Spawn Cycles brings trail ready kids mountain bikes to Australia

Well-designed, trail-ready kids mountain bikes are few and far between. While the selection is getting increasingly better than even a few years ago, what’s on offer from Specialized, Trek, and Merida is limited to hardtails. Others like Giant, Commencal and Canyon have a few dual suspension options, but selection below a 26in wheel is slim.

Usually sporting slick tyres and coaster brakes, on the whole, kids bikes are tilted more towards bike paths and maybe a few laps at the pump track than exploring singletrack.

Spawn Cycles is a small brand out of Squamish, British Columbia making kid’s mountain bikes across the gamut, from 12in balance bikes all the way up to 20in duallys with adjustable geometry to accommodate two-wheel sizes all with well-thought-out geometry, brakes that work and good tyres.

Spawn Cycles Rokk — Dual-suspension kids bikes are pretty few and far between, especially when you get down to the smaller wheel diameters. Spawn Cycles is a new player in Australia offering trail-ready rides for mini-shredders.

Speaking of tyres, when the brand was launched, Spawn founder Max Zureski went as far as having real, tubeless-ready knobby rubber made in 16-24in diameters under the Brood brand name, so they wouldn’t be handcuffed to plasticy, low grip, small diameter MTB tyres. This has then parlayed into air-sprung suspension forks and ultra-short cranks that use a GXP BB rather than the square taper units traditionally found on kids’ rides.

Spawn was also one of the first to use 22in wheels for kid’s bikes, having noticed that the jump from 20in to 24in wheels wasn’t always a smooth transition.

“While their knees are already hitting the handlebars on a 20″ bike with a fully extended seatpost, they can barely reach the pedals, let alone the ground, on a 24in,” Spawn said when it launched the 22in Yamma Jamma.

And now, the folks behind Sendy Apparel —an Aussie kids MTB clothing brand launched in 2020 — are bringing this range of bikes into Australia for the first time.

“Young riders deserve the same build quality, progressive geometry and high spec levels that adults enjoy. Spawn Cycles has raised the bar for junior riders and brings all the benefits of modern MTB tech to smaller wheel sizes with tailor-made components,” says Spawn Cycles Australia General Manager Scott Bocking, who you may remember from our story the trail network in Wedding Bells State Forest in Woolgoolga.

“The bike industry has struggled to keep up with the progression of the next generation of riders, but Spawn Cycles has focussed on nothing but the future shredders. Being part of the team making these bikes available down under is beyond exciting. Modern groms rip, and they need bikes that fit,” continued Bocking.

Spawn bikes are shod with SRAM Eagle drivetrains, forks with externally adjustable rebound damping, sealed cartridge bearings throughout and frames with routing for stealth dropper posts; with all of that it should not come as a surprise that these aren’t cheap kids bikes.

Spawn Cycles Australia — Where Spawn sets itself apart is in the components. You won’t find no-name derailleurs or coaster brakes here.

Sold direct through the Spawn Cycles website, the brand is bringing six models into Australia, each spanning a number of wheel sizes, and some accepting more than one.

So what does the Spawn range look like? Let’s dive in.

Spawn Cycles Australian range 2023

Spawn Rokk

The Spawn Rokk dually is the flagship in the brand’s range. This bike has a flip chip in the chainstay that not only adjusts the rear centre length to accommodate larger or smaller diameter hoops but also corrects the BB height for the jump in wheel size. Starting at 20/22in, the Rokk goes up in two-inch increments until it hits the 26/27.5in wheels size and should suit kids as young as five years old or about 114cm tall. Every model also features a SRAM UDH hanger.

In the 20in model, the bike sees 100mm of rear squish paired to a 130mm Brood fork, while the 26/27.5in frame jumps to 160mm rear travel, Boost hub spacing and RockShox suspension. This build also features 4-pot SRAM G2 brakes and an NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain.

Geometry-wise, starting again with the smallest bike in the range, the 20/22in Rokk sees a 66.5° head angle, 72.8° seat angle, and 316mm reach. As the bike gets bigger, the geometry grows proportionally, with the 26/27.5in model sporting a 64° head angle, 75° seat tube angle, and 381mm reach.

Prices start at $3,600 AUD and top out at $4,999 AUD.

2023 Rokk 20/22in build

Frame | Spawn Rokk 6061 T6 Alloy, Hydroformed and double-butted tubing
Fork | Brood Eldorado 15×100 Axle, 100mm travel
Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select R, 100mm
Wheels | Brood TR27 20/22, tubeless ready
Tyres | Brood Maxtion 20 x 2.0in DH, Tubeless ready or Brood Maxtion 22 x 2.3in DH, Tubeless ready
Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle 1×10 w/30T Brood Crankset 130mm arms & 11-36T Cassette
Brakes | SRAM Level TL Hydraulic disc brakes
Bar | Alloy, 585mm wide, 31.8mm clamp
Stem | Forged alloy, 40mm
Pedals | Wellgo Platform
RRP | $3,600 AUD 20in / $3,800 AUD 22in

2023 Rokk 24/26in build

Rokk kids bike — The 24in Rokk upgrades to a RockShox fork, and adds a cog at the back.

