The third wave of Monkie Kid sets hits store on March 1, 2021. True North Bricks received the entire collection compliments of the LEGO® Group. Today we look at the first set, Monkie Kid’s Cloud Bike (80018). It is the smallest of the sets, but it includes some nice Minifigures.
NOTE: The LEGO® Group provided this set for review. However, the provision of products does not guarantee a favorable review. I will use my usual rating system (click here to learn more) and provide my honest opinion.
MONKIE KID’S CLOUD BIKE SUMMARY
- NAME: Monkie Kid’s Cloud Bike
- SET #: 80018
- THEME: Monkie Kid
- COST: $34.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 203
- MINIFIGURES: 3
- RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2021
MONKIE KID’S CLOUD BIKE QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 70% (Passable cost-per-brick, near average build time.)
- BUILD: 70% (Simple build offering no new techniques.)
- MINIFIGURES: 95% (Excellent number of well-designed characters.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 70% (Not much here for AFOLs, but kids might enjoy it.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 76%
MONKIE KID’S CLOUD BIKE REVIEW
VALUE: 70%
Cloud Bike costs $34.99 in Canada. Additionally, the kit consists of 203 bricks. Therefore, at full price the cost-per-brick is $0.172. Comparatively, my average cost-per-brick is currently $0.14 across all LEGO® themes. Therefore, this set is not a great value, but still passable. The cost-per-brick score is 69%. Looking at the Monkie Kid theme alone, the set fares much worse. I have nine sets from the theme at this point, and this one has the worst value-per-brick. Compared only to other Monkie Kid sets, Cloud Bike earns 50%. As such, the average cost-per-brick score is 60%.
This set took me 41 minutes to build. Consequently, the cost-per-minute of build time at full price is $0.85. My average across all themes currently sits at $0.83. For the Monkie Kid theme, it is $0.73. However, as I write this, I have not built all my Monkie Kid sets. Therefore, the theme average is not particularly reliable. Compared only to LEGO® sets in general, Cloud Bike earns 79%. Taken with the cost-per-brick score, the overall value rating for this set is 70%.
BUILD: 70%
This set includes three small builds. The first is a simple spider creature. Being unable to watch the show, I assume this is a robot of some kind. It is uncomplicated, but a clever build all the same. It achieves its goal. The spider also attaches to a Minifigure and can grasp it.
The subsequent builds are both motorcycles. The first belongs to a character named Spindrax. He is clearly an associated of the Spider Queen. The bike build is sturdy and simple. Additionally, it features two stud shooters. I do not dislike it, but there is nothing special about it either. The handlebar section falls off a little easily as well.
The main build is the set’s namesake, Monkie Kid’s Cloud Bike. The ride has a couple of interesting play features. One is a lever above the rear wheel. Flicking it causes round 2×2 tiles to launch out from the sides of the bike. Second, the front and rear wheels split open and swing out to become hovering engines. Hence the name “cloud bike”. It is a fun idea. However, as a flying machine, the proportions look a little off. The main body of the bike looks boxy that way.
Ultimately, this build is simple. It does not offer any new pieces or build techniques. The result is not bad by any means. However, it is nothing to write home about either. My favorite part of this build is the little spider. One bike has a piece that falls off easily, the other looks good as bike but less so as a flying machine. I rate the build experience at 7/10 (70%).
MINIFIGURES: 95%
Monkie Kid’s Cloud Bike comes with three Minifigures. Each one features all the standard parts. Additionally, they all have double-sided faces and front and back torso printing. Two of them also have leg printing. As in previous waves, Monkie Kid’s leg printing extends to the sides of his legs too. I have not reviewed many sets from this theme, but the Minifigures have yet to disappoint. However, this kit does not come with many accessories. You get a printed cell phone tile, a sword, and a motorcycle helmet. I do like that the Spindrax character has the helmet and hair options. Additionally, Monkie Kid has a new shirt print under his jacket. Consequently, he also has a teal blue hoodie piece to go around his neck. I rate the character designs in this set at 41/45 (91%).
Three Minifigures in a 203-piece kit is excellent. You get a lot of characters for a set of this size. The brick-to-fig ratio is 68:1. By comparison, my average ratio is currently 144:1. Consequently, Monkie Kid’s Cloud Bike earns 95%. When compared only to other Monkie Kid sets, it has the best brick-to-fig ratio of all the sets I own. For the theme, I rate the ratio at 100%. Therefore, the average ratio score is 98%. Taken with the design score, these Minifigures earn a total grade of 95%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 70%
This is the first set I am reviewing from the third wave of Monkie Kid sets. Truthfully, it is already not my favorite. Based solely on the box art, there are nicer sets in this collection. However, this is an inexpensive way to get a Monkie Kid Minifigure. He is one of my favorite Minifigures after all. Ultimately, I will recycle the pieces in this set though. Monkie Kid’s Cloud Bike offers me little in terms of display potential. I rate the AFOL score at 60%.
From a kid’s perspective, the set is fun. I liked transforming vehicles as a child. While the transformation is not drastic in this case, it is amusing. Consequently, a motorcycle that turns into a flying bike offers a lot of play potential. However, I find this theme hard to relate to for both adults and children. The sets are based on a series that has yet to air in Canada despite the theme existing for a year. I think kids would enjoy the sets more knowing the backstory of the characters and sets. I rate the KFOL score at 80%. Overall, that translates to an entertainment rating of 70%.
OVERALL SCORE: 76%
As the smallest of the new Monkie Kid sets, go into this build with lower expectations. I have seen better motorcycle builds in other themes for the same price or lower. However, the Minifigures included are nice. From my perspective, this set is okay, but far from great. Of all the new sets, I would have skipped this one in favor of one of the larger, more interesting kits. Monkie Kid’s Cloud Bike is a kids’ playset and not an AFOL interest piece in my opinion. However, viewed as a playset, I think it is a fun one. What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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