Being a downhill parent is all about sacrifice – giving up weekends for races, consoling distraught offspring after a race run gone wrong and the inevitable cost of a fleet of bikes for a growing body.
Well, Steve and Donna Meek went one step further. Instead of buying Rory (10) and Toby (12) bikes, they decided to design and build them themselves. The boys have been hard at work testing the fleet of three bikes and now they’re ready for public sale (the bikes… not the kids).
We met the boys in Whistler a couple of years ago casually flowing down A-Line and they’ve now graduated to Crabapple Hits, sending their custom rides on the biggest jumps in the park. Who needs to complete video games when you can complete Whistler before you’re a teenager?
The bikes are fully carbon including Meekboyz own wheels with titanium spokes. Weight was a big issue for Steve to allow his kids to be safer and more stylish on the jumps. The three models are bedecked in a lush spec that we’d be more than happy with on our bikes and feature a linkage designed for lighter riders.
Here’s run down of the range:
Mini Beast
- 20″ wheels
- ages 4-9 (0-32kg)
- 120mm rear travel, 100mm front – longest travel 20″ bike on the market
- Bike weight – 10kg
Beast
- 24″ wheels
- ages 6-13 (32-55kg)
- 180mm travel front and rear
- Bike weight – 13kg
Mega Beast
- 26″ wheels
- ages 10-15 (32-62kg)
- 185mm rear travel, 200mm front
- Bike weight – 14kg