Frame | Spawn Rokk 6061 T6 Alloy, Hydroformed and double butted tubing
Fork | RockShox Revelation – 27.5″, 140mm travel, Lockout, Rebound
Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select R, 140mm
Wheels | Brood TR27 Tubeless Ready 24/26″
Tyres | Brood Bike Co. Maxtion DH – 24″ x 2.30″ or Maxxis High Roller II – 26″ x 2.40″
Drivetrain | SRAM NX Eagle 1×11 w/32T Brood Styx Crankset 145mm arms & 11-42T Cassette
Brakes | SRAM Level T Hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm
Bar | Brood Bike Co. Bar Named Sue, 660mm/720mm
Stem | Spawn Cycles, Alloy 40mm
Pedals | Wellgo Platform
RRP | $4,200 AUD

2023 Rokk 26/27.5in build

Frame | SpawnRokk 6061 T6 Alloy, Hydroformed and double butted tubing
Fork | RockShox Pike Select 27.5″ Fork – 160mm Travel
Shock | Rock Shox Super Deluxe Select +, 160mm
Wheels | Brood TR27 Tubeless Ready 26/27.5″
Tyres | Maxxis High Roller II – 26 x 2.4in or Maxxis High Roller II – 27.5 x 2.4in
Drivetrain | SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 w/32T NX Dub 165mm crank & 10-50T Cassette
Brakes | SRAM G2 Hydraulic disc brakes,
Bar | Spawn Cycles, Alloy, 760mm wide
Stem | Spawn Cycles, Alloy 40mm
Pedals | Wellgo Platform
RRP | $4,999 AUD

2023 Spawn Yama Jama

For aspiring XC shredders, the Yama Jama is Spawn’s trail-ready hardtail. While the sizes go down to 20in wheels, this was the platform the brand pioneered the inbetweeeny 22in wheels.

As with the rest of the range, the frame is made from 6061-T6 alloy, it sees a semi-integrated headtube, and a forged BB-shell yoke at the rear. There’s also ISCG-05 tabs and even routing for a stealth dropper post.

On the smallest size, the squish at the front is courtesy of an 80mm Brood Bike Co. Eldorado fork, upping the travel to 100mm in the 22in size. The larger 24in and 26in frames get a RockShox Reba with 100mm and 120mm of travel, respectively.

The geometry isn’t too far off what you’d get with an adult-sized XC bike with the head angle at 68°, the seat angle at 72° across the range, and the reach starting at 340mm for the 20in frame and growing to 415mm when it gets to the 26in version. According to Spawn, the smallest 20in Yama Jama is made for mini-shredders as young as 4.5 years old and 106cm tall, and 10 years old and at least 134cm tall for the 26in frame.

Prices start at $1,999AUD and grow to 2,3999 AUD.

2023 Spawn Yama Jama 20in

Spawn Cycles Yama Jama — The smallest of the Yama Jama is shod in mostly Brood components, with the little 80mm fork offering carbon lowers and a rebound knob.

Frame | Spawn Yama Jama 6061 T6 Alloy, Hydroformed and double butted tubing
Fork | Brood Eldorado 15×100 Axle, 80mm travel
Wheels | Brood TR27 Tubeless Ready 20in
Tyres | Brood Maxon 20 x 2.20in, Tubeless ready
Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle 1×10 w/30T Brood Styx 2-piece crank, 130mm arms & 11-36T Cassette
Brakes |Tektro Hydraulic disc brakes,
Bar | Spawn Cycles, Alloy, 560mm wide, 31.8mm clamp
Stem | Spawn Cycles, Alloy 40mm
Pedals | Wellgo Platform
RRP | $1,999

2023 Spawn Yama Jama 22in

Frame | Spawn Yama Jama 6061 T6 Alloy, Hydroformed and double butted tubing
Fork | Brood Eldorado 15×100 Axle, 100mm travel
Wheels | Brood TR27 Tubeless Ready 22in
Tyres | Brood Maxon 22 x 2.30in, Tubeless ready
Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle 1×10 w/30T Brood Styx 2-piece crank, 130mm arms & 11-36T Cassette
Brakes | Tektro Hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm
Bar | Spawn Cycles, Alloy, 560mm wide, 31.8mm clamp
Stem | Spawn Cycles, Alloy 40mm
Pedals | Wellgo Platform
RRP | $1,999

2023 Spawn Yama Jama 24in

Frame | Spawn Yama Jama 6061 T6 Alloy, Hydroformed and double butted tubing
Fork | RockShox Reba 26in, 100mm
Wheels | Brood TR27 Tubeless Ready 24in
Tyres | Brood Maxon 24 x 2.30in, Tubeless ready
Drivetrain | SRAM NX Eagle 1×11 w/32T Brood Styx 2-piece crank, 130mm arms & 11-42T Cassette
Brakes | Tektro Hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm
Bar | Spawn Cycles, Alloy, 680mm wide, 31.8mm clamp
Stem | Spawn Cycles, Alloy 40mm
Pedals | Wellgo Platform
RRP | $1,999

2023 Spawn Yama Jama 26in

Frame | Spawn Yama Jama 6061 T6 Alloy, Hydroformed and double butted tubing
Fork | RockShox Reba 26in, 120mm
Wheels | Brood TR27 Tubeless Ready 26in
Tyres | Maxxis High Roller II – 26 x 2.3in, Tubeless ready
Drivetrain | SRAM NX Eagle 1×11 w/32T Brood Styx 2-piece crank, 130mm arms & 11-42T Cassette
Brakes | Tektro Hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm
Bar | Spawn Cycles, Alloy, 680mm wide, 31.8mm clamp
Stem | Spawn Cycles, Alloy 40mm
Pedals | Wellgo Platform
RRP | $2,399 AUD

2023 Spawn Kotori

Kotori Dirt Jump bike — Oooooweee that is one slick-looking dirty jump bike.

