{"id":45871,"date":"2023-01-30T15:34:32","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T14:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=714826"},"modified":"2023-01-30T17:35:44","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T16:35:44","slug":"van-nicholas-releases-e999-titanium-balance-bike","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/van-nicholas-releases-e999-titanium-balance-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"Van Nicholas releases \u20ac999 titanium balance bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

Titanium two-wheeler for tiny tots <\/p>

By Stan Portus\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 30 January 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Titanium is probably the most lauded frame material, with advocates waxing lyrical about its ride feel and shock-absorbing qualities.<\/p>\n

As the ninth most abundant element on planet Earth, you may expect more bikes to be made from titanium. However, the difficulty of working with it means it\u2019s a rare and exclusive choice amongst cyclists \u2013 and even more pleasing as a result.<\/p>\n

Van Nicholas brings this exclusivity and desirable ride feel to kid\u2019s balance bikes<\/a> with the new Ventus JR Titanium balance bike.<\/p>\n

How much?<\/h2>\n
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The balance bike costs \u20ac999.<\/span><\/figcaption> Van Nicholas<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The best titanium road bikes<\/a> tend to cost a lot of money and the Ventus JR Titanium bike follows suit, costing \u20ac999.<\/p>\n

Although this is a premium price tag, Van Nicholas isn\u2019t the first to price a balance bike this high. In 2020, Specialized released the Hotwalk Carbon balance bike<\/a>, which cost a similar \u00a3999 \/ $999.<\/p>\n

Despite Specialized opting for a full carbon frame, the Ventus doesn\u2019t weigh much more than the Hotwalk. Van Nicholas says the bike weighs 2.3kg, only 200g more than Specialized\u2019s balance bike.<\/p>\n

The Ventus JR Titanium is suitable for kids aged 3 to 5 years, whereas the Hotwalk is for ages up to 18 months.<\/p>\n

It makes sense!<\/h2>\n
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It has a carbon fibre fork, naturally.<\/span><\/figcaption> Van Nicholas<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Van Nicholas says the carbon fork and wheels help keep the bike\u2019s weight down. This is beneficial for early riders because it makes controlling the bike easy.<\/p>\n

Alongside easy handling, Ralph Moorman, general manager at Van Nicholas, says titanium makes sense for a children\u2019s bike because it is \u201ctough enough to handle the rough treatment it will inevitably receive\u201d.<\/p>\n

The bike has small-diameter grips with large bar ends to suit small hands.<\/p>\n

There is a padded seat for comfort and you can adjust the saddle height<\/a> to keep up with growth spurts.<\/p>\n

Van Nicholas has incorporated foot platforms. As a child\u2019s confidence on the bike grows, they can rest their feet while freewheeling.<\/p>\n

\u201cAround for a very long time\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Van Nicholas Ventus JR Titanium.<\/span><\/figcaption> Van Nicholas<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Moorman says the Ventus JR Titanium could be \u201caround for a very long time\u201d, thanks to the longevity of titanium.<\/p>\n

While your little one may spend a short time on the Ventur JR, between being in a child\u2019s bike seat<\/a> and graduating to another children\u2019s bike<\/a>, Van Nicholas stresses the Ventus JR Titanium will be suitable not just for your child but \u201ctheir children\u2026 and their children\u2019s children\u2026\u201d.<\/p>\n

Teaching a kid to cycle<\/a> is a great life skill and balance bikes are an excellent way to introduce them to life on two wheels.<\/p>\n

Unlike a bike with stabilisers, these pedal-free machines develop balancing skills early on \u2013 key when they move to a bike with a drivetrain.<\/p>\n

The Van Nicholas Ventus JR may be one of the pricier ways to get tiny tots into bikes, but at least you\u2019ll be pairing a valuable skill with a lesson in appreciating the finer things of life.<\/p>