Adventure made easier.

Meet the Hellion 16

Featuring a 6.8kg triple-butted aluminium frame, 140mm disc brakes and a tough rear end, the Hellion 16 is the perfect combo of tough and light, perfect for fearless 4-6 year olds. Threaded thru axles boost stiffness, while sliding dropouts and internal cable routing ensure versatility and sleekness. Low, slack geometry provides stability and confidence, while narrow-wide chainring and 110mm cranks enhance pedalling efficiency without the chain slap. Tubeless-compatible wheels with sealed hubs tackle tough trails, and hydraulic brakes with eco-friendly mineral oil ensure safe, reliable stopping for little shredders.

Closer look

The full story

A performance optimised aluminium frame

Built for performance, the Hellion 16 features a triple-butted aluminium frameset with a CNC'd chainstay yoke that’s precision engineered to take big hits like a champ.
The frame tubing has been deliberately crafted to balance strength (at the pressure points) with lightness (everywhere else), to ensure we don’t add unnecessary weight or hinder progress.
Threaded thru axles ramp up frame stiffness while sliding dropouts enable handing and size adjustments as little riders progress.
To top it off, we added internal cable routing because a bike this slick demands it.

A low, slack and short geometry

That’s the assignment and we understood it.

The Hellion 16 is built for performance with a geometry optimised for speed, technical acumen and confidence on the gnarly bits.

The low centre of gravity keeps them balanced in the berms while the slack head tube angle takes (some of the drama) out of descending. The short seat stays give the bike a playful responsive feel (while also making manuals just a little easier to master).

A no fuss, full gas chainset

The chainring, crankset and single speed set-up give the Hellion 16 an awesome mix of performance, safety and pedalling efficiency that you simply won’t find on other bikes this size.

Narrow wide chain teeth stop the chain from flapping and slipping and work in harmony with shortened 110m cranks for pedalling efficiency.

The single speed set up saves weight while allowing little ones to give the trail their full attention.

Touchpoints that elevate control

Every one of The Helion 16’s competition level touchpoints are built to save weight without compromising on performance.

We’ve collaborated with the brilliant Ritchey Logic to deliver a perfect rail adjusted ergonomic saddle, combined with robust seat post and quick release clamp. The double butted aluminium bars are strong, light and small enough for mini rippers to keep control.

Ritchey Logic have been at the forefront of component design for the past 50 years. We’ve collaborated with them for over a decade, producing some of the best age specific components to ever grace a kids’ bike.

Gear ready and engineered for fast progression

The Helion 16 is designed for rider and bike progression. As they improve, you’ll find their need for a few gears increases.

We supply the Helion 16 gear-ready, with a separate mech hanger, gear routing and rear hub which allows the addition of a small ratio cassette.

This allows them to learn the fundamentals of gear shifting in a bike they’re comfortable with. And it allows you to eek out way more value from a bike that’s already designed to last a lifetime.

MTB wheels that go hard

Fully sealed bearing hubs, tubeless compatible, double wall rims and optimised spoke count means these wheels rip. Because there’s no point speccing a great bike with weak wheels.

The sealed bearings keep mud, water and corrosion at bay while double wall rims give you twice the confidence on rocks and roots.

The optimised spoke count means you won’t have to worry about buckled wheels while thru axles make the rare times you do need to swap tyres a breeze.

Tan walls for the win

Big adventure requires big tyres and we’re not playing around when it comes to speccing the Helion.

Whether you’re navigating mud, berms, ruts or roots, our 2.25" knobbly tyres deliver traction, control and protection.

And everyone knows that tan wall tyres just look better.

Light, powerful hydraulic disc brakes

At 65g, the 140mm hydraulic powered disc rotors mean business. Because sending it relies on stopping it. With partially rounded edges and 6 bolts you’re also guaranteed extra safety even when you’ve stopped.

The brake levers features a lightweight, and most importantly, adjustable action to accommodate small hands.

We also made the decision to replace the brake fluid with mineral oil. It’s less corrosive and a bit kinder on the environment.

