How to Choose Balance Bike | Buyers Guide – 2022
If you want your child to be active and lively, one of the best things you can do is buy him a bicycle. And what’s a better option than a balance bike to introduce your kid to the amazing riding world? Well, nothing.
In this article, we have discussed every little aspect how to choose balance bike so that you present your baby with the best cycle for his regular ridings. So, without further ado, let’s start.
How to Choose Balance Bike: Everything You should Know
Type by Wheels
Your child will learn to balance and ride perfectly, whether you add training wheels or not. How quickly the kid will learn to ride largely depends on your teaching and comfort levels. Let’s discuss different types of bikes by the wheels so that you understand better.
Bicycles with Two-wheels only
As the name suggests, a bicycle with two wheels only means no training wheels attached to support the child; it is a regular bike. And a regular cycle is the second step once your child is done with a balance bike.
Moreover, the transition from a balance bike to a regular, two-wheeled one won’t be difficult for a kid because he had learned all the necessary skills needed on a balance bike and would actually enjoy a regular cycle for his regular riding activities.
Bicycles That Have Training Wheels
On the other hand, if you want your kid to focus on pedaling before learning how to balance the bicycle, then a regular bicycle with training wheels would be an excellent choice for them.
Aside from helping them learn to pedal, the training wheels also boost the kids confidence level and make sure that they don’t fall off and endure accidents and injuries.
Standard Bicycles without Pedals
However, if your child is not ready yet to ride on a regular bike with pedals, you can always remove the pedals from the regular cycle and make it look and feel like a balance bicycle to help your kid get used to it. Additionally, this type of bike is budget-friendly and would cut your buying cost by several notches.
Frame Materials
Like other types of adult bicycles, these also come with frames made with different materials to offer customers choices. The most used materials to construct the frame are as follows:
Metal /Steel
One of the most common material manufacturers uses to make the frame is steel. Steel frames are strong, sturdy, and exceptionally durable. It can endure all the torture it would have to suffer in your child’s hands.
However, steel constructed bicycles are quite heavy and might be a little hard for little kids to control and maneuver.
But then again, even though these frames are heavy, they can accommodate heavier and older children effortlessly.
Aluminum/alloy
Aluminum is the most popular frame construction material that manufacturers use. Aluminum constructed balance bicycles are not only strong and sturdy but at the same time, they are also extremely lightweight.
Aluminum alloy cycles are incredibly suitable for children, especially kids under 3 years of age because of their lightweight and ease of maneuverability. A kid can easily control this and enhance its balance performance effortlessly.
Moreover, even though aluminum cycles are lightweight, it doesn’t mean that they have a lower weight capacity. These can accommodate a maximum of 60 – 75 lbs. of weight easily without the risk of falling apart and causing injuries to the child.
Wood
Even though wood is an unconventional material to construct a frame, you must know that it is extremely environmentally friendly and budget-friendly. Additionally, wood bikes are more adjustable than any other conventional balance bike.
However, the wood constructed frames suffer from being not so durable. There are many complaints that the wood frame cracked or splintered badly underneath a child causing serious harm and injuries to the younger riders.
Composite /plastic
Even though it is relatively new in the market, the composite frame material didn’t take a very long time to become popular among users.
The reason behind gaining such popularity is that the composite constructed frames are lightweight and extremely strong, sturdy and near indestructible; it doesn’t matter how your child ride this bike. It will not break even after your kid grows up.
Moreover, because of its sturdiness, a composite constructed bike can withstand a higher rider weight capacity and can accommodate a wide range of kid riders effortlessly.
Tire Type
Even though a balance bicycle is a kids bicycle, it doesn’t mean that it lacks in any department. This offers different tires with various tread patterns to choose from according to your needs and preferences.
However, before zeroing in on a set of tires, always keep in mind the conditions and surfaces on which your child will be riding.
Eva Foam
One of the top benefits of EVA Foam tires is that they are significantly lightweight than any other tire type and are virtually maintenance-free. As a result, you don’t have to waste a penny to take care of the tires to enjoy a smooth and safe riding session.
Furthermore, because of their foam construction, these tires are suitable for riding on any terrain and surfaces efficiently; it doesn’t matter if the kid is riding indoors or outdoors. These tires will always provide the required comfort and balance to the rider.
Moreover, an extremely lightweight set of tires will help keep the bicycles overall weightless so that it’s easy to maneuver.
Air (Pneumatic)
If you want your child to enjoy the best cushion and phenomenal shock absorption, then the air (or pneumatic) tires would be your best choice.
The air (pneumatic) tires are considered as the standard on the balance bicycles. Aside from comfort and impact absorption, these tires also provide great traction to ensure the kid doesn’t slip off even on a slippery riding surface.
