Balance Buddy (Adjustable

Product Information

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. We asked real parents to put some of the UK's top balance bikes through their paces, letting their young children try out each model and taking detailed notes on a number of points: Kids who have tricycles, scooters, or bikes with training wheels can be more resistant to ride a balance bike. Why? Balance bikes require a little more effort to learn but offer far greater rewards in return. If you think this might be the problem, remove these other distractions and only offer up the balance bike as a possibility. To select the best balance bikes, we reviewed guidance from the AAP on how to choose the best helmet and bike sizes for kids, how to get children to wear a helmet, and overall bike safety. We also surveyed 875 parents to learn more about what brands their families love to buy and why. Moreover, we wanted to know their kids' favorite toys, how they play with them, and why they love them.

While it may be a bit heavy for a child who has just turned two, the Frog Tadpole comes into its own from around age three. Like the Islabikes Rothan, it’s purposefully designed to suit a specific age range and performs well on all surfaces. The comfy padding on the handles and seat makes the bike great for longer rides and the brake handle is easy for little hands to reach to slow down and stop with confidence. The Tadpole is on the pricey side but it is the closest you can get to a ‘proper’ bike as a balance bike and the resale value is really good. Age range: Suitable for two and three year olds (average inside leg 31cm) | Weight: 4.17kg | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Pneumatic What we love Sleek and incredibly lightweight, the Hornit AIRO is super portable and easy to carry when your child wants to take a break from riding. With air-filled tyres for a smoother ride and contoured foot rests for comfy freewheeling your toddler will be away in no time with this balance bike.Vitus Nippy weighs just under a Strider and is a third of the price. We had a heavy balance bike and made no progress, swapped it for a Vitus Nippy and my son was doing huge ramps in the skate park the same day, and road a bike with pedals without needing any practice once he'd outgrown the Nippy. He absolutely loved that thing, even more than his pedal bike tbh." (Recommended by Mumsnetter user33323) Our verdict FITS KIDS: 4 different sizes available. Smallest fits 3 years and up with inseams at least 14″, largest fits tweens Built for the true off-road balance bike enthusiast, the Dirt Hero balance bike (by Kids Ride Shotgun) lives up to its name and offers an exceptional ride for toddlers and preschooler riding beyond the pavement. As balance bikes are low to the ground, kids reach the ground with their feet. To move forwards, they push off the ground and begin by walking the bike, then progress to running, striding and gliding. 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?

Specialized say the Hotwalk is designed for "less crashes and more smiles" to help kids get on two wheels with confidence. The bike has a low standover and 12" wheels, so it's a great size for a 3 or 4 year old to get their bearings. Exceptionally light so that toddlers can focus their efforts on balance, the Islabikes Rothan takes the top spot as our best balance bike. From its unique tyres to narrow handles, every aspect of this bike has been scaled down to proportion, suiting a two-year-old’s dimensions and developmental ability perfectly.We had a Rothan and thought it was great. I sold it for a good price afterwards too.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user BreakingUpWithMyPhone) Our verdict That said, there are balance bikes made for all sizes of toddlers, pre-schoolers, and grade schoolers, so it’s basically nevertoo late to start. Remember… a balance bike will almost always be a better option than a tricycle or training wheels. If your child is at an age when you would consider either of these options, consider a balance bike instead!

Available in a choice of six bright, funky colours, the Hornit AIRO looks great and thanks to the height-adjustable seat it’ll last your child for years. There’s even a lifetime warranty available for the bike so it’s a great choice for families who want to be able to pass it on from one child to the next. 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.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? Consider how often your child is likely to use it, how long you'd want it to last and if it could be resold later or passed down to a younger sibling. To help keep little ones safe, STACYC’s unique design allows parents to adjust the max speed settings on the bike to prevent kids from riding at unsafe speeds. As kids progress on the bike, parents can raise the max speed to one of three levels to keep the fun flowing. Every bike is also equipped with a hand brake that automatically cuts off the motor when engaged. Availability: A bike should be broadly available—especially in North America—with delivery in a reasonable amount of time to Manhattan, Topeka, or Fairbanks. Key specs – Wheel size: 12in; Suggested age: 2-4 years; Frame material: Aluminium; Tyre type: Pneumatic; Weight: 3.4kg; Additional features: Suspension, steering limiter