A balance bike is a great way to introduce your child to cycling. Forget stabilisers, learning to ride on a balance bike is both safer and more fun, and makes for a seamless transition to pedaling unaided.
The appeal of balance bikes is that they do away with cumbersome pedals and cranks, allowing children as young as two to hop aboard. Kids can start by scooting along with both feet safely on the floor, and then quickly learn to balance and steer. Then, when the time comes to move up to a bike with pedals, they’ve already mastered the hard part. Riding a balance bike also provides all the regular benefits of early cycling, such as improved health and confidence – and there’s less need for you to push or carry your little one around.
How to buy the best balance bike for your child
As with adult bikes, there’s a large number of balance bikes to choose from, chiefly distinguished by size, components and features.
How much should I spend?
The cheapest balance bikes are really just ride-on toys. Spend more and you’ll find the moving parts rolling on proper bearings rather than cheap bushings. These will ride better, with a feel that’s closer to a grown-up bicycle, and last long enough to pass down from one sibling to the next. It’s worth spending at least £60 on the smallest models and £80 or more for larger ones.
In short, don’t neglect the importance of design, geometry and construction. Your child will appreciate a bike that looks good, fits their body and rides smoothly.
What size bike should I buy?
The ideal size depends on the age of your child. Small frames with 10in wheels are suitable for the very youngest children, starting at around 18 months; the more popular 12in and 14in sizes cover kids between two and six years of age.
Does it matter what the frame and wheels are made from?
The frame material mostly impacts overall weight: steel is heaviest while aluminium tends to be lighter but is more costly. Tyre material meanwhile affects performance and maintenance. The cheapest balance bikes use hard plastic tyres, which are light but bumpy and prone to skidding. Solid EVA foam tyres give a smoother ride. Pneumatic (air-filled) tyres, as found on adult bikes, are the best for grip and comfort, but they’ll need occasional pumping and are prone to punctures.
Should I buy a balance bike with a brake?
While the normal way to stop a balance bike is simply to put one’s feet down on the ground, some models also come with a hand-operated brake. The main purpose of this is to prepare children for their first pedal bike. If you choose a bike with a brake, check that the lever is the right size for your child’s hands; the same applies to the saddle and handlebar grips.
The best balance bikes to buy
1. Puky LR M: The best value balance bike
Price:£64
The smallest of German brand Puky’s balance bikes, the LR M is as cute as a button, with a cool retro-styled paint job. It’s also fantastically durable and practical, with dinky foam wheels that will suit smaller riders and require no maintenance.
Despite its steel frame, the LRM weighs an easily portable 3.5kg, and Puky will even sell you a dedicated carry strap.The neatly integrated deck makes stepping on a doddle, and serves as a handy footrest once you’re gliding along. The supportive scooped back saddle is ideally shaped for coasting too. And the skinny diameter grips have integrated bumpers at the end, so they’ll protect little hands in the event of a crash – and save your paintwork at home.
Key specs – Wheel size:<10in; Suggested age: 2 years+; Frame material: Steel; Tyre type: Foam; Weight: 3.5kg; Additional features: Handlebar pad
2. Islabikes Rothan: Best-quality balance bike
Price:£170 – Buy now from Islabikes
Isla Bikes has a reputation as the leading premium kids’ bike manufacturer, and the Rothan is arguably the best balance bike around: the price is high, but the parts list wouldn’t look out of place on a quality adult bike. Sealed bearing hubs and lightweight wheels are paired to slim pneumatic tyres for easy rolling. The saddle and grips are ergonomic, while the micro-reach brake lever was created specifically to match little hands.
There’s also an integrated steering limiter, which prevents the handlebars from spinning round to protect the rider if they have a tumble, and smooth wheel fixing nuts to prevent scrapes. The Isla’s geometry is also the product of extensive research and experimentation. Available in four bright two-tone colour schemes, the Rothan is a seriously grown up balance bike.
Key specs – Wheel size: 12in; Suggested age: 2 years+; Frame material: Aluminium; Tyre type: Pneumatic; Weight: 3.2kg; Additional features: Brake, Sealed bearings
3. Early Rider Alley Runner: Most stylish balance bike
Price:£150 – Buy now from Wiggle
Aimed at riders between two and five years old, the Alley Runner’s slick 12in wheels are suited to use on tarmac or mild off-road terrain. Secured with safety-conscious fixing bolts and spinning on sealed hubs, the wheels ensure an easy ride – helped along by a very low overall weight. At the front of the bike, a clever steering limiter centres the front wheel to keep newbie riders on track. Once they’re up to speed, you can unhook the rubber O-ring to free up the steering. The bike uses quality parts and technology that will be familiar to adult riders, and with a range of accessories it’s even possible to fit a road-bike-style drop bar.
Key specs – Wheel size: 12in; Suggested age: 2-5 years; Frame material: Aluminium; Tyre type: Pneumatic; Weight: 3.25kg; Additional features: Adjustable steering limiter
4. Wiggins Pau: Best mid-range balance bike
Price:£100 – Buy now from Halfords
The Wiggins Pau packs in a star name and a stellar parts list. That starts with a lightweight aluminium frame, whose unique many-tubed design will appeal to style conscious youngsters. There’s also a brake, helping build towards riding a conventional pedal bike – and while many brands banish this to the underside of the bike, the Wiggins uses a special narrow caliper that’s unlikely to get in the way. Big chunky pneumatic tyres are equally at home on tarmac or over rough terrain, and a handle grip under the saddle makes it easy to carry the Pau home at the end of the day. The neat build is rounded off with a steering limiter to stop the bars spinning by accident and svelte, smooth-edged fixings for extra safety.
Key specs – Wheel size: 12in; Suggested age: 2-4 years; Frame material: Aluminium; Tyre type: Pneumatic; Weight: 3.8kg; Additional features: Rear brake
5. Strider Sport: Most versatile balance bike
Price:£88
Despite its steel frame, the Strider Sport has a low weight of 2.9kg, thanks to clever one-piece composite wheels and EVA foam tyres. While these don’t provide the cushioned ride of pneumatic alternatives, they’re tough and require zero maintenance – and if you wish, you can upgrade them later, as the rims will also accept conventional tyres and tubes.
Even out of the box, the Sport is exceptionally configurable. It comes with two seatposts of different lengths, designed to accommodate inside leg lengths between 27cm and 48cm, to suit growing children. Both saddle and handlebar height are easily adjustable too, via a tool-free quick release system. There’s even a retrofittable foot brake available as an upgrade. An uncommonly small diameter handlebar allows for correspondingly narrow grips that are suited to little mitts, and the saddle is similarly designed to provide comfort and control for small hips.
Key specs – Wheel size: 12in; Suggested age: 1.5-5 years; Frame material: Steel; Tyre type: Foam; Weight: 2.9kg; Additional features: Handlebar pad