Moreover, to provide an array of choices, these tires tread pattern varies between models and offers you the flexibility to choose the one you think is the best.
Rubber
One of the most durable tires that you can use on your kid's balance bicycle is a set of rubber tires. These are somewhere between air and foam tires and possess the benefits of both these types.
From providing great traction to ensuring phenomenal cushioning and comfort, rubber tires will never fail to impresses you. Moreover, they are also puncture-proof and don’t fall flat assuring incredible durability.
However, even after having such great qualities, these unique tires are best suited for indoor use and flat hard surfaces. So you kid can ride in indoor gyms, daycares, school, or your home without any worries.
Hard Plastic
Another type of tires that you should know about is the hard plastic ones. These are the lowest quality tires among the lot and the lightest.
Even though these tires help to keep the overall weight low, they are extremely prone to cracking and don’t provide any traction or cushioning to the little riders for safety and comfort. We would suggest avoiding buying them.
Tire Size
As balance bicycles are suitable for all ages and sizes of kids, they come in different tire sizes to accommodate them perfectly.
The size of the tires is an important factor to keep in mind because if the tires are too big or too small, they can potentially ruin your child’s first riding experience and lead to severe accidents. And that’s why we would suggest you go through a sizing chart first before making your final call.
What’s the Right Balance Bicycle Size? Frame Size
In addition to the tire size, the frame size of a balance bike also matters. Without the right sized frame, your child will not fit perfectly in the cycle and might also face severe accidents whenever they try to ride.
If your baby is 2-5 years of age and has a height between 2' 11"- 3' 8", we would suggest you opt for a 12-inch balance bike for a safe yet enjoyable riding session.
Similarly, it would be wise to go for larger frames when your child grows and their height range increases. However, when your baby is 7 – 9 years old, the 12-inch frame will never fit him; you must buy a bigger frame for effective riding according to the kid's age and size.
>>> Want to Know More? Check Kids Bike Sizing Chart <<<
Wheel Size
Measuring the wheel size is essential while buying because it is a basic indicator of how large the bike will be. The larger the wheels, the larger the bike and vice versa and that’s why never forget to keep an eye on the wheel size and your kid's height before zeroing in a bike.
Generally, 12 inches wheels are best for toddlers who are just getting started with a balance bike. However, if you have an older kid of 6-7 years old who still haven’t mastered a balance bike, you must opt for 16 inches wheels as anything smaller might not fit them and won’t provide that enjoyable riding experience that you have been looking for.
How High Should a Balance Bicycle Seat Be? Seat Height & Adjustability
The seat height is an essential feature to consider before buying because “one height doesn’t fit all”. The height of the seat post varies with the height of the rider.
Not getting the right bicycle size might not only frustrate your child but at the same time, might also feel uncomfortable and discourage the kid from riding it at all. And that’s why you must keep an eye on the seat height before making a final decision.
Then again, even after you get the right seat height, don’t forget to look for the seat adjustment feature. As the kids are ever-growing, an easily adjustable seat saddle will ensure that your child can use it for quite some time before moving to a larger sized one.
Do Balance Bicycles Need Brakes?
The most straightforward answer to this question is yes. Yes, balance bikes need brakes too, because the safety of the kids is the main priority. Even though balance bike riders use their feet to control speed and make it stop, the braking system is essential to ensure the phenomenal safety of the riders.
Now that we know why a braking mechanism is important, let’s discuss braking with feet vs. using a handbrake for a clear idea.
Braking With Feet vs. a Handbrake
While braking with feet acts as a natural instinct in panic situations, a handle brake is an excellent way to develop the child’s riding skills and boost the riding enjoyment.
Even though the riders feet act as the main source of stopping the bike, the handbrakes make sure to prevent injury, save kids shoes, and most importantly, prepare the child to ride a regular bike in the future.
For its convenience, we would suggest you choose a bike with handbrakes to enable your child to enjoy the best of both the world.
Features to Look in a Balance Bicycle
Handgrips
Considering the fact that a balance bike is a kid’s bike, the comfort level and features must be one of the most crucial aspects to consider when making a buying decision.
Handgrip is a comfort feature and you should never overlook it. Aside from providing phenomenal comfort while riding, it also protects the kids delicate hands during a fall or any accidental handlebar run-ins.
Additionally, the handgrips ensure that the child’s hands don’t suffer from pain or aches even after hours of ridings.
We would suggest you favor handgrips with protective rubber and cushion ends because such a combination helps absorb shock and impact and ensures a comfortable and strong grip on the handlebars.
Footrest
While buying, you must also not forget to check whether the cycle has a footrest or not. Even though adding a footrest in a balance bike is an excellent feature, we still consider it unnecessary.
