Balance bikes (also known as training bikes, push bikes, bikes without pedals, toddler bikes, or pedal-less bikes) are a phenomenal way for your toddler to learn how to ride a bicycle. They allow kids to figure out how to keep their balance on two wheels much easier than traditional kids’ bikes with training wheels.
Do you remember the time when you were learning how to ride a bike? It was scary and exciting, no doubt. You wanted to ride on your own, but you were terrified you might fall if your parents let go of you. There’s no reason for your kids to go through the same ordeal.
They can learn how to ride a bike without the risk of falling and earning scrapes and bruises.
Keep reading to learn all there is to know about balance bikes, including our recommendation of the 11 best balance bikes on the market.
Additional information: Balance Bikes Explained
Contents
Why Choose a Kids’ Balance Bike?
The biggest benefit balance bikes provide is that children feel confident because they are in control at all times. They can choose whether they want to support themselves with their feet or lift them up in the air and maintain balance and momentum.
If they lose balance, they’ll always land on their feet and just keep going.
Balance bikes provide a natural way of learning how to balance on two wheels.
When they grow up a bit and the time comes to transition to a bike with pedals, it will be a matter of minutes before they master it.
Learn more: How to Teach Your Kid to Ride a Bike
Moreover, toddler bikes are much lighter than kids’ bikes with pedals. Therefore, it’s a lot easier for children to control them. They are also much less likely to get injured if they fall and the bike falls over them.
Here are the top balance bikes in our opinion
Guide to Choosing Balance Bikes
Specialized Hotwalk
Best Budget Balance Bike
Fit: 15″ minimum standover height
Specs: 12″ airless tires and available in two colors
If you’re on a tight budget and you don’t feel like spending too much money on a balance bike, then Specialized Hotwalk is the best choice you have. This bike provides tons of value for the money and comes will all of the necessary features your kid needs to have fun and cruise around.
Specialized Hotwalk has 12″ wheels fitted with airless tires. These will make the ride a lot more comfortable even when riding over pebbles or uneven ground in the park and also you will never have to worry about punctures.
You can’t go wrong with Specialized Hotwalk if you want all the must-haves but don’t feel like spending too much money.
The frame is made from aluminum so the entire bike weighs about 9 lbs. That makes it very easy to control it and maneuver on it. Also, most kids will be able to lift it over obstacles without your help.
The minimum standover height is 15″, which makes Specialized Hotwalk suitable for children aged 18 months and above.
To make the experience more fun, the bike comes in a Kiwi green. So it stands out and is something to be proud of.
Woom 1
Best Balance Bike with Brakes
Fit: 1.5 – 3.5-year-olds (32″ – 39″ Tall)
Specs: 12″ wheels with air tires, rear hand brake, five distinct colors, lightweight aluminum frame
Woom 1 is one of the most exciting kids’ balance bikes out there for a good reason. It has all of the desirable basic features, including some advanced ones, such as a front hand brake.
Woom 1 is made around a super-lightweight aluminum frame that makes this bike weigh only 6.61 lbs. It’s one of the lightest you can get. The frame is available in five exciting colors, so you can let your child choose the one they like the most.
Woom 1 is ideal for very young riders and provides a great way to introduce the concept of two wheels.
This bike has 12″ wheels coupled with treaded air tires that provide plenty of comfort and grip. You can easily change the tire pressure to adjust both.
Other than that, Woom 1 also has a steer limiter that prevents the front wheel from turning too much, which could result in a fall.
The minimum seat height of this bike is just 10.04″ and the maximum is 14.37″, which means it is intended for the youngest of riders. The recommended height range is between 32″ and 39″.
Strider Balance Bike
Most Popular Balance Bike
The Strider balance bike is one of the best balance bikes you can get for a toddler that’s just 18 months old. This is a phenomenal choice because of the bike’s sturdy build which includes a frame made of steel. That makes it almost invincible, so your future kids will be able to enjoy it as well.
Even though steel is heavier than aluminum, Strider weighs just 6.7 lbs. It rolls on knobby 12″ wheels which offer lots of traction and plenty of stability and control.
One of the best features Strider has to offer is the integrated footrests. Once your toddler learns how to balance without supporting themselves with their feet, they can just lift them up on footrests and coast around unobstructed.
The Strider balance bike has mini-grips and a comfy saddle, which allow your kid to easily take over control.
This bike is suitable for kids with inseam lengths between 12 and 20″, which roughly translates to 1.5 – 5-year-olds. However, if you’re looking for a balance bike with pedals, then you should consider the Strider 14X.
