Updated on August 18, 2022
Table of Contents
What Age Are Balance Bikes Suitable For
Balance bikes are usually for kids between 18 months to 7 years.
Balance bikes can typically be used by children who can walk.
For small children, this makes steering and propelling the bike easier.
Balance bikes suitable for 18 month old kids who can walk.
Children’s balance bikes, also called push bikes or run bikes, are pedaless bikes.
Toddlers love balance bikes because they provide them with the skills necessary to ride a pedal bike later on.
Kids who learn to ride on balance bikes as toddlers should be able to completely eliminate training wheels once they start riding a pedal bike.
The balance bike is also a great way to boost confidence and
teach gross motor skills.
Balance Bikes Suitable For Toddlers? What Is A Balance Bike?
Bikes without pedals are called balance bikes.
The bike has a frame, fork, handlebars, wheels, and so on, but it does not have a drivetrain.
Like Fred Flintstone, kids push off the ground with their feet to move
forward.
Balance bikes do not have stabilisers either.
Because kids are not supported by stabilisers, they can
develop balance and coordination since their feet are on the ground.
Before advancing to pedals, kids can practice their balance first.
The child pushes the bike along with his or her foot.
You can then teach your child to push and glide after they feel more confident, gaining momentum by lifting the legs.
Balance bikes are also known as Glider bikes, Run bikes or Pedal-less bikes
Balance bikes are a type of tricycle that can be used by toddlers to learn how to balance.
They come with training wheels, which provide extra support for beginning riders as they develop their skills and coordination; however it’s possible remove these when you want more independence or just prefer not having them around anymore! Because the seat height sits lower than other standard bicycles, children need practice getting used on riding without holding onto something else while balancing themselves
upright (like Mom!).
How Does A Balance Bike Work?
Kids can reach the ground with their feet since balance bikes are low to the ground.
They reach the
ground and push off, then walk the bike, stride, and glide on the bicycle while pushing off the ground.
When they are gliding independently, they have mastered their balance and are ready to begin pedaling.
You don’t have to hurry; children can ride the balance bike until they’re done.
Kids can also learn to steer by leaning their balance bikes towards the corner with their feet on the ground, in addition to learning
how to ride a bike.
A balance bike is a type of two wheeled bicycle that helps children learn how to ride.
They work by attaching themselves securely into the seat and steering bars, helping them control their movement while still being able control direction through leaning or moving body weight from side-to side as well an pedal propulsion with shoes on which will allow some amount power coming out during turns at higher speeds than if you were walking instead!
Balance Bike Comparison Chart
Young Toddlers – 18 mo. to 2 years
Bike | Wt. (lb.) | Seat Height | Tire Type | Hand Brake |
Woom 1 | 6.6 | 10 – 14″ | Air | Yes |
Strider Sport | 6.7 | 11 – 19″ | Foam | No |
Prevelo Alpha Zero | 8.5 | 11.4 – 14.6″ | Air | Yes |
Bixe 12 | 4.6 | 11.5 – 15.5″ | Foam | No |
Early Rider Lite | 8.5 | 11.6 – 15″ | Air | No |
Older Toddlers – 2 to 3 years
Bike | Wt. (lb.) | Seat Height | Tire Type | Hand Brake |
Pello Ripple | 9 | 11.3 – 15.5″ | Air | Yes |
Yeedoo Too Too | 8.2 | 12 – 18″ | Air | Yes |
GOMO | 8.5 | 12 – 17″ | Foam | No |
Swagtron K3 | 6.5 | 12.3 – 15.3″ | Air | No |
FirstBIKE | 8.6 | 12.3 – 17.5″ | Air | Yes |
Chillafish BMXie | 8.5 | 12.3 – 15.3″ | Rubber | Yes |
Burley MyKick | 11.3 | 12.5 – 16″ | Rubber | No |
Banana Bike GT | 8.1 | 12.5 – 17″ | Air | No |
Glide Bikes Mini | 11.7 | 12.5 – 15.6″ | Air | Yes |
Kazam Select | 10.9 | 12.5 – 15.6″ | Air | No |
Vitus Smoothy | 7 | 12.8 – 17.5″ | Air | No |
Preschoolers – 3 to 4 years
Bike | Wt. (lb.) | Seat Height | Tire Type | Hand Brake |
Saracen | 10.7 | 13 – 19″ | Air | Yes |
Muna 12″ | 11 | 13 – 18″ | Air | Yes |
Frog Tadpole | 6.5 | 13.3 – 19.3″ | Air | Yes |
LikeABike Jumper | 7.5 | 13.4 – 18.5″ | Air | Yes |
Spesh Hotwalk | 10 | 13.5 – 17″ | Rubber | No |
Kazam Bike | 8.4 | 13.8 – 16″ | Foam/air | No |
Ridgeback Scoot | 10.5 | 14 – 20″ | Air | Yes |
LittleBig | 11.2 | 14 – 21″ | Air | Yes |
PreK – 4 to 6 years
Bike | Wt. (lb.) | Seat Height | Tire Type | Hand Brake |
woom 1 Plus | 9.5 | 14.8 – 18.7″ | Air | Yes |
Strider 14x | 12.5 | 15 – 22″ | Air | No |
Frog Tadpole Plus | 15 – 20″ | Air | Yes | |
SmarTrike Xtend | 14.8 | 15.3 – 21.3″ | Air | Yes |
Scoot XL | 11.6 | 16 – 21.5″ | Air | Yes |
Bixe 16 | 12 | 18.3 – 22.4″ | Air | No |
Strider 16 | 17.7 | 19.5 – 24.5″ | Air | Yes |
How Can You Choose The Best Balanced Bike?
