LEARN
Speed limiter built in.
Two modes — your bike, your call. Lock it to mode 1 for first riders (10 km/h). Open mode 2 when they're ready (20 km/h). The throttle is theirs. The ceiling is yours.
8 yearsbuilding kids' ebikes
10,000+Aussie families
4.9 / 5average rating
100%Aussie family-owned
01Built for first throttles
Their first electric ride.
The Rippa 12 is where balance-bike grads step up. Same Zippi DNA — built so confident toddlers can find their throttle without finding the deck.
EASY
Light enough they can lift it.
Nine kilos. Kids can pick it up, walk it across the lawn, lift it onto the back deck. A bike a kid can manage is a bike they actually use.
OPTIMUM
Two years before you saw it.
Our kids rode the prototypes before we sold a single bike. The Rippa 12 you're looking at is the third revision — every quirk has already been ridden out.
02
The first proper kids electric balance bike — built for the riders who've outgrown training wheels but aren't ready for big-bike power.
The Rippa 12" is where most kids step in once they're done with the Ride 10". No training wheels, no stabilisers. The kid balances; the bike just provides the throttle and brake. It's the natural next step — and for plenty of confident young riders, it's the right first ebike to start on.
Why the Rippa 12" works for 2-6 year olds
It's deliberately small and light. 12-inch wheels, 13 kg total — light enough that a four-year-old can muscle it around when they tip it over, which they will. Seat geometry sized for tiny riders. Throttle on the right grip, brake lever within easy reach.
The two speed modes give parents real control over how much performance the kid gets at any stage. Mode 1 caps the bike at 10 km/h — slow enough that a 2-3 year old learning the throttle won't get away from you. Mode 2 unlocks up to 20 km/h for confident riders. Most parents leave it in mode 1 for the first few weeks and only unlock mode 2 once the kid's asking for more.
What you get
The bike12-inch wheels, steel frame, 250W brushless motor, mechanical disc brake, twist throttle. 13 kg total — properly light, easy to fit in the boot.
Removable lithium battery42V 2.5Ah, clicks out for charging on the bench. 45-60 min ride time per charge, 2 hours to charge from flat. Spares sold separately.
Two speed modes10 km/h (mode 1) and 20 km/h (mode 2). Mode switch on the bike, so you can lock it down while they learn.
ColoursMultiple options — the kid picks. (You'll be told the answer.)
What's in the box
- 1 × Zippi Rippa 12" Kids Electric Balance Bike (your colour choice)
- 1 × Removable lithium battery
- 1 × 240V charger
- 1 × Quick-start guide
- 12-month manufacturer warranty
- Tasmania-based Aussie support — real humans on real email
Why parents pick Zippi
We're two motorcycle families behind Zippi — Toby, Carmen, Laura and Mark. We built every bike in the range for our own kids first. They rode prototypes for two years before we sold a single bike in 2018. Eight years on, we still answer the emails ourselves.
When something goes wrong (it happens — kids are kids), you email an Australian family that owns Zippi bikes themselves. Spare parts ship from our Tasmanian warehouse. No call centre, no Shenzhen middleman.
The catchphrase is plain English: raise balanced kids. Bikes are how we do it.
03Tech specs
Everything under the paint.
- Wheel size
- 12″
- Recommended age
- 2-6 years
- Recommended height
- 90-120 cm
- Recommended inseam
- 38-52 cm
- Max rider weight
- 60 kg
- Bike weight
- 15 kg
- Frame
- Aluminium Alloy
- Motor
- 250W Brushless Rear-Hub
- Battery
- 42V 2.5Ah Lithium-Ion
- Charger
- 240V AC Included
- Charge time
- 2-3 hours
- Ride time
- 60-90 minutes (real-world)
- Top speed
- Mode 1: 10 km/h · Mode 2: 20 km/h
- Brakes
- Rear Hand Brake (disk)
- Tyres
- 12″ Pneumatic BMX Style
- Throttle
- Right-hand Fully Variable
- Seat height
- 390-440 mm (adjustable)
- Compliance
- Private Property Use
Specs may evolve between production runs — the bike you receive will match or exceed what's listed here. Real-world ride time depends on rider weight, terrain and how hard they're hammering the throttle.
04In the box
What you'll unpack.
Bikes ship 90% assembled. Allow 15–30 minutes from box to first ride. All tools included.
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Zippi Rippa 1212″ frame, fully assembled minus handlebars
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240V ChargerFast charger, plugs into any Aussie wall socket
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Tool KitHex keys for handlebar fitment and seat adjustment
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Rider's manualQuick-start sheet plus parent's safety guide
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Helmet not includedWe don't ship helmets — sizing matters too much. Pick one up locally.