Specs and Geometry

Specification
 
STANDOVER HEIGHT43.5CM
FRAMETRIPLE BUTTED AL6061 INTERNAL CABLING, FORGED D/OUTS
FORKRIGID DISC AL6061, 12MM THRU AXLE, FORGED D/OUTS
STEERERTUBE AL6061
CRANKSSAMOX 110MM DIRECT MOUNT, NQF
PEDALSER RESIN PLATFORM, SEALED CARTRIDGE BEARING
BOTTOM BRACKETSAMOX 24MM EXTERNAL CUP, SEALED CARTRIDGE BEARING
RIMS16 x 24H, DOUBLE WALLED AL6061, TUBELESS COMPATIBLE
REAR HUBSTRAIGHT PULL DISC, 12x142 THRU AXLE, 24H
FRONT HUBSTRAIGHT PULL DISC, 12x100MM THRU AXLE, 24H
AXLES12MM AL7075 THRU AXLES, F + R
CHAINKMC X10
CHAINRINGCNC'D STEEL 30T NARROW WIDE
WEIGHT6.8KGS W/O PEDALS
REAR CASSETTEER SINGLE SPEED KIT
BRAKESPROMAX DSK926 HYDRAULIC JR, 140MM ROTORS
LEVERSPROMAX DSK926 JR
FRONT TYREVEE CROWN GEM 16x2.25", 27TPI WB, SKINWALL
REAR TYREVEE CROWN GEM 16x2.25", 27TPI WB, SKINWALL
HEADSET1 1/8" CARTRIDGE BEARING, CONVENTIONAL
STEMRITCHEY OS FORGED AL6061, 35MM REACH
BARS480MM RITCHEY OS AL6061, 18MM RISE
GRIPSER SOFT TOUCH MUSHROOM 100MM
SEAT POSTRITCHEY 27.2MM x 185MM
SADDLEER WINGED, RAILED
SEAT CLAMPER BOLT, 31.8MM
SPEC NOTICEEvery effort has been made to ensure accuracy throughout this website. However, Early Rider reserves the right to change prices and bike specifications without prior notice
Geometry
 
AWheelbase720mm
BHead Angle68°
CSeat Tube Length210mm
DChainstay Length280mm
ESeat Tube Angle71°
FStandover Height420mm
GTop Tube Length399mm
HHead Tube Length90mm
IStack346mm
JReach280mm
KFork Length266mm
  • 5 stars: 21 (88%)
  • 4 stars: 2 (8%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 1 (4%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
C
Chap.
Great bike

It’s the second bike we’ve picked up for my 4-year-old—he started out on the Seeker 14 kids bike, and now he’s riding the Hellion 16 kids bike. He already learned a ton on his first bike, and this one is really taking his skills to the next level.

Honestly, there’s nothing better than hitting the trails together in the Southern Alps France. He’s already sending little jumps, throwing in some drifts, and just having a blast. These bikes didn’t just teach him how to ride, they sparked a real passion for MTB.

Can’t wait to get him on the Hellion X24 kids bike… that’s when things get serious 🤘

M
Myah P
What a Machine!

So this is a rather long term review of the Hellion 16 with over 1000km of riding. We bought the bike for our daughter's 4th birthday having outgrown her seeker 14 (another superb bike) which was passed on to her 2 year old brother.

The sales service was excellent and the bike quick and easy to set up out of the box with only a few minor preferential tweaks needed and some ride wrap to protect that stunning purple paint.

Our daughter progressed onto the Hellion 16 seamlessly and her confidence and control instantly improved. We were a little apprehensive about the power of the hydraulic brakes initially, but kids are surprisingly adaptive and they only inspired more confidence and no more complaints of tired hands on long descents.

The geometry is definitely well suited for kids providing stability at speed but yet still nimble at lower speeds. We found with the larger pedals we added it was prone to pedal strikes on flat corners but if anything this helped our daughter's technique for the better.

The stock gear ratio was a good compromise between speed and climbing ability. The addition of a rear hanger and readiness to add gears was fantastic. Thank you Jake for the technical support for fitting gears, this made a world of difference to our daughter's riding immediately!

