Top 5 Best Balance Bikes of 2019
I have a couple of friends who didn’t learn how to ride a bike. Every time I think about them, I say to myself that I will never deprive my children of the opportunity to enjoy such a wonderful experience.
If you’re thinking of purchasing your child’s first bicycle, but are worried that he hasn’t actually trained in one yet, why not consider a balance bike instead? This post will help make sure that you end up buying only the best balance bike available.
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Radio Flyer All-Terrain... | 420 Reviews | from $48.85 | Buy on Amazon |
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Strider - 12 Sport Balance... | 1067 Reviews | from $109.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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woom 1 Balance Bike 12", Ages... | 95 Reviews | from $199.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Chicco Red Bullet Balance... | 649 Reviews | $46.75 | Buy on Amazon |
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Cruzee Ultralite Balance Bike... | 40 Reviews | from $341.21 | Buy on Amazon |
Top 5 Best Balance Bikes Today
Not all balance bikes are the same; some are a bit on the high end, while others are a bit cheaper both in price and quality. It’s really up to you what you wish to pick, but in the end, you need to understand that when it comes to balance bikes, you always get what you pay for. Without further ado, here are our top five picks of the best balance bikes.
#5 Radio Flyer Glide N Go Balance Bike
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Radio Flyer All-Terrain... | 420 Reviews | from $48.85 | Buy on Amazon |
The Glide N Go by Radio Flyer is an excellent choice if you’re on a budget. Unlike most balance bikes around the $50 range, this bike offers good geometry, making it very easy to maneuver. This bike may also seem to have cheap components, but it’s actually solidly built and very comfortable to ride. It comes with 12” pneumatic tires for a smooth ride, plus soft hand grips for control. For added fun, the bike also features a real ringing bell.
What you will love about it:
- It’s very sturdy, but lightweight at the same time.
- The cushion seat and handlebars are adjustable so that the bike grows with your child.
- It’s easy to assemble.
What you may not like about it:
- It doesn’t come with hand brakes and footrests.
#4 Strider Sport Balance Bike
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Strider - 12 Sport Balance... | 1067 Reviews | from $109.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Any parent who’s familiar with a balance bike should be aware that the Strider Balance Bike is the most popular balance bike in the U.S. In fact, the term “Strider” has been used interchangeably with “balance bike” for years now. This bike features flat-free EVA foam tires, adjustable seat and handlebars, and frame-integrated footrests.
The design of this bike is relatively simple, and it only requires a 5-minute assembly and no maintenance at all. What makes the 12 Sport special, though, is that it comes with an XL seat post intended to extend the use of the bike up to 60 months.
What you will love about it:
- It has EVA foam tires that are flat-free and require zero maintenance.
- Owning a Strider automatically makes you a member of the “Strider community.
- Strider bikes come with upgrade kits that allow you to “customize" your ride.
What you may not like about it:
- The foam tires provide limited traction when your child is riding off-road.
#3 WOOM Bikes USA
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woom 1 Balance Bike 12", Ages... | 95 Reviews | from $199.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The WOOM bike is relatively new to the US market, having been released only in 2013. It’s originally from Austria but has made its way to the international market because of its impressive performance. It features tubes made of AL-6061 Aluminum, which is considered the cream of the crop when it comes to bike frames.
It also offers a steering lock limiter, hand brakes, and lightweight alloy rims. With its extremely low entry and high cockpit, it’s one of the best options if you want your child to learn how to ride as soon as he can start walking.
What you will love about it:
- WOOM offers five different sizes of bikes.
- It’s lightweight, making it very comfortable for little children.
- Since it's made of aluminum, it doesn’t rust at all.
What you may not like about it:
- It’s a bit on the high end and more expensive than other bikes in its category.
#2 Chicco Red Bullet
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Chicco Red Bullet Balance... | 649 Reviews | $46.75 | Buy on Amazon |
The Chicco Red Bullet is the perfect choice if you already have a child who’s over two years old because this bike is specifically intended for kids three years old and above. It has a very straightforward design and doesn’t include add-ons such as bells and hand brakes.
It offers puncture-resistant tires that are both soft and lightweight, plus a nicely padded adjustable seat that provides comfort even on rough terrains. Made of lightweight metal, the frame is very durable and could support up to 55 lbs. of weight.
What you will love about it:
- The handlebars are wide for better steering and are fully rotatable.
- The puncture-resistant tires give you peace of mind that your child can ride on any terrain.
- The bike is lightweight, compact, and easy to assemble.
What you may not like about it:
- It’s out of the question if you have a child under three years old.
#1 Cruzee UltraLite
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Cruzee Ultralite Balance Bike... | 40 Reviews | from $341.21 | Buy on Amazon |
At only around 4 pounds, the Cruzee UltraLite is considered the lightest balance bike in the world. It features a rust-free anodized aluminum frame, making it not only good-looking but top notch in quality as well. It also provides comfortable hand grips, as well as a super comfy seat, and low-profile axle bolts and flat-free foam rubber tires. Designed for children 18 months to 5 years old, this bike comes with an adjustable seat and handlebar.
What you will love about it:
- It’s so light you can take it anywhere with you.
- It’s one of the best-looking balance bikes around with its anodized aluminum finish.
- It comes with a lifetime warranty.
