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Best Balance Bike: Ultimate Buying Guide & Top 5 Reviews for 2017
Balance bikes are the newest thing in teaching your child to ride a two-wheel bike and they actually do a great job. After all, there’s a whole lot of difference between riding a pedal bike with training wheels and one without. The balance is the most difficult part. But there are definitely ways that you can help your child and with these bikes, they’re going to have no problem checking out that two-wheel bike when you get it for them. There are many great balance bikes out there for kids, such as the Kazam Balance Bike, The Strider Balance Bike, FirstBike Balance Bike, and the Schwinn Balance Bike. However, below is our list of some of the best balance bicycles out there for this year in this balance bike review.
WOOM 1
The WOOM 1 is designed for kids who are at least 18 months or 32” up to about 4 years old or 39”. The bike itself is available in Canada primarily and comes in two different colors, quality training wheels, and an adjustable seat so you can get exactly what you’re looking for to make it easier for your little one to learn to ride. It has a lightweight frame made of aluminum tubes, which makes it easier to balance as well as easier to carry. Even better, this pedal bike offers a hand brake that makes it easier for your child to stop when they get moving too fast or when they’re just done riding.
The hand brake and style of the bike help your child feel more comfortable with a two-wheel bike when they get to it and the durability of the bike means that it’s going to be great for your child and even for another child to really get the best out of it.
Islabikes Rothan 12”
A little more expensive, the Islabikes Rothan is lightweight and has air filled tires to provide plenty of stability and a more traditional feel. It has a classic bike look with a comfortable, padded seat that’s adjustable to fit an average 18-month-old on up. In fact, the adjustable seat can move from 11” to 15” for comfort and easier riding for most children of different ages, getting them ready to move on to their ideal two-wheel bike. It also has few protrusions, which makes it safer for small children and uses narrow handlebars and grips to make it easier to hold for smaller children.
The turning limiter makes sure that your child doesn’t turn too sharply and the handlebar brakes make sure they can always stop when they want to. Heavy-duty aluminum for the frame makes the bike sturdy and durable but keeps it from being too heavy for a small child. This makes it easy for your child to maneuver around and even easier for you to transport whenever you want to.
Yedoo Too Too
Lower in price than any of the others here, the Yedoo Too Too is great for just about any child. It’s ideally sized for smaller and younger children of around two years and old and up because of the small frame and it provides a lot of versatility in seat height from 12” to 18”. Even better, this balance bicycle has traditional air filled tires, quality pedals, and a hand brake to make it easier to slow down whenever you get where you want to stop. It’s available in a range of different colors and has an ergonomic saddle style seat and premium tires.
Made from aluminum, the bike itself is easy enough to move around or carry when you want to and it has comfortable handlebars made with the same high-quality aluminum and grips. All you have to do is have them sit on it and you’ll know it’s great for your little one to learn how to ride and make sure they’re ready to move on to a larger bike.
Frog Tadpole
The Frog Tadpole is priced close to the Yedoo but has a few different features that you’ll want to take a look at. Ideal for children between the ages of 2 ½ and 3 ½, this bike has a padded seat and cushioned tires that make sure it can take some abuse and some hard jumps as well (we all know how children like to explore). This bike works well on rough and smooth roads and trails and also adjusts for height quickly and easily. You can also slide it forward or backward, which is a bonus you don’t get often with these types of bikes.
The grips on the handlebars are very high quality and lock to ensure your child won’t slip when they’re trying to hold on. There’s also a brake directly on those handlebars so it’s easy to stop the bike wherever you want and whenever you want, plus the brake can be switched from right to left.
LikeaBike Jumper
The LikeaBike Jumper is a little more expensive but it’s an excellent bike for toddlers that are definitely interested in being on the go. It doesn’t have a footrest or brakes, which parents may not be as impressed with, but it does have a lightweight aluminum frame, a limiter, quality pedals, and plenty of seat adjustability. In fact, this bike can adjust from 13.4” – 18.5” easily. What’s really great for the kids, however, is that it works great on rough terrain for even more fun while riding.
This bike works good on jumps and can get your child to be quite adventurous, which is great for getting them to be more excited about riding and the padded seat makes sure that it’s comfortable for them to ride for an extended period. Entirely made with high-quality aluminum, this is a bike that everyone will love.
These balance bikes are great for any child who is getting ready to start riding a bike. They’ll help your child learn and help you to teach them, which is definitely going to make sure they are ready to go. No matter how old your child is, learning to ride a bike is going to make for a whole lot more fun for them and a whole lot more confidence when they start riding with their friends. So take a look at each of these bikes and see just how it’s going to help your little one when they get old enough to really ride.
Specialized Balance Bike Review: What Do You Think of the New Hotwalk Balance Bikes?
