Belter 16 Auto

The Early Rider Belter 16 Auto is the kind of kids’ bike that makes a lot of sense once you understand the problem it is trying to solve.

Most 16-inch kids’ bikes are single-speed. That keeps things simple, but it also means the gear has to be a compromise. Make it easy enough for little legs to climb small hills, and kids can spin out quickly on faster sections. Make it big enough for real speed, and the bike becomes harder to get moving when the road tilts up or the grass gets thick.

The Belter 16 Auto gets around that problem with a 2-speed automatic rear hub. And that's the best part–there is no shifter for your kid to think about and no derailleur hanging near the ground. The bike changes gear on its own as speed and cadence changes, giving young riders a little more range without adding another task to manage.

At this age, that's a huge bonus. A 4-, 5-, or 6-year-old may understand that pedaling gets harder uphill, but that does not mean they know how to manage gear choice. The automatic hub lets them focus on riding while the bike gives them an easier gear to get going and a harder gear once they are moving.

The belt drive is the other major reason to consider this bike. It is quiet, clean, and low-maintenance. There is no greasy chain to mark up legs, car interiors, or the back of your pants. For parents, who bear the brunt of either stuffing the bike in the back of the car or scrubbing chain grease off legs and clothing, that is not an insignificant detail. A clean drivetrain makes the bike a lot easier to live with.

The Belter 16 Auto also gets the basics right. It has a lightweight aluminum frame, a low standover height, short-reach brake levers, and wide 2-inch Schwalbe Billy Bonkers tires. The tires roll well on pavement but still have enough volume and tread for gravel paths, cinder trails, and packed dirt. This is not a tiny mountain bike, but it is more capable than most skinny-tire neighborhood bikes.

The geometry leans stable rather than twitchy, and borrows heavily from Early Rider's dedicated off-road bikes. The longer wheelbase and low center of gravity help the bike feel more steady under a small rider still learning the nuances of handling, especially when the surface is less than perfect.

Unlike bikes designed to be ridden primary in the woods, the Belter 16 Auto uses V-brakes instead of disc brakes. For pavement, paths, and general neighborhood riding, that is a reasonable choice. It keeps the weight and price lower than they would be with hydraulic discs, and the short-reach levers are appropriate for small hands. They do, however, require periodic maintenance. 

The Belter 16 Auto is is light, clean, easy to manage, and more versatile than a basic single-speed. The automatic hub is not a gimmick. It solves a real problem for young riders who need easier starts without giving up speed once they are rolling.

If your child is already riding more like a mountain biker, or showing interest in spending more time off-road, Early Rider's Seeker 16 is a better pick.