BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Balance bike maker Early Rider has begun production of its first pedal bike, the Belter. The assembly is taking place in a studio workspace in Henley on Thames. The initial build is 750 bikes, all of which have been pre-sold bike shops Evans Cycles, CycleSurgery, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op and other leading independents.
The assembly is being done by Filipe Salbany and Rob Griffiths of AthleteService. Used to building small volume premium bespoke road bikes, this is their first time with a larger, production line approach.
Salbany said: “I’m in my element. I am assembling beautiful, lightweight bicycles for children that will provide the inspiration and opportunity for them to experience the freedom of cycling and the outdoors that I have loved all my life."
Completed bikes should begin shipping by the third week of November.
The balance bike sector in the UK has boomed in the last few years. BikeHub.co.uk has a long and detailed article on teaching tots how to ride bikes. The article advocates use of balance bikes rather than stabilisers.
