Bike models › Kids
woom EXPLORE 5: specs, upgrades and what fits
A light 24-inch all-terrain kids' bike with a butted aluminum frame and fork, Promax hydraulic flat-mount disc brakes (160/140mm rotors), a microSHIFT Acolyte 8-speed trigger drivetrain with a 28T ring and 11-32 cassette, and 2-inch Schwalbe Billy Bonkers tires. It replaced the ORIGINAL 5 in the US in 2024; the front wheel is quick-release and the rear is bolted. Best for: Kids about 7 to 11 years old riding paths, gravel and easy trails.
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My take, from the specs
For kids around 7 to 11 who ride gravel, hills and easy trails as well as pavement. Hydraulic disc brakes with small-hand levers and 2-inch Schwalbe tires give it real control at about 20.8 lb. The weak spots are an 11-32 gear range that runs out on steep climbs and a trigger shifter with no gear window.
Sizes: 24in: 4′1″–4′9″ (125–145 cm)
Stock specs
| Type | Kids |
|---|---|
| Year | 2026 |
| Price when new | $819 |
| Sold at | woom.com / woom dealers |
| Wheels | 24" × 50 mm tires |
| Gears | 1×8 · 28T · 11–32T |
| Brakes | Promax Hydraulic, flat mount |
| Fork | woom Lightweight aluminum unicrown, 1in steerer, flat-mount disc, QR |
| Rear derailleur | microSHIFT Acolyte RD-M5185S, 8-speed, short cage (works only with Acolyte shifters) |
| Shifter | microSHIFT Acolyte trigger shifter, 8-speed |
| Crank | woom Forged aluminum, 130mm, narrow Q-factor |
| Bottom bracket | Generic Sealed cartridge |
| Axles | Bolt-on |
| Weight | 20.7 lb (9.4 kg) |
| Sizes | 24in |
| Stock colors | woom red, neon coral, magnetic blue, jungle green |
Upgrade limits
How far each part can go on this frame, and why. Measure your own bike to confirm the estimated ones.
| Part | Limit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest tire (current wheel size) | 50 mm | Unknown until measured. Your 21 mm internal rims suit roughly 31–55 mm tires. |
| Tubeless | Not recommended | Tubeless needs a rim built to seal (bead hook + channel) and tubeless-ready tires. |
| Valve type | Schrader | Decides which tubes and pump heads fit. Presta tubes fit Schrader rims with a grommet; not the other way. |
| Replacement wheels | Bolt-on · ?/? mm · 6-bolt disc | Any wheel matching axle type, spacing and brake mount fits. Rear also needs the right freehub. |
| Biggest rear cog | 38T (now 32T) | Set by the rear derailleur (microSHIFT Acolyte RD-M5185S 8-speed): max low sprocket 38T, total capacity 27T. A hanger extender can add a few teeth (hit-or-miss on non-Shadow derailleurs); a new derailleur is the reliable way to get more. |
| Front gears | 1x (28T) | One ring, no front derailleur. Adding a front derailleur needs a mount on the seat tube and a 2x crankset, so most riders change the ring size or cassette instead. |
| Chainring size | Unknown (now 28T) | Estimated from similar frames. Measure the chainring-to-chainstay gap to confirm. Check whether your ring is bolted or riveted. Spindle length (? mm) sets chainline; a big change in ring size may need a different BB spindle. |
| Gear count upgrades | 8 → 9 or 10 speed | Shimano HG 8/9/10-speed freehub: takes 8, 9 or 10-speed cassettes, Shimano 11-speed MTB and CUES/LinkGlide cassettes (7-speed needs a 4.5 mm spacer; most 11/12-speed road cassettes need an 11-speed road freehub, though the 11-34 HG700/HG800 fit). Shifter,… |
| Cranks & bottom bracket | Square taper · 68 mm shell · ? mm spindle | Any square-taper crankset fits with the right spindle length. Upgrading to Hollowtech II needs a new BB (same threaded shell). |
| Pedal thread | 9/16" × 20 | Every adult multi-piece crank uses 9/16". One-piece kids/cruiser cranks use 1/2". |
| Brake pads | Shape unknown | Disc pads only fit calipers with the matching shape. |
| Rotor size | 160/140 mm now · front 160 (flat mount: check fork) | 6-bolt rotors. Going bigger needs a caliper adapter: flat-mount adapter, and many flat-mount forks are rated 160 mm max. Most steel forks allow 180 mm; check the fork if a max rotor is printed on it. |
| Caliper upgrades | Hydraulic system | Hydraulic: match the brand of lever and caliper. |
| Stems & bars | 1 steerer · ? mm bar clamp | Any stem for a 1 steerer with a 31.8 mm clamp fits. You can cut a bar narrower but not wider. |
| Drop-bar conversion | Possible with mods | Needs road brake/shift levers (microSHIFT R8 makes 8-speed ones that pull Shimano 8-speed cable correctly), a drop bar, tape, and road-pull brake calipers because road levers pull less cable. Usually $250+. |
| Seatposts | ? mm | Buy posts in exactly this diameter. |
| Racks, fenders, bottles | No rack · Fender ✓ · 0 bottle | Threaded eyelets at the dropouts and seat stays take a rack and fenders. Fork leg mounts take cargo cages. |
| Max load (rider + cargo) | 154 lb | Wheels are usually the weak point under heavy loads. Stay under this with rider plus luggage. |
Best upgrades by area
Three options that fit the woom EXPLORE 5 as-is in each area, from budget to best. ★ marks the one most worth the money. How we pick. Typical US prices, checked October 2026. They change often: check the price at the store.
