A balance bike teaches a child all the fundamentals of riding a bike from an early age which will ultimately hold them in good stead for when they are ready to ride a pedal bike. Kids usually also tend to learn the correct steering motion, which involves coordinating their eyes and hands, on their own without any real explanation. Before too long, they are proudly navigating around their first corners. The right accessories can transform your child’s bike from an occasional toy to a beloved favourite. Our range ensures you can find the perfect accessories for your child from protective kids’ helmets in different colours and styles to bells, water bottles and more. Accessories for Children’s Bikes Adding the pedals ups the weight to 6.2kg – still light for a pedal powered bike – and since the geometry doesn’t change there’s no getting used to a new bike, making the transition that much easier.

Balance bikes promote the development of essential motor skills, spatial awareness, and confidence. Also consider your child’s weight versus the full weight of the bike. Ideally you want the weight of the bike to be no more than 32 percent of your child's weight. So if your child weighs 20 kilograms, you’re looking for a bike that weighs just under seven. Faster progression to pedal bikes: Stabilizers enable children to start riding a bike with minimal effort. They can focus on learning how to pedal and steer while maintaining balance with the support of the stabilizer wheels. Balance bikes, also known as running bikes or strider bikes, are pedal-less bicycles designed to help children develop balance and coordination skills. These bikes typically have a low frame, adjustable seat height, and handlebars. Instead of using pedals, children push themselves forward using their feet while sitting on the saddle. Balance bikes allow children to focus on learning how to balance and steer without the added complexity of pedalling. Advantages of balance bikesThey are light enough for children to carry, which also helps them to control their riding more easily. Based around an aluminium frame, the Hoozar features a steering limiter to help keep things on an even keel. Also guarding against accidents are padding on the stem and bumpers on the ends of the handlebar. Balance bikes are often the perfect choice for a child’s first bike. You can, however, find balance bikes for older kids, where our bikes are recommended for up to 7 year olds. Balance bike or bike with stabilisers?

The balance bike with basket has gained traction because of its simple yet effective method. The bike without pedals moves forward by the child resting their feet flat on the ground and pushing. Potential for falls on uneven surfaces: Balance bikes are generally used on flat and even surfaces. Riding them on rough or uneven terrain can pose a risk of falls or accidents. It’s important to supervise your child and ensure they ride in safe areas. Stabilisers or balance bike? It’s one of the dilemma’sparentsface, and here at Cycle Sprog we often getasked whether it’s worth investing in a balance bike for a 2 or 3 year old, or better to go straight to a small pedal bike and use stabilisers. Dad of two, Steven, has had experience of using both stabilisers and a balance bike with his daughters.When you’re running behind them, you can guide their body and help them to understand how the bike responds to leaning, show them how to corner and make S-turns.

Over time, your child will progress to running along. Eventually they'll start taking long strides where both feet are off the ground. Encourage them as they do this and give them support if they need it as they lift their feet for longer. At this point, you might start finding it more difficult to get them off their bike and in for dinner! Forget awkward riding on anything other than pavement. And, so, your balance bike can go on all sorts of journeys! Mastering balancing skills.

Transitioning to pedal bikes seamlessly: Since balance bikes teach children the fundamental skill of balance, the transition to pedal bikes becomes smoother. Kids who have mastered balance on a balance bike find it easier to adapt to pedalling and are more likely to skip training wheels altogether.

What's more, after a few years when it’s time for your child to move onto a bigger bike, you’ll most likely find that no stabilisers are needed. This is an average and some children will be earlier and some will be later, but it’s a good starting reference. Hornit, creators of the Airo balance bike we have on test, says “Brakes are a divisive issue” and claims brakes are alien to younger (18-month to three-year-old) riders. This certainly makes sense, and my daughter never once asked how to stop her bike. Using her feet to slow was very intuitive. At Cycling Weekly, we have a dedicated team of testers, whose job it is to ride bikes and review equipment. That means that we have an in-depth knowledge of all the latest bike tech and trends and can bring you a detailed, insightful analysis of the pros and cons of each bike and what's it's really like to ride. Transitioning from a balance bike to a pedal bike becomes easier due to the strong foundation in balance and coordination.Tricycles often weigh more than the kid that rides them. And who will be left carrying or pushing it around when your child tires of using the trike? An exhausting thought, we know. It won't develop balance. Training wheels hold the bike in a rigid, upright position – so when a child learns to steer with training wheels on the bike, they’re actually learning to steer a tricycle. Balance bike frames are typically manufactured with steel, alloy, wood, plastic, and even carbon fibre. While steel is the most robust of these materials – an important factor in withstanding the rigours of playtime – steel bikes will be amongst the heaviest options and typically sit at the pricier end of the spectrum. Steel bikes are also prone to rust if left outside or uncared for. The last thing of note on the wheels is the first thing you will notice if you need to remove a wheel: the axle bolts. While easy to overlook when considering a bike, large or exposed axle bolts can create a safety hazard for both your child and your flooring. Sharp edges on exposed bolts can cause injury in the event of a fall or even just if your child catches a leg on them. Some manufacturers equip balance bikes with plastic covers for exposed bolts, or they have rounded bolts, or, best of all, recessed bolts that sit flush with the frame and fork for a safe, smooth finish. Serviceability The seat is usually lower on a balance bike than on a tricycle or bike with stabilisers. This is so that your toddler can use the ground to propel themselves. The height has the benefit of meaning that when your child takes a tumble, they don't have far to fall. Independence.