OutsideOnline.com: These 8 Products Are the Future of Cycling
April 20, 20161 min read
The 13-pound Cleary Gecko is a kids’ bike that comes with the goodies you’d expect on a performance adult rig: V-brakes, three-piece cranks, a faux leather saddle, and a lifetime warranty. "We build tools, not toys" says Owner Jeff Cleary.
We recently took delivery of a few relaunched Cleary Meerkats. After building them up, we took the opportunity to take them for a long spin to see if they are worth the price tag. Here are our initial impressions and what we think of this sub $600 24" kid's bike.
A real bicycle in every sense, the Cleary Gecko 12 has front and rear brakes, the option for a freewheel that a child can quickly turn over, and crankarms that will not scrape when pedaling through turns. Available in Very Orange, Cool Moss Green, Sorta Pink and Deep Blue, the bike weights 15 pounds with the freewheel option, or 17 pounds with a coaster wheel. The Gecko 12 also comes with a compact vegan leather saddle with integrated seat post designed to accommodate the earliest of early riders. Best fit for riders with 15″ to 18″ inseam
The world of kids’ bikes has been turned upside down in the past decade. Training wheels are out,balance bikesare in. There’s a slew of small bikes with suspension forks and disc brakes for little rippers. And even basic bikes have evolved to make riding easier to learn, more fun, and safer.
To take advantage of these advances, there are a couple key features to look for when picking up a new kids’ bike. Getting the size and fit right is important too; it will make sure your little one gets the most out of their new ride. Here’s what to look for, and 15 of our top recommendations, reviewed and evaluated by our test editors and proven on the road and trail by our crew of test groms.
