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Kiddimoto Super Junior Balance Bike

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Kiddimoto Super Junior Balance Bike
  • Impressive range of features
  • 34cm starting saddle height - extends up to 45cm
  • Pneumatic rubber tyres for excellent grip
  • Great option for 3 years plus
Buy the Kiddimoto Super Junior Balance Bike

Kiddimoto are probably most well known for their exciting and innovative wooden balance bikes, including the ever popular Kiddimoto Kurve bike which comes in a range of funky designs.

A new addition to the Kiddimoto stable is the Kiddimoto Super Junior Balance Bike which is also available in an upgraded ‘Max’ version. These bikes are very different from the Kiddimoto Kurve and other bikes in the Kiddimoto range, as they are metal balance bikes and aimed firmly at the younger age range of children in the balance bike market.

The Kiddimoto Super Junior Balance bike looks great with a modern and stylish design, and is packed with an impressive number of features given that the bike is generally available at a mid-range price of around £60.

The starting saddle height of 34cm means that this bike is most suitable for 3 year olds as it would most likely be a bit too big for most 2 year olds.

We have full guides to the best balance bikes for 2 year olds and 3 year olds elsewhere on this website.

The seat has a large range of heights, and can be extended right up to 45cm which means that if you invest in this bike for your child they will have plenty of time to learn the principles of balance and steering before moving on to a pedal bike.

As well as offering such a large range of seat heights, the seat on the Kiddimoto Super Junior is well padded, the frame is manufactured from lightweight steel and the bike is equipped with comfortable sculpted hand grips with padded ends from protection during falls.

The tyres on this bike have recently been upgraded to pneumatic rubber tyres which provide excellent grip as well as enhancing the appearance making it look like a proper like bike. It is also lightweight at 3.3kg which makes it easy to carry when your child gets tired.

The Kiddimoto Super Junior Balance bike makes a great choice when you are looking for the best balance bike for your child.


Kiddimoto Super Junior Max Balance Bike

Kiddimoto Super Junior Max Balance Bike
  • Extra features with a brake and footplate
  • Available in several funky designs
  • Slightly heavier than the Kiddimoto Super Junior
  • Same saddle height 34cm - 45cm


Buy the Kiddimoto Super Junior Max Balance Bike

The Kiddimoto Super Junior Balance bike is a great starter bike, but if you are sold on the look and design of the bike then it may well be worth upgrading to the ‘Max’ version of the bike.

This model offers several additional features, the most notable of which are the additional of a drum brake for the front wheel and an extra grippy footplate. It is also available in several of Kiddimoto’s trademark designs including Skullz and Pastel Dotty (pictured).

These features give the Max version of the Kiddimoto Super Junior Balance bike a superior performance, as the brake will save on shoe leather and the extra grips on the footplate is a cute little addition that is often overlooked on other bikes. The bike also includes a carry handle and pneumatic air tyres for grip on any terrain.

These extra features increase the weight of the Max version to 4.7kg, so this bike would be suitable for older children aged 3 and above who would be capable of handling a bike of this weight. You would also expect to pay slighty more for this balance bike.

How long should a balance bike last

It is well know that balance bikes help young children to learn the essentials of balance and steering before they graduate to pedal bikes, but how long should your balance bike last for?

Most children love their balance bikes, but as they are usually in the hands of youngsters between the ages of 2 and 5 then they can expect to experience plenty of wear and tear, being thrown to the ground and ridden into obstacles along the way!

The rate of progress will vary from child to child, but if they get their first bike between the ages of 2 and 3, then a good quality model should last them for up to 2 years to the point where they are confident on the bike and ready to progress to a larger model.

We have already looked at the differences between wooden and metal balance bikes on this site, as wooden balance bikes do have a reputation for warping or losing shape – especially if they are left out in the rain. However, as long as you take good care of the bike and store it indoors or in a safe place such as a garage or a shed then there is no reason why a wooden balance bike shouldn’t last as long as a metal balance bike.

