Autumn is when the trail starts to fight back. Roots turn slick, braking points blur, and lines that felt easy in summer suddenly ask a lot more. For most riders, that's the signal to ease off. For a Charger rider, it's the part of the year they've been building towards.
So don't treat a wet trail as a reason to back off: slow down, walk the roots, save the real riding for summer. This is when it starts asking harder questions, and a rider who's put in the miles is ready to answer them. Holding a line over wet roots. Braking with control when the grip isn't the same. Unlocking progression all year round.
Where others back off.
Our Charger range is built for young riders ready to take trail riding seriously. An air suspension fork keeps the front wheel planted and powerful disc brakes stay consistent in the wet, so rougher, muddier trails become somewhere to progress, not a reason to stop.
Built for the trail at its toughest.
Every Charger comes with an RST air suspension fork (60mm on the 16", 100mm on the 20" and 24"), powerful disc brakes and trail-tuned geometry. The 20" and 24" frames are also ready for a dropper post. It all keeps riders in control when roots, rocks and mud make the trail harder.
When the trail gets harder, Chargers keep charging.
The Charger 16 is for young riders ready for their first real trails. The 20" and 24" are for riders taking on bigger descents and faster lines. Every Charger is built for control, confidence and performance, all year round.
Built to charge through it. Not wait it out.
Every rider gets there in their own time. The suspension, brakes and geometry that keep them in control in the wet are the same things that push their riding further when it dries out. Watch them ride through it once and you'll see it: the trail got harder. They got better.
Easier
"Since hopping on this bike though this summer, her confidence has skyrocketed. With that confidence has come more fun, more speed, and more requests to go hit the trails." - Scott W
Safer
"My son loves his new Charger. The brakes give him a ton of confidence and The gears allow him to get up steep sections and to go downhill much faster. Everything is top quality an built to last." - Sven K
Further
"The charger 20 is a game changer, my boy is loving it and will take his riding to the next level." - Rob P
Earlier
"Amazing little bike. I had been hoping for a 16 inch with front sus for some time and it doesn't disappoint. This is the 5th Early Rider bike I have bought for my boys and super impressed with every one them. Great to see their confidence growing with each step up." - Matthew P
Easier
"Since hopping on this bike though this summer, her confidence has skyrocketed. With that confidence has come more fun, more speed, and more requests to go hit the trails."
Scott W
Safer
"My son loves his new Charger. The brakes give him a ton of confidence and The gears allow him to get up steep sections and to go downhill much faster. Everything is top quality an built to last."
Sven K
Further
"The charger 20 is a game changer, my boy is loving it and will take his riding to the next level."
Rob P
Earlier
"Amazing little bike. I had been hoping for a 16 inch with front sus for some time and it doesn't disappoint. This is the 5th Early Rider bike I have bought for my boys and super impressed with every one them. Great to see their confidence growing with each step up."
Matthew P
Description
Description
Description
The questions parents actually ask.
Which Charger size is right for my child?
Choose a Charger by inside leg, not by age. The Charger 16 fits from a 45cm inside leg, the Charger 16 from 54cm and the Charger 24 from 62cm. Age ranges are a guide only: 4 to 6, 6 to 8 and 8 to 11 respectively. Measure barefoot, from floor to crotch.
How do I measure my child's inside leg for a Charger?
Stand your child barefoot against a wall with their feet slightly apart. Place a book between their legs, spine up, and slide it firmly to the crotch. Measure from the top edge of the book to the floor. That figure is the inside leg and it decides which Belter fits today, not which one they will grow into.
What pressure should the RST forks be set too?
All the RST F1RST forks have a recommended pressure chart on the back of the legs. The minimum pressure on all the models is 50PSI so the make sure you don’t drop below this. The aim is to get use of the full travel of the fork and prevent the rider weight reducing the amount of travel due to lack of pressure.
What pressure should I run my tires at?
Lower pressure means more traction, but its about finding the right balance versus the terrain and preventing you going too slow. Never put more pressure than what the recommended pressure is printed on the side of the tire. However, you dont want to go too low. A solid standard on both the 20" and 24" models is 20PSI, but if it's really wet, muddy conditions then you might benefit from dropping the pressure a little. Vice versa if you're riding on solid hard pack or the road, a bit more pressure may better
and faster.
How easy is it to fit a dropper post?
The Charger 20 and 24 are both dropper compatible. It’s a case of finding a compatible diameter dropper post (30.9mm) with either a 100mm drop for the 24" Charger or 80mm drop for the 20" model. Once you have a compatible dropper then it's a case of threading the frame with the cable and cutting it to length. Connect the post and fit your saddle, then adjust the cable length accordingly. Simple as that!
Why does the Charger use bolt thru axles rather than quick release?
We chose to use bolt thru axles rather than traditional quick-release axles because they provide a stiffer and more secure connection between the wheels and the frame. This helps improve handling, particularly when cornering or riding over rough terrain, while also keeping the wheels more accurately aligned.
What maintenance is required on a chain driven drivetrain?
It's all based on how often and clean you keep your Early Rider. It's recommended to use lubricant and to do an annual check on the chain, gears and other drivetrain components to ensure they continue to run smooth and efficiently.
How much assembly does a Charger need when it arrives?
A Seeker arrives pretty much assembled. Every bike goes through a Pre Delivery Inspection before it ships, so the build is checked by hand first. At home you fit the pedals, watching the L and R markings, set the saddle height and check the brakes, which can shift slightly in transit. Tools and instructions are in the box.
What are the delivery, returns and warranty terms for a Charger?
Early Rider offers 30 day returns on every Seeker. In stock bikes are dispatched the next working day via our carrier and in most cases arrive within 2-4 working days. Every Seeker carries a two year warranty including the frame, drivechain, etc. Wear components are excluded but always investigated.