That is because the footrest can interfere with a child’s riding stride and bar him from finding and learning proper balance for an excellent riding session.
Moreover, remember that the footrest also adds weight to the bike, increasing its overall weight and making it difficult to control and ride easily, especially for a new biking child.
Handlebar Riser
A handlebar rise is considered the vertical rise measured from the center of the handlebar to the bar end.
The reason you should look for a raised handlebar in your child’s balance bicycle is that aside from providing a super comfortable riding position, it also ensures improved control and makes sure that your kid doesn’t fall off or find it hard to cycle.
Steering Limiter
When choosing, never forget to look for the steering limiter. This feature is an essential aspect to consider because it prevents from jack-knifing and facing any accidents.
The steering limiter prevents the handlebar and front wheel from completing a full 360-degree revolution and bars any sharp turns. This helps the kid to balance perfectly without acing any potential injuries and accidents.
However, many experts claim that steering limiters are a must-have feature for balance bicycles because they help the handlebars fold flat in the ground in times of fall and limit injuries.
Bicycle Geometry
The geometry of a balance bike makes an incredible difference in how it performs on the road or surfaces and that’s why it’s essential to keep an eye on the frame geometry before buying one for your child.
The frame's geometry plays a crucial role and determines how easy to control. A balance bike with good geometry will help a kid learn balance and maneuverability, while low geometry will work vice versa.
Bicycle Fit
It is an important aspect to keep in mind while buying because if the bike doesn’t fit perfectly, your child will never enjoy riding it.
Aside from the enjoyment factor, an unfitted bike also imposes the risk of accidents and injuries and has the potential to discourage your kid from riding altogether.
Before buying the bike, measure your kid’s height so that it’s easier for you to determine which size would fit him the best. Then, from the frame size to the seat height and the wheel size, consider every little aspect of presenting your kid with the most fitted bike for effective ridings.
Looks
Considering that a balance bike is a children’s bike, its outer look matters. The more colorful and bold the bike is, the more interested a child would be to ride on it and that’s why you should never neglect the appearance while buying.
In recent times, some bikes come with different types of paints and cartoon stickers. So we would suggest you get a bike with your child’s favorite cartoon characters and color schemes to make him more interested in riding than ever before.
Bicycle Weight
The weight of the overall balance bike is also something to keep in mind before making a purchase. That is because, considering the fact that it is a kids’ bike, your child will find it hard to maneuver and control if you get him a bit heavyweight bike.
A heavyweight cycle might be a “killjoy” for your baby when it comes to riding it.
Before buying, remember that the bike's weight should be about 30 percent of the kid’s body weight so that it’s the correct balance between durability and maneuverability. Striking a balance between these two is especially important for those children who are new to balance biking.
Price: How much is a Balance Bicycle?
A balance bike can cost you somewhere between $50 to $500. The price actually depends on the various features and materials and the popularity of the brand.
A bike with amazing features would typically cost more than the ones with ordinary features and that’s why you must know what you are looking for and set the budget accordingly.
However, as a balance bike is a starter bike for kids, we suggest you opt for a less expensive one with adequate safety features. In addition, we advise keeping the budget limited because as the kids are ever-growing, you have to keep grading the bike regularly and a high-end in this case doesn’t seem so cost-effective.
Balance Bicycle Maintenance
Taking the utmost care of a balance bike is super important as it not only provides a phenomenally smooth-riding session for your little kid but at the same time also ensures safe and secure cycling.
Tires
If your balance bike comes with either foam or air tires, then they are virtually maintenance-free and therefore, you won’t have to take care of them much. However, you should clean the tires regularly to prolong their life and let your baby enjoy a smoother riding session.
Check the Bearings
The bearings help to move forward smoothly. These are also responsible for holding the bicycles together and make sure that it doesn’t fall apart. For such reasons, you must always check the bearings before riding.
Experts recommend cleaning and lubricating the moving parts, especially the bearings, to ensure excellent riding sessions for your kid.
Clean and Dry
Washing and cleaning is also an important maintenance aspect to keep in mind always. Wiping down the bicycle will not only remove dirt and dust but will also make it sparking so that your precious one gets more interested in riding on it than ever before.
Warranty Facility
Even though it is a kid’s bike, never neglect to check the warranty. The warranty period indicates how long it will last and how well the manufacturer is committed to providing you the best services.
We would suggest you get one from a reputed company with an extended warranty to ensure phenomenal services.
Essential Accessories
Even though a balance bike is quite safe for the little riders, you must ensure the highest safety for your kid as a parent. And to do that, you can adopt the following so that your baby can enjoy the highest level of safety while riding.
Helmet
A helmet is made from sturdy material that is worn on your head to keep the skull safe and protected from any injuries, especially when you are riding a bike.
