Prevelo Alpha Zero Review
Can you imagine the beginning a long, enjoyable story that will take several decades to consume? If the equivalent to this saga is the start of your little one’s enjoyment of cycling, then the preface can take place upon the Prevelo Alpha Zero.
The Alpha Zero is Prevelo’s 12-inch wheel balance bike/run bike engineered for kids who, on the entry side, are about 18 months old and up. It has a standover height of just 7 inches and a minimum saddle height of 11.5 inches. The maximum saddle height for the bike is 14.6 inches. MSRP for the Alpha Zero is $199.00 USD.
A Quick Overview Of The Prevelo Alpha Zero
SADDLE HEIGHT
Min ~11.5 inches
DRIVETRAIN
None – It’s Push-Powered
WHEEL SIZE
12in
WEIGHT
~8.5 lbs
The Prevelo Alpha One Is Minimal. And That Makes It Huge.
When we normally do a bike review, we pour over the specs in order to inform readers of all the details. In this case, the facts are minimal because the bike is minimal. The drivetrain consists of your kid’s feet, legs, and gumption. In the beginning, slowing down the bike and braking will be done with the aforementioned items. After the beginning, your little one will learn how to use the rear Tektro v-brake on the bike controlled by a hand lever on the right side of the bars. The cable for the brake streams neatly from the lever and it’s internally routed through the down tube. It’s nice looking.
Colors And Add-Ons
The bike’s looks are classic and will appeal to both girls and boys. Color options for the frame include Speed Silver, Power Purple, and Braap Blue. When shopping on the Prevelo website, you can also add optional: colored grips, a bike bell, rider name lettering, or USB rechargeable lights.
Learn About The Prevelo Trade Up Club
Prevelo also offers a Trade-Up Club Membership. As of this writing, the cost is $69.00 USD. The program allows you to save money when sizing-up while your kids continue to ride a Prevelo. Get all the detail and terms by visiting the Prevelo website.
Start With This Balance Bike Instead Of A Pedal Bike With Training Wheels
The Prevelo Alpha Zero is made to introduce your kids to the concept of balancing on a bike without the distractions of pedals or the safety net of training wheels.
The same will or gumption that drives your children to propel themselves along by walking or running the bike as they’re firmly planted on the saddle is going to allow them to progress.
Once comfortable with the physical demands of achieving basic angular momentum, your child will discover that if the thrust is increased, she/he will be able to keep both feet off the ground longer and glide greater distances without their feet touching the ground. In our experiences, this has been the most important skill that enables a young rider to safely transition to a pedal bike with confidence.
Having the right tool for the job is important. Again, that’s where the Prevelo Alpha Zero comes in. It’s made to fit small, young children. It’s made to help them succeed.
Geometry For The Prevelo Alpha Zero
| A Wheel Size | 12" |
| B Wheelbase | 22.9 in / 581 mm |
| C Effective Top Tube Length | 11.6 in / 295 mm |
| D Head Angle | 67° |
| E Seat Tube Angle | 69° |
| F Chain Stay Length | 8.9 in / 225 mm |
Click the photo to enlarge it
Prevelo Alpha Zero – Specifications
| FRAME | 12" |
| FORK | 22.9 in / 581 mm |
| SEAT CLAMP | 11.6 in / 295 mm |
| REAR BRAKE | 67° |
| REAR BRAKE LEVER | 69° |
| HEAD SET | 8.9 in / 225 mm |
| RIM | Aluminum with grinded sidewalls |
| FRONT HUB | Lightweight alloy 1-piece forged CNC with low profile rounded hex bolts and sealed hub |
| REAR HUB | Lightweight alloy 1-piece forged CNC with low profile rounded hex bolts and sealed hub |
| TIRE & TUBE | Kenda 12 x 1.75 |
| SADDLE | Prevelo balance bike specific saddle |
| HANDLEBAR | Prevelo Aluminum - 375mm wide x 50mm rise - 22.2mm to 19mm taper |
| HANDLEBAR STEM | Aluminum 30mm extension |
| GRIP | Kraton rubber |
Riding The Prevelo Alpha Zero
It isn’t complicated. It’s just fun. Our rider rode this bike for better part of the summer and his confidence grew as the season went on. The Prevelo works on grass, concrete, pavement, gravel, and dirt. The absence of a top tub on the bike makes it super easy to get on and dismount. The quick-release seat post collar allows one to adjust the saddle height as needed without the needing a hex key.
Getting familiar with the Prevelo Alpha Zero in safe, controlled surroundings.
Little kid – big world. You gotta have guts to hit pump track. Think about it. If these rollers were scaled up for adults, these would be serious obstacles. The right fitting bike makes all the difference.
With a proper sized bike for this age category, your rider should be able to straddle the bike with both feet planted firmly on the ground.
Riding Off Aboard The Prevelo Alpha Zero
If you have a young one who is ready, or soon to start cycling, the Prevelo Alpha Zero is a must-have balance bike. It’s sized right. It’s priced right. It is made so children can begin to learn the fundamentals of riding a bike. The kid sized saddle, handlebars, and grips are specifically designed to make your kid comfortable when they take the plunge into the world of bikes.
