Balance bikes may appear largely similar – two-wheeled, pedal-less mini-bikes – but the materials used in the manufacturing from one bike to the next can differ entirely, determining how the bike rides and how much it costs. It’s also important to understand the fit of the balance bike you’re purchasing. If purchasing online, be sure to measure the balance bike rider to ensure proper fit. Consideration should also be given to the bike’s components and general durability. A good quality and durable balance bike that can stand the test of time, handed down from one child to the next, will minimise the ecological impact. Less durable bikes that need replacing more often tend to find their way into landfill and have an increased environmental impact regardless of the material.

As the child’s confidence and balance progress, they will naturally start pushing faster and exploring further. This is great for their confidence and fitness. Without the limitation of stabilisers, the child can also develop their cornering skill, learning to lean and shift their weight as the bike moves beneath them.YEARS OF FUN - The seat height and handlebar height can be adjusted to ‘evolve’ with your kids ensuring a best fit from 18 months +, or up to 44 lbs. Solid foam or plastic tyres offer many benefits, including being puncture-proof, lightweight, cheaper than pneumatic tyres, and the fact they require low or zero maintenance, Specifically, due to the lower cost, foam tyres are often found on lower-priced bikes. While keeping the price down, foam tyres also have the added benefit of keeping the weight of these lower-priced bikes down. In fact, the lightest bike on test, the Vitus Nippy, features foam tyres and is also the lowest-priced of all the bikes on test. The Hornit Airo features pneumatic tyres with an inner tube. The footrests on the Hotwalk are pretty big and sit exactly where a kid is likely to find their legs mid stride. Your little one also gets to build leg muscles, coordination, and confidence. All of that will help them transition to a pedal bike. YEARS OF FUN - The seat height and handlebar height can be adjusted to ‘evolve’ with your kids ensuring a best fit for 3 - 5 year old, or up to 66 lbs. The adjustable seat allows for a ride height 13.7” – 16.9”.

Its unique design includes a (removable) double rear wheel to aid toddlers as young as 18 months in learning to balance and ride a bike. It also has a low minimum seat height, reasonable low weight, and safety features that we like for teeny tiny riders. Balance bikes transcend the bike industry and traditional local bike shops. Walk into any toy, catalogue, or outdoor store, and you’re likely to find some form of balance bike. Likewise, many big brand names in the cycling industry feature at least one balance bike offering in their range. The worst part about being a small biker is that hard metal frames can hurt, especially the handlebar. The minimum height for the seat is 11 inches. As your child grows, you can raise the height up to 14.17 inches.

Yvolution Y Velo Junior Toddler No-Pedal Balance Bike

The extra-large wheels are a fantastic feature on this bike. My kiddo is always biking over uneven terrain like grass or gravel. These large wheels help to level out bumps, assisting the rider’s balance. Specialized has made the bar grips narrower on the HWC to match smaller hands. The HWC grips measured in at 19.6 mm in circumference, compared to the 25-30 mm found on most other bikes on test. The reach to the handlebars is also much better, allowing my daughter to take a more natural position without reaching for the bars as on other bikes. The bike also has those pneumatic tyres for a more cushioned ride and what looked to me like a comfy saddle without the deep arch shape many of the other bikes’ saddles featured.