Signature Ride at 20:27 scale
Why you’re just like family
Did you know that Chris Rebula refined his sizing process and construction methods while building frames for the famous Lennard Zinn? Getting a bike from Rebula MTB means you receive an assessment of where you are and where you want your new bike to take you. When you move forward with us, we recognize you place a high value on your rider experiences. We do too, so we apply our systematic approach to bike-fit and component-spec to every build, whether you're a new customer, returning customer, or Chris's own daughter.
If you're a parent looking for ways to help your child advance as a rider, you may encounter a set of related questions:
What's the next step my child will take as a rider?
How does this meet my child where they are and enable the next steps in their development?
How does this help my child have more fun on the trail?
Will this bike safely help my kid to push boundaries?
What's the balance of quality and durability to make this last until the next bike?
If you're a parent who also designs custom bikes, this set of questions gets both easier and tougher: you can see where your kid is, what's next, have ideas about how to help her get there, and quite simply - the only bike that will do the job the way you see fit is one you make yourself.
The more thoughtful we are when equipping our kids, the better our experiences as a family.
Chris started digging into what's available for building a 20" hardtail mountain bike. There were some unique considerations:
A cockpit that works for hands both smaller and not as strong as an adult's.
A fork that performs well across varying terrain.
Wheels and tires with good ride quality for a lighter rider.
Cranks and pedals appropriate for a kid's legs
A quality wide-range drivetrain
Most importantly is how to get a rider in the right position and, in this case, accommodate that kid's growth over time.
A few of us contribute to Rebula MTB, and our kids span in ages from 4 to 14. For all of us, riding bikes is a family activity, whether it's a paved pedal for groceries or flying at the dirt jumps. We've learned that the more thoughtful we are when equipping our kids, the better our experiences as a family; it's really about providing the tools to explore trails in a more meaningful way. So just like ourselves, having a kid on a properly fitting bike with a full spectrum of quality parts keeps the challenge of riding in the wheelhouse of available skill and out from struggling with the equipment. We've become less focused on getting through it and more engaged in what we're feeling and thinking while sharing time outside.
For Chris's daughter, the plus tires and the powerful Hayes brakes for small-hands on this bike are a margin of safety not available for most stock bikes. The fork from MRP is a cut above anything else you can find for a 20" bike. Collaborating with her on colors and decals developed a sense of ownership and pride, which feeds her desire to ride more.
Whether it's for a kid in elementary school or a grownup that's ready to take their riding to the next level, we make bikes tailored to each individual rider. If you’re curious about custom steel, for you or your kid, we'd love to help you.