The quality of the design and build is fantastic, and in the 1000km ridden so far on the bike we have had to do nothing more than clean it and raise the seat height. The bike still sounds and rides the same as the day it was bought with no deterioration of components.

Genuinely an outstanding product I wish these existed when I was a kid!! We had the pleasure of meeting the early rider team at Malverns Classic this year at their expo stall really great bunch of passionate people who I think really believe and care about their products. We ended up buying Myah a Hellion 20 as she was ready for the move to bigger bike so a review for that to follow.

In the meantime time the Hellion 16 is now in the hands of Myah's 3 year old brother who I'm sure will easily put another 1000+ km on. What is especially nice is that the quality of the bike does not make it feel like a hand me down but a genuinely new feeling bike for the next child that gets the pleasure of riding it.

Thanks Early Rider!

T
Tjark
Fantastic bike and outstanding service

Our 4-year-old daughter absolutely loves her new Hellion 16.
As a bike-obsessed dad, it was clear she needed a really good bike – and that’s exactly what we found here!

There was a small issue with the crank at first, but the service that followed was truly exceptional: personal contacts, transparent communication, incredibly dedicated and highly competent.

Now our daughter is happily back in the saddle, grinning from ear to ear – we couldn’t ask for more. 😉🚲

D
David Cairney
Best 16 inch bike

Excellent. Only kids bike I've seen that is built like a proper bike. Brakes are awesome but might need a new rear tyre soon!

R
Rubens Brotto
Great Early Rider Experience

We were really happy and proud to see our 3.5 y-o child to roll off right away on his new bike. His Hellion 16 is of great quality and is already adding unforgettable memories to the whole family. The team based in Oxon RG9 4LG was very friendly and helpful. We definitely recommend.

A
Aaron Freeman
The best

The absolute best 16 inch bike money can buy. It’s made to perfection. Highly recommended.

J
James Hunt
Amazed by the Hellion 16!

The bike is brilliant!
James is a touch too small based on the dimensions given but he rides this bike so much better than his seeker 14. The bike geometry is perfect for children’s body shape and size, allowing him to pedal comfortably, reach the brakes and control the bike.
The brakes have great stopping power, a big upgrade from the v brakes on the seeker 14.

We have had the bike 2 weeks and James’ riding has come on so much in that time frame!

v
vaclav polivka
Hellion 16

Absolutely amazing

M
Miklos Moro
Bike Park

My 3 year old son loves it and doesn't want to be without his bike anymore.

it's just perfect

M
Mr. Andy Williams
High quality bike

I’ve just come back from Morzine with my 6 year old daughter (small for her age) and the 16” Hellion was great on the slopes. Disc breaks really made a difference in her confidence on the trickier sections. The grippy tyres also helped!

K
Kristijonas Jucys
Good

I have boght Helion 16 for my son, 3.5 yrs old 104cm height. Before He was riding Woom from 1.5yrs.
ER Helion 16 bike looks great. Fat tyres, acurate hydraulic breaks, as I can see, son hadels it well (from the second day:)).
What I did not like: it is china made!!! but seller declares that it is Swiss made. Tyres and brakes are some “no name”. The packedge was not so good as it was said in description. There is no instruction how to attach ligt reflectors. It coud be more protectors from the chain between the leg. There is no accesories in stock (like stand leg, and etc.) The bike front fork was scrached from the box paper. So in a conclusion I would say, that the bike is good, but is not so well served as discribed. Woom looks different, but I prefer quality of serving, packing full range of accesories and description. The price for ER shoud more friendlier. I do not think, that I will go for “ER full” bike, after my son will grow out this Helion and hope this bike still be in acondition to ride for my youngest son.
So this my experience.

R
Robert Hildebrand
Rip Off (Prevelo is Better)

I regret purchasing this bike for my 4 year old. I should have listened to the negative reviews that critiqued the adult diameter size 22mm handlebars (these should be kids 19mm bars) and the fact that the bottom bracket is too wide. Additionally, the instructions that come with the bike are poorly written—no explanation of how to adjust the levers on the cheap Chinese brakes that come with it?

