Prevelo Zulu Two and One – Kids Mountain Bikes Review

Not every kid gets the chance to tear down singletrack trails before kindergarten—but for those who do, the Prevelo Zulu Two (16”) and Zulu One (14”) are built to match their ambition. Fully spec’d to handle real mountain bike terrain, the latest Zulu models come with a new trick up their sleeve: they can convert to balance bikes.

With the ability to switch between balance and pedal modes, the Zulu lineup opens up trail riding to younger and smaller riders than ever before. We tested both bikes in both configurations with 3- and 4-year-old riders who were similar in size. Because the minimum seat heights of the Zulu Two and One differ by just over 2”, we’re reviewing them together to help you choose the right fit.

As mountain bike season ramps up here in Utah, we’ll continue to update this review with more photos and insights as our little groms keep logging trail time. But rest assured—this review is already packed with everything you need, from geometry breakdowns to fit recommendations, to help you confidently decide whether the Zulu is the perfect trail-ready pony for your kid.

Prevelo Zulu Two and One Review – True Mini-Mountain Bikes

To put the Zulu Two and One to the test, we handed them off to our 3- and 4-year-old testers and they quickly went to work. The bikes were tested as balance bikes and pedal bikes—giving us a true sense of how they perform on real terrain, from mellow flow trails to chunky sections that challenge even confident young riders.

Before diving into the nitty-gritty—geometry, brakes, tire pressure, and more—we’ll start by answering some of the most common questions parents have about the Zulu line, including whether the balance bike conversion is really worth it, and which size is the better fit.

Who Are the Prevelo Zulu One and Two Best For?

• MTB families riding real trails – The Zulu line is purpose-built for rugged, technical terrain. These bikes are overkill for casual dirt paths (consider the Prevelo Alpha line instead) or for pump tracks and dirt jumps (where the Prevelo Bravo line shines).

• Kids who’ve already mastered a balance bike – With their larger size and heavier build, the Zulus aren’t ideal as a first balance bike (consider the Prevelo Alpha Zero instead). But for kids already confidently cruising on two wheels and ready to take on real trails, the Zulu is the perfect next step. (That said, don’t underestimate the value of the balance bike conversion—we’ll dive into why it’s such a game-changer below.)

What You Should Know Before Buying a Zulu

• They come standard as pedal bikes – If you want to use the Zulu as a balance bike, you’ll need to purchase the optional $19 balance bike conversion kit.
• Balance bike mode is incredibly valuable—even for kids who already pedal – Trail riding is a very different skill set. Using the Zulu in balance mode first allows kids to build confidence, practice braking, and learn to navigate obstacles without the added pressure of pedaling. (More on that below.)

• Switching between modes is quick, but not something you’ll want to do often – It only takes about five minutes and the parts fit in a backpack, but the conversion involves small screws that are easy to lose.
• Hydraulic brakes are powerful—and take practice – Both bikes come equipped with Promax hydraulic disc brakes that offer excellent stopping power. However, if used improperly (especially the front brake), they can cause crashes. Proper braking technique is essential—see tips below.
• Sizing between the Zulu One and Two is closer than you think – The Zulu Two’s minimum seat height is just over 2” higher than the Zulu One’s. Be sure to measure your child’s inseam carefully!
• These are single-speed bikes, not built for climbing – Without gears, kids will struggle on longer or steeper climbs. Plan to use a tow rope like the TowWhee if you’re hitting elevation.
• Drop the tire pressure before you ride – These bikes come with high-volume tires, but your little rider is light. Lowering the PSI increases traction and provides a smoother ride on rough terrain.
• A suspension fork is optional—but only necessary for aggressive riders – The Zulu Two is available in a HEIR edition with a 60mm suspension fork. Unless your child is tackling serious downhill, the wide tires at low PSI offer plenty of cushioning.

Prevelo Zulu Sizing

What Size Child Fits on the Zulu One (14″)?

Seat height: 15.5” – 19.5”
Fits kids with inseams: 14” – 17”

• In balance bike mode, inseam should be at least 16” for flat-footed standing.
• In pedal mode, 15.5” inseam is fine for new pedalers; experienced kids can get away with 14”.
• If your child has an inseam over 18”, consider sizing up to the Zulu Two.

We tested both bikes with our 41″ tall, 4-year-old rider with a 17″ inseam, who was right on the cusp of both sizes. He rode both bikes and felt more comfortable and confident on the smaller Zulu One (pictured on the left below in silver). He began in balance mode with the seat set to 15.5″, then transitioned to pedal mode as his skills progressed, eventually riding with the saddle at 18.5″.

