If you're already familiar with the Woom brand of kids bike, the look of their 4 won't come as a surprise. Their range of Original bikes goes from 1 to 6 (with no number 5) which can take a child from a number 1 balance bike to the 26 inch wheel number 6.
The range provides a nice progression as the bikes and the parts on them get gradually bigger and come with ever more 'grown up' parts. This progression is something all the best kids bikes do well.
Throughout Woom's Original range the bikes keep to the very simple, but quite striking, design of a colourful frame with white forks and rear triangle. Different colours are available for the main triangle, but the familiarity might just give your child the reassurance that the next size bike is nothing to be scared of.
We tested the Woom 4 that costs £479 having enjoyed our time on the Woom 3. The major step up is the slightly bigger 20-inch wheels and the introduction of gears. The 4 comes with seven, controlled by a Shimano gripshift on the right-hand handlebar grip.
This proved easy to use with only a light touch needed to change gear. The 1 - 7 (with accompanying plus and minus symbols) display on the gripshift is easy to see, and a great way to give a child guidance when it comes to what the different gears feel like when pedalling on different gradients.
The 28-tooth front chainring, combined with an 11-28 teeth rear cassette, provides a nice range of gear ratios that suited all the places we took it to. The smallest gear, was just right for a gentle climb, giving our daughter more confidence on previously unrideable paths and roads.
Jumping on the Woom 4, the rider also graduates to a fully exposed chain, having had a chainguard protecting their legs on the 3. Thankfully there is still a guard around the chainring to avoid any nasty, oily cuts on their lower legs.
Other progressive steps include going from a 95mm crank to a 110mm crank, the 420mm stand-over height going up to 495mm, the front wheel coming with a quick-release skewer and the handlebars progressing from BMX style rising bars to flatter bars. Geometry around the rest of the bike steps up as well.
There's no green brake lever to let them know which is the back brake, but the brilliant bar ends still swoop out to stop little hands from slipping off the ends.
The kickstand remains. it's slightly ugly, and adds a little weight, but if your child uses it, it will protect the bike from scratches and other cosmetic damage.
Our tester first jumped on it at seven-and-a-half years old with the saddle dropped down and the adjustable stem rotated as far back as it would go, meaning there's plenty of adjustment left and growth allowed for. This is especially important considering the cost of these bikes.
The seat post has 11cm of adjustability and the stem will allow the bars around 7cm of forward movement. This is done by loosening and then tightening two hex keys. If you're not confident with this, get someone who is to help you. The last thing you want is the bars coming loose when out riding.
Like when first riding the smaller Woom 3 bike, the first ride on the 4 was easy, and fun. My daughter was off and running immediately, and as soon as she felt the difference with the bigger wheels and longer cranks there was no looking back. I have no doubt the familiar look helped persuade her onto the bigger bike.
Some of the extra cost comes from the quality of the components, but that investment means your child won't be put off by wobbly wheels, sticky gear changes, or stiff brakes that barely work. Quality components also mean that, if the bike is looked after, parents will have fewer maintenance concerns and costs.
It's bad, barely working parts that can stop a child from jumping on their bike and going for a ride, which is why cheaper bikes can be a false economy.
As with the 3, this bike is also easy to set up, with stickers, a hex key and basic instructions all in the box, although we did spot Torq bolt heads on the stem. These are now widely used on adult bikes, but the corresponding tool is not one that everyone has in their cupboard.
Even the tyres are good quality, with Schwalbe P Little Joes coming as standard. I would question the depth of the tread though. I suspect most kids of this age will ride around parks, hard-packed paths, and maybe quiet roads, for which these knobbles were a bit over the top. If you do plan on hitting the mud, then they're just right.