According to Spawn, the Kotori slots in as its jack-of-all-trades dirt jumper. Starting with a 6061 T6 alloy frame, it’s available in wheel sizes from 20-26in. Each frame sees ISCG-05 chain guard tabs and the brand’s sliding bolt-on dropout to ensure the correct chain tension can be achieved only using an Allen key.

The smallest 20in frame sees the brand’s own Brood Eldorado fork, with carbon fibre lowers and 80mm of travel, while the larger 24in and 26in frames graduate to a 26in Rockshox Reba fork. Every build gets a Tektro Auriga hydraulic brake on the back, and Spawn has also opted for sealed cartridge bearings in the wheels, headset and BB.

Designed to suit kiddos as young as five years old or 109cm tall, prices start at $1,749 AUD for the 20in and rise to $2,200 AUD for the 26in equipped bike.

2023 Spawn Kotori 20in

2023 Spawn Kotori 24in

2023 Spawn Kotori 26in

2023 Spawn Raiju 20in

The Raiju is closer to what we’d traditionally think of for a bike designed for kids about six years and up. Rolling on 20in wheels, it has a rigid chromoly fork and a 6061-T6 alloy frame. What it has that you don’t traditionally find on kids’ bikes like this are disc brakes. Spawn opting for Tektro mechanical brakes and 160mm rotors at both ends.

There’s a 7-speed SRAM X4/X3 drivetrain, 3-piece alloy cranks with an integrated chainguard and narrow-wide chainring to prevent it from jumping overboard. That said, this bike does utilise a square taper BB. It has quick-release hubs, meaning the cone wrenches can stay firmly attached to your tool board when mini-me gets a flat tyre.

2023 Spawn Raiju 20in

Spawn Cycles Australia Roiju — Spawn has opted for a seven-speed SRAM drivetrain and used a narrow-wide chainring in addition to the guide to prevent dropped chains.

2023 Spawn Yoji

Yoji kids bike — The Yoji has a set of Tektro V-brakes with short levers for some fully sick skids.

The Yoji is the amalgamation of several bikes in Spawn’s range, and is designed for kids as young as 2.5 years old or about 89cm tall. It’s built around an alloy frame and rigid chromoly fork, and sees Tektro mini V-brakes with short reach levers to mesh with tiny paws.

For bikes rolling on 14in wheels, the key considerations here are durability, weight and maximising longevity as your little shredder grows like a bean stock. Claimed to weigh 5.89kg in the 14in size and 6.35kg for the 16in, it shouldn’t be too much for your kiddo to push back up the hill — or for you carry for an extended distance when they decide they’ve had enough.

Spawn has opted to use a threadless headset — complete with sealed cartridge bearings — a flippable short reach stem, and headset spacers so you can raise the front end along with the saddle as your little one gets bigger.

Each bike also sees Spawn’s own Loam Start 14 x 1.9in tyres.

2023 Spawn Yoji 14in

Spawn Cycles Yoji

2023 Spawn Yoji 16in

Spawn Cycles Australia

2023 Tengu 12in

Bar the HALO carbon versions balance bikes on the whole are pretty similar across the range. The Spawn Tengu is modestly priced and hits all the right points.

Balance bikes don’t have a lot of room for innovation. All of them have two wheels, handlebars and a seat, and the good ones have air-filled tyres and an alloy frame.

What the Tengu does bring to the table is a rear brake, with a Tektro V brake mounted under the chainstays so that those shoes you bought last week aren’t the only way for your kiddo to scrub speed.

2023 Spawn Tengu 12in

Spawn Cycles brings trail ready kids mountain bikes to Australia

Related:

Spawn Cycles Australian range 2023

Spawn Rokk

2023 Rokk 20/22in build

2023 Rokk 24/26in build

2023 Rokk 26/27.5in build

2023 Spawn Yama Jama

2023 Spawn Yama Jama 20in

2023 Spawn Yama Jama 22in

2023 Spawn Yama Jama 24in

2023 Spawn Yama Jama 26in

2023 Spawn Kotori

2023 Spawn Kotori 20in

2023 Spawn Kotori 24in

2023 Spawn Kotori 26in

2023 Spawn Raiju 20in

2023 Spawn Raiju 20in

2023 Spawn Yoji

2023 Spawn Yoji 14in

2023 Spawn Yoji 16in

2023 Tengu 12in

2023 Spawn Tengu 12in

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