There are some awesome balance bikes on the market.
Some of them can even be transformed into motorbikes or shopper bikes through plastic add-ons.
Colors and graphics that are appealing to your
child are unquestionably important, but there are also other things to take into account.
Finding the perfect balance bike can be difficult.
There is such thing as too much stability or not enough when it comes to selecting a bike for your child, but luckily we have found some tips that will help you make an informed decision! For example: how old are they? What do their interests seem like (i sports)? Is this going to just stay at home over time-or out of fear from falling off would prefer if there was more steering capability).
These three questions should get beginners started down what seems like
potentially endless paths in finding “the one.”
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Balance bikes’ weight
The number that the scale record on the bike for little ones is extremely important when it comes to bicycle weight, which you might laugh at since it comes to a children’s product.
Heavy models may weigh around 11lbs/5kg, whereas those designed with weight in mind tend to weigh around 6.8lbs/3kg. For an
adult, that might not seem like a big deal, but for a child, it’s a huge difference in weight.
When your toddler learns to ride a bike, a lighter bike is easier for him or her to handle around turns in the park.
This is especially true if there is an occasional incline.
You can find balance bikes in various colors and styles.
Some have a front wheel that is higher than the rear one, while others are symmetrical with both wheels matching up equally on either side of the bike frame; there’s something for every child!
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Bike for fitness
Fit height is more important than anything else when it comes to comfort.
The smallest balance bikes
usually have 10-inch wheels, and the largest ones usually have 20-inch wheels.
The saddle should be placed one inch below the child’s inseam at its lowest point.
It is important that your child be able to put both feet flat on the ground when seated on the saddle.
Initially, the bend in the knee might seem strange, but it allows them to comfortably reach the ground and take long, sweeping
and effective steps as they extend their legs in front of them.
For those looking to get in shape, there’s no better way than a bike ride.
Not only does it provide an outdoor environment that is good for your health and reduces stress on traffic-clogged streets; riding also helps you stay hydrated! All these benefits easily outweigh the time investment of cleaning up after yourself with ordinary transportation methods like cars or buses – not mention how much fun cycling
can be if done right.
Balance bikes can be adjusted
Typically, children’s balance bikes last about two or three years, which is sufficient for them to enjoy them.
Choose an adjustable bike with a good range of saddle heights.
The handlebar height can also be
adjusted on some models, making them even more customized.
Balance bikes are great for young kids that have just started to ride a bike.
They’re adjustable, meaning you can fit it to your child’s needs – whether they want an extra boost or some help along the way!
The best part about balance bikes is how customizable each model gets as soon as we start talking about what size wheels and handlebars; these factors change everything from saddle height all of way down toward getting pedals included in order make them work better suited towards one specific rider than any other person would use something like this at their home rink
Balance bikes with brakes
Balanced bikes don’t need brakes – little feet will do.
However, having a break on front size can add confidence.
In addition, your child will gain one more skill that they can apply to pedaling.
A balanced bike with a good brake lever will be easy for small hands to operate.
Balance bikes with brakes are great for more experienced riders.
They provide stability and control to help you learn how balance on two wheels, but they’re also good if your little one is ready!
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A balance bike’s tyres
EVA foam or rubber tyres with inner tubes are the two most common options here.
EVA foam tyres are lightweight and puncture-proof – but they don’t have the same traction as rubber tyres, which will feel better and let you use the vehicle on different surfaces, like grass.
The general consensus is that EVA foam tyres cater to small riders who ride on paved surfaces, but these riders will eventually grow out of these tires.
The comfort of the saddle on balance bikes
There’s no need to assume that a pedal bike saddle is equal to an ideal balanced bike saddle.
In order to accommodate the weight placed through the center of the saddle by the body, these saddles are ideally
shaped to act as a ‘scoop’.
Balance bikes are often the perfect exercise and transportation option for all of your needs.
They have comfortable, reliable handlebars that make riding easy to learn how do—especially kids!
A balance bike’s tires provide just enough traction so you can navigate along sidewalks or dirt paths with confidence as well a smooth ride over grassy fields without worrying about falling down anything sharp because there aren’t any exposed parts on these designs: every part shines bright in its own color matching set pattern up front against dark green roots behind them which frame out this little world
For toddlers on the move, a balance bike is perfect.
Your child can practice their coordination as well as develop muscle strength and stability in new ways by using two wheels instead of just one! The first time we rode together our daughter was only 2 years old; she had so much fun weaving through trees while I followed behind at a safe distance with my arms wide open because there really wasn’t anything else that
could have been done to stop us if things went wrong (though luckily they didn’t).

Hey, all I am Joe Marino I love to ride bikes and teach others how to ride them. Most of my articles are about which bike is best for others. I am passionate about cycling and it shows, whether I am writing about a $25 bicycle from any random website or a $5000 Santa Cruz.
I have always been the guy who gets calls from friends while at work asking which bike they should buy. I have written about the best city bike for commuting, the best folding bike for use on public transit, and even what to keep in mind when shopping for kids’ bikes.
You can follow my blog and read all of my other articles on my website.