Hoy Cammo kids road bike discontinued in favour of the Hoy Meadowmill

Hoy Bikes (the bikes inspired by Olympic legend and Flying Fergus author Sir Chris Hoy), has announced a change to their kids bike range.   The Hoy Cammo road bike (pictured below) is being discontinued, with an updated (and lighter) Hoy Meadowmill cyclocross/road bike being taken forward as their drop handlebar offering in 24″ and 26″ wheel sizes.

I asked Scott Decker, Hoy Bikes Product Manager, more about this decision:

“We have dropped the Hoy Cammo road bike in favour of the Meadowmill for the new range. Initially when we launched Hoy kids bikes we did not have the Meadowmill as part of the range, but after feedback from customers and testers we added it in.

The reason for dropping the Cammo now is that we feel the Hoy Meadowmill can offer everything the Cammo did but even more. It can fit a skinny road tyre if desired or stick with the cross tread (supplied with the bike) for bridleways and forest tracks or grass track racing. The 1x drivetrain simplifies shifting too whilst still offering enough gear range for younger riders.”

This move leaves very few road specific bikes for kids in the 24″ and 26″ wheel sizes (the Felt FR50 and the Wiggins Rouen range spring to mind).  However, it’s an understandable decision from Hoy Bikes.

Kids at this age tend to want to ride on a variety of surfaces, and a road only bike such as the Cammo does restrict this.  With the Meadowmill, Hoy are offering a bike that can be ridden both on and off-road, which should appeal to parents not wanting to buy multiple bikes which are going to be grown out of quickly. It also reflects the increasing trend for “go anywhere” adventure road/gravel bikes in the adult market.

The new 2018 model Meadowmill comes in both 24″ (£460) and 26″ (£480) wheels. They’re fitted with grippy tyres (Maxxis Locust 24 x 1.25 on the smaller bike and Schwalbe CX Pro 26 x 1.3 on the larger). 

These should be suitable for grass, gravel and the grey stuff, making this an appealing entry level bike for kids wanting to do cyclo-cross and triathlon.

The CX style tyres are not the fastest on the road, so you can fit slick tyres if your Cycle Sprog wants additional speed. The Meadowmill’s come fitted with secondary brake levers to help riders make the transition from a flat handlebar bike to riding on the drops.

Hoy Bikes are available exclusively from Evans Cycles, and their kids bike range also includes the flat handlebar Bonaly hybrid bike, which is more suitable for those Sprogs also wanting to ride off-road mountain bike trails.

In the meantime,  if you are looking for a road specific bike, you may be able to pick up a second hand Hoy Cammo on Ebay.

What do you think of Hoy Bike’s decision?  Is there a market for kids road specific bikes any more?  Have you had either of these bikes, and if so, what do you think of them?  I’d love to hear your thoughts, so do drop a comment below. Thanks! Karen

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Other articles you’ll find interesting:

• Kids cyclocross bikes 
• The best road racing bikes for kids – 24″ wheels
• The best kids 24″ wheel mountain bikes
• Best 26″ wheel kids bikes – last stop before an adult bike!
• The best kids 26″ wheel mountain bikes
• Best girls bikes – as recommended by girls who ride bikes
• Hoy Bonaly 20 – first impressions review

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