Welcome to our comprehensive review of an incredibly well-designed and built off-road balance bike, the Kids Ride Shotgun (KRS) Dirt Hero.
KRS Dirt Hero Specifications
Product: Kids Ride Shotgun (KRS) Dirt Hero Off-Road Balance Bike
Recommended For: Spirited, dirt-loving rider’s aged 2 – 5 years
Price / Best Place to Buy: Starting at USD $340 (dirt hero frame kit + 12″ wheel kit) / or USD $360 (dirt hero frame kit + 14″ wheel kit) *** optional Magura MT4 disc brake USD $99.00
find at cambriabike.com (dirt hero frame + 12″ wheel kit) and kidsrideshotgun.com
Intended Age-Range: designed for kids aged 2 – 5 years (13.5″ – 18.75″ inseam height)
Frame + Tyres: MTB specific, high quality and light weight 6061-T6 aluminium frame + Vee Tire Co Crown Gem 2.25″ (w) by 12″ or 14″ tire options
Wheel Size: 12″ or 14″ kits available, custom through axle front and rear hubs
Wheelbase: 612 mm (12″) / 646 mm (14″)
Seat Height Range: 317 – 402 mm (12″) / 352 – 437 mm (14″)
Handle bar Adjustment: no
Bike Weight: 4kg (12″) / 4.4 kg (12″ with disc brake) / 4.2 kg (14″) / 4.6 kg (14″ with disc brake)
Footrests: removable footrests
Brakes: optional Magura MT4 disc brake kit available ($99.00)
Steering Limiter: no
Warranty: 5 years (frame and fork) / 12 months (parts and components)
Overall Rating: *** 9.8 / 10
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Before providing you with a brief summary and then, a more detailed review of the KRS Dirt Hero balance bike, we would like for you to consider the below statement as you read our review and ponder which balance bike is best for your child.
“Not all balance bikes are created equal, and every child is unique!”
We have completed our own comprehensive research into this bike, so that we can meet our goal to provide you with everything you need to know to confidently decide whether the KRS Dirt Hero Off-road Balance Bike will be a great match for your little rider.
KRS Dirt Hero Review Summary
Pros – What we really like about the KRS Dirt Hero
- MTB specific features and outstanding overall build quality
- Two wheel kit options (12″ and 14″)
- Magura hydraulic disc brake option with child safe rotor guard and easy reach brake lever
- High-quality pneumatic air tires (Vee Tire Co Crown Gems) excellent for off-road MTB riding
- Semi integrated headset with sealed cartridge bearings
- Long wheelbase adds stability and control
- Well designed, practical foot rests are removable
- Funky, fun inclusions: 3 MTB skins, a bunch of stickers and mini-mudguard
Cons – What didn’t we particularly like about the KRS Dirt Hero
- Expensive investment (** however, just remember this is a top-quality niche bike for niche dirt rider’s)
- no bumpers on grips
KRS Dirt Hero Comprehensive Review
Let’s ride on into the nitty-gritty of the above points, diving into greater detail and unpacking some helpful insights that will completely illuminate this developmental powerhouse of a bike, the KRS Dirt Hero.
Enjoy!
What we liked about the Dirt Hero and why?
MTB Specific Features and Overall Quality Build
First up, let’s get you up to speed with the brand that was born on New Zealand’s North Island. Their purpose is simple: to raise the next generation of mountain biker’s.
Named after their first product (the shotgun seat) released in 2017, founders Tom Hayward and Dan Necklan have developed a bunch of mountain bike products for, you guessed it, mountain bike families with children up to 5-years.
This of course includes the KRS Dirt Hero Off-road balance bike.
From their Alphabet book ‘Shred Til Bed’ to balance bikes to MTB towropes, their passion is to inspire families to get hooked on riding bikes together. In a word, we love what they stand for.
So let’s take a closer look into the balance bike and its features that has been purpose-built to encourage and develop this next generation of mountain biker’s.
First up, the frame is light, tough, and has a kid-specific MTB geometry that is aggressive, with a low handlebar height and smaller (or slacker) seat tube angle (65 degrees).
This more aggressive position, complemented with a nice long wheelbase adds stability and comfort, and allows the rider to push over hills by leaning well toward the handle bars.
Basically, it allows for more room in the cockpit (see image) perfect for adventurous riding (see image).
With a build quality that complements the purpose behind the Dirt Hero’s design, its kid tough, smooth lines, high-end materials and build finish including some nice finishing touches such as hidden axle bolts and safety rotor guard on the disc brake, the Dirt Hero get’s an overall tick for quality and practicality.
Two Wheel-kit Options (12″ and 14″)
Most balance bike’s on the market only come with one wheel size option, the most common being 12″.
The KRS Dirt Hero has the option of 12″ or 14″ wheel kits on the same frame, potentially allowing you to purchase this bike for your child at around 2-years with the 12″ wheel kit, then adding the larger 14″ wheels when ready.
