It can also be helpful to take your child somewhere that they can see other kids riding balance bikes. When they see other kids doing it, they realize that it’s not that hard andthey want to be in on the fun! Also bear in mind that you’ll probably have to lift your child’s bike in and out of the car boot or, at the very least, carry it should they get tired, so you’ll thank yourself later for going that little bit lighter. To get the most use out of a balance bike, the best age to start a child is between 18 months and 2.5 years. Starting them young will not only allow them to happily ride their bike independently for all of their toddler years, it will also allow them to move up to a pedal bike by age 3 or 4. 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?

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? The extra wide tires provide plenty of cushioning and traction for cruising through chunky trails, while the proper off-road geo offers room to lean-in while blasting over features at the bike park. The Dirt Hero is one exceptional rig. 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# Before recommending the best balance bikes for toddlers we spent time searching through our Mumsnet forums to find the balance bikes that come most highly recommended by the parents in our community. Expert guidance Safety: Just like the importance of seat belts in a vehicle, a helmet is just as important when riding a bike. While wrist, elbow, and knee pads can save the skin from some serious “boo-boos,” a helmet decreases the risk of head injuries and deaths from bicycle and vehicle accidents. Helmets should cover the top of the forehead, sit parallel to the ground when the head is upright, and stay put if a child shakes their head or moves.With an affordable price combined with great quality, not to mention super lightweight, we think the Vitus Nippy is the best balance bike to buy in 2023. Mumsnetters warn against spending lots on a balance bike as they're used for a relatively short time, and the Nippy hits the sweet spot between performance, quality and price. 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 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 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. What was immediately noticeable compared to our old balance bike was the seat height. With the AIRO the saddle would go lower and he could confidently get going immediately and more comfortably" - Ewen

We have a Hornit balance bike for DS and he absolutely adores it. I do too because it’s super super light for when I inevitably have to end up carrying it sometimes.” (Loved by Mumsnet user Rainallnight) Our verdict The additional weight is worth considering if you're intending to carry it on a regular basis (say home from nursery or pre-school), but our reviewer found the Pinto to be very easy and fun to ride in balance bike mode. Made by folding-bike specialist Tern, the design itself is cleverly thought-out, with a pivot and integrated elastomer bumper providing the Kokua’s additional squish, and a steering limiter stopping the whole assembly ever swerving off course. Weighing it at 2.95kg the AIRO combines a really lightweight bike frame with pneumatic tyres, which means that your Sprog should enjoy a much more comfortable ride than on a cheaper bike with solid tyres.

Halfords Balance Buddy Bike Handle

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.

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: 2-5 years; Frame material: Steel; Tyre type: Pneumatic; Weight: 4.5kg; Additional features: Bell, ergonomic seat 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.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.

We're seeing an increasing number of parents opting for this method of kids bike ownership as it not only takes the hassle out of things every time your child grows but is more environmentally friendly and can be cost effective as well.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. Air tires are better than foam tires. Many tires on balance bikes are made of solid foam rather than rubber filled with air. Foam tires offer no cushioning and less traction than air tires. If you are planning on riding on any surface other than pavement, air tires are a worthy upgrade.