KaZam from Shark Tank

KaZam shark tank

Episode 425 of Shark Tank features Mary Beth Lugo, the founder of KaZam Bikes. The “balance first, pedal second” method is advocated by KaZAM bikes for learning to ride a bicycle. Children between the ages of 3 and 6 who have not yet mastered the art of riding a bicycle can benefit from the services KaZAM.

These bikes allow toddlers to practice on two wheels using a footrest instead of typical training wheels. With KaZAM bikes, kids can gain the self-confidence they need to ride without training wheels. Parents and toy industry organizations have hailed balancing bikes as a great educational item and a lot of fun to play with.

Mary Beth pitched a deal where she wanted $400,000 in exchange for a 20% stake in the company. She builds the bikes using only $38 worth of supplies, which she sells at a wholesale price of $45 and a retail price of $99.95. KaZam had generated revenue of $1.4 million in less than three years.

Mark decided to offer $300,000 for a 40% stake in the company only if Mary Beth could persuade Barbara to join in partnership. He employed the 24-second shot clock. After persuading Barbara, Mary Beth offered a counter-offer of 32%. The deal was done.

Mary Beth Lugo’s balancing bikes have taken off since she originally appeared on Shark Tank, thanks to the support of Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran. Sales of Kazam Bikes surged to $1.5 million when they invested in the company. A few years after the bikes originally appeared in print, they were featured in publications like Sky Magazine, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, and the Mr. Dad Seal of Approval. Their popularity increased further after they began appearing in Dicks Sporting Goods stores, especially Toys R Us.

Our Review of KaZam

The KaZam balancing bike has a lot to offer. Some models are selling for less than $75 on Amazon. You can put these bikes to test to determine how it compared to other low-cost balancing bikes.

Bicycle tires can be classified as either air or foam. The former is far more common than the latter. The identical bike can go by several names depending on where you buy it. MSRPs can vary substantially depending on where autos are sold. Kazam balance bikes sit side-by-side in a children’s play space.

These bikes are ideal for children who are 2-4 years old. You can get your hands on these bikes in different colors. Get a blue neo, a pink-and-yellow wheeli, and a red select – the choice is yours!

Regular bikes don’t fit everyone. However, you don’t have to worry when it comes to KaZam bikes. Your child will have a blast if it is properly adjusted. They can ride the bike while wearing 3T and 4T pants. As a result, the Kazam Select is the better choice for your kid.

Wheeli and Neo models have seat heights of 14.25′′ to 17′′ compared to other bikes which have seat heights of 13.75′′ to 16′′. There are some minor changes between the bikes because of the saddles. Because the frame and seat post are so similar on all KaZam bikes, you can expect a seat height range of 14″ to 16″.

However, a balance bike’s two-inch seat height range is highly limiting and leaves little room for growth. Therefore, people are reluctant to purchase KaZam balancing bikes. The Banana Bike GT, a low-cost balancing bike with a seat height range of about four inches, is an amazing alternative for you.

Height adjustable handlebars are rare on budget balancing bikes. Therefore, taller riders will find the Kazam versions appealing. Kazam is one of the few balance bikes that can accommodate riders of all shapes and sizes because of the elevated saddle.

The Select model of Kazam weighed 10.9 pounds. Those with foam tires actually weigh 8.4 pounds. Kazam models with air tires are significantly heavier than those with pneumatic tires. When learning to ride a bike, even a few pounds can make a big difference. The weight of a bike should not exceed 30% of the child’s body weight.

Kazam bikes are one-of-a-kind because of the platform footrest. The bike’s back end is sloped upward because of the black footrest at the bottom. It’s easier to use both footrests with ease because they are substantially steeper.

There are two types of footrests for KaZam – custom, and standard. These footrests are designed to resemble the natural inclination a child’s foot has while elevating its soles off the floor. Although it is little, the footrest will not impede a child’s stride.

Kazam’s design is more ergonomic than others, even if footrests are optional on balancing bikes. Your three-year-old can only raise their feet with this footrest. This bike is more comfortable to ride than others because of the location and width of the footrests.

The Kazam model can be fitted with either air or foam tires. Air tires are the best for balance bikes due to their superior traction and capacity to compress and absorb road bumps. On the other hand, foam tires have their place.

The weight of a bike is increased when its air tires go flat. Foam tires may come in handy if you reside in a region where “goat head” plants are a problem. The Kazam Neo tires can be coated in goat skulls after only a few minutes of riding. Filling your bike’s tubes with tire sealant will provide you the grip and comfort that air tires offer.

Kazam frame design is troublesome for persons who are short or small in stature. The bike’s frame is unusually wide in the back part compared to other balancing bikes. This resulted in knee-to-frame contact for youngsters.

There is no hand brake on any of the Kazam versions. It is advised that they learn how to use hand brakes by the time a child is three years old. Children are better prepared to ride a pedal bike once they’ve mastered handbrakes on a balancing bike. Parents complain that their children are dragging their feet to stop the bike; however, it doesn’t destroy their shoes.

Pros

  • Reasonable price
  • Easy access
  • All-weather pneumatic tires come in different colors.
  • Available in various designs
  • Easy adjustability of the height of the handlebars while driving

Cons

  • There is a limited range of seat height adjustment in most models, limiting the room for growth
  • The bike is more difficult to balance than most of its competitors.
  • The rear half of this frame may be too wide, especially for smaller riders

Who is it Best For?

KaZam bikes are best for youngsters aged 2 to 6. If you have a child who is just starting to learn to ride a bike, KaZam is the perfect way to go.

Are There Any Alternatives?

If you don’t mind the bike being hefty, then the Banana Bike LT is the perfect alternative to KaZam bikes. These bikes with foam tires cost $70, while the Swagtron costs $59. They are easy to ride and accommodate the needs of a young rider.

Our Final Thoughts

KaZam bikes are perfect for your youngsters. Get your hands on the amazing collection of bikes they offer from their official website. You can buy one from Amazon.