As with anything in life, you tend to get what you pay for so if you decide to buy one of the cheaper balance bikes at the lower end of the market then it is likely that the bike will have reached the end of it’s life by the time your child has finished with it. If this is the case, then please make sure that you dispose of the balance bike in an environmentally friendly way!

More expensive and better quality balance bikes should stand the test of time, so there is a good chance you will be able to hand the bike down to younger brothers, sisters or cousins. The better bikes may even retain some value for resale.

As long as you make sure that you choose the best size bike and a style that you child enjoys – then almost every balance bike will get your child confident on two wheels and they will have great fun at the same time!

Chicco Pink Arrow Balance bike

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Chicco Pink Arrow Balance bike
  • Great value balance bike
  • Can be used indoors or outside
  • One of the lightest balance bikes available (2.7kg)


Buy the Chicco Pink Arrow Balance Bike

The Chicco Pink Arrow Balance bike is manufactured by Chicco and is the sister bike to the Chicco Red Bullet Balance bike, with the same specifications making it an ideal bike for a 2 year old.

The Chicco Pink Arrow balance bike is one of the very lightest bikes on the market at just 2.7kg, which makes it an ideal starter bike especially if you are shopping for one of the little girls in the family.

The bike is constructed from a metal frame painted a striking pink colour, and other features include an adjustable seat, safety handlebars and plastic tyres. 

This means that the bike can be used as a toy inside if the weather isn’t great or if your little girl is just starting to learn.

A hand brake is not included on the Chicco Pink Arrow Balance bike, but this is not necessarily a problem as younger riders often lack the co-ordination to use a brake and use their feet to stop or slow down instead.

As per our review of the Chicco Red Bullet Balance bike, the thin chassis and light weight nature of this bike make it a great choice for 2 – 3 year olds, although the very short wheel base can sometimes make the bike difficult to handle.

The Chicco Pink Arrow Balance bike is exceptional value and a candidate for one of the best budget balance bikes around.

However, if you are shopping for your 2 year old and would like more options then don’t miss our guide to the best balance bikes for 2 year olds.

Balance bike bag

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There are plenty of accessories available for balance bikes, so even once you have decided upon the best size, colour, model and type of balance bike – there are plenty of ways to make your child’s ride even more enjoyable and stylish!

Some manufacturers offer a great range of accessories to complement their bikes, especially Puky who offer some great helmets as well as bags.

Puky Wheel Bag

Puky LRT Wheel Bag
  • Fits most Puky balance bikes
  • Clips conveniently to the frame
  • Storage for water bottles, clothes or toys
  • Includes carry strap


Buy the Puky Wheel Bag

The Puky Wheel Bag is a great option if you are looking for a balance bike bag.

It fits all Puky balance bikes, (except the LR ride) and it clips securely into place on the frame so the rider can keep everything they might need during their ride to hand.

These items could include a water bottle which would come in useful during hot summer rides, extra clothes if they get muddy during their ride or just their favourite toys they like to carry around with them everywhere!

This bag also comes equipped with a built in carry strap, so this means that the bike will be easy to transport if the child has had enough of riding for one day and is getting tired. The strap means that you can easily carry the bag over your shoulder, and this in itself will usually cost almost £10 so it is well worth investing in the bag as well.

The Puky Learner bike bag will set you back around £20 and is available in several colours so there should be a bag to match the bike that you decide upon.

Janod Bikloon Balance Bike with Bag

Janod Bikloon balance bike
  • Bag comes as an accessory with the Janod Bikloon Racing Balance Bike
  • Clips easily to the front of the bike
  • Stylish racing design wooden bike


Buy the Janod Bikloon Balance Bike with Bag

The Puky Wheel bag comes as an accessory to the Puky range of bikes, but some other bikes include a bag as an extra with the initial purchase.

This is the case with the Janod Bikloon racing wooden balance bike, which is an excellent wooden balance bike with a stylish red design.

The bag is easily clipped to the front of the bike, so it provides easy access to water bottles, snacks and toys.