Although he clearly favored the 14” Zulu One for its more manageable size on technical terrain, if his parents were purchasing the bike, likely would have chosen the larger Zulu Two for longer-term use. However, that additional size could have possibly slowed his progression through more technical trail features early on.

What Size Child Fits on the Zulu Two (16″)?

Seat height: 17.7” – 22”
Fits kids with inseams: 16” – 22”

• In balance bike mode, inseam should be at least 18”.
• In pedal mode, 18” for beginners or 16” for experienced pedalers.
• Inseam over 20”? Consider the 20” Prevelo Zulu Three.

Our slightly taller 52” tall, 3-year-old tester with a 17.5″ inseam proved to be a great match for the Zulu Two—especially as a young rider just beginning to explore more technical terrain. Although the Zulu Two is larger than his regular 16” pedal bike, with the seat set to its 17.7” minimum in balance bike mode, he quickly adjusted to the increased size. He had no trouble navigating the bike through the park and continues to show steady progress with each ride.

Although he’s already a confident rider on his regular 16” pedal bike, he hasn’t yet made the jump to pedaling on the Zulu. He’s still adjusting to the larger frame and more powerful brakes. We’ll update this review once he makes that transition.

Prevelo Zulu as a Balance Bike

What’s the point of balance bike mode?

As a mom to three mountain bikers, I can’t stress this enough: even if your child already knows how to pedal, don’t skip balance bike mode on the Zulu. I know it might feel like a step backward—but when it comes to trail riding, it’s a strategic leap forward.

Unless every trail in your area is smooth and flowy (and if that’s the case, you’re probably better off with the Prevelo Alpha Zero anyway), starting your child on the Zulu without pedals unlocks several key advantages:

• Braking practice without the consequences – Hydraulic disc brakes are powerful—too powerful for many young riders to control right away. In balance bike mode, kids can safely start learning how to modulate braking force (well, as much as a 3- or 4-year-old can) and begin to understand the difference between front and rear braking—all with less risk of endoing.
• Quick foot saves = fewer crashes – With no pedals in the way, kids can instinctively put their feet down to catch themselves—whether it’s from a braking mistake or a bad line choice. This reduces the chance of falling and helps build trust in both the bike and the trail.
• Obstacle clearance becomes intuitive – Instead of having to pedal hard to get over roots or rocks, kids in balance mode can “scoot and coast” through rough patches. This lets them experiment with line choice and learn how momentum helps carry them over obstacles.
• Less energy, more learning – These are single-speed bikes, and tiny legs weren’t built for long climbs. Since you’ll likely be towing them uphill with a TowWhee anyway, balance mode gives them more time and energy to focus on descending and navigating the trail—without getting burned out early.
• Easier to lift and maneuver – Without crank arms or pedals getting in the way, the bike is easier for young riders to lift and maneuver over obstacles. It also means they’re more likely to handle challenging sections independently, rather than needing you to help them through every tricky spot like they might in pedal mode.
• It’s a $19 upgrade that pays off fast – Compared to the cost of the bike, the balance bike conversion kit is an easy yes. Even if your child only uses it for a few rides, it builds trail-specific confidence and skills that will serve them well for years.

Our testers—both already confident pedalers on their regular bikes—started out using the Zulus in balance bike mode for about a month. During that time, they learned to brake more smoothly, choose better lines, and get a feel for the rhythm of rougher trails. One tester has since transitioned to pedal mode, and when he did, he wasn’t starting over—he was simply building on the trail skills he’d already developed in balance mode.

Zulu as a first balance bike?

While we absolutely love the Zulu in balance bike mode, it’s not the best choice as a first balance bike.

The Zulu One has a minimum seat height of 15.5”, which is taller than many traditional balance bikes and even taller than the maximum seat height of the Prevelo Alpha Zero (which ranges from 11.4” to 14.6”). So if you wait until your child is tall enough to fit on the Zulu One as a balance bike, you’ve likely missed out a full year or more of potential balance bike riding.

In addition to the taller saddle height, the overall size and geometry of the Zulu One is more demanding. It has a longer wheelbase, much wider handlebars, and is nearly twice as heavy as the Alpha Zero. While confident or athletic 3-year-olds may handle it just fine, most younger toddlers would struggle to manage the extra weight and reach.

	Alpha Zero	Zulu One
Rec. Age	18 mo – 3 yrs	3 – 5 yrs
Seat Height	11.4” – 14.6”	15.5” – 21”
Weight	7.4 lb	13.5 lb
Bar Width	390mm	520mm

If your child is just starting their balance bike journey, we recommend beginning with the Alpha Zero or another lightweight model. Once they’ve built basic balance and handling skills—and grown into the Zulu’s size—it’s the perfect next step for hitting the trails.

