At the time of writing, Frog Bikes is in administration, and the bike reviewed below is available to buy. We have contacted the administrator to request an update on the company’s solvency, and any implications this might have for customers.
The Frog Gravel 53 is a high quality, well-thought-out, lightweight bike for first time gravel riders. Its clever frame geometry is tailored for children, making the bike easy and comfortable to ride. The narrow and short-drop child-specific handlebars ensure easy handling and the high performance disc brakes and dual braking control inspire confidence in children riding on the drops for the first time.
Frog has replaced the old 20in Frog 58 range with the the Frog 53 range, and the brand says the Frog Gravel 53 is the perfect 20in kids’ gravel bike for young riders aged 5 to 7. It’s designed for off-road exploration, gravel riding, cyclocross, and bike-packing.
My son, Rupert, is six years old, 119cm tall with a 54cm inside leg, which is in the middle-to-low end of the suggested 49-64cm range. It was his first time riding a bike with drop handlebars and from the first time he swung a leg over it, he wanted to ride quickly – and he did. On tarmac, muddy bridleways and gravel trails, he was super confident and always looked well balanced and in control.
The bike’s geometry is cleverly designed with young riders in mind. It’s low to the ground – the bottom bracket is 220mm from the ground, which is lower than most other 20in bikes – and there’s a low minimum saddle height (560mm), with a higher front end. The result is that even in the drops the rider position isn’t too low, making it easier for a young rider to get their head up. Coupled with the wide wheelbase (850mm) this helps them feel in control.
The 6061 T6 heat treated aluminium alloy frame and fork is super lightweight. With disc brakes and dual braking control, the bike weighs just 8.65Kg without pedals. The result is a really fun and fast ride that can be ridden with confidence. The frame also features internal cable routing, with the rear brake and derailleur cables entering near the headset, which helps to protect them from dirt, mud, and weather damage and from getting snagged.
The Gravel 53 has a nine-speed cassette with 11-38t cogs paired with a single 32t chainring and Rupert found this was ample for the riding we have been doing. Granted, we haven’t climbed any real hills, but for soft muddy trails and short sharp inclines he was fully equipped.
The bike has youth-specific nine-speed gear shifters from Microshift. Rupert had no problem reaching them and got to grips with the paddle shifters in no time at all.
Frog has specced the Gravel 53 with Tektro Mira MD-C400 cable operated disc callipers, combined with a 160mm rotor on both the front and rear. The stopping power is impressive, but you may have to explain to your six year old that brand new disc brakes will make a bit of noise at the start of a ride on a cold and wet January morning.
One of the standout features of the Gravel 53 is the dual braking system, with two separate sets of child-specific Tektro brake levers: one integrated with the gear shifters and another on the bar tops. For a first time rider on drop bars, this gave Rupert so much confidence to move his hand position around the hoods, the bars and the drops. He found it quite difficult braking from the hoods, but with the option of the brakes on the bar tops he was in full control without too much thought.
The rest of the cockpit has also been designed with children in mind with a short stem and narrow, short-drop handlebars. Rupert always looked well balanced whether on the hoods, the tops or the drops.
The bike also features Frog’s patented cranks. At 114mm these are some of the shortest you will see on a bike with 20in wheels and this helps with comfort and efficiency when pedalling.
The Gravel 53 comes with a pair of Kenda K-1047 1.5in tyres knobbly off road tyres, which are very popular on children’s bikes and are super capable on surfaced tracks and firmer off-road trails as well as tarmac. For wet rides on softer, muddier trails, we could’ve benefited from a more robust tyre choice, but there is ample clearance to fit something wider.
Both front and back wheels are quick release, and if road is more your child’s thing, there is the option to purchase a 20in Gravel 53 to Road 53 Kids Bike Conversion Kit with Disc Brake for £120. This includes fully built 20in front and rear wheels with smooth-rolling road tyres, quick-release skewers, discs, and a new road cassette (11-34t) which means you can just pop your gravel wheels off and pop your road wheels on and they are perfectly aligned.
Both colour options – racing red and electric blue – look fantastic and the bike has multiple bottle cage mounts as well as mounts on both fork legs, so there are plenty of options for attaching things to the bike if you’re planning a longer ride with your little adventurer.
Frog says the gravel bike is designed to grow with your child, featuring adjustable handlebar height and tool-free seat post adjustment. It’s said to be suitable for quite a large range of child size, with an inside leg measurement of 49cm all the way up to 64cm.
If we look at the price in isolation, £705 is a lot of money compared to the Frog 53 Kids Hybrid that has an RRP of £425 (and you get mudguards included). However, the Gravel has a host more features, including disc brakes, drop handlebars, dual brake levers, a lighter frame, gravel tyre capacity, a wider gearing range to the extent it can be thought of as a 4-in-1 bike: road, gravel, bike packing and cyclocross.
