Video: 9 to 12 Year Olds Absolutely Destroying on the New Commencal Clash Kids Bikes
PRESS RELEASE: Commencal Bicycles
Everyone has their reasons for riding bikes...
Sporty people who want to excerpt themselves, to get fit or to clear their heads.
The true racers who want speed and performance.
Adventurers who never cross the same path twice.
There’s those who strive for style and stomping tricks, on the ground or in the air.
Whatever the reason you like to be on your bike, you've always liked to share it with someone.
First of all with your parents. Then in a group of friends. Perhaps even with your soulmate.
And eventually maybe with your child.
At first, you're proud to see them enjoying themselves, progressing. You flood social media with videos of them on their bike.
But lately something is unnerving you.
Now, they keep up and sometimes even overtake you. They clear that gap you've never dared to attempt!
These days they prefer to ride with their mates and they let you know that it would be even better if you weren't there.
But they’re still so small...
At the same time, this is what you wanted. The more you think about it, the easier it gets.
It all started the day they got their CLASH...
When we started designing the CLASH for kids, we didn't set any limits. Children should also have the right to bikes designed from start to finish with their little bodies in mind. We're not just talking about the size of the frame but also about suspension kinematics and even of choice of components and their shapes and sizes.
CLASH 20
A worthy successor to the SUPREME 20, the CLASH 20 is more fresh and modern. The bike is designed to be used at speed and is built around a quality 20-inch fork. The fork has 120mm of travel with a low crown height to enable a good balance of the geometry.
But that's not all, we also focused our attention on the rear suspension. We use a particularly high suspension ratio due to the light weight of the rider. This way it's possible to adjust the shock fully within its range of use. Air pressure and rebound/compression adjustments are standard for prime suspension optimisation. With said 120mm of travel, the CLASH 20 can go anywhere; easy rides on forest tracks, bike park debuts or to reach DH podiums in its category.
The frame itself has undergone specific development and the 345mm chain stays are particularly short. This is helpful for children because they don't have the physical strength of an adult to move the bike around as easily. The seat tube is short (260mm) so that even the youngest (and shortest) can benefit from the CLASH 20 as soon as possible. With its 65° head angle, the CLASH 20 will help kids to progress and furthermore, enable them access to any trails.
Price: 1 799 € / 1.799 USD / 2.399 CAD
CLASH 24
In this age group and at this stage of their development, the kids are getting stronger and 145mm of travel becomes a necessity. The suspension ratio is deliberately high in order for the shock to operate fully within its range. Air pressure and rebound/compression adjustments are standard for prime suspension optimisation.
The bike is built around a quality 24" fork. The 24" castings mean we can use a 145mm travel fork, which in turn means the bike is well balanced. The front of the bike is not too high so that the support is better distributed from front to back. Geometry has evolved with an extended reach, again for better balance (350mm v 313mm) and reinforced shorter chain stays compared to the SUPREME 24 (390mm v 420mm). The result is a bike that is much more playful with added stability and grip. At this age they're already going very fast!
Price: 1 999 € / 1.999 USD / 2.599 CAD
CLASH JUNIOR
Sometimes it’s difficult for them to make the transition into adulthood. That's why we created the JUNIOR range. The CLASH JR is the perfect enduro bike, a mini CLASH with 160mm of rear travel and 27.5 wheels.
The suspension ratio is intentionally higher than on an adult CLASH because of the lighter weight of smaller riders and so the shock can operate through the full range of travel. Air pressure and rebound/compression adjustments are standard for prime suspension optimisation. The JR has a 160mm fork to ensure perfect balance on all support points. With a seat tube of just 370mm and a reach of 380mm, it's possible for them to grow up seamlessly.
Price : 2.499 € / 2.499 USD / 3.299 CAD
MENTIONS: @COMMENCALbicycles
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Member since Sep 14, 2009
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Interviewer: "I meant questions about the job"
"At first, you're proud to see them enjoying themselves, progressing. You flood social media with videos of them on their bike.
But lately something is unnerving you.
Now, they keep up and sometimes even overtake you. They clear that gap you've never dared to attempt!
These days they prefer to ride with their mates and they let you know that it would be even better if you weren't there.
But they’re still so small...
At the same time, this is what you wanted. The more you think about it, the easier it gets."
Hits disturbingly close to home.
Cute idea but seriously keep it simple.
And seriously drop the tune at the start. "N.......r" in any video on pink bike should be banned. Wake up p-bike. Get your standards up.
And my even littlest (!!!) guy who is currently on 12 inch Ramones will need a proper pedal bike by this Fall. Of course, he'll be way too small for his brother's Ramones 16, so I'll have to buy him a Ramones 14.
Anyway, I have a kidney for sale if somebody is interested!
youtu.be/sdOrdy3ZoZw
Riding uphill, sure find something real light. But then again, most 8-10 yr olds don't have much stamina for riding long uphills.
