When you’re in the market for a kid’s bike, it’s natural to consider factors like price, quality, and safety. At Frog Bikes, we sometimes hear the question, "Why are Frog bikes more expensive?" It’s a fair question, we're here to explain the factors contributing to Frog bikes' cost and why these premium children’s bikes are worth every penny!
Cycling is more than just a mode of transportation or exercise; learning to ride is a key milestone in every child’s life. The sense of freedom and adventure that comes with riding a bike makes it a crucial part of childhood. However, while kids enjoy the excitement of cycling, ensuring children's cycling safety is essential. In this blog, we explore the importance of bike safety for kids and offer tips to keep your child safe on their cycling adventures. Teaching children about bike safety while cycling instils lifelong habits that extend far beyond their childhood.
A Frog bike isn't your typical children's bike! Not only are they
specifically designed for kids based on scientific research, but we pride
ourselves on the high-quality production of the entire bike that surpasses
safety standards, from the wheels up to the handlebars. That’s why we
think it is important to have our testing laboratory onsite in Wales,
UK.
THE TESTING SUITE
In our manufacturing facility in Pontypool, Wales, Frog Bikes has built
a state-of-the-art testing suite where an array of meticulous tests are
carried out on our bikes to ensure the utmost safety! The testing
facilities situated right on our premises, allow us to maintain our
commitment to safety, have greater quality control, and expedite changes
that may need to be made. We proudly boast a flawless track record -
Frog bikes have never once failed a single safety test!
EXCEED SAFETY STANDARDS
Each Frog bike undergoes rigorous testing to adhere to a range of reputable
standards, including:
BSI (British Standards Institute)
EN (European Norms)
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), and
ISO (International Standards Body Organisation)
These tests are agreed upon by experts from the industry - think of them
as a formula that describes the best way of doing something. Our
comprehensive assessments encompass dimensional and functional checks,
static loads, fatigue and impact testing that all ensure our bikes meet
the minimum safety requirements and beyond, and also exhibit robustness,
durability and long-lasting performance.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
We always test above and beyond industry standards, and even conduct
more robust testing protocols to ensure increased durability and safety
of our bikes. This not only enhances the reliability of our bikes but
also aids us in the research and development of new frames, forks and
bicycle components. You’ll thank us for not compromising on quality and
safety!
SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The testing also enables us to make improvements to the design of our
bikes to reduce the materials required to make them, whilst still
keeping the same quality and robustness. For example, we’ve introduced
novel spoke patterns to reduce the amount of stainless steel in each
wheel, as well as lighter bottom brackets, lighter cranks, and shorter
seat tubes, reducing the steel and aluminium in each bike. This work
will roll out through our range and help contribute to our Sustainable
Development goals.
We take a look at what’s involved in the testing process at Frog
Bikes…
Fatigue testing
A fatigue test involves repeatedly applying loads for up to 100,000 cycles
to meet the minimum level of safety, and beyond; for our own improved
quality and owners' peace of mind. By undertaking this rigorous process on
the frame, fork, saddle, seat post, handlebars, pedals and cranks, we
simulate not only their minimum lifespan but also their extended lifespan,
to reveal their true potential.
The loads are measured using load cells and are accurately applied through
pneumatic air cylinders. An electro-pneumatic control box manages the
duration of each load, monitors repetitions achieved and will automatically
cease operations when the target cycle count is reached. Our advanced
testing system ensures safety is never compromised!
Here are the loads and cycles we fatigue test:
Frames:
Horizontal Fatigue City and trekking +/- 450N (45Kg) for 100,000
cycles
Pedalling Fatigue City and trekking 1000N (100Kg) for 100,000 cycles
Pedalling Fatigue MTB 1200N (120Kg) for 100,000 cycles
Vertical Fatigue City and trekking 1000N (100Kg) for 100,000 cycles
Vertical Fatigue MTB 1200N (120Kg) for 100,000 cycles
Frog's hybrid bikes exemplify outstanding durability, successfully
enduring approximately 350,000 cycles of horizontal fatigue during
testing. This remarkable achievement far surpasses the ISO 4210
standard's requirement of 100,000 cycles at the City and trekking level,
demonstrating the superior quality and resilience of Frog's products.
Frog's balance bikes undergo rigorous testing too, which is not a
requirement. This includes horizontal fatigue assessment. An exceptional
example is the Tadpole + balance bike, which impressively surpassed even
adult standards by reaching an astounding 1,000,000 cycles in testing!
Forks:
City and trekking +/-450N (45Kg) for 100,000 cycles
MTB +/- 650N (65Kg) for 100,000 cycles
1st pedal bikes +/-400N for 100,000 cycles
Handlebar and stem assemblies:
City and trekking 200N (20Kg) out of phase for 100,000 cycles then
250N (25Kg) in phase for 100,000 cycles
MTB 270N (27Kg) out of phase for 100,000 cycles then 450N (45Kg) in
phase for 100,000 cycles
Seatposts:
1000N (100Kg) for 100,000 cycles
Saddles:
1000N (100Kg) for 200,000 cycles
Pedals:
80Kg city and trekking / 90Kg MTB for 100,000 revolutions for 100,000
revolutions
Impact testing
The purpose of impact testing is to simulate extreme events such as jumps
and crashes by dropping weights onto components, or loading components with
weights and dropping them through varying heights (depending on the
application). This helps to ensure that our bikes are built to last and can
endure the boundless adventures of children.