Other features of this balance bike include inflatable tyres, a height adjustable saddle between 39cm – 44cm and a bell so that everyone will know they are coming!

You may not have thought of a balance bike bag as an accessory when looking for the best balance bike, but these bags look great and will give the child even more independence if they have somewhere to store everything they need while they are out and about without having to rely on Mum and Dad all the time!

Specialized Hotwalk Balance Bike

Specialized Hotwalk Balance Bike 2019
  • High quality bike
  • Lower seat height for 2020
  • Lightweight aluminium frame
  • Step through frame great for younger children
  • Padded seat and Rhythm Lite Airless tyres


Buy the Specialized Hotwalk Balance Bike 2020

Specialized are well known in the cycling industry for producing high specification bikes for all ages, so it is no surprise that the Specialized Hotwalk Balance Bike is one of the best quality models available for toddlers and early riders.

The Specialized Hotwalk Balance bike has been relaunched, with a redesigned frame and a longer wheelbase for more stable riding.

The Specialized Hotwalk Balance bike is highly recommended to be purchased for children from the age of 2 onwards, although the saddle height of 34cm - 43cm may make it more suitable for 3 year olds. The tough and rugged design should last riders of this age right through to their first pedal bike.

Specialized balance bike key features

The Specialized Hotwalk Balance Bike for 2020 now has a lower starting saddle height so it is suitable for children from 82cm in height.

Another key feature is the step through frame, which makes the bike easier to access for younger children. This is a similar feature to some of the other great bikes for 2 year olds like the Puky LRM balance bike and the Weeride Deluxe.

Specialized have previously offered different frames for boys and girls, but this has now all changed with a standard frame including the step through frame and a footrest. Younger children will also enjoy the footrest which comes in handy as they ride along.

The Specialized Hotwalk Balance bike is at the higher end of the price range for balance bikes, but this does include quality features such as a frame which is constructed from Specialized A1 Premium Aluminium which helps to keep the weight of the bike down.

The bike also includes alloy rims and a Specialised Kid’s Henge padded seat for a comfortable ride. The tyres are Rhythm Lite Airless tyres so they will never get a puncture, and they also provide fantastic traction.

Appearance wise, this bike looks top of the range with a stylish design that is available in a choice of green, blue, pink or red.

Overall, this is a top quality balance bike which will last the test of time and will retain its value or can be passed down to friends and family.


Early Rider Lite Balance Bike

As an Amazon associate I may earn a small fee from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This helps us to run the site. Thank you for your support!

The Early Rider Lite balance bike is a quality, lightweight wooden balance bike produced by Early Rider, a forward thinking and innovative British company that also manufacture the Spherovelo, The Early Rider Classic and The Alley Runner.

Early rider lite balance bike
  • High quality wooden balance bike
  • Low saddle height makes it ideal for 2 year olds
  • Dual steering system
  • Fiery design
  • Lightweight and easy to handle
Buy the Early Rider Lite

The Early Rider Lite balance bike is aimed at younger riders from 18 months to 3 years, and as the name suggests it is the smaller version of the Early Rider Classic, which is the flagship model of the Early Rider range. These are both quality bikes, and we have dedicated an entire blog post to the differences between these two models if you are looking to choose between them.

The Early Rider Lite is a beautiful looking wooden bike, featuring a stylish fiery design on the main body and it is made from marine birch ply. It is a really lightweight bike weighing in at just 3.2kg, so it is easy to handle and this is one of the reasons that it is an ideal starter bike for younger children.

The bike features an adjustable saddle with the lowest height at just 29.5cm (this compares very favourably with the Puky LRM balance bike which starts at a similar height). The saddle can be extended up to 38cm so it will grow with your child.

Another feature that makes it a great bike for younger riders is the steering lock that can be set to restricted or unrestricted. This means that when the lock is in place the rider can concentrate on their balance so they can go a little bit faster, and once the lock is removed they can then use the steering for balance rather than just putting down their feet.

