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And now, just in time for Christmas, Hornit is branching out to launch their very first lightweight balance bike – the Hornit AIRO. A balance bike will teach a child how to balance and lean – valuable skills when it comes to riding a pedal-powered bike. Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images
In fact, Hornit are so confident in the quality of this balance bike they’re giving it a lifetime warranty on the frames and forks which can be registered for free online once you've received your bike. Safety is at the heart of everything that Hornit do (after all they make helmets and horns) so they’ve also added in a padded protector for the stem, so if your child happens to have an incident where they come off their bike, then they get some cushioning. If you're looking to invest in a bike you can sell on, the Islabikes Rothan is hard to beat. How we choose our recommendations Parent testers But would the AIRO win the yellow jersey in a race to the top, or crash out in the first stage? Our First Look reviewer, a mum of three, got to find out. Who's it for?Age range: Suitable from two years old with a minimum inside leg of 30cm and approximate height of 88cm | Weight: 3.2kg | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Pneumatic What we love Tyres: Most balance bikes have chunky 12-inch (30.5cm) wheels. The majority feature solid tyres, which are made from plastic or rubber over a foam core. These puncture-proof tyres are hard-wearing but not quite as comfy as air-filled or ‘pneumatic’ tyres. A balance bike doesn’t have to have a brake – little feet will suffice. However, having one (usually at the rear) can add confidence. Not only that, it also gives your child one more skill which they can apply when they start to pedal. A quality balance bike will have a brake lever that’s easy for a small hand to operate.
The wide grab rail allows adults to easily hold on if they want to guide a toddler just getting to grips with balance bike life. It’s also a useful feature when you inevitably end up carrying the thing. Speaking of, it’s relatively lightweight so not too difficult to carry round the park but still incredibly sturdy which is reassuring for parents of fearless toddlers. There are no brakes on this balance bike but there is a stopper in the handlebars so the bike can’t be oversteered which is really useful for new riders. In the middle the Kidvelo Rookieand the Hornit AIROfit in between these two groups in terms of price and functionality, as they're both really simple and lightweight, but with the benefit of pneumatic tyres. Neither have a brake (but both look great - you're personal preference will be between the frame styles on these two!) Children can start riding balance bikes when they’re around 18-months to two years old, and little ones up to around the age of five enjoy them. In most cases, children will move on to a bike with pedals at around the age of four. There isn’t a top-end restriction on age, though, and you can even get balance bikes for adults.A more aggressive rider by nature (for his size), the AIRO delivered as he went down curbs, ramps and easily weaved in and out of the leaf piles in the neighborhood. From the air tires to the cushioned saddle, he was right at home on the AIRO. This bike is FAST. The lightweight design combined with super smooth bearings and slightly bigger tires make this bike cruise. Sometimes a little too fast for my comfort level with my no-fear toddler. It’s understandable that you want your child’s balance bike to last as long as they want to enjoy it – typically two to three years. Look for a bike with an adjustable saddle height that offers a good range. Some versions also have adjustable handlebar heights, offering an even more tailored fit. My only issue with the frame is that I struggle to see the need for the plastic insert in the frame which adds nothing to the quality of the frame and seems to be there purely for cosmetic reasons. Alternatives to the Hornit AIRO balance bike
The Hoy Napier is the stuff of a toddler’s Olympics dreams with its sleek, minimalist BMX design, chunky wheels and small aluminium frame. Available in red, blue, and yellow this is a great looking balance bike that will see most children through from the age of two to four. The lightweight frame and modern, confidence-inspiring geometry should make for a fun ride and allow for small riders to progress and experiment with their cycling." Weighing just 2.95kg starting your little one out on their cycling journey is easier for them than ever before! Thanks to the AIRO’s incredibly lightweight, ultra-hard-wearing magnesium alloy frame they can effortlessly propel themselves along. The grippy footrests on the AIRO are well designed and thought out. Small enough to be unobtrusive, but large enough for a child to rest a portion of their foot, these footrests are highly effective. When cruising and gliding around the house, our 3-year-old thought they were pretty much the coolest thing ever.Age range: 18 months - 4 years | Weight: Not stated | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Airless What we love Our Puky bike has been brilliant, both dc have ridden it since just after 2 years old." (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Her0utdoors) Our verdict#
If you've enjoyed reading this article, please do sign up for our newsletter- we'll keep up updated when we have new articles which may be of interest. Thanks! Quality of build: Make sure that the bike you end up with is sturdy and finished to a high standard. This could indicate how well it’s built, how durable it is and how much maintenance it needs. The frame design of the Hornit AIRO allows a lot of variation in the height of the seat post, meaning it is suitable for children with an inside leg between 30cm and 54cm. Whilst there's now a large number of other options available on the market, Islabikes are still renowned as the premier kid's bike brand in cycling circles. The bend in the knee might look odd at first, but it means that when they get going and extend their legs in front of them, they’ll still be able to comfortably reach the ground and take big, swooping and effective strides.
The Hornit AIRO In Use
But as kids get older and their frames get wider, the narrow bars can become problematic. For example, take a look at the difference in the arm position of another three-year-old tester on two different balance bikes below. The woom 1 on the left has a 16″ wide handlebar while the Strider on the right has a 13 3/8″ handlebar. 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. We had a strider and it was brilliant. Also amazing customer service when we needed some help.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user SpanielPlusToddler) Our verdict The Frog Bikes Tadpole combines a sturdy frame with chunky wheels and a long wheelbase – all while boasting a relatively light design, which is no mean feat. These attributes make the Tadpole ideal as a trail bike but light enough for older toddlers, especially as its tyres are well-cushioned for bumpy surfaces. The reflectors and bell are also great features to teach little ones about safety and being seen and heard while out riding a bike. A balance bike is a kids' bike with no cranks or pedals. It allows a child to ride on two wheels without pedals so that they can learn to balance before moving on to full pedal cycling. What age is best for a balance bike?
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