Since 2015, Sören Zieher and his brand VPACE have been supplying an ambitious clientele with individually built 29ers in carbon and titanium. A growing range of high-quality children's bikes has also been part of the offering for almost as long.

In spring 2019, Zieher launched a new children's model that caused a stir, and not just because of its clever concept: "Emil" was the name of the e-bike with a 250-watt drive from Fazua - ideal for girls and boys who don't need a big boost, but a bike that is no heavier than they are. In doing so, he fueled the discussion about the usefulness of motorized bikes for children. There are certainly arguments in favor, such as the fact that longer tours with long climbs are possible without the children losing motivation. For others, the downfall of the West is looming once again if not even children can get around without a mechanical drive and external energy source.

Zieher questioned his development, wrestling with himself for months as to whether he should really include Emil in his range. The decision was made after he read a picture book to his five-year-old son about the destruction of the world by humans. The book was published in 1985 and his son then asked why people hadn't stopped polluting the environment to this day. "At that moment, my enthusiasm for the project was completely extinguished," Zieher told Ride.

He does not want to say how much the halted product development cost. "We are a small company and don't have any large structures. If I had wasted 50,000 euros on the decision, I would certainly have made it even more difficult for myself." The VPACE boss is convinced that it would have been really expensive to obtain approval and produce large quantities. "I would probably have had to hire additional people."

Dirt instead of electricity

At the end of 2019, Zieher announced that Emil would be buried. "Until then, we had weekly inquiries about when the bike would be available," he emphasizes. This freed up energy and resources for the latest addition to the VPACE family: the 24-inch children's dirt bike "Danny". With pump tracks also booming in Germany, the demand for suitable equipment is increasing. "The usual 26-inch dirt bikes are too big and too cumbersome for children under 1.60 meters. Danny has the right geometry, is bombproof, equipped with first-class components and is probably the lightest 24" kids' dirt bike currently available," advertises its inventor.
An extra bike for the pump track or dirt jumps is a luxury product, admits Zieher. After all, the price of 899 euros is not that far removed from the cheap 26-inch dirt bikes. "But of course, it's primarily affluent, bike-savvy parents who buy their children a second or even third bike." What is more important to him is that, in contrast to the children's e-bike, the children's dirt bike is exactly where the brand sees itself: with high-quality sports bikes. And with a fairly environmentally friendly hobby for the children, if they are not ridden to the pump track by car.

Danny can be pre-ordered until March 31. From then on, the first series will be welded in Asia and assembled at VPACE. The bikes will be sold in the company's own store in Berg near Ravensburg and online. It should be added that other manufacturers also offer children's dirt bikes in 24 inches, for example Norco, NS Bikes and Dartmoor.