Commencal has today announced a new e-MTB but not one for you or I, but rather a Shimano STEPS powered hardtail for the young guns in our families.
Riding with kids can be great fun, but it can also be a bit of a challenge especially when your little shredder wants to join you on a longer ride, with more challenging terrain. While we can cruise along on our huge travel 29ers, our kids can be struggling along on smaller bikes and not really enjoying themselves.
What if we could get an e-Bike small enough for our kids to ride so that they can enjoy longer rides at a similar pace? Commencal has thought about just this and today revealed a 24in wheeled Shimano Steps powered bike called the Meta HT Power 24.
The kids hardtail e-Bike features a Shimano STEPS E7000 motor, because it’s slightly lighter than the E8000, a full-size 504wh Shimano external battery, dropper post and a collection of new child-specific kit from the new JUNIT range of components including a Manitou suspension fork.
We’re not sure on the price of the Meta HT Power 24 because at the time of writing the bike isn’t showing in the Commencal online store. What we do have for you though is the following video of the bike being ridden plus the official Commencal press release.
Press release follows:
“Children are now also entitled to a POWER version of the META! After all, if you ride an ebike, they should also have the right… Ideal to enjoy your family outings.
As with our full-suspension e-range, we trust the giant Shimano to provide the META HT POWER 24 motor. The E7000 version is packed full of features!
Light, compact and silent; it knows how to be forgotten about when necessary and to be ready when it’s really needed.
The reliability of the product and the many Shimano Service Centers around the world have convinced us of the merits of our choice. A frame, components and a reliable e-system is our priority!
We use a particularly compact external battery that fits into the META frame.
As with our full-suspension e-range, we trust the giant Shimano to provide the META HT POWER 24 motor. The E7000 version is packed full of features!
Light, compact and silent; it knows how to be forgotten about when necessary and to be ready when it’s really needed.
The reliability of the product and the many Shimano Service Centers around the world have convinced us of the merits of our choice. A frame, components and a reliable e-system is our priority!
We use a particularly compact external battery that fits into the META frame.
The rest was designed as a META HT 24! We’ve used a Manitou fork. With its 24” size consistent travel (120mm) is easily offered without distorting the balance of the bike.
The position of the points of support on the bike are ideal and comfortable too.
The frame itself brings a lot of comfort with its rear triangle designed to offer a bit more vertical flex.
The addition of a Yoke makes it possible to use short chain stays (390mm) for an ebike, and the 24” wheels mounted with 2.4” wide tyres also maximise comfort.”
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Won’t 24″ wheels be too small for most 14+ year olds?
“Daddy, I want a pony”
those wheels are amazing. No valves to be seen 🙂
So is this aimed at ridiculously spoilt kids or parents who are too selfish to choose routes they are capable of?
I’m here for the comments
I have very strong views on any able bodied person under the age of 50 riding an e bike.
“I have very strong views on any able bodied person under the age of 50 riding an e bike”
Which I can assure you, nobody cares about.
E-bikes are FUN at any age. You don’t get to judge.
“So is this aimed at ridiculously spoilt kids or parents who are too selfish to choose routes they are capable of?”
Or – just maybe – it’s a recognition of the fact that e-bikes are a hoot regardless of how old you are?
Dunno – just a thought, y’know…
The theory is great, the reality & way I’ve seen some kids behave on ebikes, particularly at trail centres suggests litigation waiting to happen.
Sooner or later the minority will ruin it for the many & I hope its not by restricting land access for us all.
PS. I genuinely think ebikes are great.
As someone who’d like to take my lad out riding but gets frustrated at the “Dad I’m tiiiiiuuuuddd” as soon as the trail points up hill, I think this is a brilliant idea. Unfortunately, until I win the lottery, he’ll just have to pedal.
Shock horror, it’s ok for kids to get tired….
And what is to stop kids getting tired on an ebike?
^^Marketing!
Hiring one of these would be a great way for a smaller rider to smash a full day of riding with a parent – and if the parent is riding a non-assist bike then it evens up nicely : )
I’ve ridden an e-bike, you still have to pedal them! the assist is only really used on the hills and getting it moving for a strong rider, so for small riders it will help because rocks and roots that a grownup can dodge and roll over aren’t as easily navigated and if they have to stop it’s easier for them to set off unaided.
Maybe I’m wrong, I just think from an ethics stand point if your out riding you should earn your elevation.
Got nothing against uplift it is what it is, everyone is in the same boat.
Children should learn that reward comes after hard work not that you can always strap a battery pack on to make it easier
They do realise that this can’t be legally ridden by anyone under 14, right? (Ie. except on totally private land, no roads, trail centres, rights of way or access land)