This should see your child riding this ripping machine up to around 5-years of age, continuing to develop their riding skills and enjoying the challenges and adventures that come with it, all on the same bike.
An important point worth noting here.
The off-road capabilities of the Dirt Hero make the option to up-size the wheel-kits from 12″ to 14″ all on a balance bike, rather than a 14″ pedal bike, a practical winner.
But why?
Well, for little bodies, riding gravel, dirt, hilly single-track trails and gnarly bike parks can be accomplished much easier on a balance bike, rather than trying to ride these environments on their first, usually very short-cranked 14″ pedal bike.
Most kids will love riding the balance bike over these tougher, MTB terrains yet struggle on a small 14″ pedal bike.
Hence, the fun factor on a balance bike is sky-high, their love of riding encouraged and this positively allows them more time to confidently handle an off-road machine before stepping up to a 16″ pedal bike in a few years.
Quality Magura Hydraulic Disc Brake with child safe rotor guard
When it comes to balance bikes, we are a big fan of rear brakes, and we must say they don’t come any better than the Dirt Hero’s Magura rear disc brake.
The Magura disc brake, complemented with the small reach Magura HC1 blade lever (see above) is ideal for little hands.
This is a hydraulic disc brake (fluid filled, mineral oil brake line) and offer’s supreme power and requires little strength to operate, making them ideal for tiny hands and far superior to v-brakes or mechanical disc brakes.
Essentially, this is the same brake you see on higher-end, top quality big MTB’s, just on a smaller scale.
We think these are unbeatable for off-road balance bike riding.
KRS have also created a world first, child safe rotor guard to help keep little hands and feet safe. A brilliant addition.
Vee Tire Co Crown Gem Pneumatic Tires
Hands down, pneumatic (air) tires are the go-to option when it comes to any bike, yet are even more important when it comes to a kid’s first bike and learning how to ride.
But why?
When it comes to balance bikes, you have two tires option. Solid foam (EVA) maintenance free tires that never need inflation, and pneumatic (air) tires.
We have, through our own riding experience and extensive research come to the conclusion that air tires provide rider’s with far superior suspension, greater grip and stability, and hence a smoother ride on all surfaces.
The greater control, comfort and traction is essential for an off-road specific balance bike like the Dirt Hero. However, your child will benefit from the above qualities on any surface, and of course can ride this bike accordingly wherever their adventurous spirit takes them.
A real plus!
Just be aware that air tires (just like any balance bike) requires maintenance.
Now and then you will need to check air pressure, look for cuts, nicks or any penetrating objects and of course keep inflated within the recommended air pressures. This relatively small investment is well worth the riding benefits that pneumatic tires provide, above and beyond the ride and feel of any foam tire on the market.
True, semi-integrated headset with sealed cartridge bearings
Headsets on most pedal bikes (and some balance bikes) are what we call true headsets.
These have separate handle bars and stems, sealed clamp and bolts to securely fasten the handle bars to the head stem.
The dirt hero has a semi integrated headset and four-bolt clamp (just like the big boys MTB’s) that make for superb steering control for little rider’s even over difficult off-road terrain.
This is yet another feature that oozes quality on the Dirt Hero.
Long wheelbase adds stability, comfort and control
Firstly, let’s be clear on what we’re talking about here and why?
In bike terms, the wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles. The greater the distance (to an optimal point of course) allows for greater riding stability, comfort and superior handling, all beneficial qualities when shredding off-road.
The Dirt Hero’s wheelbase extends slightly when converting the wheel sets (612mm with 12″ wheels / 646mm with 14″) thanks to the dropout extenders, and overall, is generous compared to similar, high-quality balance bikes.
For example, the Woom 1 (12″) has a wheelbase of 555mm, the Woom 1 Plus (14″) 635mm, Frog Tadpole Plus (14″) is 594mm, and the Kokua LIKEaBIKE Jumper 14″ a whopping 660mm.
When combined with the light weight design, lower handle bars, and larger cockpit (mentioned earlier), a large wheelbase simply increases the rider’s ability to test their limits on more challenging terrain and in so doing, massively amps up the fun factor for adventurous little groms.
Well-designed Removable Footrests
Balance bikes come with a variety of footrest options and yet some, none at all.
We are a big fan, as these allow more experienced rider’s to safely and neatly tuck away their feet and enjoy gliding at every opportunity.
This will speed up their coordination, motor control and bike handling skills as this encourages your child to test their limits through balancing a bike.
Well designed footrests are placed well back on the bike’s frame, so that when looking from above over the saddle, the footrests are almost completely hidden.
Quite simply, footrests should be discretely integrated into the bike’s frame so they will not obstruct little running feet.
Some examples of well-designed foot rests can be found on balance bikes such as the Vuly, GOMO (12″), Strider 12 Sport, Trek Kickster, Cooghi S4 and Hornit Airo.
