Kids’ bikes have come a long way since the mid-2000s when first Islabikes redefined and redesigned what we thought a child’s bike should be. In 2013, Frog Bikes joined as a key player in the revolution, focussing on designing bikes that fitted the proportions of kids rather than being just scaled down versions of adult bikes.
The 53 is Frog’s smallest 20” wheeled and geared bike for kids with a 50-65cm inseam (typically 5-7 year olds). As it will be for most kids, this was our tester’s first time riding with gears and with wheels this big. How would he get on and how would the Frog 53 stack up against the rest of the best kids’ bikes?
Frog 53 kids' bike
The 20” wheeled bike has an 11” frame. The 53 refers to the minimum inseam sizing (53cm for a tentative rider, 50cm for a confident rider) so gives an indication of the stand over height of the bike. Rather than guessing Frog’s sizing guide and app is an excellent way to check fit. For some kids this will be their first pedal-equipped bike, others (like our tester, aka my son) they will have ridden on 14" or 16" wheels.
The frame, forks and wheels are all aluminium as is much of the finishing kit. There’s an 8 speed Shimano Altus derailler with a custom small-levered FrogFit Technology® youth-specific shifter (from microSHIFT) with a nice and short (114mm) Frog crankset. The Tektro brake levers are kid-specific although the four-finger pull means they're still relatively large. Tyres are the excellent Kenda Small Block Eight which provide good off-road grip without being unduly draggy on tarmac.
The Frog 53 comes equipped with full mudguards (a nice bonus for the washing machine) as well as a quick-release seat post collar which makes it much easier to tweak the riding position as your kid gets used to their new bike. There are also bottle cage mounts so they can carry their own drink around all day.
There’s an excellent choice of colours (which can be of vital importance to the young rider) including six different bold colour choices and an brilliant white and coloured spotty version. Our bike weighed in at 8.1kg, much lighter than many cheaper bikes. At this weight I’ve still be able to tie a luggage strap round the bike and sling over on my back whilst riding to school for pickup.
Frog 53 kids' bike unpacking and set up
Frog Bikes sell direct to consumer and also through a range of local and online bike shops. If you order direct your bike will arrive in its (virtually) plastic-free packaging pretty much built. The packaging and final assembly have been carefully thought out, there are really clear instructions and even the exact amount of grease on the pedal thread. On our review bike the gears were well indexed, brakes nicely set up and mudguards perfectly aligned.
Our tester was on the lower limit of the sizing we made the most of the range of the bike, moving the saddle forwards on the rails, lowering the handlebars and winding in the brake levers so he had a comfortable reach. If you’re not confident doing these things yourself then it's probably worth buying through your local bike shop where staff will be able to help you setting up the bike to fit.
Frog 53 kids' bike ride
Desperate to ride (and as soon as his parents had finished faffing) we set off. Although he’s a reasonably confident rider it was amazing to see how he immediately took to the Frog; and that’s despite it being a good chunk bigger than his previous bike. The 53 is just so well balanced that he managed to ride despite – at times – his questionable combination of gear, speed and line choice.
Since then he’s barely looked back, the Frog 53 is just such a natural bike to ride. After a few trips to school we set off on our first proper ride. The new pairing of boy and bike were a fantastic combination and managed 12 undulating off-road miles without a single complaint (notwithstanding the constant questioning of when the next snack stop would be). Each time we ride there are new levels of enjoyment and confidence, and the associated tricks (riding one handed whilst throwing poses is our current favourite).
To keep this tale on the side of a bike review rather than parental gloating, I’m happy to say that this prowess is as much about the bike as it is the boy. It’s so well proportion – to itself as well as to him – so it stays evenly weighted and is incredibly easy to handle; there’s no wandery front end, it responds quickly to the pedals being turned, and the gears, brakes and pedals are all easy to operate without overstretching. The low bottom bracket and flat handle bar are key in the stability of the bike but yet don’t always feature on kids’ bikes.
