Bicycles

Specialized releases its lightest-ever carbon bike – for kids

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The Specialized Hotwalk Carbon weighs less than 5 pounds
Specialized
The Specialized Hotwalk Carbon weighs less than 5 pounds
Specialized
The Specialized Hotwalk Carbon can accommodate riders weighing up to 40 lb (18 kg), and standing up to 35 inches (89 cm) tall
Specialized
The Specialized Hotwalk Carbon is priced at just under $1,000
Specialized
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Because they're quickly outgrown and have to take a lot of abuse, toddlers' bicycles often seem kind of cheap and clunky compared to "real" bikes. For parents who just don't want to go that route, Specialized is now offering the Hotwalk Carbon balance bike.

While the original version of the Hotwalk has a regular aluminum frame, the Carbon edition sports a carbon fiber frame, fork, handlebar and wheel rims. It also features a lighter version of the base model's Rhythm Lite tires, resulting in a claimed total bike weight of 4.63 lb (2.1 kg).

It can accommodate li'l riders weighing up to 40 lb (18 kg), and standing up to 35 inches (89 cm) tall.

Besides simply looking snazzy and being light, though, the Hotwalk Carbon is also said to offer a better ride than traditional balance bikes. This is reportedly made possible by kid-friendly smaller-diameter handlebar grips, sleeker chain stays that allow for easier planting of the feet on the ground, and the stiff yet shock-absorbing characteristics of carbon fiber.

It also has a low-friction saddle, with a handle on the underside that allows parents to pick the bike up and carry it as needed.

And no, it certainly isn't cheap. If you want one, be prepared to shell out US$999.

Source: Specialized via Pinkbike

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4 comments
aksdad
I bought a balance bike for $25. It had plastic wheels and felt cheaply built, which it was, but it served its purpose for the couple weeks needed to learn to balance. Next time around maybe I'll be in the market for a diamond encrusted, gold-plated, carbon-fiber balance bike with a useful life of a week or two. The conspicuously wealthy could spend money on less useful things.
solas
I am a bike nut, but .... this is just plain nuts. 1) Small kids are light = the dampening of carbon is irrelevant 2) kids at this age go slow = the dampening of carbon is irrelevant 3) this is their first bike. It will be crashing it will be dropped ... maybe chewed? Hehe. 4) lightness matters, but not here: one wants a lower center of gravity when first starting out, and they are NOT going to be foot-pedaling up a mountain. That all said, if you literally do not care if $1000 disappears, this is the bike for you! (It sure is pretty)
Username
Now there's a whole bunch of nonsense.
Aross
This is just as bad and useless as high priced brand name clothing for little kids.