Parents with sports-loving children can hardly avoid the Vpace brand. At least in the south of Germany, the bikes from Ravensburg can often be found at off-road races and in bike parks. Vpace is probably even the leading supplier there, far ahead of well-known brands, although the bikes are comparatively expensive. There are good reasons for this. The team around Sören Zieher specialised early on in completing child-friendly geometries and add-on parts to create sporty bikes - as is so often the case, motivated by the desire to put their own children on sensible bikes.
Which bikes do kids actually need? Here we answer some questions about the right choice for the little ones. The range now includes every conceivable type of off-road bike, from dirt bikes to full-suspension enduro and downhill bikes from 20 inches upwards, allowing pre-school children to plough through the dirt like pros. The success proves the makers right. Large manufacturers do not manage to take a similarly consistent approach with children's bikes.
More about children's bikes:
Vpace Michl 275: An all-rounder gravel bike for children
Because frontman Zieher is also secretly a fan of racing bikes, Vpace also offers the Michl gravel bike in addition to the many MTB models. This is available with either road or off-road equipment and in two sizes, which also differ in terms of wheel size: The smaller version shown here rolls on 27.5-inch wheels; the larger one on classic 28-inch wheels. The speedster is recommended for riders 135 centimetres and taller and presents itself as an all-rounder. With threads for mudguards, it could even be upgraded as an everyday bike for the school run. At first glance, the Michl promises a lot of fun: at less than nine kilos, it is significantly lighter than typical mountain bikes that children of this size usually find. The range of use can be adjusted via the choice of tyres, and with the coarse 40-millimetre tyres fitted to the test bike, children also have the confidence to tackle loose surfaces. Nevertheless, it rolls much more easily on the road than a mountain bike. And if the kids want to take to the road, a children's road bike might also be an option - for example the Canyon Endurace Young Hero - here in the test.
The test bike comes with Shimano's GRX1x11 drivetrain with a wide gear range. In the lowest gear, the 11-42 cassette provides a decent gear reduction, which also makes it possible to climb steep ramps. The road version is fitted with an 11-34 cassette with a 28 mm chainring, which allows it to be used in road races in the U13 age group. The absence of a front derailleur is intended to make operation easier, which has proven its worth on children's bikes despite the larger gear steps.
Too big for small children
In addition to the smaller wheels, 145 millimetre short cranks and narrow handlebars should make the bike easy to handle for kids. This only works to a limited extent in the test. The frame geometry, which dictates a very upright riding position, and the handlebars, which are narrow but made for adults, mean that the bike is still very tall and long for the recommended entry-level size. At least for children under 1.40 metres, it still feels "somehow too big" after the initial euphoria. Reaching into the lower handlebars requires a lot of concentration for novice road cyclists because the distance seems large.
However, braking and shifting are even more problematic. Due to a lack of alternatives, the Michl is fitted with Shimano's mechanical GRX gear levers, which seem downright huge for children's hands. The grip bodies cannot be gripped and therefore provide little support. Although the brake levers can still be brought sufficiently close to the lower handlebars with the grip width adjustment, the braking power remains meagre from the top grip position. Changing gears while riding is also difficult because the fingers are still too short for comfortable operation from above.
Intuitive off-road handling is almost unthinkable, or at least requires a lot of practice. Children feel safer on a child-friendly mountain bike. Of course, the bike should become easier to handle as the kids grow into it. From 140 centimetres, kids sit well on the little Michl, and the handlebar width and crank length also fit better. However, it is worth considering whether you should wait a little longer and go straight for the 28-inch version, which works well from a height of around 1.45 metres, as our test of this version last year showed.
The most important information about the Vpace Michl 275
- Price: 1799 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 8.7 kilos
- Frame sizes: 27,5, 28 inch (test size greased)
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 390/478/95 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 533/323 millimetres/1.65
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 582/483 millimetres/1.20
- Wheelbase/caster: 950/64 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 810 (1x11, 28, 11-42 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: Maxxis Rambler 40 mm
- Impellers: Vpace SL 275
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Good fit from 1.40 metres
- Cranks suitable for children
- Versatile in use
Disadvantages
- Handlebars and brake levers still a little big for children's hands
Jens Klötzer
Editor
