About four weeks after Jenni's almost-4-year-old son started riding the Strider 14x Sport, they installed the pedal kit. We also tested the budget Kazam v2e, which features the lowest step-in height of any bike we tested, at 6 inches, as well as a wide, comfortable footrest.

It also offers a long, stable wheelbase, as well as a remarkable seat-height range of 15 to 22 inches. Look through balance bikes that are designed without pedals and can help your child learn bike skills quickly and then learn to ride a traditional pedal bike more easily. If our top pick is sold out or if you have a taller child, the REI Co-op Cycles REV 12 Kids’ Balance Bike is an excellent choice.When a child is still small enough to fit on a 12″ or 14″ bike, even investing in a cheap balance bike would be a much better option.

Jenni was previously an editor on Wirecutter’s outdoors team, and she recently wrote our guides to the best jogging strollers and the best kids hiking backpacks.They’ll love burning off that energy by kicking a ball or climbing aboard a ride-on toy car or their first trike! If that seat-to-bar distance is too great, the child will be hunched over and placing too much weight on the handlebars. The unique design includes dual rear wheels and high ground clearance allowing for greater maneuverability and a fun safe ride.

Eliminate the need for training wheels – balance bike graduates usually learn to ride a pedal bike in about 5 to 10 minutes, DRAMA FREE. Reasonable weight: Multiple retailers we spoke with suggested that a good balance bike should not weigh more than 30% of a child’s weight; for example, a bike should be 9 pounds or lighter for a 30-pound kid.

A toddler in 18-months clothes who is just getting started will fit on a different balance bike than a toddler or preschooler in 3T pants.