BALANCE-TEC – Converting the Zulu to a Balance Bike

The Zulu comes standard as a pedal bike but can easily be converted to a balance bike using Prevelo’s $19 balance bike conversion kit (via the clickbox on the product page). While many convertible bikes start as balance bikes with pedals tacked on as an afterthought, the Zulu is clearly designed as a pedal bike first—with smart engineering that also makes it easy and safe to run as a balance bike.

While you can convert a pedal bike into a balance bike by simply removing the pedals, the Zulu really stands out for how easily you can take it a step further—removing the crank arms, chainring, chainguard, and chain thanks to Prevelo’s integrated BALANCE-TEC technology. This leaves no awkward parts behind to interfere with your child’s stride and significantly reduces the risk of them banging their legs or snagging clothing—especially on uneven terrain.

Converting the Zulu isn’t difficult, but there are a few tips that make the process smoother. Prevelo’s step-by-step video does a great job of walking you through each step and highlighting a couple of clever design features that make the job surprisingly easy.

Although the Zulu is very much a purpose-built mountain bike, Prevelo designed it from the ground up with BALANCE-TEC built in, making the transition to balance mode simple, clean, and parent-friendly. Two standout BALANCE-TEC features that make this conversion especially easy include:

Built-in chain quick release – A smart keyhole-shaped cutout in the chainstay lets you remove the chain without having to take off the rear wheel. It’s a small touch that saves a lot of time.

Integrated crank pullers – The crank arms are designed with built-in pullers, so you don’t need any special tools to remove them—just a 8mm hex wrench.

Once removed, the pedals, crank arms, chainring, and chain all fit neatly into a gallon-size plastic bag, which can easily tuck into a backpack. Even the tools needed for the conversion (shown in the image below) will fit in the same bag—though we don’t recommend storing them together as they will get greasy. Having everything compact and portable makes it easy to bring the parts along and swap between balance and pedal modes right on the trail, if needed.

The balance bike conversion kit consists of includes hardware and foot pegs, which give kids a place to rest their feet once they’re coasting. As a bonus, the pegs cover the bottom bracket, helping to keep dirt and debris out while riding in balance mode.

Prevelo Zulu as a Mountain Bike

For true trail riding, the Zulus are awesome little rigs. From the geometry to the components, these mini mountain bikes give young riders everything they need to carve corners, stay planted through rock gardens, and take on real terrain with confidence.

And it’s not just for the fearless shredders. For groms-in-training who are a little more cautious or hesitant on the trail, the Zulu is still a great match.

Its kid-specific geometry makes it easier to stay balanced and in control, helping nervous riders gain confidence as they learn to love the ups, downs, and everything in between. From flowy green lines to chunkier blue runs, the Zulu is a trail-ready pony that’s built for business.

Geometry

The Zulus are true mini mountain bikes. They’re built with a longer wheelbase, lower and wider handlebars, and a more aggressive stance than most 14” or 16” bikes. That geometry helps kids lean into turns, shift their weight more naturally, and guide the bike through rough terrain with stability and control.

The longer wheelbase also helps keep the bike planted on descents and small drops, giving young riders more stability when the trail points downward.

That said, the same aggressive geometry that makes the Zulu so trail-capable can also make it feel a bit big and intimidating—especially for timid first-time pedalers. The Zulu’s higher standover height, combined with its longer frame, can feel overwhelming for kids just transitioning from a smaller balance bike.

While the weight and seat height differences between the Prevelo Alpha One (14”) and the Zulu One are relatively minor, the standover height difference is significant (as shown below). Some kids may struggle to get on and off the bike comfortably or stand over the frame with confidence. And in the event of a crash, that high top tube could potentially increase the risk of injury.

The size difference becomes even more noticeable when comparing the Zulu Two to the Alpha Two. The Zulu is larger in every way—longer handlebars, a taller standover, a higher stack height, and slightly more weight.

While this extra size and stability are helpful for confident riders hitting real trails, it can be intimidating for newer or more hesitant kids. If your child fits on a 16” bike and tends to be more cautious, we’d recommend going with the Alpha Two paired with the optional trail tires. It may not plow through chunky terrain quite like the Zulu, but it’s lighter, smaller, and more agile—making it a better choice for building confidence before progressing to more aggressive riding.

Prevelo Zulu One and Two Components

Dual Hydraulic Brakes

Both the Zulu One and Two come equipped with dual Promax hydraulic disc brakes—and no coaster brake.  These brakes offer excellent stopping power, especially for lightweight riders who are actually riding on terrain that demands it.