Here are the loads and cycles we impact test:
Frames:
Loaded with up to 90Kg in weight and dropped through 200mm City and
trekking / 300mm MTB
Loaded with 30Kg and dropped through 200mm for 1st pedal bikes
Forks:
22.5Kg dropped through 120mm 1st pedal bikes / 180mm City and trekking
/ 360mm MTB
Pedals:
15Kg dropped through 400mm
Static loads
Static loads are where we subject our safety critical components to high
loads, seeking out for any signs of cracks, fractures, deflection,
deformation or slippage beyond safe limits. This ensures that our bikes
offer unyielding strength and durability.
Here are the loads and cycles we static load test:
Forks:
Loaded with 1000N city and trekking / 1500N MTB with a deformation
limit of 10mm
Handlebar and stem assembly:
600N (60Kg city and trekking / 1000N (100Kg) mtb for 1 minute
Handlebar stems:
City and trekking 1600N (160Kg) for 1 minute looking for deformation
max 10mm
2000N for 1 minute looking for fractured and cracking / MTB 1600N
(160Kg) for 1 minute looking for deformation max 10mm
2600N for 1 minute looking for fractures and cracking
Saddles:
650N vertically / 250N horizontally with no movement allowed
1200N vertically checking for breaks
Seat posts:
2000N (200Kg) for 1 minute
Pedals:
1500N for 5 minutes
Dimensional checks
Dimension checks are made to every major component and the entire bike to
ensure that components interact as they should. We meticulously evaluate
safety clearances such as the precise reach distances in brake levers,
finger traps, toe clearance, pedal ground clearance, angles of tilt, gaps
between tyres and the frame and insertion depths. These minute details are
crucial for both safety and performance.
Functional and performance checks
With unwavering attention, we make a multitude of functional checks such as
tightening torques, measuring the force to remove hand grips in differing
environmental conditions from cold and wet to hot, measuring the force
required to pull the brake levers and operate quick release mechanisms,
ensuring seamless operation when it matters most. We detect any stiff spots
and slackness in bearings and assemblies, sharp edges and dangerous
protrusions.
We also examine the distribution of a rider’s weight through the bicycle,
ensuring optimal balance and performance. To truly push the limits we put
our bikes through braking performance tests, physically riding them in both
wet and dry conditions. With precision and accuracy, we measure braking
distances at varying speeds and rider weights, guaranteeing excellent
braking performance.
THE STANDARDS FROG BIKES MEET
Bike Range
Bike Model
Standards met
Balance Bike
Tadpole Mini
EN71 (Toys) and ASTM F963-19 (Toys)
Balance Bike
Tadpole
EN71 (Toys) and ASTM F963-19 (Toys)
Balance Bike
Tadpole Plus
EN71 (Toys) and ASTM F963-19 (Toys)
First Pedal
Frog 40
ISO 8098 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
First Pedal
Frog 44
ISO 8098 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
First Pedal
Frog 47
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Hybrid Bike
Frog 53
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Hybrid Bike
Frog 61
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Hybrid Bike
Frog 67
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Hybrid Bike
Frog 73
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Hybrid Bike
Frog 78
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Road Bike
Frog Road 58
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Road Bike
Frog Road 67
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Road Bike
Frog Road 70
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Track Bike
Frog Track 58
ISO 4210 Frame and fork only
Track Bike
Frog Track 67
ISO 4210 Frame and fork only
Track Bike
Frog Track 70
ISO 4210 Frame and fork only
Mountain Bike
Frog MTB 62
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Mountain Bike
Frog MTB 69
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Mountain Bike
Frog MTB 72
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
City Bike
Frog City 53
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
City Bike
Frog City 61
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
City Bike
Frog City 67
ISO 4210 and CPSC 1512 (CFR 1512)
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every meticulous test
conducted in our state-of-the-art facility in Wales, UK. With a flawless
track record and a steadfast commitment to safety and reliability, Frog
Bikes remains your trusted partner in providing premium quality for young
riders.
At Frog Bikes, we take great pride in creating high-quality children's bikes that are not only designed with safety and functionality in mind but are also hand-built right here in Great Britain, in Pontypool Wales.
For the second time, Frog Bikes, a leading manufacturer of lightweight kids' bikes, has won the UK's most prestigious business award, the King's Award for Enterprise.
As a company, Frog Bikes is always looking for ways to improve its bikes, making them stronger, easier to maintain, and able to adapt as children grow, to make them last even longer.
So, we interviewed our R&D Manager, Kris Kulwicki to see what he had to say about how adaptable Frog bikes really are...
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