Find the Best Balance Bike For You!
Balance bikes are a great way to learn to ride a bike, and a good quality bike makes the perfect gift for a child at any time of the year!
Balance bikes allow children to learn the principles of balance, steering and braking without having to worry about pedalling at the same time. This means that when they graduate to a proper pedal bike, it will be much easier for them to learn to pedal as balancing and steering will be second nature.
There are a huge range of balance bikes available for all ages from toddlers as young as 18 months all the way through to balance bike experts as old as 11 or 12. There are even some adult balance bikes as well now!
Children at different ages have different requirement, so we have prepared a guide for the best balance bike for each age range as well as plenty of hints and tips on how to get the most out of your child’s time on two wheels.
To get started, we have put together the Ultimate Balance Bike Guide below, which includes our 5 favourite models for 2021.
The at-a-glance guide includes important factors such as the suggested model, most suitable age range, weight, price and the all-important saddle height!
The Ultimate At-A-Glance Balance Bike Guide for 2021
What is a balance bike?
If you are in your late 20’s or 30’s and bringing up your first child, then the chances are that you may not have heard of balance bikes before you started doing your research and came across this website!
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, it was a rite of passage for children to learn to ride on traditional bikes with stabilisers or training wheels – cycling around the park under the encouragement of Mum and Dad before the big day when the wheels were removed and you wobbled off triumphantly down the road.
However, although this method helps children learn to steer and brake, studies have shown that because the stabilisers provided a safety net to stop the bike from toppling over then children did not learn to balance and as soon as the wheels were removed a crash was almost inevitable.
The modern day balance bike was designed to solve this problem, and it is a simple design as a normal bicycle but without pedals, a chain or stabilisers. The child should be able to sit comfortably on the saddle and be able to walk the bike to learn to turn, glide, stop and start with their feet flat on the floor.
This teaches the child how to balance on the bike, and it won’t be long before they build enough confidence to control the bike through turns and manoeuvres that is not possible with a traditional bike fitted with stabilisers.
Balance bikes are lightweight, easy to transport and have revolutionised the way that children learn to ride bicycles. They are also clean, easy to maintain and provides hours of fun and entertainment. They also provide a great excuse for all of the family to get out and do some exercise.
The modern day balance bike was designed to solve this problem, and it is a simple design as a normal bicycle but without pedals, a chain or stabilisers. The child should be able to sit comfortably on the saddle and be able to walk the bike to learn to turn, glide, stop and start with their feet flat on the floor.
This teaches the child how to balance on the bike, and it won’t be long before they build enough confidence to control the bike through turns and manoeuvres that is not possible with a traditional bike fitted with stabilisers.
Balance bikes are lightweight, easy to transport and have revolutionised the way that children learn to ride bicycles. They are also clean, easy to maintain and provides hours of fun and entertainment. They also provide a great excuse for all of the family to get out and do some exercise.
You can watch this video from Cycling UK which details how a balance bike helps a child learn to ride.
How to find the best balance bike for you
The comparison table above should provide a good starting point for you to compare the main features of some of the more popular balance bikes.
However, there are a whole range of factors to consider when looking for the best balance bike so we have broken these down for you in an easy to reference guide:
Saddle height
This is probably the most important thing to consider, as no matter how stylish or sleek your balance bike – your child will simply refuse to use it if they cannot sit comfortably on the seat.
You will need to obtain the inside leg measurement of your child and then compare this to the minimum saddle height of your preferred bike. The leg should be 2.5cm – 3cm longer than the minimum saddle height so that the child can have their feet flat on the floor when sitting on the saddle. Most bikes have adjustable seats so they can then grow with their bike (metal bikes have a wider range of seat heights than wooden ones)
Check out our balance bike seat height guide for more information on how to measure your child and match the best balance bike for them.
Your main choice will be between a metal balance bike or one with a wooden frame. Metal bikes are probably more popular, as they look sportier and more like a real bike. There are a wide range of styles of metal balance bikes available including sporty BMX balance bikes!
However, there are some great wooden bikes that we recommend such as those from Early Rider and Kiddimoto. Wooden balance bikes can also be painted in fun designs which makes them very popular.
Tyres
Most balance bikes have air tyres, although some manufacturer such as Strider have opted for EVA foam tyres. Air tyres will generally give a more comfortable ride on pavements and across fields, but EVA foam tyres are puncture proof and easy to maintain.
Brakes
Although some balance bikes are fitted with brakes, this feature is only really necessary on bikes for children aged 4 and above. Younger children should focus on balancing and they may lack the co-ordination to operate a brake properly.