Of course, we’ve had a few hiccups and crashes along the way. As we’d expected adapting to the gears has proved a bit tricky and there’s been plenty of crunching chain and sprockets as he mashes the gears until he finds one he likes. He’s also finding it a bit difficult to use the shifter as he has hypermobile thumb joints. With practise he can reliably upshift but still struggles with the greater resistance on the downshift.
There are similarly sized bikes that are equipped with grip shift. However, in its research Frog has found that these can be even harder for kids to operate due to the shifting force required, particularly as parts wear. In comparison, trigger shifters require less force and are more consistent in performance making shifting easier and safer for kids (and less maintenance for the grown-ups). The kid-specific levers that Frog use have a short stroke which makes them easier for small hands to operate. This can mean that a few kids - like our tester - may struggle at first with the force required. I've deployed the Playdoh and some squeezing exercises to get him trained up.
Rather contrary to the small-hand challenges of the gears, the brakes have been simple to operate and I’ve been impressed how well he and the levers and calipers have been able to modulate his braking. This is despite the four-finger design of the levers potentially encouraging kids to haul on the brakes each time they try and stop.
Frog 53 kids' bike value
At £425 the Frog 53 sits in the middle of the 20” geared bike price range. Similarly specced bikes from mainstream brands like Giant (the ARX 20; £425) and Cannondale (Quick 20; £420) are matched for price. It’s also easy to spend more with a MTB-style bike which comes with bigger tyres and disc brakes (like the Specialized Riprock 20, £500). Or you could go cheaper with something like the Boardman Jnr (£340) but these bikes tend to be heavier and with fewer kid-specific components.
The Frog 53 comes with a 10 year warranty on the frame and forks so your investment is well protected if you have more than one child. And when they do outgrow the bike, Frog’s quality means they do tend to hold their value on the second-hand market.
Frog 53 kids' bike conclusion
Having geeked out on the details, I had a good feeling about the Frog 53 before we received it. What I didn’t imagine is quite how great it was going to be. Our tester’s riding skill, confidence and enjoyment has increased exponentially in the 6 weeks we’ve had the bike on test which has been amazing to see. And I ... finally ... at last ... feel like I've nailed a little bit of parenting.
Specification
- Product Safety Certification ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
- Approx Age 5-7
- Wheel Size 20"
- Bike Weight 8.15kg (incl pedals)
- Frame 6061 T6 heat treated Aluminum alloy, seat tube 11" (280mm)
- Fork 6061 T6 heat treated aluminium alloy
- Front Hub Quando, Aluminum, sealed hub, Quick Release, 20 hole
- Rear Hub Quando, Aluminum, sealed hub, Quick Release, 20 hole, Shimano type 8/9spd free hub body
- Cassette/Free wheel 8-speed, 11-32t
- Rear Derailleur Shimano Altus, M310, 8-speed
- Rim Aluminium, 20", double wall, machined braking surface
- Seat Clamp Aluminium, Quick Release
- Headset Neco, 1"1/8 semi-integrated threadless, Frog Bikes top cap
- Stem Aluminium, 1"1/8, 38mm, 4 bolt clamp
- Grips/Bar tape Frog Bikes specific, lock on, slim grips
- Gear Shifter FrogFitTechnology®️ youth-specific 8-speed with short lever travel and ultraslick gear cable
- Brakes (F&R) Tektro 836AL, Aluminum, linear pull
- Tyres Kenda K1047, 20"x1.5", Hybrid, (ETRTO/ISO 38-406)
- Mudguards Full length, resin, black
- Accessories box Bell, bike reflectors white/red, wheel reflectors orange/white, paint plasters, frame protector patches
- Crank set / Chainring Frog Bikes Patented,114mm, Aluminum straight arm cranks, 32T chainring, black
- Bottom Bracket Thun Shorty-ML-SL; square taper, 68/108/107.5
- Pedals Frog Bikes, eco-friendly rice husk & plastic composite, with reflectors, 9/16"
- Chain KMC, 8-speed
- Handlebar Aluminium, flat bar, 460mm
- Brake Levers Tektro JL510, aluminium, easy reach
- Saddle Frog Bikes child-specific saddle (small), steel rails
