The first bike is never forgotten: this is the new Orbea Kimu

Orbea has presented its new Kimu 2027 range, a family of children's bicycles designed to accompany the little ones from their first steps on a bike to their first real outings on trails. The brand presents this collection as a line with its own identity, not just a simple reduction of its adult models, and supports it with three clear ideas: confidence while riding, child-specific design, and a construction meant to last.

Orbea presents the new Kimu, a children's range designed to grow with each stage of learning

The starting point of Kimu lies in the very philosophy of the project. Orbea understands that starting on a bicycle is not a single phase, but a continuous progression in which the child's size, coordination, strength, and ambition change very quickly. That’s why the range is divided into a learning stage, represented by the Kimu 16, and a development stage, which includes the Kimu 20, 24, and 27.5. The idea is that the bike does not force the little cyclist to adapt to it, but rather that the bike accompanies their evolution.

Kimu 16: a bike designed for learning without training wheels

The Kimu 16 is the most unique model in the collection because Orbea has designed it to cover several phases of learning within a single bike. It starts as a balance bike, allowing the child to focus first on mastering stability and control. Then, braking comes into play, thanks to specific levers adapted to small hands. Later, when those gestures are internalized, the foot supports transform into cranks and pedals, allowing the transition to a pedal bike without the need for training wheels.

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This approach aims for each skill to be incorporated progressively and naturally. Additionally, Orbea adds a stabilizer between the frame and fork that prevents the handlebars from turning excessively and helps return it to its position, making riding more intuitive during the first attempts. A longer seat post is also included to extend the model's usage time, a detail that aligns with the durability idea that runs throughout the range.

From Kimu 20 to 27.5: the leap to a more capable bike

Starting from the Kimu 20, the range enters a phase clearly oriented towards technical development. Orbea offers three wheel sizes, 20”, 24”, and 27.5”, to cover different growth stages and allow a more logical transition between ages, sizes, and skills. Within that structure, there are builds with different focuses: some more centered on lightness and the use of higher-level components, and others more oriented towards combining fun, stability, and durability.

At the top of the range, the Kimu is already very close to a true youth MTB. Models like the Kimu 24 H10 TR or the Kimu 27 H10 incorporate components that clearly open the door to trail use, such as suspension forks, wide-range drivetrains, and dropper posts. In this sense, the line does not remain a recreational children's bike but proposes a real progression towards mountain biking.

They are not reduced adult bikes, but models made for children

One of the most interesting aspects of the new Kimu is that Orbea insists that the entire range has been specifically designed for young cyclists. This is reflected in the ergonomics and the selection of components. There are shorter cranks, adapted grips, specific saddles, short-stroke shifters, and handlebars with coherent measurements for each size. The goal is not only for the child to reach the ground or be able to pedal, but to feel truly comfortable and in control.

This is complemented by work on geometry and the relationship between the bike's weight and that of the rider. At early ages, this balance is crucial to prevent riding from becoming clumsy or heavy. Orbea aims for the bike to respond easily and for the child to gain autonomy from the start, which ties into the idea of “riding that inspires confidence” that the brand positions as one of the pillars of the Kimu.

Hydraulic brakes, large wheels, and a more stable base

Another important feature of the new range is the commitment to solutions that, until recently, were not common in children's bicycles. All Kimu models in the development category come with hydraulic disc brakes, an element that improves braking power and modulation, but above all facilitates control for hands with less strength.

The Big Wheel concept also appears, with proportionally larger wheels for the rider's size. According to Orbea, this solution provides more inertia, better stability, and a smoother ride, as well as offering more traction when the terrain gets tricky. Practically, this means a bike that is safer, more stable, and more natural to ride when the first adventures off the pavement or on rougher paths begin.

A range designed to last beyond a single user

Durability is another central idea in the new Kimu. Orbea has developed this family to withstand intensive use and the bumps typical of childhood but also to remain relevant as the child grows. Hence, elements like different length seat posts or a stem designed to accompany the cyclist's evolution throughout the bike's useful life appear.

In the more equipped builds, this intention to build a solid foundation is also evident, with aluminum frames, internal cable routing, protectors, and a selection of reliable components. It is not a bike designed just to serve a specific season, but a platform with which Orbea aims to offer long-term value, even with the possibility of passing it on to another user later.

Customization to strengthen the bond with the bike

The brand has also wanted to emphasize the emotional aspect. In the entry-level models, there are protectors ready to be decorated with stickers and a plate to write the name, while in the Kimu range, interchangeable protectors with different designs are also included. It’s a simple detail, but it fits well with the product logic: that the child does not see the bike as a generic object, but as something personal from day one.

Models and prices of the Orbea Kimu 2027 range

Looking at the complete catalog, the new Kimu covers a very wide range. The Kimu 16 operates in a purely formative area, the Kimu 20 introduces lighter builds and more accessible versions, the Kimu 24 makes the leap to much more capable configurations, and the Kimu 27.5 fully enters the territory of youth MTB with options equipped with front suspension, Shimano 10 and 12-speed drivetrains, and, in the case of the most advanced version, a dropper post and a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 with 110 mm. In other words, not only does the size of the bike grow; its character also becomes evidently more robust.

• Kimu 16 – 499 €
• Kimu 20 H20 – 649 €
• Kimu 20 H10 – 849 €
• Kimu 24 H20 – 669 €
• Kimu 24 H10 – 869 €
• Kimu 24 H10 TR – 1,149 €
• Kimu 27 H20 – 999 €
• Kimu 27 H10 – 1,399 €

More information on the official Orbea website.