That said, powerful brakes can also lead to powerful crashes—especially when used incorrectly. Because both the front and rear wheels are equipped with hydraulic brakes, it’s crucial to teach your child the basics of braking technique early on. Ideally, kids should use both brakes to stop and just the rear brake (right hand) to slow down, especially on descents. But let’s be honest—those nuances can be tough for 3- and 4-year-olds to grasp at first.

To help, we highly recommend starting with the bike in balance mode so your child can get used to braking before adding pedaling into the mix. We also suggest adding a visual cue on the right brake lever—like a piece of blue tape or a small sticker—to remind them which brake controls the rear wheel.

As much as we all wish kids could instinctively modulate brake pressure, that skill takes time. Don’t assume your child will pick it up immediately—keep reinforcing proper braking technique over many rides.

Also, be extra cautious when using a tow rope. We’ve seen crashes happen when a child brakes suddenly without warning, causing both the child and the adult towing to go down. Make sure your child knows when to brake and practice communication and coordination while using any towing setup.

Braking Advice From Prevelo

We asked Prevelo for their top tips on helping young riders get comfortable with hydraulic disc brakes. They shared three solid suggestions, especially helpful for kids still developing their coordination and confidence:

1. Move the brake levers closer to the center of the handlebar – This encourages one- or two-finger braking, which can reduce grabby braking habits.
   
2. Teach kids to shift their weight back when descending – Leaning back reduces the risk of going over the bars (“endo-ing”) and improves overall bike handling and control on downhills.
   
3. Avoid using tow ropes on technical or spooky sections – Tow ropes attach high on the front of the bike. If the front wheel suddenly stops or hits an obstacle, it can cause the bike to pivot forward, which increases the risk of flipping over.

Gearing and Gain Ratios

As single-speed mountain bikes, the Zulus offer simplicity—but that also means compromises. There’s no such thing as a “perfect” gear for trail riding, especially when you’re dealing with mixed terrain and small legs. That said, both the Zulu One and Zulu Two are geared to perform best on flat or slightly rolling trails, where kids are most likely to be pedaling on their own.

The Zulu One has a gain ratio of 3.786, while the Zulu Two is nearly identical at 3.8. Both bikes use an 18-tooth chainring paired with a 10-tooth freewheel, which gives young riders enough efficiency to build speed without making it overly hard to get moving.

But with only one gear—and tiny legs behind the cranks—don’t expect much from your rider when it comes to climbing. We strongly recommend pairing the Zulu with a tow rope like the TowWhee to help get them up the steeper sections, especially during longer rides.

Tires

Both Zulus come equipped with knobby 2.2” wide Kenda Booster tires, offering excellent traction and volume—ideal for small riders navigating loose dirt, roots, and uneven terrain.

Reflecting their true mountain bike design—compared to the more all-terrain setup of the Prevelo Alpha—the Zulu’s tires are noticeably wider and much higher in volume (as shown below). This added volume not only enhances grip and trail compliance but also allows for greater compression, creating a more forgiving, almost suspension-like ride feel. However, it’s worth noting that this extra tire volume also contributes to the Zulu’s taller seat heights.

When it comes to PSI, keep in mind that what feels “too soft” to you is probably just right for them. Young kids are light and exert far less force on their tires than adults do, so running a lower PSI is essential for maximizing traction, softening the ride, and helping them stay in control on rough terrain.

Grips and Pedals

Both the Zulu One and Two come with 19mm lock-on Kraton grips—sized just right for small hands. They offer plenty of traction with just a touch of squish to help reduce hand fatigue on longer rides.

For a bit of flair, Prevelo offers colored grip upgrades that can be pre-installed when you order the bike—an easy way to let your little rider show off their personality. To complete the look you can also upgrade to matching colored pedals.

And for serious groms, Prevelo’s HEIR alloy pedals are amazing. They feature domed pins that offer excellent grip without the sharp edges that often lead to scraped shins—a smart move for kids learning to ride hard without the added scraps and bruises.

Prevelo Zulu One and Two Bottom Line

if your child is ready to hit real trails—not just gravel paths or neighborhood loops—the Prevelo Zulu One and Two are tough to beat. With kid-specific geometry, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, and wide, grippy tires, these bikes are built to help young riders develop real mountain biking skills and confidence.

The ability to convert to a balance bike adds tremendous value, especially during the early stages of trail riding. Even for kids who already know how to pedal, balance mode gives them a safe and fun way to build trail-specific skills like braking, line choice, and obstacle navigation.

From green trails to more technical terrain, the Zulu lineup offers a solid, confidence-boosting platform for young riders who are ready to take mountain biking seriously.

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