I was commenting on the fact that when looking at downhill bikes for groms, people sometimes get overly caught up in the kids weight to the bike weight ratio. It's just not the same. My kid weighed about 80 lbs and was on a 36 lb. downhill bike. He did just fine, sure maybe he could have gotten higher or thrown the bike around more if it were lighter, but the bike weight did not detract from the bottom line of having fun and becoming a decent downhill rider. The equivalent would be a 150 lb adult riding a roughly 70 lb. downhill bike which would be just unmanageable for any adult downhill rider. Again rider to bike weight ratios don't hold to the same extent for kids as it does for adults. I even posted a video link to show he was having fun and the bike weight was not an issue using that bike for about 750,000 vertical at a bike park. In fact, we had a 2nd back-up exactly the same that friends he age/weight often borrowed and did just fine. This isn't speculation, but actual experience with my kid and other kids at a downhill park. Could have put 4 of those bikes together for same cost as the kid specific high end bikes now available. I also could have had wheels made to lighten the bike up, put on carbon parts, etc. but there really wasn't any added value. YMMV but this was just my experience.
As I said, sure if one if riding uphill then that's alot of bike to deal with and not a very good idea even if you locked out the front/rear suspension. We didn't ride uphill with that bike, and honestly even if he had a 20 lb bike at that age, for him, he didn't have any interest in busting out a long uphill ride. But then again, why would he when there was a lift that would take him up 2000 vertical in a matter of minutes.
He is actually too short for a 24" diamondback Line or similar DJ bike.
I should add that I do think the following 3 things are key over weight:
a. Front Air
b. Rear Air
c. Hydraulic brakes with adjustable levers
When we moved up at 11 yrs old to a 26" bike, it was with a 2009 Giant Glory frame (super super heavy frame), totem air, rear air (marz) spank wheels, and lighter cranks. No carbon and bike was just over 36 lbs.
Weight at that time: 100 lbs to 36 lbs. bike weight. With just being older, he could send that build big time (downhill of course)
Only at age 14 did we make the addition to an old 26" xc bike that was, 36 lbs and it did fine for 1st year intro into NICA league. Only at 15 did we splurge and spend $3000 for a new fs bike but even that one weighs 30 lbs (125 lbs to 30 lb bike --- he still shouldn't be able to ride uphill that with that rider/bike weight ratio).
So bottom line, sure industry should make smarter lighter grom bikes. But even when they do, the prices seem a bit high in my world. Don't get caught up in the latest / greatest when they are growing, just get out there with them and have fun.
Look how consoles get sold... Kids MTB (Proper) is going to be a huge f*cking market.
Instead of Suntour, grab some Prevelo MTB cranks for 86$. 24mm shimano style spindle and 140mm long. Q factor is spot on too.
Most of the OEM cranks today are simply made for adults. Most manufacturers take the easy way out (Sram or Suntour) and just use whatever and say its ideal. Its def not when you see it side by side. My wife is ok on 155m cranks. A tiny kid is not. Plus there isnt really any advantage to cranks being too long other than it's cheap for the manufacturer.
When you check out the high end kids boutiques like Trailcraft, they def arent doing long cranks for good reason. They also cost 1700$ for a 21lb hardtail but have it all dialed in.
- if you offer them such dream machines, what will they expect for they driving licence: a Porsche?
- the price is spicy for such bad components. Those wheels are the worst you can have, without mentioning the rest...
- better ride a good rigid bike, lighter and well balanced, rather than an overloaded full suspended tank.
- less is more, more is less. Minimalism is the best school at the beginning. It helps learning how to bend arms and legs.
Once an adult and on a proper bike, a kid who learned on a rigid bike will be more skilled. That`s not a secret for anyone...
These kids would smoke me pretty much all over on any trail.
I hear you on that Meta tho. It was never that great. Plus tires suck and its heavy etc etc.
Spawn/Prevelo/Trail Craft is where it's at man.
How are they looser than me? I had better work on my drifty corner entering counter steer skills!
www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?region=3&category=1&framesize=1,2,3,10,4,5,6,7,8,13,14,15,9,11,12,17,18,20,21,22&wheelsize=8
Keyword - "Used"
I want to be able to buy a new frame with modern geometry.
Canyon makes a sweet 27.5 for kids bike too. Spectral comes in an XXS (CS are still 430 tho). The Neuron is only 1899$ for the ladies version and really really nice for that price. Its 29lbs too which is really light compared to the others it seems.
Impossible? No. Safe? No.
Do I still do it? Yes.
I just want a new 26". That's not too much to ask for.
I just want a 26" downhill rig. That's not too much to ask for.
Stop telling me to do shit with 27.5, I'm clearly not interested.