Upgrades that fit as-is
Gearing
- Shimano CS-HG31-8 cassette 11–34, $. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 8-speed ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
- SunRace CSM66 8-speed cassette 11–34 (nickel), $$. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 8-speed ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
- Shimano Alivio CS-HG51-8 cassette 11–32, $$. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 8-speed ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
Comfort
- Ergon GP1 ergonomic grips, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Budget ergonomic lock-on grips, $. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- WTB Volt saddle, $$. Medium-width shape that suits most riders. Measure sit bones if comfort is the goal.
- Brooks C17 All Weather saddle, $$$. Vulcanized rubber top that flexes like a hammock, and this All Weather version is fully waterproof. No break-in like leather. Firm, not padded: made for long…
- Bikeroo oversized comfort saddle, $. Wide, soft and sprung for short upright rides on cruisers and hybrids. On rides over an hour wide padding can chafe; a firmer saddle that fits your sit bones…
- Ergon GA3 lock-on grips, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Selle Royal Respiro Moderate saddle, $$$. Made for a 60° "moderate" back angle (most flat-bar hybrids). Very upright cruisers suit the wider Respiro Relaxed. Standard round steel rails.
- Fizik Terra Argo X5 saddle (150 or 160 mm), $$$. Pick 150 mm for narrower sit bones, 160 mm for wider. Round 7 mm alloy rails fit every standard clamp.
- Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle (men's or women's), $$$. Comes in S/M and M/L widths (measure your sit bones) and men's and women's shapes. Round CroMo rails; 120 kg rider limit.
- Ergon GP5 ergonomic grips with built-in bar ends (S or L), $$$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
Control
- Race Face Chester composite flat pedals, $$. Big platform with pins. Feet stay put on bumps and in rain. Install with an 8 mm hex key (no wrench flats).
- ROCKBROS aluminum flat pedals, $$. Budget metal platform with pins. A big step up from stock plastic.
- Shimano PD-M520 SPD clipless pedals (cleats included), $$. Nearly indestructible two-sided SPD pedals. You also need SPD (2-bolt) shoes, about $60–100 more. Set the release tension low and practice unclipping before…
- Crankbrothers Stamp 2 aluminum flat pedals (small or large), $$$. Sized by shoe: small for US men's 5–10, large for 10 and up. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- OneUp Components Aluminum flat pedals, $$$. Bearings and bushings can be serviced with a cheap kit instead of replacing the pedal. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- Shimano PD-EH500 dual-sided SPD / flat pedals (cleats included), $$$. Comes with SM-SH56 multi-release cleats, which are easier to get out of in a panic. You still need 2-bolt SPD shoes to clip in.
- Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 SPD pedals (cleats included), $$$. Cup-and-cone bearings are fully serviceable and last for years. Shoes with a 2-bolt SPD cleat sold separately.
Utility
- USB rechargeable front + rear light set, $$. Daytime flashing lights cut collisions. Required by law at night.
- Pletscher adjustable kickstand, $$. Handy for errands. Check it clears the rotor and chainstay.
- Lisen clamp-style handlebar phone mount, $. Cheap and tool-free for maps on paved rides. On rough gravel or trails a locking mount (Quad Lock or Peak Design, about $45–70 plus a case) is much safer.
- Topeak TopLoader top tube bag (0.75 L), $$. Keeps snacks, keys and a multi-tool within reach. Straps on, with a rain cover. Check your knees do not rub it when you stand up.
- Knog Oi Classic bell, $. Slim ring bell that wraps the bar. Large fits 23.8–31.8 mm bars; Small fits 22.2 mm kids and BMX bars. Required by law in some places.
- Wald 137 front basket, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Planet Bike Beamer 200 + Blinky Squared USB light set, $$. USB rechargeable, tool-free mounts. Use flash mode in daylight. Rear light is 30 lumens: good for town, modest on fast roads.
- Cygolite Metro Plus 800 + Hotshot Pro 150 USB light set, $$$. Nine headlight modes including a daytime flash. Aim the beam slightly down so you do not blind oncoming riders.