Helmet is an essential accessory for your kid who rides a balance bike because he might fall several times and might hurt his head severely during the learning period.
If the kid wears a helmet during the riding sessions, it will give him a sense of security and protect his head from any accidents and mishaps.
Knee and Elbow Pads
Like the helmet, the knee and elbow pads keep the child’s knees and elbows protected from injuries and cuts when he falls down.
Also, as they provide a sense of security to the little one, he is not afraid to fall and therefore, rides the bicycle perfectly to learn to ride fast.
Training Wheels vs. Balance Bicycles
One of the most common dilemmas parents go through before buying, is whether to buy a balance bike or opt for training wheels. We would suggest a balance bike over training wheels any day because:
These are extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver compared to the training wheels. However, the wheels don’t move without a pedaling bike and the pedals and the drivetrain, increasing bike's weight by several notches.
Additionally, the training wheels won’t help teach balance, whereas, as the name suggests, a balance bike is excellent for learning balance and paving the path for exceptional ridings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Tire is Better – Air or Foam? Air vs. Foam Tires
There are mainly two most common types of tires used in balance bikes, foam tires and air tires. Before buying, you might be confused about which to buy and what would be the best for your child.
Here we have discussed both these tire types to understand them better and make a decision accordingly.
- Foam Tires
First, foam tires (or most commonly known as EVA foam tires) are lightweight and easy to maneuver. They are also typically puncture-proof up to the bicycles maximum weight capacity and require very minimal maintenance compared to other types of tires.
Also, as these tires are inexpensive to manufacture, they help to keep the overall price in range so that everyone can afford it.
However, because foam tires provide less traction, they are not suitable for experienced balance bike riders.
- Air (Pneumatic) Tires
On the other hand, air tires provide excellent cushioning. They can absorb shock and impact from the road and surface effectively so that your kid can enjoy a super comfortable ride without hurting their body. They also offer great traction and enable the child to ride off-road effortlessly.
Moreover, similar to foam tires, air tires are also virtually puncture-proof and require low maintenance.
But then again, these tires are not as lightweight as foam tires and might increase the bike’s weight.
How Does a Balance Bicycle Compare to a Tricycle? Balance Bicycles vs. Tricycles
Both the balance and tricycles are kids bicycles. However, this is where the similarities end. While a balance bike teaches your kid to balance the cycle perfectly, a tricycle provides a false sense of security and won’t help the little rider learn to ride effectively.
Since the first step of riding is learning how to balance rather than pedaling, a balance bike successfully serves this purpose. Because there is no pedal or drivetrain involved, the little one will learn to balance more efficiently on this type of bike than any other type out there.
Moreover, the center of gravity for tricycles is much higher than a balance bike, which means that it can easily tip over and cause your baby to experience a greater fall than a balance bike.
Lastly, keeping in mind all the benefits and drawbacks, we would suggest balancing bikes over tricycles any day for your precious little one.
Are Balance Bicycles Good for Toddlers?
The most straightforward answer to this question is yes. Yes, a balance bike is suitable for toddlers. Children can start riding a balance bike around the age of 18-months to two years old.
Riding at such a young age will not only keep them active and healthy but at the same time would also help them learn balance.
What Ages Are Balance Bicycles for?
As it is a kid’s bike. Children from 18 months to 7 years of age are the most suitable riders for a balance bike.
This special kind of bicycle doesn’t have a drivetrain (containing pedals, cranks, etc.), they are much lighter than other kid’s bikes and therefore, are easy to ride and control, even for such young kids.
How Does a Balance Bicycle Work?
The operation of a balance bike is quite simple. Because it doesn’t come with a drivetrain, this special kind of bike is lower to the ground so that it’s super easy for even toddlers to reach the ground with their feet.
To get the cycle moving, a child must push off the ground, start by walking the bike, and slowly progress to running, striding, and gliding. Once your kid is gliding along with the bike independently, you should know that he has learned balance and doesn’t need your assistance any longer.
How Do I Know if My Child’s Bicycle Fits?
The easiest way to tell if the bicycle fits your kid or not is by observing how well your kid can touch the ground. If he can touch the ground and push off the ground with his feet, then be assured that it is a perfect fit for your baby and won’t cause any discomfort or annoyance for him.
Are Balance Bicycles Safe?
Yes, balance bikes are safe for your child. It was designed to be super safe even for toddlers and helps boost their confidence for future riding sessions. However, it doesn’t matter how safe the bike is; we would always recommend wearing a helmet as an additional safety measure.
Wrapping Up
After going through this article thoroughly, we are sure that now you know everything you need to know about how to choose balance bike for your precious little one to teach them how to ride a bike.
We would suggest you take the time to review the specs and features carefully as you shop because you would only want the best for your baby.