What you may not like about it:
- It doesn’t come with a handbrake.
Our Pick Of Balance Bike
There’s no question that all of the bikes in this lineup are great performers. They can all do what they’re supposed to do, and that is to prepare toddlers for learning how to ride an actual bicycle. Among the five, however, our vote for the best balance bike goes to the WOOM Balance Bike.
It’s the most expensive balance bike on our list, but like what every parent I know who owns the bike always says, this bike is worth every penny. While also very commendable, The Cruzee UltraLite comes in second place only, because unlike the WOOM, it doesn’t come with a hand brake, which we believe is very crucial in any two-wheel vehicle.
Another advantage of the WOOM is its low entry, making it an excellent choice for very young learners. If the price is not an issue for you, and if you’re looking for a bike that can offer both top-notch quality and performance, then we highly recommend the WOOM balance bike.
Meanwhile, here’s a thorough video review on our top pick:
What Is A Balance Bike?
- Most of us grew up with a bike in our homes or at least knew someone who had one. When it comes to balance bikes, however, not a lot of us are familiar with the thing. Balance bikes have been around since the 1800s and are actually the predecessor of our modern-day bicycles. They bounced back to popularity about a decade ago, and since then, their sales just kept on growing year after year.
- A balance bike is basically a bicycle without a pedal and a drivetrain. It’s also smaller and is designed for small kids (18 months to five years), for whom regular bicycles are not available.
- Today, more and more parents are letting their children skip the tricycle and the training wheels altogether. With a balance bike, kids can develop balance and coordination without having to worry about pedaling, a skill that comes from a different part of the brain that balancing comes from.
- And with a balance bike, they can learn faster, and switch to a regular bike eventually with more ease. Moreover, they’ll find the pedaling motion to come more naturally once they have figured out the balancing part.
When Can My Child Start Riding A Balance Bike?
We’ve already hinted the right age that a child can start learning how to ride a balance bike, which is around 18 months to five years. This is the time that kids start making significant leaps in balance and coordination and is definitely the best time to let them experience riding a bicycle.
One of the major advantages of a balance bike is that unlike training wheels, children can hop on the bike and start scooting around on their own. Of course, it’s crucial that you as the parent should watch over your child as he practices for the first time.
However, a balance bike is relatively safe since it allows your child to concentrate on one thing at a time. And while there is no one-size-fits-all kind of balance bike, your child should be safe on it as long as it’s sized so that he can put both of his feet comfortably on the ground, but high enough to allow him to lift his feet and glide.
3 Advantage Of A Balance Bike Over Training Wheels
- By now you should have realized that your child can skip the training wheels. A balance bike is enough to prepare kids to ride a standard bike because it can teach them how to balance without any support aside from their feet. And unlike a bike with training wheels, a balance bike can easily glide through any terrain without getting stuck on uneven surfaces. Training wheels also delay a child’s ability to ride a bike unbalanced, and in worst cases, hinder a child’s desire to ride an actual bicycle.
- Some parents would argue that their kids could just go straight to a regular bike. There is no problem with doing that, but kids in the learning stage are still not big and strong enough to properly control a bicycle with pedals. Since a balance bike is designed for toddlers and children who want to learn how to ride a bike, you can rest assured that your child will learn the way he’s intended to.
- And since your child can transition directly from it to a normal bicycle, you’ll save a lot of time and money in the long run.
6 Features To Look For In A Balance Bike
Size. It’s a misconception that balance bikes are a “one-size-fits-all” vehicle. When choosing a balance bike, keep in mind that the same bike will not fit a two-year-old and six-year-old. Purchase a bike with a seat height of at least two inches above your child’s inseam. This will give your child 2 to 3 more years to outgrow his bike.
Weight. Some bikes are heavier than others. Pick a bike that weighs no more than 30% of your child’s weight, so that he’ll be able to maneuver the bike with ease.
Tire Types. The five basic types of balance bike tires are air, rubber, plastic, foam, and big apple. I won’t go into the details of each of these, but if you want an all-around tire, go for air or pneumatic tires. If you want something that will never go flat, then EVA foam tires are your choice. Hard plastic tires are the cheapest among the five, but they are also the lowest in quality.
Brakes. Lower-end bikes do not feature hand brakes. While the rider’s feet are the main source of stopping when it comes to balance bikes, a hand brake can help save your child’s shoes and even prevent potential injuries.
Hand Grips. Hand grips may seem to be minor considerations, but a good balance bike should have protective bumpers on the grips to protect your child’s hands from injuries in case of a fall.
Frame. Balance bikes may come in wood, metal alloy, or composite frames. While wood may seem good to look at, the best choice of frame material would be aluminum alloy since it’s the most durable and the safest.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Radio Flyer All-Terrain... | 420 Reviews | from $48.85 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Strider - 12 Sport Balance... | 1067 Reviews | from $109.99 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
woom 1 Balance Bike 12", Ages... | 95 Reviews | from $199.00 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Chicco Red Bullet Balance... | 649 Reviews | $46.75 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Cruzee Ultralite Balance Bike... | 40 Reviews | from $341.21 | Buy on Amazon |
Do you agree with our pick of the best balance bike? Please let us know your thoughts by leaving your comments below. And as always, please don’t forget to click on any of the share buttons to spread the word. Thank you!