Woom 1 Plus
Best For Taller Kids
Fit: 3 – 4.5 years (37″ – 43″)
Specs: 14″ wheels with air tires, front and rear brakes, footrest, five colors
As we have mentioned above, pedal-less bikes are not intended only for the smallest of toddlers. Taller and older kids can have fun on them as well. Woom 1 Plus is the best balance bike for 3-year-old kids and older.
The reason for that are its 14″ wheels with knobby air tires that are excellent for bike paths, parks, or unpaved roads. The frame is made from lightweight aluminum and this bike weighs 9.48 lbs, which is very little considering the bigger size.
With Woom 1 Plus, you can become a future cycling pro even if you start at an older age.
Since Woom 1 Plus is intended for slightly older kids, it comes equipped with front and rear brakes. Therefore, when the time comes for your little one to transition to a pedal bike, they’ll be familiar with how brakes work.
Related: How to Cycle With Kids
Woom 1 Plus also features integrated footrests and a steer limiter, which are excellent safety and comfort features. The saddle and the handlebar height are adjustable, so children as short as 37″ and as tall as 43″ can easily ride.
Giant Pre Push
Best Premium Balance Bike
Specs: 12″ wheels, air tires, funky colors,
Giant bikes are hugely popular and they are not reserved just for parents. Toddlers can develop their cycling skills as well, thanks to the Giant Pre Push balance bike. This bicycle has many features seen on this brand’s adult bikes, which is what makes them an excellent choice.
First of all, the Giant Pre Push looks extremely cool and unique — every kid will love it. The frame is made from lightweight and durable materials and you will struggle to find a 12″ balance bike lighter.
Giant Pre Push balance bike is a downsized adult bike ideal for building skills and learning the ropes of riding on two wheels.
The grips and saddle are made by Gaint, especially for their youngest riders. Therefore, they provide comfort and are suitable for kids’ hips and tiny hands.
Strider Sport 12
Coolest Balance Bike
Fit: Ages 18 Months to 5 years, 12″
Specs: Lightweight frame,12″ wheels
Strider Sport 12 is our choice of the best balance bike for toddlers. The Strider frame is made of strong steel so it will withstand anything thrown at it. This bike is very light and still very easy to use and use.
This bike stands on 12″ wheels. These are pretty wide, so they provide lots of stability and control.
The Strider Sport 12 is going to be the best looking bike at the park — it looks great and is a lot of fun.
The color choices are amazing and you can blue, green, pink, and dark red. They look fantastic but also give the bike some personality.
Sprout Mini Balance Bike
Best for Off-Road Playing
Fit: 2 years and above
Specs: Airless tires, knobby off-road tires
When it comes to unique designs, the Public Sprout Mini is the best balance bike for toddlers you can get. It has an awesome-looking red paint job and knobby tires so kids can ride on and off-road with ease.
Sprout Mini is a balance bicycle with the most WOW factor.
The Sprout Mini comes with an aluminum frame that has a low standover height. Therefore, it fits children between 2 years old and above.
Its rubber tires are airless, so no worries of punctures. The tire tread is quite knobby which is ideal for adventures in the park on grass and dirt.
Get it if you want an affordable push bike for your toddler that inspires outside play.
The Croco
Cheapest One on This List
Fit: 1.5 – 5-year-olds (11″ – 17″ saddle height)
Specs: 12″ rubber foam tires, safety-end screws, soft hand grips
The Croco is a fun and friendly crocodile who will help your kids learn how to ride a bicycle. The Croco is the best balance bike for 2-year-olds due to its fun colors and clever safety features.
You can choose between a premium and a basic model. The price difference is just $14, so we recommend the premium model. Its frame is made from aluminum, so it weighs less. Also, the handlebar height is adjustable only on the premium model. However, the basic model with the steel frame is fantastic as well and weighs just 6 lbs.
Both models have puncture-resistant rubber foam tires, plastic 12″ wheels, and very soft and comfortable grips and saddle. The frame is available in nine different colors, which makes The Croco the best balance bike when it comes to the color scheme.
The Croco balance bike is available in premium and basic variations and comes in 9 fun and vibrant colors.
This pedal-less is ideal for kids between 1.5 and 5 years of age as it has an 11″ – 17″ minimum/maximum saddle height.
Banana LT
Best Model with Foam Tires
Fit: 2 – 5-year-olds
Specs: Foam tires and adjustable handlebar
The Banana LT push bike is the best bang for your buck if you are on a tight budget and you’re looking to get the most value for money on a model with foam tires.