If you have a child who is already doing a lot of serious riding: cyclocross racing, longer adventure rides etc. or you are looking for the best 20in gravel bike to inspire a young rider into some of that type of riding then the Frog Gravel 53 is a top choice.
There are other options out there at a more affordable price, just not in a 20in wheel size. These include the Vitus Energie 24 Youth CX bike at £600 that Stu reviewed in 2023, or the Boardman JNR ADV Bike for £480.
If you are willing to consider flat bars, it’s also worth looking at the Prevelo Alpha Three 20in bike that Matt Page reviewed in 2024.
Overall
With the Frog Gravel 53, you are getting a lot of bike – just in miniature size, with 20in wheels. Yes, it is a considerable amount of money to spend on a bike for a young child, but it’s highly specced and really well designed. It should grow with your child and be robust enough to pass down through the family, and hold a good chunk of its value when you come to sell it on. If your child is serious about gravel adventures or racing ‘cross, then it’s a really decent bike.
road.cc test report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
Frog says: “The Frog Gravel 53 is the perfect 20-inch kids’ gravel bike for young riders aged 5 to 7, designed for off-road exploration, gravel riding, cyclocross, and bike-packing.
“Designed to inspire confidence and support skill development, the Frog Gravel 53 is the ideal choice for young adventurers eager to tackle rugged terrain.”
Not only is it a well made and well designed kids’ gravel bike, I think it might be the only 20-inch version on the market. The geometry is very well thought-out, which gives young children great confidence when riding.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
Frame: 6061 T6 heat treated Aluminium alloy, seat tube 28cm (11″)
Fork: 6061 T6 heat treated Aluminium alloy with 3 x accessory bolts per side
Front Hub: KT-XSF3, high performance aluminium disc hub, sealed cartridge bearings, QR, 24 hole, 6 bolt
Rear Hub: KT-XS8R, high performance aluminium disc hub, sealed cartridge bearings, QR, 24 hole, 6 bolt
Cassette free wheel: Microshift CS-H093, 11-38 Teeth – 9 Speed – Black
Rim: KT-DS18 Aluminium, 20″, double wall, disc-specific
Seat Clamp: Aluminium, QR
Headset: Neco, 1″1/8 semi-integrated threadless with sealed cartridge bearings, aluminium Frog Bikes top cap
Stem: Aluminium, 1″1/8, 38mm, 4 bolt clamp
Brakes (F&R): Tektro Mira, Mechanical Disc calliper MD-C400 with Tektro TR160-52 rotors 160mm/160mm
Tyres: Kenda K-1047, 20″x1.5″, knobbly off road, (ETRTO/ISO 40-406)
Accessories Included: Bell, bike reflectors white/red, wheel reflectors orange/white, paint plasters, frame protector patches
Crankset/Chainring: Frog Bikes Patented, 114mm, Aluminium straight arm cranks, 32T chainring, black
Bottom Bracket: Neco, square taper, 68/107.5, cartridge bearings
Pedals: Frog Bikes, eco-friendly rice husk & plastic composite, with reflectors, 9/16″
Chain: KMC X9, 9-speed
Handlebar: 6061 Aluminium, custom drop bar, 340mm
Brake Levers: Integrated to gear shifters & Tektro RL570 auxillary levers
Saddle: Frog Bikes, child specific slimline saddle (medium), steel rails
Seat Post: Aluminium, micro adjust, 27.2mm
Gear Shifter: Microshift Advent – SB-M090(S)
Rear Derailleur: Microshift Advent – Short Cage – 9 speed – RD-M6195S
Any further comments on quality?:
It’s a well made frame and fork with a 10-year free extended warranty, featuring internal cable routing and plenty of mounting points.
Any further comments on performance?:
The Gravel 53 appears stiff and responsive. The short stem and narrow bars make the bike quite responsive, but the geometry of the bike makes it very stable. The Frog patented cranks result in efficient pedal strokes, whilst the wide range of gears helps tackle most terrain. Rupert found the Frog saddle very comfortable. The geometry is well designed for young riders, putting the rider in a comfortable position at the controls.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested?:
The Frog Gravel 53 is quite a lot more than the Frog 53 20′ Kids Hybrid Bike, but as I mention in the review you’re getting a lot more bike, drop handlebars, dual braking control, disc brakes, wider gearing range and a lighter frame. To my knowledge there are no other 20″ drop bar gravel bikes on the market to compare it to.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
Not only is it a well made and well designed kids’ gravel bike, I think it might be the only 20in version on the market. The geometry is very well thought-out, which gives young children great confidence when riding.
1 thought on “Frog Gravel 53”
Very unfortunate timing, but I feel you ought to flag Frog’s financial difficulties on this page, as a warning to anyone considering buying this bike.
If the administration process is resolved with a “positive outcome” as hoped, said flag can be later removed.