Joined in 2023 
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63 About this deal
But which balance bike is best? There are lots of different options out there from cheap and cheerful to high-spec and built-to-last. If you only have one child and know that you’ll only need a balance bike for a short time then a cheaper option might be best, but if you have more than one child it can be worth investing in something pricier that can be passed from child to child. A lot of balance bikes also have great resale value so that’s worth keeping in mind too. 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. Designed to perform in much the same way as a traditional bike but without pedals, a balance bike is a great way to accelerate your child’s riding ability. Perfect for mastering the art of steering and the sensation of balance, a balance bike should be a little one’s first step into the world of cycling before they transition to pedalling. For older kids there are two larger models - the 18" wheel Kapel and the 20" wheel Hutto, so there is the complete range of sizes for all ages (although note that with these larger bikes you have to buy a separate balance bike adaptor kit). The end result is a frame with lovely flowing lines and a handy gap within the main part of the frame that allows a hand to slot through, a thumb to rest on the top of the tube and the bike to be carried in comfort. Not only an attractive aesthetic feature but a functional element too!
Like the very similar Vitus Smoothy, the Hornit AIRO’s frame also has an opening in the center of the frame that acts as a carrying handle. This is an incredibly cool feature. For our smallest of testers, the AIRO offered an amazing and smooth ride. From the first phases of walking the bike to confidently gliding, the AIRO delivered a fun, smooth, and impressive ride. The AIRO’s small build fits perfectly beneath their smaller frames, helping them build confidence to ride faster and further.This could equate to between 1.5 years and 5 years depending how tall / small your child is. The AIRO's comes in six colour options - white, red, yellow, pink, blue and turquoise.
Minimimal clearance between the ground on the bottom of the post when the seat is set to its minimum height (shorter seat post now available through Hornit to prevent this issue)
Training wheels, also called stabilisers, have been used for decades – and they worked for most of us in our early years (as far as we can remember…). 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.
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.Kidvelo also make larger 14" and 18" wheel balance bikes which convert into pedal bikes, which are a great idea if your child is at that in-between stage and not quite ready for a full pedal bike yet. After much deliberation, we've chosen the Vitus Nippy as our best overall balance bike for 2023. The lightest of the bikes on our list, the Nippy is great quality where it matters, with tyres that can take any surface in their stride, a robust frame and lightweight construction for the times you'll inevitably need to carry it. If that becomes a struggle because a bike is heavy it can really put a child off. Not only does this mean that you might have wasted your money, but it could put them off riding. And that's a disaster. The AIRO is suitable for children with an inside leg measurement of 30cm to 46cm (11.8" to 18.9"), which makes it the perfect size for most children aged 18 months up to around 5 years old. Including several seating positions to choose from, the adjustable saddle height lets you raise or lower the seat from 34cm to 44cm, meaning the AIRO is great for seeing them through their early years of riding. Why choose the AIRO? Easy assembly
The frame also grows so you can have the bike in a small frame mode and then when your child has outgrown it you can adjust the frame to make it bigger. Yes, it's a bigger cost upfront, but if you buy when your child is at the balance bike stage you get three bikes in one, plus there are no hassles of shopping for new bikes for quite a few years! Instead of learning to steer by leaning, they learn to steer by turning the handlebars, and pushing their body weight away from the bike, to stop it toppling over. When they come to ride without the training wheels, they’ve then got to un-learn what they’ve been doing and learn something different.” Age range: Two to four years old (85 to 110cm tall with an inside leg of 40cm minimum) | Weight: 3.8kg | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Pneumatic What we love We’re so proud at how light the AIRO is that we came up with a new word to describe it! ‘Levitatingly’ light at just 2.95kg, the AIRO is one of the lightest bikes on the market. We searched long and hard to find a lighter balance bike and the only ones we found were made with plastic wheels and uncomfortable foam tyres. The AIRO’s proper air-filled rubber tyres on aluminium rims really puts the AIRO onto a new level. After all, not all balance bikes are created equal.
Are balance bikes worth it?
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. With a nice light steering motion the bike was easy to steer, putting the tester in control, rather than her having to fight it. Another boost to her confidence, something that was clear from the way she was happy to throw the bike around and play about on it. The importance of this was highlighted when she was trying out a friends pedal bike, on which the steering wasn't anywhere near as light. On that bike she wanted me to steer for her. There's plenty of cheaper balance bikes out there, but if you're planning to invest in Islabikes, then the Rothan will be the start of your journey. Be prepared to become addicted to the range - we've reviewed loads of Islabikes over the years, and love them! Thirdly – the design. I’ve seen a lot of balance bikes in my life, but it seems there’s always room for innovation. The Hornit AIRO is made from a magnesium alloy, a lightweight material that is increasing in popularity for creating bicycle frames as it’s a more environmentally friendly, fully recyclable alternative to aluminium. Another plus point is it uses a casting process that allows for the creation of really funky designs.
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