Banana LT features a steel frame that’s both light and strong, so this bike weighs just 6.6 lbs. Both boys and girls can easily lift it and carry it around when they’re not riding it. The colors also make it suitable for both boys and girls, as Banana LT is available in blue and pink.
Banana LT balance bike provides lots of value for little money, lightweight frame, great looking and fun designs.
This kids’ balance bike rolls on 12″ plastic wheels with flat-free foam tires. They can be ridden over different terrains and in various conditions without any issues.
It’s very adjustable so as your child grows you will be able to adjust the bike to suit them.
11. Chillafish Charlie
Ultimate Smooth Ride
Fit: 18-48 Months
Specs: 10″ wheels, solid tires, multiple colors, lightweight, carry handle
Last but not least on our list is the Chillafish Charlie. This is a simple and straightforward balance bike with a steel look and a sturdy frame. It rolls on 10″ wheels and knobby rubber solid tires that provide more than enough grip on all surfaces.
The frame is made of steel and is very strong so can hold children all the way up to 25kg. Although it has solid tires it still is very light and easy to use.
Chillafish Charlie comes in lots of colors so it’s perfect for boys and girls. They are able to choose a bike color they want to ride and be proud of the bike.
Bar ends feature soft rubber cushions which eliminate any risk of injury and the grips and saddle provide plenty of comfort so your toddler can ride for hours until they are prime for a long nap.
Choosing a Kids’ Balance Bike Over One with Training Wheels
I used to learn how to ride a toddler bike with training wheels, and I can say that it was not a fun experience at all. I managed to do it, but I wish there were balance bikes around when I was a child.
Training wheels provide a fake sense of balance, so they are not a good teaching method.
Stabilizers, as they are also called, provide support when kids lose balance, so it’s very hard to learn how to maintain balance on your own. They also prevent the kid from steering by leaning left or right, which is the right way to do it on a real bike. Instead, they steer by turning the handlebar, which is a skill they will need to unlearn later on.
Once you remove training wheels, kids need to start learning from scratch and they need their parents’ help to do it.
That’s not the case with balance bikes.
Read more: How To Teach Kids
What’s the Right Balance Bike Age?
Balance bikes are suitable for all young ages. If your child can walk, they can ride a toddler bike as well. Generally speaking, children from 1.5 years of age can usually comfortably ride balance bikes. If they’re younger than that, you can give pre-balance bikes a try.
A strict upper age limit doesn’t really exist either. A 7-year-old child can ride a kids’ balance bike if they are not too tall for it. It’s a great way to learn how to ride a bicycle at any age!
If a toddler can walk, they can also ride a balance bike!
The real limitation to riding a pedal-less bike is inseam length and not age. If your kid’s legs are longer than the bike’s minimum seat height, they can start cruising along.
What Is a Balance Bike and How Does It Work?
A balance bike is a bike without pedals. These bikes are usually pretty small, with saddle height that allows kids to touch the ground with their feet. Children can then push against the ground with their legs and propel themselves that way. That’s why we call also call this type a push bike.
The beauty of toddler bikes lies in the fact that kids can lift their legs completely or they can use them to lean from one side to the other. In most cases, children become confident riding balance bikes in a matter of hours, so you’ll see them cruising around with their feet in the air and a smile on their face in a very short time.
What’s The Right Balance Bike Size?
When deciding which balance bike size to get for your kid, you should measure their inseam length and then get a bike that has a minimum seat height about 1-2 inches shorter than the kid’s inseam. This will also allow room for growth, so your child can continue riding the same balance bike even after they become taller.
Choosing the right size for kids bike is by far the most important thing when buying a balance bike.
Frame size matters regardless of whether we’re talking about kids’ or adult bikes.
Three things that we need to pay attention to when choosing the right toddler bike size are:
- Tire Size
- Seat Height
- Child’s Inseam Length
The most common kids’ balance bike tire size is 12″, but wheels can go up to 16″ and even 20″ in diameter, which is intended for older kids. You can even buy balance bikes for adults, so they are really great for everyone.
A child’s inseam length is the deciding factor when choosing which balance bike to purchase for your toddler.
Tips For Getting Started
Your kid can start mastering a pedal-less bike when they’re around 1.5 years old. Even before that, if they can walk, they can start using pre-balance bikes and simply walk around while supporting their weight on the handlebar.
To make sure that your kid enjoys balance bikes and have fun using them, here are a few tips that will help you (and them) get started!
#1: Put on a Helmet
Wearing a helmet is crucial when talking about bike safety. That is true when it comes to balance bikes as well.
Get a helmet that fits snuggly on your kid’s head — it should neither be too tight nor too loose.
