Prevelo crank lengths are custom sized for each size bike to make sure little riders have optimum pedal ergonomics. And they have ultra-narrow Q-factors to match the narrow hips of young cyclists. If that sounds like technical mumbo jumbo, here's the point - Prevelo cranks will help make small riders more comfortable and efficient on their bike.
The Zulu Four features Prevelo's signature confidence inspiring geometry. Prevelo geometry utilizes a low bottom bracket that lowers the center of gravity of the bike and rider, making for a more agile and confident ride. The slack front end makes the bike forgiving to young trail riders experimenting with tough terrain.
Microshift Advent X with 10-speed Microshift Advent X G-Series 11-48T and easy to use trigger shifters gives progressing riders plenty of gear range to tackle a variety of trails.
All Zulu Fours are equipped with tubeless ready tires and rims, so you can ditch the tube, reduce flats, and get a more comfortable grippier ride. Bikes ship with tubes installed and will need to be setup tubeless by you or your mechanic.
Upgrades and replaces the fork to HEIR 24 fork and wheels to Stans Crest with front Thru-Axle. Lightens the Zulu Four by 1.6 pounds!
"My son was empowered riding the ZULU, and now he could climb the steep trails at our local single track and mountain bike for real. Our rides have gotten longer and more adventurous, and ZULU has taken all the slams with grace and little scuffs. I highly recommend the Prevelo ZULU for anyone looking for a kids bike that will foster a love of mountain biking and be solid to pass down for many kids’ uses."
"If you are looking for a trail bike that can handle climbing and descending on mellow rides as well as some serious single track that will test the skills of any kid, the Zulu line-up has you covered."
Kiddo outgrew a 20'' RipRock much faster than anticipated (both in height and in skill), and at 7yrs and 4' 5'' / 65lbs was ready for a 24''. Lessons learned from the first "Mountain" bike, and our terrain (New England tech), translated into needing 1) A lightweight bike, 2) An adjustable air shock, 3) more kid friendly geo & ergonomics. It's awesome that companies now offer 24'' Mountain Bikes (not something that I had as a kid in the 90s!); but let's be honest, there are few purpose-built bikes and for that matter companies like Prevelo. Most "Kid" 24s are adult standard bike components, slapped on a small frame. The $1,000 range (+/- a few hundred), seems to be the sweet spot for competent, trail worthy, kid's bikes. We looked at offerings from Scott, Specialized, Polygon and Marin. All had pros and cons (weight, configurations, etc). We kept coming back to the Prevelo. It stood out for a number of reasons. It had a good head tube angle, a large range drive train, hydraulic brakes, an air shock, and a kid friendly crankset / cockpit, with easy to reach controls. My research, paid off well. In person the bike has met all our expectations. It's the absolute right bike for this phase in my son's riding abilities and growth. (Because it's such an investment, I struggled with buying something like the D24 that can "grow" with your kid. I'm glad I didn't fall into that trap. Buy the bike your kid is ready for now, not one they'll grow into.) The Zulu 4 has only been with us for 3 rides, but already my son can go farther and longer on this lighter weight, well geared bike - and he's hitting more features as his confidence grows. I'm also quite pleased with the controls. The brake levers are adjustable (though it's not noted in the instructions) and fit his hands well, I was worried about the shift from grip shifter to trigger, but honestly that's way better for him too! The airshock took a little bit to dial in,. It does seem like it's a shock that is built for a range of applications, but it's compliant for a 65lb kid @ 50ish psi. All in Prevelo has done their homework and worked with suppliers to put together a bike that's truly meant for kids. We love ours. I'm happy my son has a great bike and he (being a kid) digs the custom colors and decal naming. Only suggestion I'd make is offer a few more color options, but really this is a good bike. I bet in a few years I'll wish they make a Zulu 5 for tweeners!
Hands down Prevelo build the best kids bikes on the market. I bought the Zulu Four for my 9 year old son and he LOVES it! I’ve never seen him more confident or excited to ride. In addition, Jacob and the team at Prevelo take great care in making sure that your purchasing/delivery experience is top notch. I never write reviews for anything, but had to take the time to write one for this amazing bike and company.
The Zulu four is an amazing bike! This was a Christmas gift for my 6 year old - and it has helped to transform his riding! Before he was a solid rider on his 16” rigid single speed, we could do 4-6 miles rides, but there was many walking breaks. Now he flies! We’re up to 9-10 mile rides and he is pushing most of the hills and taking single track like a champ. He begs to ride more and is taking on obstacles like a stud. It did introduce a problem though, my 4.5 year old is chanceless of keeping up on the 16” hand me down bike and I’m eying the Zulu 3 20” for him. And Mom also needs and upgraded bike to keep up with him....
This is the best kids hard tail mountain bike I've been able to find for under $1000 for my 9 year old son. The geometry on this bike is dialed for young riders! Low stand over and low bottom bracket equals more confidence and ability to control the bike. Correct width handlebars get your kid in a good riding position and improves handling. My son has been having a blast since throwing a leg over this bike. It's light enough for him to climb on real single track trails and built for shredding back down. Hydraulic disc brakes give him plenty of stopping power and keep his little hands from getting sore and tired. Real air fork, grippy tires, crisp shifting and plenty of gears to keep up with mom and dad. I'd recommend this bike to anyone looking to get their kids out on the trails! Thanks for making a proper mountain bike that works for the groms!
I did a LOT of research on the bike to purchase for my 7-8 year old, with the goal of putting him on a real bike with real components that was the appropriate fit for his strength to weight ratio. On paper, the Prevelo Four Heir was the one. And I am happy to say that after a summer of legit mountain biking in norther VT it was a great choice. My 7yr old turned 8 this summer, is ~60 lbs, experienced biker, and this frame size is the right one. There is a little room to grow into it but I wouldn't call it too big. The weight of the bike and the gearing is spot on. The first bike for him that we haven't had to customize the drive train. The not so awesomeness - the brakes. We have had a lot of headaches with the brakes. Prevelo has ben super responsive and helped with sending new parts but the quality of the brake components just don't seem to match the rest of the bike. The level handle snapped after a very mild "crash" and the rear brake assembly just wouldn't hold fluid. Frustrating... but now that we have new parts it is dialed. Hoping this was just a bad batch and isn't a greater issue. Overall, I am happy that we had this great option for our kid!