05Pick the right one
Find your size.
Numbers are riding-fit guides — the inseam where most kids ride confidently, not the absolute minimum or maximum.
| Bike | Age | Inseam | Height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ride 10″The original | 2–8 | 34–48 cm | 85–125 cm | First-timers, training wheels included |
| Rippa 12″First Rippa | 2–6 | 38–52 cm | 90–120 cm | Confident toddlers, balance-bike grads |
| Rippa 16″Pump-track ready | 5–10 | 52–68 cm | 115–145 cm | Skate parks, bush trails, growing kids |
| Rippa 20″Big kid energy | 9–15 | 68–82 cm | 140–165 cm | Confident riders, longer rides, real speed |
| Rebel 20″ ProThe step-up | 10+ | 70–85 cm | 140–165 cm | Trail-ready kids stepping past pump tracks |
| Rebel 24″ ProThe flagship | Teens | 78–92 cm | 155–180 cm | Full-size answer for proper e-bike territory |
Between sizes? Size up if they're growing fast or already confident. Size down if they're new to riding.
06Not sure?
Compare to its siblings.
Smaller kid? Look smaller. Bigger kid? Step up. Same family, same engineering bar.
You're here
Rippa 12″
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07What parents are saying
Read the reviews.
Real reviews from real Aussie families. 2,400+ and counting.
Reviews come from verified buyers only. We don't filter, edit, or pay for reviews.
08Common questions
Before you buy.
Sizing, shipping, batteries, warranty. Pulled from real customer emails — full FAQ on its own page.
Who is the Rippa 12″ for?
Kids aged 2–6 who are ready to balance on two wheels without training wheels. The Rippa 12″ is our first proper electric balance bike — twist throttle, lithium battery, no pedals, no stabilisers. Most riders come to it from the Ride 10″ around age 3–4 once they've got the throttle and brake sorted, or it's a confident toddler's first electric bike. The 12″ wheels and 13 kg frame make it light enough for small riders to actually control.
My kid hasn't ridden a balance bike before. Will they manage the Rippa 12″?
If they can walk confidently and sit on a bike with their feet flat on the ground, they can learn the Rippa 12″. The trick is starting in mode 1 (10 km/h max) — slow enough that they can figure out the throttle while their feet stay close to the ground for stability. Most kids get the hang of it in 2–3 sessions. If your kid hasn't ridden anything with a throttle before, the Ride 10″ with training wheels is the gentler intro — then they graduate to the Rippa 12″ when they're ready.
How fast does the Rippa 12″ go?
20 km/h in mode 2, 10 km/h in mode 1. The mode switch is on the bike, so you can lock it in mode 1 while they learn the throttle and switch to mode 2 once they're confident. Most parents leave the bike in mode 1 for the first month or two and only unlock mode 2 once the kid's asking for more speed.
Is the battery removable?
Yes — 42V 2.5Ah lithium battery, removable for charging. Big upgrade over the Ride 10″ (lead-acid, built into the frame). You can pull the battery out, charge it inside on the bench, and click it back in. Real-world ride time is around 45–60 minutes per charge, full charge takes about 2 hours. Spare batteries are available in the parts catalogue if you want to swap and keep riding - It also shares the same battery as the other Rippa models to save $$ when upgrading!
Can my kid ride the Rippa 12″ on the footpath or street?
No. Like all kids electric balance bikes in Australia, the Rippa 12″ is classified for private property use only. Driveways, back yards, private ovals, designated kids ride parks, off-road on private land — all fine. Public roads and footpaths — not legal, not allowed.
When will my kid outgrow the Rippa 12″?
Most kids step up to the Rippa 16″ around age 5–7, when they want bigger wheels for varied terrain and a higher top speed. The 12″ then becomes a hand-me-down to a younger sibling or cousin — the lithium battery and steel frame are built to survive multiple kids. We hear from plenty of families on their second or third rider on the same Rippa 12″.
What if something breaks?
Every Zippi comes with a 12-month manufacturer warranty. If something fails, you email us at sales@zippi.net.au and one of the 4 family members picks it up. Spare parts ship from our Tasmanian warehouse, usually next-day Australia-wide. No call centres here!
How does the Rippa 12″ compare to the Stacyc 12eDRIVE?
The Stacyc 12eDRIVE is the global benchmark for 12″ electric balance bikes at $1,129.95 AUD. The Rippa 12″ is engineered to a comparable standard but priced where regular Aussie families can actually buy one. Both have 12″ wheels and twist throttle; the Rippa 12″ goes slightly faster in top mode (20 km/h vs Stacyc's 17 km/h) and has a removable battery, which the Stacyc 12eDRIVE doesn't. See our full comparison guide for specs side-by-side.