Bicycle Retailer & Industry News reported today that Portland-based Cyclone Bicycle Supply is now the exclusive U.S. distributor of Early Rider balance bikes:
Early Rider, based in Henley, England, produces a line of wood-framed balance bikes that feature pneumatic tires on aluminum rims, sealed hub bearings and a fully adjustable seat.
“Our ambition is to get every child mobile, without using stabilizers,” said Early Rider founder Andy Loveland. “We have combined British innovation with West Coast style and world-leading manufacturing.”
John Byfield, Sales Manager at Cyclone says he’s excited to have the Early Rider. “They’re a super high-quality bike and they appeal to kids and parents. Dad gets excited about the quality and the kids like them because of the flames and other features.”
Early Riders retail between $160 to $200, which is more expensive than others on the market, but Byfield says, it’s well worth it. “You can hand it down through a few kids, and maybe even grandkids.”
Byfield says Early Rider has plans to expand into a belt-driven pedal bike and an aluminum balance bike. The bikes are designed in England and manufactured out of FSC certified marine-grade plywood at Early Rider’s factory in China.
Early Rider’s bikes caught my eye when they brought them to the 2010 Pedal Nation bike show.
Wooden balance bikes are a natural fit for Portland: We’re bike crazy, family biking has taken off, and we’ve got a notable legacy of being a timber town and a bike building mecca. While I’m still dreaming that someone will make wooden balance bikes here in Portland, I’m glad to see that at least a local company is involved with selling them.