BYK E450

GEOMETRY

Ergonomics is key.

In the pursuit of proper ergonomics designed especially for kids, you’ll see some major differences compared with other kids bikes.

The E450’s frame is kept nice and low to make the bike stable at speed and less “nervous”. It’s also a touch longer than other 20-inch kids bikes. This means kids will not outgrow their new E450 prematurely. It also makes getting on and off a little easier too.

One thing we’ve noticed is kids particularly struggle during the pedal stroke. So, all of the E450s use shorter than average crank arms.

The big deal, you ask?

It makes pedalling a LOT easier. Shorter cranks area easier to turn because they reduce the “resistance” area at the top and bottom of the pedal range.

And the cranks are a 3-piece construction, not the typical 1 piece. This makes them lighter because they’re made from aluminium not steel. AND the bearings are better quality so the cranks and pedals rotate smoother.

THE E450 RANGE

There are 6 different types of E450s.

The range starts with the standard E450. It’s the simplest in the range; with a front and rear hand brake, plus a pedal brake (coaster brake). Tyres are on the narrow side at 1.375-inches wide so it’s ideal for sealed bike paths. It’s also worth noting that training wheels can be fitted to this model too.

Next we have the ByK E450 3i. The “3i” bit stands for “3-speed Internal”.

This is the easiest geared bike for kids. 3 gears are built inside the rear hub. The advantage here is riders don’t need to pedal forward to change gear. As soon as you shift gear, the system automatically changes the gear.

And there’s no gear maintenance that needs to be done - just chain lube. And the unit lasts for years, it’s super robust.

Plus kids still get to keep their rear foot brake (the E4503i still comes with front and back hand brakes too).

The MTR (Mountain/Road) version is a brand new type. It comes in the 3i (3-speed internal) and the E450x7 (7 speed external) versions.

The point of the E450 MTR is for those kids who are riding on paths and light dirt or gravel. The extra width in the tyres means more grip on these loose surfaces - as well as a smoother ride on the road.

The 3i version retains the foot brake and a very robust gear system. The 7 speed offers more range though; so climbing steep hills is easier and going down them faster. And there’s no foot brake on this version, only handbrakes.

The 8-speed E450 is also relatively new. It’s exactly the same as the E450 3i BUT has 8 external gears instead of 3 internal. And no foot brake - only hand brakes.

And the E450 Mountain (MTB) versions are similar to the 8-speed version above. The frames on these are a little thicker and the tyres are wider, knobby tyres for better grip on dirt and gravel surfaces.

Lastly, we have the new E450 MTB Disc. Yep, it’s the only model in the range with disc brakes and front suspension. It’s a step away from what ByK typically do - narrow tyres and no suspension - but this MTB version is on the lighter side.