Teaching your kids how to ride a pedal bike is one of the biggest difficulties as they get older. With balance bikes, however, a lot of the difficulty is actually solved. The child learns to balance without pedals rather than learning how to pedal with training wheels, which isn’t really the hardest part anyway, right? Like Strider Balance Bikes, with the newest Hotwalk Balance Bikes, kids are definitely getting all that and then some, which is great for any parent who wants their child to enjoy bike riding as much as they do.
The Review
The Hotwalk is designed to really stand up to anything and everything that your child might throw at it and still come out on top. In fact, it’s built like a mountain bike in many respects, so you definitely know it’s going to withstand pressure and a whole lot of abuse. As a balance bike, it’s designed to help your preschool age child get the hang of what riding a two-wheel bike is really going to be about and how they will need to balance in order to be really successful.
Proper Sizing
This pedal bike has two different versions for boys and girls with the girl’s version featuring a traditional step-through section of the frame, which is common in regular two-wheel bikes as well. Unfortunately, while the seat does adjust to accommodate larger and smaller children, there’s not a whole lot of flexibility and it only moves about 4”. This can reduce the versatility for children who are a little larger or a little smaller than average, making it important that you measure your child and the bike itself. It can range from about 13” to 17”, so make sure your child is able to sit with this configuration.
Overall Comfort
There’s an integrated footrest that makes it easier for your child to get their feet off the ground and make sure they’re really balanced as they’re riding down the sidewalk or down that hill. There is also plenty of padding in the seat to make it more comfortable to ride for longer periods of time and to make sure they don’t get jostled too much if the area they’re riding on is a little bit bumpy. It also has air tires that make for a smoother ride and ensure that your child is getting a more natural ride.
Where some balance bikes use plastic tires to increase balance, this bike uses a traditional bike tire that really makes sure your child will be comfortable and happy when they switch over to a traditional bike. They won’t have to get used to an entirely new ride yet again by trying to switch out the tires. It’s also designed exactly the same as a bike, only without the pedals and without a brake. That makes it easier to get used to the new bike when your child gets there.
Careful Consideration
This bike is designed for smaller children, about 2 ½ - 4 years of age, but the most important indicator of whether it’s going to work for them is their size. Make sure to measure them before you purchase this or any balance bike. Larger children will have difficulty using this bike for an extended period of time and even those who are 4 may have some trouble using it as they may feel a little bit cramped or a little too big for the bike even if they’re not quite ready to move on to a two-wheel bike.
Keep in mind also that this bike has no brakes. Though this is common with balance bikes, it means that your child will need to be able to move their feet quickly from the footrests in the back to their sides when they want to stop the bike or when it coasts to a stop in order to avoid falling. The design of the footrests makes this simpler, but it can still take a bit of teaching for your child to get the hang of moving their feet quickly to catch the bike and themselves before it topples over.
Buying Your Own
There are two different versions of this bike with one designed for girls with the lower frame bar and one designed for boy riders with the higher one. Both of the bikes have the same range when it comes to seat height (seat tube length), however, and the frame is really the only difference.
The tires on the bike are 12”, which is very similar to what a child of similar size would have on a standard two-wheel bike. It helps them to get used to what they are doing and how their bike is going to feel when they do start riding.
The frame itself is made with premium aluminum alloy to improve the durability and make sure it stands up to anything and also to make sure the bike is light enough that your child can at least move it around on their own, though they won’t want to carry it.
There are no brakes and there’s no limiter to keep them from going too fast, so it’s important to watch where they are riding and make sure it’s going to be safe. Overall, this bike has a lot of great features and definitely will help your child get ready for the next stage in bike riding. They’ll definitely be able to feel more comfortable when they get there.
There are plenty of ways that you can help your child learn how to ride a two-wheel bike, but bikes with training wheels are definitely starting to be seen as less than ideal. Instead, a balance bike can help your child really enjoy riding and learn how to do the most difficult part, balance. With the Hotwalk Balance Bike, you’re getting a whole lot for your little one, and you’ll definitely be able to see why they would want to use this one in particular. It’s going to make learning a whole lot more fun and stylish.
Balance Bike For Kids: A Few Tips
Learning how to ride a bicycle can be a frustrating process for both child and parent. However, a bike designed for toddlers and children up to 5 years of age will take away that frustration from learning the essentials of bike riding.
Training bicycles are effective since they concentrate on enhancing a kid’s coordination, motor skills and balance. You will see that transitioning from a training bike to a regular one will be easier for kids who used the former.
The balance bike is pretty much a simple, no-fuss bike that is made minus certain bike parts like chains, pedals and even training wheels, which are usually parts of a traditional bicycle. Its minimal design makes them the better option for teaching kids on how to ride a bike with two wheels.
Compared with bicycle that has training wheels or tricycles, the balance bike will encourage children to concentrate on their balance and coordination. Balance and coordination can be learned quickly due to this set-up. This allows kids to carry on making progress, minus the frustration.
As the kid eventually learns how to ride a balance bike properly, he or she will spend more time riding it, which not only increases the skill but also improves fitness.