Try to teach your kid that wearing a helmet is cool by wearing one yourself and being a role model. Children’s helmets are usually very colorful and fun, so it should be easy to find one that your kid likes.
Make sure they wear it on every ride. And you, too! Always
Read More: How To Choose A Bike Helmet + Best Picks
#2: Adjust the bike properly
Ensure that the saddle height and handlebar height are adjusted properly before going for a ride. Ideally, saddle height should be one to two inches lower than your kid’s inseam length.
The handlebar should be around tummy height when the kid is standing next to the bike. When they’re riding, their position should be almost upright and most of their body weight should be on the saddle.
#3: Teach the Basics
The best way to teach your kid how to ride a push bike is to show them how to do it. Lower the saddle on your bike as low as possible, sit on it, use it as a push bike, and then ask your child to do the same.
Teach your kids how to ride a balance bike by example!
It’s important to believe in their skills and let them figure it all out on their own. Don’t hold them or support them with your hands. If you do that, then you’re ruining the very idea behind balance bikes.
Related: Best Kids Bikes & Buying Guide
#4: Don’t Rush
Take it easy and don’t rush the process. It can take some time before your kid becomes comfortable sitting on and riding a pedal-less bike. That’s completely normal. Let them do it at their own pace and they will have much more fun later on.
In the beginning, you can walk by them to show them that you are there if they happen to need some help and support. But, the most important step is to present riding a balance bike as a fun activity and a game, instead of a chore or an obligation that needs to be completed.
#5: Come up with Fun Activities
To make riding a push bike more fun, you can come up with some fun side activities. For example, you can ask them to follow you or chase you and tag you. You may set up some cones or obstacles that your kid can ride around, weave through, or try to avoid. You can also use chalk and draw a road or a line they can ride along.
The possibilities are immense, so there are no excuses not to have fun.
Related: Best Kids Bike Accessories
#6: Stay Away from Hills
Stay away from hills until your child is a bit older and more confident. For starters, riding on flats should be the best option. Choosing a soft surface, such as grass, is also a great idea. If your kid falls on it, they’re unlikely to get scraped or bruised, which also means they will not be scared to get on a balance bike again in the future.
FAQ
What age is best for a balance bike?
Children as young as 18 months can start riding a balance bike. Generally speaking, if a child can walk, they can also use a push bike. They’ll probably find it fun and exciting and the exercise will help them develop muscle strength and coordination.
What is the best balance bike to buy?
Not all pedal-less bikes are perfect for all children. However, one of the best-selling models in recent years has been the Strider balance bike. It’s built to last and offers excellent value for the money. But depending on your child’s age, you might want to consider something with more complex components.
Are balance bikes worth it?
Balance bikes are definitely worth it if you want to help your child learn to ride a bicycle in the shortest amount of time possible. They provide kids with a natural way of learning how to maintain balance on two wheels and make transitioning to a pedal bike super easy.
Are balance bikes a waste of money?
Balance bikes are not a waste of money. They are a smart investment that will help your child learn how to ride a bike with little effort and in no time. Many balance bikes offer an adjustable riding position so kids can keep riding the same bike as they grow.
How long do balance bikes last?
Balance bikes will last until your child grows too tall to ride one or becomes ready to transition to a pedal bike. Most balance bikes have adjustable seat height and handlebar height, so you can adjust the riding position as your child grows.
Why do balance bikes not have brakes?
Many balance bikes do not have brakes because they are not designed to go very fast. The child should use their feet to push and accelerate, as well as to slow down or stop. Toddlers would also struggle to figure out how to use brakes the right way, which can be dangerous.
Are balance bikes dangerous?
Balance bicycles are not dangerous, but they are not without risks. Children can always fall and hurt themselves (even when walking), so they should not be on a balance bike without supervision. Also, children should always wear a helmet when riding to prevent head injuries.
What are the benefits of a balance bike?
Balance bikes help children learn how to ride a real bicycle in the fastest and most natural way possible. They are intuitive and easy to use, so even toddlers can use them. Balance bikes are also fun and provide a great way of exercise for young kids.
Final Recommendations
We’ve shared a lot of new information and many models to choose from. It’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at this point. So let’s recap and see what the best option for each age group is, in our opinion:
- Best balance bike for a 1-year-old: Strider Balance Bike
- Best balance bike for a 2-year-old: Co-op Cycles REV 12
- Best balance bike for a 3-year-old: Woom 1 Plus
- Best balance bike for a 4-year-old: Albott 12 Sport
- Best balance bike for a 5-year-old: Gomo Balance Bike
Enjoy your ride!
