There are many components to your child being successful on a bike for their first time. One of the hardest and most important skills to master is balance. Companies have done a good job at developing bikes with a low stance which gives your toddler the most balance they can get. With the help of the best balance bikes your toddler will be much better equipped to riding a bicycle.
The best starter bikes are those that are easy to learn from and can grow with your child. These can be difficult to find, but we have created a list of our top picks below.
Ready to get started? Let’s go.
QUICK ANSWER: THE BEST BALANCE BIKE FOR TODDLER
Woom 1 Balance Bike by Woom Bikes USA
2-in- 1 Gradual Balance Bike & Tricycle by Chillafish
How To Choose A Balance Bike For Toddler – Buying Guide
There are many features you should consider before purchasing a toddler bike without pedals. It may not seem like it but everything from the handlebars to the wheels have been specially thought out and designed on these bicycles. Companies are great at doing research and coming up with features that make these bikes enjoyable to ride while being stylish.
Tires
The tires on these bikes range from pneumatic to soft EVA material. This can determine how the bike will ride and whether it will stand up to conditions outside. Harder tires will make a rougher ride that could strain your child’s body.
A pneumatic tire is essentially one that can inflate. These are the traditional tires found on pedal bikes. They have been said to give the best ride as they absorb some of the impact from rougher terrain. The only issue with these is that they are prone to puncture.
Plastic tires are great for indoors. It is important to look for tires that have been designed to not mark your floors. Some even have been made to be completely silent even on floors like tile.
If you are searching for a balance bike for outside keep your eyes open for tires that have significant tread. Smooth tires are great for inside and smooth ground outside, but fail at giving any sort of traction through material like grass or dirt. Companies have specially designed tires with tread for these type of terrain.
Seat
Another important aspect of a balance bike is the seat. If it is not comfortable your child can get discouraged from riding their bike. Look for seats that have padding built in. Some companies will sacrifice this part of the bike so keep this in mind when shopping for the best bike.
The outer material should also be easy to clean. Kids are messy especially when they are outside. Also these bikes are meant to be training for pedal bikes. This means they will be dropped and possibly treated rough. The material on the seat should be able to stand up to these factors and not deteriorate.
The seat on your new bike should be able to be adjusted. Look at the write up and find out how tall it sits from the floor. It should have at least 2 or 3 steps for it to be raised. This will allow you to keep the same bike as your child grows.
Some seats have even been designed with secret storage compartments. When you show the bike to your kid for the first time you can make this a big deal and tell them they can bring their favorite action figure or doll along for the ride. They can even bring a snack if you are going for an afternoon adventure.
Handlebars
This could be the most important part of the balance bike. If it is spaced too far away your child will not be able to reach the handlebars which could discourage them from getting on the bike. The handles should also have grip. This allows your child to steer the bike easily. If there is no grip you child’s hands could slide off while they are riding.
Spacing the the bars are important as well. If the handles are too close together it could be hard to turn and steer the wheel. All of the bikes in our balance bike reviews have handles that are spaced so that they give your child the best chance of easily steering the bike.
Handlebars, just like seats, should be adjustable. If the bike’s handlebars are not adjustable your child will quickly grow out of the bike. Look for a balance bike that has handlebars that have the same amount of adjustment steps as the seat. This will allow you to extend each at the same spacing maintaining a comfortable stance for your toddler.
Frame
How the frame is constructed will dictate not only how your child learns but also the durability of the bike. Materials can range from aluminum to steel to even wood. You should look for a bike that is lightweight but made from strong material. There is often a tradeoff when it comes to these two factors but finding a middle ground is key.
Bikes should be around 4-7 lbs in weight. This allows your child, even from an early age, to be able to jump on and control the bike. Any heavier and it may start to become unstable or too much for them to control. Cornering may become an issue for heavier bikes as well. Anything lighter than 4 lbs may use less quality of materials. This could mean that the bike is not durable and won’t last for as long as you’d like.
Do you have a Balance Bikes For Toddlers on our list? Let us know how you like it in the comment section below.
My Babies Planet Balance Bikes For Toddlers Review