Mondraker Grommy 16 E-Balance Bike Review

About three years ago, the renowned Spanish bicycle manufacturer Mondraker caused a stir in the cycling scene with the Grommy. This innovative E-Balance mountain bike, available in a 12-inch version for 3-5-year-olds and a 16-inch version for 6-8-year-olds, was inspired by classic children's balance bikes and equipped with a small motor for great riding fun. The clear development goal: to promote early riding skills and build self-confidence from a young age.

The heart of both Mondraker Grommys is their powerful electric motor, centrally located in the frame and electronically controlled by an easy-to-use throttle. With a maximum power of 250 watts, this motor opens up entirely new possibilities. In the small 12-inch model, the drive supports the natural walking movements of the children, making uphill and off-road riding an effortless experience. On the other hand, the 16-inch Grommy is almost like a children's E-Motocross, offering young riders not only a completely new era of riding pleasure but also the playful development of motor skills.

Our tester Alva, the seven-year-old daughter of NoPain, had the opportunity to test the Grommy 16 for an extended period on behalf of Bikeboard for the young generation.

It does not require much effort to maintain the proper function of the Grommy. Basically, it is sufficient to keep the bike clean and the chain lubricated at all times. Depending on the level of use, however, it is important to regularly check the torque settings of the screws (see manual) as well as the function of the brake.

1. Assembly
For the Grommy 16, only the front wheel needs to be mounted after unpacking. Both the pre-assembled handlebars and the brake lever can be adjusted in inclination according to personal preference. The saddle height and angle should be adjusted so that the child sits comfortably and can easily reach the ground with both feet. The following tools are sufficient for all screwing tasks: 2-3-4-mm and 5-mm hex keys; 15-mm wrench, T10.

2. Brake adjustment
The rear brake lever, mounted on the left side of the handlebar, can be optimally adjusted for larger and smaller hands; for this, the 2-mm screw on the brake lever needs to be turned in or out. By turning the adjustment screw, the tension of the brake cable is also changed, which is why the brake must be adjusted using the cable adjuster if the wheel does not spin freely after adjusting the grip width.

3. Lubricate & tighten the chain
It is strongly recommended to lubricate the chain every 3 to 4 rides. This extends the life of the chain and ensures smooth and noiseless operation. Pro tip: The correct chain tension is achieved when the vertical play is between 0.5 cm and 1 cm. If the chain is outside this tolerance, it needs to be readjusted. To adjust the chain tension, both 15-mm axle nuts on the rear wheel must be loosened. Then, the chain tension can be increased or reduced by moving the rear wheel backward or forward using the two rear adjusters.

4. Cleaning
For cleaning, a soft, damp cloth is usually sufficient. It is advisable to avoid a complete soak, and the motor should be turned off before any thorough bike washing.

When you ask Alva what she likes best about the Grommy 16, the answer comes quick as a shot: the throttle and the fast level 3 setting. She also says that she sits very comfortably on the mini-motorbike and that "drifting" (full braking with a skidding, locked rear wheel) is easier for her than with a mountain bike, "because you can't fall off."

Nevertheless, she has fallen several times but did not let it dampen her enthusiasm. The learning: In retrospect, even the worst head-over-heels flips on the BMX test track left fewer marks thanks to full protective gear than a comparatively "mild" collision with a Haberkorn at the swimming pool parking lot without elbow and knee pads. After that, in addition to gloves and helmet, pads were always worn without exception.

First and foremost, Alva is proud that she has mastered "motorcycling" just like her dad and can even tackle the asphalted pump tracks in Seitenstetten and Tulln as well as the off-road BMX course in Langenlois. With the MTB, she kept having problems with pedals hitting the ground in tight corners.
When asked what she prefers to ride, Alva enthusiastically answers that the mini-motorbike is the most fun for her; nevertheless, she would not give up her bicycle, now a chic Merida Matts J+ 20. Alva finds that it's much easier to ride the mountain bike to the ice cream shop on Sundays (editor's note: thanks to the larger wheels, the stable stance on the pedals, and the stronger brakes front and rear).

However, it was criticized that the motor could be a bit faster - at least on flat ground, because the "03" setting is certainly sufficient for the pump tracks and for jumping over smaller BMX hills.

Unlike real children's MTBs (or E-MTBs for kids), the Mondraker Grommy 16 was neither developed for the daily commute to school or to the playground nor for leisurely Sunday outings. Rather, it is a serious sports device for regular balance or off-road training, the local pump track, or early traffic education.

So, we agree that the need for an electric balance bike (or E-balance bike) is about as high as that of a children's E-MTB - plus there's the not exactly cheap list price of 799 euros. However, if everyone always acted purely out of reason, then there would be no 255 kg heavy adventure bikes with knobby tires or street-legal race track motorcycles with more than 220 horsepower. Obviously, there is a market for (almost) everything and what's allowed is what's fun. And that's exactly the case with the Mondraker Grommy 16: It's not just a cool training device for improving fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination - first and foremost, it's a lot of fun!

Regarding the list price, the comparison with Woom children's bikes or a BMW R1250GS is permitted. On one hand, you have to dig deep into your pockets when buying new, but on the other hand, you get disproportionately much back when selling. Because no matter how small the demand for an E-balance bike may be: The regional used market is certainly even smaller.