Zulu Two Heir 兒童山地單車 by Prevelo Bikes is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award 金獎 in 嬰兒產品設計 Competition Category.

金嬰兒產品· 2022

Zulu Two Heir 兒童山地單車

by Prevelo Bikes

Client: Prevelo Bikes

A' Design Award 金獎 Winner in 嬰兒產品 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #134976

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Zulu Two Heir 兒童山地單車

Zulu Two Heir 係一部16吋硬尾山地單車，專為喺山路上騎行嘅年幼車手而設計。加長嘅軸距同埋較斜嘅車架幾何，令仲喺學緊山路騎行嘅細路更容易掌控。低五通位配合短曲柄長度，令車手貼近地面之餘，仍然保持良好嘅踩踏人體工學。車架採用6061鋁合金製造，油壓碟剎提供簡單而強勁嘅制動力。前避震氣叉專為16吋車輪而設，採用碳纖維同鋁合金以減輕重量，並可以因應輕量車手作出調校。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 金獎

Zulu Two Heir 兒童山地單車是 A' Design Award 金獎得主，這是授予一流、絕妙而傑出設計的極為崇高的認可。金獎得主是極具創新、極富遠見且璀璨奪目的創作，反映出其設計師的天才、智慧與才幹。預計Zulu Two Heir 兒童山地單車將成為一項備受讚譽、引領潮流、氣勢恢宏的發明，帶來前所未有的價值。這件贏得 A' Design Award 金獎的設計是一個壯觀而受人敬重的項目，極大地造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Zulu Two Heir 兒童山地單車激起強烈的渴望，喚起激情，鼓勵創造力，令我們著迷。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Prevelo Zulu Two Heir is the first 16-inch hardtail mountain bike. It is a trail-capable bike for very young riders. The long wheelbase and slack geometry are forgiving to young riders who are still learning how to ride on trails. Making this bike required a new airfork designed to fit small wheels and capable of working with lightweight riders. The Heir 16 fork is the first airfork designed for 16-inch bicycles and features carbon fiber and aluminum construction.
Dimensions & Packaging: Wheel Size: 16" inches
Fork: 60mm travel airfork with HM Carbon Fiber and AL6061 lowers and AL7050 hard anodized 30mm diameter stanchions and adjustable rebound, lockout and compression
Brakes: Hydraulic disc
Frame Material: 6061 aluminum alloy
Wheel base: 790mm
Tags: bicycle, bikes, childrens bike, kids bike, mountain bike, kids mountain bike, 16-inch bike
Production Technology: The frame is made of 6061 alloy and incorporates a special low bottom bracket design and short crank lengths to create a bike that keeps the rider low to the ground while maintaining good pedaling ergonomics. The cranks are cold forged aluminum and custom made to our specification for length. The Heir 16 fork on the Zulu Two Heir uses aluminum alloy and carbon fiber construction to minimize weight. The fork utilizes an air spring that can be adjusted to accommodate lightweight riders and adjustable rebound dampening.
Design Challenge: Prior to the development of the Zulu Two Heir, there was no air fork available for this size wheel. We needed to develop a fork that would work with a 16-inch wheel. We also spent time researching how children ride on trails. There was little understanding of optimum geometry for bicycles for very young children on trails. We needed to research and observe children riding to understand the best geometry.
Research: Our objective was to create a bicycle that would make children most confident riding a bicycle on trails. Our primary form of research was watching children ride on trails, and soliciting input from parents that frequently rode trails with their children. In particular watching children ride trails, and experimenting with different geometries and components. We found that children rode more confidently with bikes that were lower, had strong easy to user brakes, and had forgiven geometry and suspension that helped correct for learning mistakes over technical terrain.
Inspiration: The design was inspired by watching children learning to ride on trails. We wanted to design a bike that would make children more confident riding on trails. In order to be confident on trails, children need a bike that is forgiving and stable, and has easy to use brakes, and a low center of gravity.
Project Duration: The project started in 2017 in California. Prototyping completed April 2018. First production bikes available to ship to kids in the United States in November 2018. Continued refinement through December 2021.
Operation Flow: This design makes it easier for children to ride on trails.
Patents: "Prevelo" and "Heir" are registered trademarks of Triunfo Sports LLC
Team Members: Jacob Rheuban
Image Credits: Photographer Kevin Wing