Other features of the Early Rider Lite Balance bike are the 12 inch pneumatic air tyres at the front and the rear. The benefit of the air tyres is that these provide a more comfortable ride, although there is also the possibility of a puncture! The air tyres are a feature common with the Early Rider Classic. The faux leather seat also looks great with the wooden frame and stylish design.

This is one of the more expensive wooden balance bikes on the market. There are less expensive wooden balance bikes such as the Kiddimoto Kurve or the Jiggy Wooden Balance bike.

However, it is a fast and nimble bike that is one of the most popular around and makes an ideal birthday present for a 2 year old if they are ready to learn to ride by then, and the large range on the adjustable saddle means that the Early Rider Lite should see your child all the way through to a pedal bike.

Riding balance bikes in winter

Winter is the time when the clocks go back, the days get shorter and the sunny days of summer and autumn are a distant memory. Despite the less favourable conditions, hopefully the colder weather will not stop you and your family getting out on your balance bike!

Children love to get outdoors whatever the weather, and we have already looked at the major health benefits of balance bikes which include regular exercise and social bonding. This means that you need to wrap up warm and get out on your bike even if it is cold and wet outside!

Fancy riding your balance bike in this?

You should take some extra precautions to using balance bikes in the winter as opposed to the happy days of shorts and t shirts in the summer.

If it does get very cold and icy, then it may be best to leave the bikes indoors for a few days to try and prevent accidents due to skids and tumbles on icy pavements.

If you think the pavement and the playground has the all clear from ice, then there should be nothing to stop you from enjoying your family outing to the park as normal. However, there are some extra precautions that you should take as you should make your child and the bike as visible as possible during the gloomy winter days. This means wearing reflective clothing and adding lights and reflectors to the bike.

It is also worth giving your bike some routine safety checks before the winter really kicks in. This can include making sure that the wheels and handlebars are tightly in place and that all of the various nuts and bolts are secure. If your bike has pneumatic air tyres, you should also make sure these are fully pumped up.

It goes without saying that you should also make sure that everybody wraps up well to stay as warm as possible during the winter months. Children riding balance bikes should wear safety gear such as helmets and knee pads as normal – they will of course need to wear a coat although some people find that very bulky coats can get in the way of a good bike ride. A good quality fleece may be the best option.

If there is a heavy snowfall or you are somewhere with a severe winter, then the Strider Snow Skis are an amazing way to keep riding in the snow!

These skis can be attached to the wheels of a balance bike, so that it glides over the snow and children learn to ride the bike by controlling the descent. They can be fitted to any Strider Classic, Sport or Pro balance bike.

Whatever the weather, come rain or shine, balance bikes are a great way to have fun so we hope that you enjoy yours over the forthcoming winter weeks and months!

Storm balance bike

Storm balance bike

CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

The Storm Balance Bike is currently out of stock. Please see our guides and reviews below for recommended alternatives:

Best Balance Bike for a 2 year old

Best Balance Bike for a 3 year old

Chicco Red Bullet Balance Bike 

Boppi Balance Bike 

Here is our review of the Storm Balance Bike for when it is back in stock:

The Storm balance bike is one of the lightest balance bikes on the market, and as it is one of the smaller bikes around then it would be ideal for younger children learning to ride and would make an excellent 2nd birthday present. It would also be a great Christmas present for any children around this age who could grow into the bike.

The Storm balance bike looks great, and little riders will love to emulate their older cousins from the 1980’s with the stand out BMX style. The metal frame means that the bike is sturdy and robust and it is available in blue, red or pink. We really love the design of the white frame with the coloured forks that give the bike a fresh and contemporary feel.

Other features of the Storm balance bike include adjustable handlebars and safety rubber handlebar grips which will come in useful in the event of a fall and to help protect little hands and fingers. The saddle has an adjustable height from 35 – 43cm which means that your child can grow with the bike, however, if you are shopping for bikes with the lowest initial saddle heights then you might want to look at a rival such as the Puky LRM Learner bike which starts at just 29cm.