After seeing friends’ Prevelo Zulu 2’s, I wish I just bought that instead. They have better components and even come with a front fork at this price point.

X
Xavier de le Rue
Best bike ever

So stoked with the Hellion 16”
Makes such a difference for the kids to have a good bike. We went from a cheap heavy bike to this and our daughter’s attitude completely changed. Suddenly she wanted to bike everywhere all the time having not really enjoyed it that much before.
We live in the mountains so having the disc brakes is also a game changer and can ride the steep roads to school without worrying if she can stop.
Amazing

L
Landon Boogaard
Amazing Bike!

Could not ask for better quality in a kids bike, it’s anxiously amazing. The geometry fits my 4yr old perfectly and it’s super light. Very impressed!

r
ricky roberts
Great little bike

Absolutely amazing little bike, super light and all kid specific. We have our 2 year old on it and he's loving it!

B
Branden Lawson
This is the real deal

I purchased this bike for my 3 year old and it’s amazing! I was looking for a proper mountain bike that was lightweight and this is the way to go. The dialed geometry, slightly longer cracks, and lightweight has increased my sons confidence on single track. There are other bikes that are cheaper but this bike is really worth the money and should have a very high resale in a year or two.

N
Nicole Cavigelli
👍🏻👍🏻😊

super tolles bike und schnelle lieferung

a
angel wang
My 3 years old love it

We had 14 seeker before this, he got on this and never looked back. Love the dimension and the disk break, also the weight.

D
Dominik Hiergeist
Perfektes Fahrrad für die Kleinen

Unglaublich gut verarbeitet. Alles super. Kann ich nur empfehlen.

S
Steven Capps
Most capable 16” bike

I searched and shopped for months to find the best bike for my son. He is unusually good for his age (4) and we live in an area known for cross-country mountain biking. If your child likes speed, air, single-track trails, and big descents, then you need a proper bike.

The Hellion is different. Photos do not do it justice. For example, it isn’t painted silver, that is a clear coat finish over brushed aluminum. All of the hardware is top notch and built to last.

People who know bikes know they are looking at something special when they see the Early Rider Hellion. I’ve taken it to local bike shops to show them what they should be selling and the bike shop employees are impressed to see such components on a “child’s bike”.

Initially, I wanted the Seeker because I wanted the low maintenance and long service life of a Gates Carbon Belt drive. The Hellion uses a chain. On the other hand, the Hellion is built to add gears. There is plenty of space between the rear drop-outs to fit 135mm hubs and disc brakes. The frame has holes pre-drilled for adding a transmission cable from the handlebars to just above the sprocket.

Although more expensive than other small bikes, it is priced competitively for what you get.

Highly recommended!

M
Mark Hendricks
Hellion 16

I never do reviews but I figured this would help other people. For those looking for the drive train info only hear it is: 200$ with shipping " shimano zee, 10 speed cassette and shifter and chain, or sram Gx short cage 10 speed cassette,shifter,chain."
First, the bike it's self is awesome! 5 stars for the product. But I took away 1 star for description and some communication.
First Adam was great helping me get this to Alaska. But further communication was short and felt forced. However I'm sure they are busy so no big in the grand scheme. He was never directly rude fyi.
I ended up initially ordering a microshift acolyte 7-8 speed for kids for less than 100 but that didn't fit. It's too long and hits the ground.
So I got dinged on a restock fee. When I asked what works I got the above info, however in the description, it says "gears easy to add". If they know that only the downhill adult gear set up works they should just put that in the description. It feels after reading that, anything could work. Granted telling people this bike is 750 plus 200 if you want gears would push people away. I get that but if I'm willing to buy this bike in the first place they shouldn't assume what more I'm wiling to spend since I bought this bike almost specifically to add gears, (for honesties sake, I'm making an assumption about them making an assumption, I'll eat crow if I need to) any way...
The last thing is, I love the Vee crown gem tire BUT again for 750, I feel like if the rims are tubeless it should come with tubeless compatible tires.
Not sure how everyone is going to read this. I'm not an elitist, or being nit picky, literally just sharing my experience hoping to save other people the trouble of digging for the info. I still full recommend this brand and don't regret it.

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