While the Dirt Hero’s footrests are situated a reasonable distance forward when compared to the saddle position, these are nicely integrated onto the frame, allowing rider’s to put their full weight through the footrests and safely stand completely out of the saddle to glide.
This is a big advantage when rolling over hilly single track and rugged terrain, as this allows the rider to safely get out of the seat and have a higher vantage point to scope the approaching landscape.
Foot rests also provide a nice resting position for your little groms, allowing them to explore their bike handling capabilities with feet safely tucked away.
So why would you want the option of removable foot rests?
Great question.
Little bodies just starting out on their first balance bike (12″) will not be using these too often, at least initially as they learn to walk, jog and run on their shiny two-wheeled machine.
Also, it takes a little skill and of course practice for kid’s to move their legs quickly without being hindered by large, sometimes ill-designed and obtrusive foot rests.
By having the option to begin riding the KRS Dirt Hero with the 12″ wheel kit and no footrests, removes this feature completely and allows kid’s to focus on the essentials of bike familiarization and of course fun when most needed.
And that time is when they first get riding.
Then, simply slap on the footrests (three simple bolts required) when you can clearly see they are craving the riding possibilities this feature will open up to their riding development.
Inclusion of fun, funky (and one practical) accessories
While not entirely necessary, its always nice to get some extra little presents in the bike box.
The KRS Dirt Hero comes with some neat, fun looking stickers for kids to paste all over their bike, three different colored MTB skins to protect the top tube and a mini front mudguard.
Wicked!
What didn’t we particularly like about the KRS Dirt Hero?
Before beginning this section, we must say that credit should be given where credit is due.
Kudos must go to the team at KRS for the Dirt Hero’s design, as this section in our post is unique for its brevity.
In a word, there is little we didn’t like about the Dirt Hero. However, here are two points worth mentioning.
Initially an expensive investment
Let’s get straight to the point, the Dirt Hero is an expensive investment.
Right now there are more balance bikes available on the market than at any time since the invention of contemporary balance bike’s for kids. Yet their quality varies remarkably.
Like anything, you get what you pay for.
The KRS Dirt Hero is an ultimate off-road balance bike that already shares a huge following and growing reputation as one of, if not THE ultimate off-road balance bike available. So, quite naturally, this will be expensive and relatedly, hold good re-sale value.
However, no ifs or buts here, this is a first class product designed for mountain bike families looking to get their kid’s a suitable balance bike that will easily handle the trail experience right alongside them.
Well, MTB parents, look no further, the KRS Dirt Hero fits the bill nicely.
Bottom line, if you love off-road riding and wish to share and encourage your passion with your kid’s, this will be well worth the investment.
Not purely because of the high quality bike that your little rider will be enjoying, but because of the invaluable memories you will be able to create while sharing your passions with your family.
We believe its well worth every penny!
No safety bumpers on grips
Ok, we are being a touch fastidious here, but we do like to see safety bumpers on balance bike grips. They are simple, yet brilliant, as they add another element of protection for little hands during falls (see image of the GOMO grips below).
We can understand this omission from the KRS Dirt Hero quite simply because its designed to be ridden off-road, where potential falls will be on softer, more forgiving surfaces.
That being said, most kid’s will ride this bike at some point on hard surfaces such as bike paths and parks, so we believe grip bumpers certainly have their place on kids balance bikes.
We would love to see their inclusion on future iterations of the Dirt Hero 🙂
How does the KRS Dirt Hero Compare to Other Balance Bike’s in its Class
It’s important for us to consider how the Dirt Hero stacks up to the competition. Well, just like the above section, this element of our post will be extremely brief (but it’s a good thing).
Why?
Well, quite simply, there is no direct competition to the Dirt Hero.
No other off-road balance bike currently exists that comes close to the superior quality and purpose-built, off-road capabilities modeled by the Dirt Hero.
Simply put, the Off-Road Dirt Hero balance bike is in a category of its own, and at the time of writing, has no equal.
Overall ilovetoridemybike.com Conclusion
In sum, the KRS Dirt Hero Off-Road Balance Bike really is, at this point in time at least, unmatched in the balance bike world when it comes to off-road pedal free kids bikes.
The KRS Dirt Hero is best suited for mountain bike families wanting to share and instill their love of off-road riding with their kids, and would be a perfect match for adventurous dirt-loving toddlers 2-to-5-years.
With the unique, MTB inspired design, two wheel sizes and first class disc brake options, see this bike leading the way to inspire, develop and bedazzle little dirt-groms into future champions all while having a blast on two-wheels.
You can find out more here at kidsrideshotgun.com
In addition, if you would like to learn more about balance bike riding ideas for kids to help keep them motivated and quite simply just having fun while learning how to ride, you might like to check out our post, Balance bike riding ideas for toddlers and preschoolers.
We are sure you will find this helpful.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave these below. We are here to help.
Happy riding!
