Miniature Off-Road Adventure – Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero Off-Road Balance Bike
So you think balance bikes are reserved for city parks or paved areas? Think again! With the Dirt Hero off-road balance bike, Kids Ride Shotgun promises next-level off-road adventures for the littlest trail shredders. We introduced our latest tester to the world of mountain biking to find out how it performs on the trail.
Inspired by brave gravity riders who master steep, bumpy trails, Kids Ride Shotgun decided to create an off-road balance bike for kids. Introducing the all-new Dirt Hero, a wheel designed to give the youngest shredders a taste of the trails. When developing their child seat for mountain bikes, the New Zealand company originally had the vision of enabling parents and children to enjoy the hobby of mountain biking together. But instead of just taking your kids along for the ride, you’ll also want to introduce them to biking, trails, and the outdoors as early as possible. The Dirt Hero off-road balance bike costs €360 and weighs 4 kg. It is made of aluminum and rolls on 12-inch tires. The balance bike is designed for children aged 2 to 5 years. The cool thing about it is that it comes with a wide range of add-ons, so you can use it for several years. If your child goes through another growth spurt, you can upgrade the 12-inch tires to 14-inch wheels for just €20. And to teach children the correct braking technique right from the start, there is an optional hydraulic disc brake set for €99. Note: The disc brake kit is not currently sold separately. We therefore recommend including this upgrade in your purchase 😉
It goes without saying that we haven’t tested the bike ourselves, as fun as it may look. We enlisted the help of our little test rider Lotti, who set out on her first trail adventure for us when she was just 2 years old. Joschi, our 4-year-old test rider, was also allowed to test the balance bike. The Kids Ride Shotgun balance bike is designed to give children the opportunity to improve their off-road skills and confidence. Hiking trails, forests and gravel paths are part of the playground. Will you spend your time with your family here from now on? Lotti and Joschi helped us find out!
The bike and its components: Off-road balance bike Dirt Hero – Kids Ride Shotgun
The Kids Ride Shotgun balance bike looks like a miniature mountain bike, but it doesn’t just look good: it also features trail-ready geometry. The sturdy aluminum frame is not decorated with flowers or superhero stickers and looks very grown-up with the subtle white finish. But if you and your little one prefer something a little more playful, the package includes three different MTB skins that you can use to decorate the bike and keep the paint looking fresh at the same time. There should be something to suit everyone, with the choice of a pink unicorn, yellow lion or blue T-Rex. You can find matching T-shirts in the Kids Ride Shotgun Shop to complete the look.
With its 2.25-inch pneumatic tires from VEE Tire Co. and aggressive tread, the Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero is a sturdy bike with plenty of grip. The thick tires absorb shock and dampen vibrations, giving children a comfortable riding experience on the trail. As an optional upgrade, Kids Ride Shotgun offers a hydraulic MAGURA MT4 disc brake kit for the rear wheel. This allows children to practice proper braking technique at a young age and prevent them from rolling down the hill. Thanks to the generous lever width adjustment, the lever can be brought close enough to the handlebars for even the smallest hands. The child-friendly design continues beyond the levers – the designers also thought about the rotors and developed the first child-safe rotor protection that prevents accidents. So you can be sure that your child’s fingers are safe. Plus, since kids grow up much faster than we would like, the Kids Ride Shotgun has an adjustable saddle height so you can use the balance bike for as long as possible.
| 12″ | 14 inches | |
|---|---|---|
| Old | 23 years | 3-5 years |
| recommended minimum seam length | 337mm / 13.3″ | 367mm / 14.4″ |
| Minimum saddle height | 317mm / 12.5″ | 346mm / 13.6″ |
Ready, set, go – off-road adventure for children
Our little testers Lotti and Joschi ventured onto the trails for us and put the Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero to the test. At just 2 years old, Lotti was able to easily get into the Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero like a seasoned pro. She put her helmet on like a little enduro champion and let go. That wasn’t a problem for 4-year-old Joschi either. The test drive started in the south of Stuttgart, almost on her doorstep. To boost their confidence on the Kids Ride Shotgun balance bike, Lotti and Joschi first tried it out on the asphalt. All she needed was a few quick laps and she wanted to find out how the wheel would perform in the forest, on gravel and on more demanding terrain. The rocks and roots of the Home Trail just around the corner didn’t seem to faze Lotti and Joschi. Rolling over obstacles was easy with the Dirt Hero balance bike, and our little test shredder had a lot of fun. They sat securely in the saddle and easily kept their legs upright as they pushed themselves along the paths. The handles seemed to fit her small hands well and the saddle didn’t cause any complaints, so we assume it was comfortable enough. Unfortunately, the handles came loose slightly while driving – a little glue could fix the problem. The platform to hold Joschi’s feet up was almost too small. Children with large feet will quickly outgrow them. The 2.25-inch VEE Tire Co. tires made rolling over small obstacles a breeze and clearly gave Lotti the confidence she needed. Mud, puddles, slopes – no problem. She pushed herself next to her mother and felt like an adult!
The little off-road queen and the racing driver Joschi could hardly be stopped. Only when her legs got tired were we allowed to head home. During the test ride we quickly realized that the Kids Ride Shotgun balance bike is more than just a toy. Rather, it is a fully functional vehicle with which children can playfully explore their environment and improve their motor skills. It combines fun and adventure with the development of balance and coordination: jackpot! The Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero is a recommended companion for young off-road explorers like Lotti and Joschi who want to do the same as their parents.
Adventure without limits – who is the Kids Ride Shotgun balance bike suitable for?
The Kids Ride Shotgun balance bike not only introduces children to trail riding, but also allows them to explore nature. Parents can ride small routes together with their children. It can expand your family’s horizons as your children are no longer limited to parks and paved terrain but can also explore the woods off the beaten path. Balance bikes generally help improve coordination and balance, which is especially important at a young age. As children learn to propel themselves on a bike, they also gain a sense of speed and balance and discover the world in a completely new way. If you transfer this to off-road routes, the learning process takes on a completely different dimension.
Of course, a normal wheel that is not designed for off-road performance can also have a similar effect. However, if you are a parent who enjoys mountain biking, you can introduce your child to the sport at an early age with the Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero balance bike. The Kids Ride Shotgun balance bike is sure to create the next generation of MTB professionals.
Our conclusion about the Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero off-road balance bike
The Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero off-road balance bike is a must-have for little trail riders who know no limits and for parents who want to introduce their children to trail riding as early as possible. It allows you to explore the world of mountain biking in a playful way and thanks to the adaptable size concept, it can serve its purpose for a long time. So, dear mothers and fathers, grab your little explorers and go outside with the Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero balance bike.
Tops
- adjustable wheel size from 12 inches to 14 inches
- cool features like the integrated rotor protection
- Off-road performance – yes!
Flops
- The brake set cannot currently be purchased individually
For more information visit kidsrideshotgun.de.
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Words: Antonia Feder Photos: Peter Walker
