Woom EXPLORE 4

The woom EXPLORE 4 is a 20 inch bike for a six- to eight-year-old who has outgrown the sidewalk and wants to ride wherever the family rides. It weighs 7.8 kg without pedals, which on a 20 inch bike is the difference between a kid keeping up and a kid getting pushed over the limit. The frame is butted AA 6061 aluminum with child-specific geometry, and the fork is a lightweight aluminum unicrown with enough trail for easy, balanced steering.

Braking is hydraulic disc from Promax with 140 mm rotors and adjustable levers sized for small hands, which is a real upgrade over cable brakes that need adult grip strength. Seven gears run through a Shimano rear derailleur and a Revoshift twist shifter, with a 28T narrow-wide chainring and an 11-28T cassette. Schwalbe Billy Bonkers folding tires have enough tread for dirt and reflective sidewalls for the ride home. The stem adjusts for height and reach as the rider grows, a quick-release seatpost clamp makes saddle changes tool-free, and a kickstand comes installed. Fits 115 to 130 cm with a 70 kg limit.