from the battery doubles as an extra dose of fun. We’re definitely not in the camp of ‘lazy kids ride E—MTBs.’ And do you want to know why?
Right now, iPhones, social media and computer games pose a genuine threat to the more classic sports, but when it comes to E-MTBs there’s the added (and tangible) boost of power so that kids can discover their surroundings with or without their parents.
Despite having pedal-assist enabled, kids are still pushed both physically and in terms of their coordination. Given the heavier weight of the E-bike, there’s a whole body workout with each ride. And in this way, families can set off on far longer rides together, where the kids will have as much fun as the parents. Ultimately, if it’s fun, they’re going to want to repeat it. It’s not about performance; it’s about exciting them, encouraging them, being outside and moving. With or without a motor.
Kids that go skiing and rely on ski lifts aren’t considered to be above-average when it comes to laziness, in fact, the opposite applies. They’re spending time in the mountains, eschewing the TV and the PlayStation – isn’t this the same potential that E-MTBs have?
It would naturally be brilliant if this specific bike were available with a better – and above all lighter – spec, as the overall heavier weight is a significant feature for younger, lighter riders. But that then leads us on to the topic of the price… How much money are we actually prepared to dish out when we know that the little ones are likely to have outgrown the E-MTB in a few years?
For more information head to haibike.de.
Words: Martin Stöckl Bilder: Klaus Kneist/Robin Schmitt
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