- Trek (Bontrager) Ion Pro RT + Flare RT light set, $$$. Daytime-running flash modes on both lights. ANT+ lets a Garmin or Wahoo show battery and switch them. Full power runs about 1.5 hours; medium lasts much longer.
Drivetrain
- KMC X8 8-speed chain with Missing Link, $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
- KMC Z8.3 6/7/8-speed chain (116 links), $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
- KMC X8 EPT 6/7/8-speed anti-rust chain with Missing Link, $$. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
Brakes
- Shimano SM-RT56 160 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 160 mm rotor ↔ your 160 mm front rotor
- Galfer Wave 160 mm 6-bolt rotor, 1.8 mm (1 rotor), $$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 160 mm rotor ↔ your 160 mm front rotor
- Shimano SM-RT86 Ice-Tech 160 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 160 mm rotor ↔ your 160 mm front rotor
Tires
- Kenda K-Rad 24x1.95 (50-507) wire (pair), $$. 50 mm tire ↔ your ~50 mm clearance
- Schwalbe Big Apple 24x2.00 (50-507) (pair), $$. 50 mm tire ↔ your ~50 mm clearance
- Schwalbe Billy Bonkers 24x2.00 (50-507) Addix folding (pair), $$$. 50 mm tire ↔ your ~50 mm clearance
Fits with small changes (13)
- microSHIFT Advent 1x9 kit (shifter, clutch RD, 11–46 cassette) + 9-speed chain, $$$. Installs as a set: shifter, derailleur, cassette and chain together.
- Shimano CUES U6000 1x11 kit (SL-U6000-11R shifter, RD-U6000 clutch RD, CS-LG400-11 11–50 LinkGlide cassette, chain), $$$$. Installs as a set: shifter, derailleur, cassette and chain together.
- Stan's NoTubes tire sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Orange Seal Endurance tubeless sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Shimano SM-RT56 180 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $. Your front rotor is 160 mm: a 180 mm rotor fits with a post +20 mm caliper adapter (check your fork's max rotor size).
- Galfer Wave 180 mm 6-bolt rotor, 1.8 mm (1 rotor), $$. Your front rotor is 160 mm: a 180 mm rotor fits with a post +20 mm caliper adapter (check your fork's max rotor size).
- Shimano SM-RT86 Ice-Tech 180 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $$. Your front rotor is 160 mm: a 180 mm rotor fits with a post +20 mm caliper adapter (check your fork's max rotor size).
- Shimano CUES U4000 1x9 kit (SL-U4000-9R shifter, RD-U4000, CS-LG300-9 11–46, CN-LG500 chain), $$$. Installs as a set: shifter, derailleur, cassette and chain together.
- Shimano Deore M5100 1x11 kit (SL-M5100 shifter, RD-M5100, CS-M5100 11–51, CN-HG601 chain), $$$. Installs as a set: shifter, derailleur, cassette and chain together.
- Shimano Altus BL-MT201 + BR-UR300 flat-mount hydraulic brake set (pair, levers included), $$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Magura MT4 flat-mount 2-piston hydraulic brakes (pair, levers included) + 2 Magura Storm 160 mm 6-bolt rotors, $$$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Hope Tech 4 X2 flat-mount hydraulic brakes (pair, levers included), $$$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
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Buying one used? Fair prices
Worked out from the price new ($819), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.
| Condition | 1 year old | 3 years old | 5 years old |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like new | $500–$660 | $425–$560 | $360–$475 |
| Good | $440–$580 | $375–$490 | $315–$415 |
| Fair | $360–$475 | $305–$400 | $260–$340 |
| Needs work | $275–$365 | $235–$305 | $195–$260 |
See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices
Geometry (size 24in)
| Head angle | 69° |
|---|---|
| Seat angle | 73° |
| Wheelbase | 974 mm |
| Standover | 590° |
Compare with
- Huffy Rock It 20" · compare frames side by side
- Trek Precaliber 20 · compare frames side by side
- Specialized Hotrock 24 · compare frames side by side
- woom ORIGINAL 4 · compare frames side by side
Sources: woom US: EXPLORE 5 (price $819, colours, 20 lb 12 oz, up to 155 lb, 49-57 in rider height, Promax hydraulic flat-mount 160/140, Acolyte 8-speed, 28T + 11-32, Billy Bonkers 24 x 2.0) · woom: EXPLORE 5 technical data and geometry in metric (wheelbase 973.6 mm, standover 590 mm, saddle 664-817 mm, RD-M5185S) · woom US: size guide (EXPLORE 5 inseam 26.4-32.3 in, height 49-57 in) · Two Wheeling Tots: woom EXPLORE review (measured 20.5 lb, seat 26-32.1 in, no gear window, gain ratio 2.05-5.97) · Veloplus: woom EXPLORE 5 rear wheel (24 spokes, 6-bolt disc, HG cassette, Schrader) · Performance Bicycle: microSHIFT Acolyte RD-M5185S (max cog 38T, wrap 27T, Acolyte shifters only)