This bike is one of the best value balance bikes available. This means it is great value and a direct competitor for bikes such as the Chicco Red Bullet Balance bike, however one drawback we found with the bike is the hard plastic tyres which would not provide as comfortable a ride as pneumatic air tyres. If your child really takes to the bike then the wheels may need replacing after some heavy use!

The Storm balance bike is a great choice for a starter bike and ideal for children to learn the principles of balance and steering from a young age.

Health benefits of balance bikes

There are many benefits of balance bikes that we have already outlined here on this website. These include a safe way to learn to steer and balance to get a child ready for a normal pedal bike. A balance bike will also provide a great deal of independence for children, the extra confidence that comes with riding a balance bike and not to mention the sheer enjoyment of racing away from Mum & Dad!

If you go out on the family walk with a balance bike then your child will be able to travel much further than if they were walking and it is a lot more fun for them than being pushed in the buggy or riding on a buggy board.

Health benefits of balance bikes

The perfect place for a bike ride!

There are also numerous health benefits to balance bikes, as riding will provide a great work out. Children love balance bikes so much that they will want to explore as far as possible, so this will include running up hills and exploring parks, towns and villages. They can be out for hours on their bikes which means they will be burning off lots of calories!

Get outdoors

Balance bikes will get children in to the great outdoors and away from computer games, tablets and the television, thus reducing the amount of time they are sitting around so there will be a lower likelihood of them becoming overweight and decreasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Exercise

It goes without saying that activity and exercise is beneficial for children, and some of the major benefits include a leaner and fitter body and the development of stronger muscles and bones. Regular exercise will also help children to sleep better (which is also good news for parents), and should help to improve their general outlook on life.

Social bonds

Balance bikes can also help to develop social and family bonds, as slightly older children will want to get out on their bikes with their friends and longer walks as a family are a lot more fun than sitting around watching TV.

We all know that it is no fun being trapped inside on a rainy day – so balance bikes provide the perfect opportunity to get out and run off all of that excess energy that children always seem to have! Happy cycling!

Best bike after Balance bike

Once your child has been riding a balance bike for a while and mastered the arts of steering and balance, they will eventually grow out of their balance bike and be ready to move on to a ‘normal’ pedal bike.

There is such a huge range of pedal bikes for younger children in the market that we won’t try to review or recommend all of them, but there are some general tips and advice that it may be worth bearing mind when you are looking for the next bike for your child.

No stabilisers or training wheels!

The first rule is – Don’t worry about stabilisers or training wheels! These were all the vogue in the 1980’s (before balance bikes were invented), but after mastering a balance bike the last thing that your child needs is help to keep their balance.

The main differences they will find between the balance bike and the ‘normal bike’ is the action of pedalling and the fact that pedal bikes will probably be heavier than a balance bike.

This means that you should probably be looking for a bike that is light enough for them to handle, and of course the same rules regarding saddle height will also apply to balance bikes. Check out our guide to balance bike saddle heights here, so make sure that their feet can be flat on the floor and it is a comfortable ride.

Best Bike after Balance Bike

The freedom of a pedal bike!

It can be tempting to buy a much larger model as a first pedal bike in the hope they will grow into it, but if the bike is too heavy and cumbersome and the rider can’t operate the pedals this could result in a backwards step. There are plenty of bikes to suit all sizes and children’s pedal bikes will usually start from as small as 12 inch wheels – which is a similar size to many balance bikes.

Get ready for pedals

It may take some time for your child to get used to pedalling, so be prepared for a couple of falls and it may be worth practising on grass to start with. A smaller child may struggle with the extra leg strength required for pedalling, but it shouldn’t be long before a good balance bike rider masters the pedals and then there will be no stopping them!

One other thing about balance bikes is that they keep their value very well, so as long as the bike is not too battered after a couple of years of riding then you should be able to sell on your model – especially if it is one of the higher value brands.