A balance bike for kids is an excellent first bicycle since it includes features that guarantee the rider’s safety and comfort. They also come in a wide variety of colors and styles so you will not be hard-pressed finding one that will suit your kid or a model that they will love best as well.
While balance bikes are recommended, parents need to know some of the essential information prior to shopping the balance bike. These suggestions included will lend you a hand in assisting your kid when it comes to learning bike basics.
- Begin by purchasing the appropriate protective gear required for your kid. Knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet are always recommended. If your kid seems tense about riding a bike, you can also provide him or her with bike gloves.
- Guarantee that the training location has a smooth, even ground surface so your child will not have a hard time acquainting himself with the workings of the bicycle. If you want your kid to learn coasting, you can also take him to a moderate hill and practice biking there.
- Adjust the bike seat to a lower position that will suit and prove to be comfortable for the kid. It is suggested that the seat is positioned at a level where the feet can stay flat on the ground surface and provide good comfort for the kid over the course of the ride.
- Indicate lanes with a road chalk so that the kid will be guided on where to lead the bike.
- Allow the child to push alongside the ground by means of his or her feet on the lanes prior to allowing them to coast with their feet up.
- If the kid is capable of managing his or her balance on the bicycle, you can now bring in the pedals. Now that the child has learned how to manage his balancing style, you will notice that it will be easier for them to get on the bike and just pedal away. However, purchase a pedal bicycle that is appropriate for your kid so they will still feel comfortable and will not have any problems pedaling. Parents might also need to prop the seat back until the kid can deal with both balancing and pedaling simultaneously. Be patient and soon enough your kid will be biking effortlessly without any assistance from you.
Balance bikes can be made with steel, aluminum and even wooden material. Before buying one, you have to take into account all advantages and setbacks of each balance bike that you have set your sights on.
Parents must fasten pedals on the balance bicycle as soon as balance training is accomplished. This will save you money compared to purchasing a brand new bicycle with pedals.
Choosing Quality Balance Bikes for Your Kid
Balance bikes are getting their fair share of coverage. Parents are now purchasing this kind of bicycle for their children since it offers kids the easiest and safest manner to learn the essentials of bike riding.
These days you will notice that the bicycle industry is swarming with different balance bikes models, so choosing one that will perfectly complement and meet the parent’s and kid’s needs is not an easy task. However, having enough knowledge about the item will make your buying decisions easier, thus here are some tips on how to choose a balance bike for your child.
Mind the frame of the bike
When it comes to the frames, what you choose will always depend on your preference. First, you have to take into account the varying kinds of frames that balance bikes offer. There are available wooden and metal frame models in the market today.
Steel or metal frames are deemed by many as they are more stable and durable material for the bike. The finish on the steel is more hardwearing compared to wood models, thus you will get more service from it.
Steel models also provide handlebar adjustments so kids of varying ages can easily manage the bike. Steel models are often more expensive compared to wooden models though.
People purchase wooden models due to it being the more environmentally-friendly bike. If the bike has been damaged, you can throw the bike away and it will not harm the environment. The only components that you have to manage are its rubber handlebar grips and the wheels.
Consider the steering style
There are balance bikes that feature handlebars with the capability of rotating around 360 degrees, which can be complicated for toddler riders. Other models include steering limiters which only facilitates the handlebars to spin around 40-40 degrees in whichever direction.
However, when it comes to models with limited steering, kids might feel a bit hampered due to the feature. Hence, you have to include this factor when looking for a balance bike.
Look for models with adjustable seat heights
The majority of steel or metal frame balance bikes make use of the standard seat post so one can modify it to a height that will suit the kid. Wood models have a seat that fine-tunes with preset stops so you can get a nearly accurate fix.
It is recommended that you get one with adjustable seats; that way, as your toddler grows, he or she can still use the bike for practice for a few years until they are ready for a bigger kiddie bike.
Take note of the wheels design
Several models feature conventional metal rims that have spokes while some have nylon mag-style wheels. Others also feature a wheel design that is mainly composed of wooden material.
Models with mag-style wheels or spokes run the risk of having the rider’s foot or hand getting caught and likely injured when the wheel is moving. A solid wheel design will prevent this from happening due to the smaller gap where the air valve stem is located.
Take the price into consideration
This is important since not all of us can afford a high-end model. Balance bikes come in a wider variety of prices; there are affordable ones as well as more expensive models too. The costlier models are often made with prime durable materials and have features that are advanced and will make riding easier and more manageable for the toddler.
However, you have to keep in mind not to go for the cheaper ones though because it might be unsafe for your kid. Do some research and look for the difference in pricing.
It is suggested that you spend a bit more on quality bikes that have safety features and are well-designed so you can guarantee that your kids will be out of harm’s way as they learn how to use the balance bike.
You can also refer to reviews and read customer opinions on the bikes they have purchased for additional reference. Safety should always be your main priority when it comes to balance bikes, thus you should always opt for quality models.