Each of the bikes by Germany’s Big Forest Frameworks that we’ve featured on The Spoken is a middle finger in the face of staid methodology. The latest to leave the workshop is a balance bike and, as you’d expect, its level of craft and spec is anything but diminutive.
Robert Piontek of Potsdam’s Big Forest Frameworks has been working on this balance bike for about six years. Well, that’s not really true. It was originally intended for his daughter – now six and past balance bike age – it was finally finished for his new son.
It may be the most top-shelf kids bikes you could find. S&S Couplers allow it to be split and packed into a pair of panniers or carry-on luggage. Chris King hubs are some of the few manufacturers that offer 16 hole drillings, which went well with the 12″ carbon rims.
As most parents know, balance bikes are a big market and Robert has made the astute decision to add making them as a course in his frame building classes, which he holds at his workshop. Who wouldn’t be excited about building their child’s first bike?
Version 2.0 is already in the works: the new bike will have forks with a carbon steerer and other carbon components to drop some weight. Probably a good idea. At least Dad could use this one as a gravity bike in the meantime.