We are bike nuts around here (owning a bike shop and all) so we have lots of experience with bikes for kiddos. I thought I’d share our favorite balance bikes in all price ranges. Whether you are on a budget or ready to spend a premium, I wouldn’t recommend anything we wouldn’t let our own kids ride.
TODDLER BALANCE BIKES : BUDGET
Strider Classic : this is the bike our oldest learned to ride on. It’s lightweight and no-frills but this bike can take a beating. Don’t worry about the EVA foam tires: ours was ridden on the street, off-road and on the beach and we never had to replace them in 2 years. Perfect for the 1-3 year old. It’s the #1 selling balance bike on Amazon for a reason. $89
Mini Glider : the Mini Glider is a step up from the Strider in bells and whistles as it has a hand brake. Although unnecessary for the 1-2 year old, it is a good skill for a 3 year old cyclist to develop. It has the same EVA foam tires as the Strider and the addition of a foot peg for tired feet to rest on. While the peg looks a bit awkward, it is removable. $96
Q: What about cheaper brands? My budget is under $75.
A: My first recommendation is to look on your local Craigslist or Facebook swap sites for the brands mentioned here. Strider is a very popular bike, you will likely find a gently used version you can buy less expensively. If that doesn’t work out, although I have no direct experience with them, you can find $50-70 balance bikes on Amazon with good reviews. Look at Schwinn, Vilano, RoyalBaby, and Tauki.
TODDLER BALANCE BIKES : MODERATE
Stampede Bikes Charger 12 : we highly recommend the 12″ Charger for the 2-4 year old. It has a very natural riding position so kids feel comfortable and confident the moment they sit on it. It also has air tires and a hand brake for future skill development. $119
Burley MyKick : we really like the MyKick for its simple design and not so simple details. It has unique honeycomb tires that are puncture proof, a padded seat, rubber hand grips that don’t tear, aluminum rims and quick release for adjusting the seat. Also – it comes 100% assembled (most balance bikes do not). $119
A few others in this price range: KinderBike, KaZAM, and Strider Sport (an upgrade from the Strider Classic).
TODDLER BALANCE BIKES : PREMIUM
Yedoo TooToo : another favorite for the 1-3+ year old. Similar sizing to the Strider but has much higher quality components plus a hand brake, quick release seat adjust, Kenda air tires and aluminum rims. The seat also adjusts a full 6″, giving lots of room for the TooToo to grow with your child. $149
Woom : customers adore the super lightweight aluminum Woom for toddlers aged 1 to 3. It weighs just 8 pounds. High quality parts and all the bells and whistles : hand brake, quick release seat post, air tires, aluminium wheels. It’s no surprise it has 100% 5 star ratings on Amazon. $199
PRESCHOOLER BALANCE BIKES : BUDGET
Muna 12″ : great for off-road use and recommended for kids ages 3-5 as it is a heavier bike. The Muna is a great value for a bike with hand brakes, air tires and aluminum wheels. $99
PRESCHOOLER BALANCE BIKES : MODERATE
Stampede Bikes Charger 16 : the Charger 16 is a 16″ balance bike but it’s on the small side so it’s a great fit for a tall 3 year old or 4-6 year olds. This bike was our youngest child’s favorite to ride. It’s got bells and whistles (air tires, hand brakes, padded seat, aluminum wheels) and we consider it a best bang for the buck bike. $139
PRESCHOOLER BALANCE BIKES : PREMIUM
Ridgeback Scoot : the Scoot is highly recommended for a 3+ year old and the Ridgeback XL is highly recommended for kids 4+. One of the highlights of this bike is that it has 6+ inches of space for a child to grow so you will get years of riding out of it. $179
Early Rider Alley Runner : the Alley Runner is a rare combo of aluminum and carbon fiber with a riveted faux leather seat and it looks so good. Super lightweight, just 7 pounds. The 12″ air tires on aluminum rims can carry this bike on or off-road. $185
A few others in this price range: Saracen Freewheel and the Ridgeback Dimension.
