Product test

Hellion makes life easier

6.3.2019

Translation: machine translated

First and foremost, Early Rider bikes are easier on your bank account. Cheap is different. But I'm glad I dug deep into my pockets - the British manufacturer knows what's important when it comes to children's bikes. I really like the lightweight "Hellion Urban". My daughter too.

The first days of spring brought two surprising realisations: The children have grown. Their bikes have not. My daughter is slowly outgrowing her 16-inch bike from Ollo Bikes. But her brother is already keen to finally take it over completely. And in this case, I'm happy to put on my donated trousers. Because mum and dad can't do without bikes in their everyday lives and leisure time, the children should also get hooked as early as possible. I hope that they have just as much fun on their bikes as we do.

That's why I ignore the fact that Christmas is over, Easter is still a long way off and there's no birthday in sight. I need a 20-inch model. Now. And a good one. With high-quality components, well thought-out proportions and, above all, light. Because the weight factor is pretty crucial. Imagine your bike weighed 40 kilos. Have fun on your next tour. Children have to come to terms with the fact that their bike is quite a lump in relation to their body weight. Fortunately, there are now some manufacturers who design their bikes from the ground up to be suitable for children. Not like in the past with a few more or less cute Mickey Mouse stickers on the steel frame that weighs a tonne.

Children's bikes

Early Rider Hellion Urban

20"

Light and beautiful

The models from Early Rider are at the lower end of the weight scale and the upper end of the price scale. The brand's wheels and the Belter in particular roll across every better sports field at weekends. I haven't come across the 20-inch wheels that often. I briefly waver between the Hellion Trail, but decide against derailleurs and disc brakes. The trails will have to wait a little longer, at the moment the "Hellion Urban" seems to make the most sense. It is equipped with a 3-speed hub gear and is a lightweight at 7.4 kilos. By comparison, many other models of this size weigh between 10 and 13 kilos.

Making this bike appealing to my daughter is not that difficult. But can she handle it? It is recommended from the age of six (fits) and a minimum height of 115 centimetres (doesn't quite fit yet). We measure the minimum recommended 50 centimetres for the inside leg length. That decides the case: The thing is ordered. The day after next, there's a big box in the stairwell when we get home in the evening.

Wheel off: the front wheel, handlebars, saddle and pedals have to be installed and the other settings checked.

Assembly with obstacles

The assembly would be very easy if my daughter wasn't jumping around excitedly. In no time at all, the front wheel has been dragged off, the Allen key has been misplaced and I can't find the right screws either. I capitulate for the moment and decide to simply rejoice with her. We remove the protective foam together, admire the aluminium frame and fit the saddle. We screw it on when the little one is asleep.

I'm having fun in peace and quiet. Everything is so new and clean that I can get down to work in the cosy living room. The instructions are quite brief, but if you don't have two left hands and perhaps occasionally maintain your bike yourself, you shouldn't have any problems with the assembly. If you have any concerns, you can also have the bike delivered 100% assembled and ready to ride.

The pedals are light and grippy, but not too sharp-edged. — Suitable Allen keys are included.

What to do

The front wheel must be fixed with two bolts and the pedals screwed into the 120 millimetre long aluminium cranks. Their length should be around 10 per cent of the rider's height in order to be able to pedal optimally. That works in this case. The handlebars can be fitted with four screws and with the saddle, which we had already fitted in advance, I have a complete bike in front of me after a few minutes. However, most of the time is spent on fine-tuning. I check all the screws, fit the Tektro V-brakes and adjust them until they grip perfectly. A small screw on the brake lever also allows the distance to be adjusted to suit each child's hand.

In contrast to the pictures in the supplied manual, the 3-speed drivetrain is no longer from SRAM, but from Sturmey-Archer. As SRAM has discontinued production of the Automatix and i-Motion3 models, Early Rider has had to change its plans and, together with its new partner, has developed a child-friendly twist grip for the RS-RF3. However, the belt drive has fallen by the wayside, as it could not be realised in combination with the new hub. As a result, the Hellion Urban stands in front of me with a chain, which doesn't bother me at all.

I like the colour, but you can do without it: The Hellion Urban is available at a lower price in an all-aluminium look.

Fingers off!

My two children and a few more owners should survive the combo relatively maintenance-free. At least I hope so. Otherwise, the advantage of the low-maintenance hub gears will become a disadvantage. Whilst I regularly tinker with derailleur gears, I have only once tinkered with an old hub gear. With moderate success, I'm at the end of my DIY Latin. And as the instructions say so beautifully?

"Never attempt to take it apart - you will break it!"

Okay, I've got it. But for now, there's nothing more to do than check that the gears are set correctly. You can see what's important in the image below.

If the tip of the yellow triangle in second gear points between the two lines, the gears are set correctly. It is very easy to readjust using a screw on the shift cable.

Three gears should be enough to get you started. Hub gears are slightly less efficient than derailleur gears, but they can also be used for tours on different terrain and the child can continue to concentrate on riding instead of constantly shifting back and forth between nine or more gears. When testing the gears, I doubt whether my daughter has enough strength to operate them while riding. With the brand new part, it does take a bit of strength to move the twist grip. Well, she'll get used to it and I'll find out tomorrow. Time for the practical test.

The first "real" bike

While getting on and off the bike is still a little wobbly, it's smooth sailing from the very first pedal stroke. First, second and third gear - no problem! The little one whizzes off and enjoys the fact that I can only follow her in a sprint for a few metres. It's a new world for her, her first "real" bike.

The two or three centimetres missing from the recommended minimum size don't have a negative impact. She sits comfortably, doesn't have to reach frantically for the handlebars and has the bike under control. The only thing she finds difficult is downshifting. She lacks the strength to overcome the resistance of the shift cable when riding. She still has to stop to do this. That annoys me more than her. I hope that this will still settle down. It will shift a little easier after a few days.

Toy or vehicle?

The equation low weight = great riding fun works. What is neglected is the safety and road equipment. I will install the reflectors supplied and we have lights with us if necessary. As long as we're doing our test laps on the sports field, none of this is that important yet. But even as a Hellion (an unruly, rowdy or mischievous person), you have to behave yourself in traffic. But when does the toy actually become a vehicle? Are we better off on the pavement or on the road? Pro Velo Schweiz has summarised the answers to these questions wonderfully:

Conclusion: a good bike is expensive

The Early Rider Hellion Urban is a great children's bike. No question about it. And an expensive children's bike. No question either. But the low weight, the good workmanship and the high-quality components are worth it to me. Only the struggle with the gears is dampening the joy a little at the moment. Another plus point is that the Early Rider bikes are relatively stable in value and can be sold on after a few years (and with a clear conscience if they are looked after properly). But I'm not thinking that far ahead yet. For now, I see the purchase as a good investment in my children's growing passion for bikes.

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Michael Restin

Senior Editor

Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.ch

Simple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.

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