Other features of a good balance bike will include safety handlebars, a comfortable padded seat and of course a funky or sporty design so the bike looks good in the park.
Balance bike by age
Every child will have varying requirements when you are looking for the best balance bike, so a 2 year old just starting out will need a very different bike to a 5 year old on the latest and sportiest model.
It is therefore useful to break down the requirements for a good balance bike into age groups, so this is what we have done for children from the age of 18 months through to 2 year olds, 3 year olds, 4 year old and 5-6 year olds. There are further details on the relevant pages, and you can access these through the navigation menu.
How much do balance bikes cost?
There are balance bikes to fit every budget, with the best value bikes such as the Chicco Red Bullet balance bike and the Boppi balance bikes available for around £30. Although these bikes do not have a huge range of features, they look good and will give your child the opportunity to enjoy riding.
If you can stretch your budget to around £50 - £60, then bikes such as Bike Star, Puky and Strider balance bikes are available. Some bikes cost around £100, and top of the range models such as the Early Rider Alley Runner are closer to £150.
Once you have decided on the best balance bike, then there is a whole range of accessories available to compliment your child’s ride. One essential purchase is a kids bike helmet, and other gadgets include bells, carry bags and gloves to protect the hands and provide extra grip.
Balance Bike Reviews
You will find reviews of many balance bikes on this site, but as there are so many bikes available we thought it would be useful to provide an overview of 5 of the most popular models around
Banana Balance Bike LT
The Banana balance bike LT model is one of our very favourite balance bikes for several reasons.
The saddle is fully adjustable between 31cm and 40cm. There are no tools required, so it is a simple 2 minute job to raise the saddle when your toddler goes on a growth spurt.
This bike is also lightweight and easy to handle, with the signature curved banana frame providing great looks and easy access.
It should also be easy for your child to pick up steering, as the wide handlebars have been designed for riders using a bike for the first time. The handlebars also have the essential rubber grips for protection during a fall.
Strider Sport 12" Balance Bike
Strider are market leaders in balance bikes, and the Strider 12 Sport gets our vote as one of the most versatile and best quality bikes around.
One of the main selling points is the fully adjustable saddle height, and the minimum height of just 28cm means that it is suitable for the youngest riders from just 18 months old. The seat can be adjusted right up to 40cm, so this means it will grow with your child as they become confident on a bike.
Other features include a classy design, EVA polymer puncture proof tyres and it is also very lightweight at just 2.9kg. You really can’t go wrong with the Strider Classic balance bike.
Bike Star Classic Balance Bike
This stylish looking balance bike has the notable feature of a low platform or footboard, so it is ideal for balance bike beginners. This allows the child to rest their feet as they scoot along, and is a similar feature to that found on the Puky LRM Learner bike.
This is a good quality bike with a number of other features such as a brake and a kickstand. It is a good choice as one of the best balance bike for 2 year olds or for 3 year olds.
Chicco Red Bullet Balance Bike
Balance bikes really are accessible to people on all budgets, with superb bikes like the Chicco Red Bullet Balance bike available at a very reasonable price.
This is one of the smallest bikes on the market, weighing in at just 2.7kg so this means that it is perfect for younger children age between 2 and 3 who are just learning to ride. This is a great age to buy a balance bike, and you can check out our guide to best balance bikes for 2 year olds.
The red metallic frame gives stylish appearance, and the seat height starts at 32cm. A great value balance bike will get your child in the saddle!
Puky Balance Bikes
Puky have a great range of balance bikes so it is difficult to focus on just one of their models. The Puky LRM Balance bike is perfect for 2 year olds with a step through frame, a special learner bike saddle and safety handlebars.
The next model up is the Puky LR1L Learner bike, and although this is slightly more expensive this is a direct competitor for the Strider Classic although features a low platform and pneumatic tyres. There is also a kick stand to stop the bike being thrown on the floor so much!
Kiddimoto Kurve Balance Bikes
All of the models mentioned above comprise a steel or metal frame, but there is also a great range of wooden balance bikes available!
One of the advantages of wooden balance bikes is that they can be painted in all sorts of funky designs and colours.
We love the fantastic Kiddimoto Kurve range which is available in designs including Union Jack (pictured), Police, Fire and Pastel Dotty.
Now that you have seen the options and reviewed our top picks for the best balance bike on the market, its up to you to pick what meets your needs, is in your price range, and overall help your child get on their bike.
As you know, new bikes are being launched all the time so we will try to keep you up to date with the latest models. Or if you feel like we missed a superior bike that needs to be included on the list, then please let us know.