News | The 2015 Propain FRECHDAX: Small bike for big jumps

“Daddy, can I shred the bike park with you?” – The guys at PROPAIN bikes are not just enthusiastic mountain bikers but also proud dads. Therefore their own juniors were crucial for the development of the new kids mountain bike FRECHDAX. The name FRECHDAX comes from the German expression for a mischievous child or a cheeky monkey. In the mountain bike paradise Whistler it’s not unusual for families, including the little ones, to shred the bike park together. This was the biggest motivation for David Assfalg and Robert Krauss, both dads of bike enthusiastic juniors, to develop a suitable mountain bike for kids, which matches the performance of the big bikes…hence the FRECHDAX was born!

Das Propain FRECHDAX präsentiert sich in seinem neuen 2015er Fell. — The Propain FRECHDAX sporting it’s new look and parts.

FRECHDAX: Maximum fun and no compromises

A lot of dedication and effort was put into the development and construction of the FRECHDAX to create an uncompromising and kids suitable mountain bike. Special attention was paid to meet the needs of small and light riders. The goal was not to simply downscale a standard mountain bike but to optimize each components performance to perfectly suit kid’s needs. The bike has 100mm travel and is designed for kids from 3 to 8 years of age and can be ridden with 16″ and 20″ wheels.

The FRECHDAX also won the Design & Innovation Award 2015. Read the jury’s verdict here.

100 mm Federweg im Heck und 1-fach Antrieb wie bei den "Großen" — 100 mm of travel in the back and a single chain ring in the front like the big boys.

FRECHDAX: Thrilled little riders

The response from the little riders of our FRECHDAX after the first year on the market was just overwhelming: countless mails of stoked riders approved our concept. However this just motivated us to even take it a step further, by making some modifications and updates which will delight our little customers.

By using new and lighter tubes we were able to reduce the weight of the frame keeping the same stability. In addition we now use special kid’s mountain bike components from FIRSTRIDE COMPONENTS. This includes a carbon fiber fork and a crankset with narrow-wide-chain ring. With all these changes we were able to drop the overall weight of the top model down to 9,6kg with 20 inch wheels.

Stabile Sixpack Racing Komponenten stellen die Kontrolle des FRECHDAX sicher. — The sturdy Sixpack Racing cockpit and Magura brakes enable a perfect control of the bike.

FRECHDAX: Suspension tuning even daddies wish for

Based on the configuration, the suspension of the FRECHDAX consists of a Spinner or a FIRSTRIDE fork and a Rock Shox Monarch rear shock. Each shock has been reworked to reduce breakout forces to a minimum and adapt the damping system to light riders. By using air suspension and super viscous oil, we created a meaningful adjustment range for kids. This way the suspension reacts sensitively for even the very lightest riders.

All new are the special cranks for kids by FIRSTRIDE with a narrow-wide-chain ring that allows to ride without a chain guide. The FRECHDAX is available in three different configurations and four color options (aluminum raw, shiny white, neon-orange and neon-green).

FIRSTRIDE COMPONENTS: Bike components for kids

The guys from PROPAIN bikes and SIXPACK racing teamed up under the name FIRSTRIDE COMPONENTS to develop special bike components for kids. A FIRSTRIDE carbon suspension fork is already available. The fork is developed for 20″ wheels and stands out due to a total weight of just 1.490g. Its rebound and compression damping is adjustable. With its low weight and adjustment possibilities it perfectly meets the special needs of kids.

Both 16″ and 20″ wheelsets as well as special cranks for kids are already available from FIRSTRIDE COMPONENTS. A handlebar-stem-combination, consisting of a 38mm stem and a 550mm wide aluminum handlebar, flat-pedals, and grips will follow soon.

Je nach Austattungsvariante hat das FRECHDAX eine der neuen FIRSTRIDE Federgabeln an der Front. — Depending on the model the FRECHDAX features the new FIRSTRIDE carbon fork.

FRECHDAX: Specs

The frame of the FRECHDAX is made by 6061 T6 / 6013 T6 alloy, has a 1 1/8 ” head tube and provides 100 mm of suspension in the back. It also has a ISCG05 mount and the seatpost diameter is 27,2 mm.

Das FRECHDAX ist durchgestylt wie ein Big Bike. — Small bike with the style of a big bike.

The basic model of the FRECHDAX features a Spinner fork and Hayes Dyno Comp brakes with 180 mm rotors. Crank (95 or 115 mm) and wheels (16 or 20 inch) are both FIRSTRIDE products. Sixpack Racing is taking care of shifting and steering. Tyres are Schwalbes Black Jack. Altogether it comes down to a total weight of 10,5 kg and a price of 1.349,00 EUR. All three models are available in the following color ways: Aluminium raw, shiny white, neon-green, neon-orange.

FRECHDAX 1 - Die Basisversion. — FRECHDAX 1 – The basic model.

The FRECHDAX 2 is equiped with the new FIRSTRIDE carbon fork and has a Shimano 105 derailleur as well as Magura MT2 brakes. The 20″ Version weighs in at 9,8 kg and costs 1.349,00 EUR.

FRECHDAX 2 - Top in Preis und Leistung. — FRECHDAX 2 – Top price/performance ratio.

Just like the second Model the FRECHDAX 3 has FIRSTRIDE carbon fork and Magura MT2 brakes. The only thing new is the Shimano Ultegra Shortcage derailleur, which helps making the bike even lighter. Pricepoint for the highest spec model is 1.849,00 EUR.

FRECHDAX 3 - Für kleine Racer. — FRECHDAX 3 – Made for little racers.

For all three models of the 2015 FRECHDAX check in at the Propain bicycles onlineshop, where you can also find the exact geometry information.

Words: Propain press release & Laurenz Utech | Photos: Propain

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