Balance Bikes for Kids – The Perfect Two Wheel Start for Bike Riders of Tomorrow

Play, fun and exercise are the best and most effective ways for children to learn new things. Cycling is no different. Balance bikes for kids are therefore not only a preparation to children's bikes, but also a wonderful way to give active children the joy of trying things out and going on rampage. Unlike a conventional bike, the children's balance bike has no pedals or brakes. Instead, your kid intuitively pushes off the ground with their feet to move forward. The constant contact with the ground means they stay in control and can brake faster with both feet.

Kids learn to ride a bike in a playful and intuitive way with these so-called baby walkers. At the same time, they train a number of motor skills, such as balance and coordination. In general, the little ones develop a better body awareness and can react more quickly – whether they need to stop or swerve. All in all, children's balance bikes are therefore an important and useful building block for helping children to act and think independently and act confidently. Children who ride balance bikes will find easier access to cycling when they are grown-up and can usually start riding without training wheels. And they learn to assess movements and speeds at an early age.

The point at which children can start riding a balance bike depends largely on the toddler itself. The individual developmental stage of the kid is much more important than their age. Balance bikes are already available for children who have only just learned to walk at the age of one. These also called walkers are usually equipped with four wheels, so the sense of balance is not so important at first. Balance bikes with two wheels have proven their worth for children aged two or three. Tricycles are ideal so that the toddler can pedal independently for the first time. They can practise riding forwards and backwards independently and thus learn how to combine several movements.

However, the child's curiosity, willingness and motor skills should be the decisive criteria for a balance bike rather than their age. Your kid should be able to stand securely and hold the bike independently. It is a basic requirement that both feet touch the ground so that your kid can push off from the ground. It is at least as important that your kid never feels under pressure and that they can always decide for themselves whether they want to ride the balance bike or not.

As mentioned above, children's balance bikes are available in different versions. Below we have listed the most important types of balance bikes for kids.

• Baby Walker: Equipped with four wheels. Specially developed to make it easier for the youngest toddlers to get started with mobility.
• Tricycle: Balance bikes with 3 wheels. Requires a more complex movement sequence than baby walkers and thus helps to improve coordination.
• Balance bike: Equipped with two wheels. Similar to a classic bicycle, but without brakes and pedals. A classic here are PUKY balance bikes.

Balance bikes are a preliminary stage to children's bikes. So that the little ones don't have to learn too much at once, balance bikes therefore come with reduced features. We have listed them below to give you an overview.

• Frame: The frame of children's balance bikes can be made of metal, plastic or wood. The entry point of balance bikes is often slightly lower to make it easier to get on and off. A footboard makes getting on and off even easier.
• Handlebars: Thanks to comfortable and non-slip handlebar grips, your kid has a firm grip on the balance bike without accidentally slipping off. A steering turn limiter ensures that the handlebars do not overturn and the balance bike does not tip over. Smaller children in particular, who do not yet have such a good feel for cornering, benefit from this feature.
• Saddle: A comfortable and ergonomic saddle provides your toddler with seating comfort and a secure grip so that they can enjoy longer bike rides. If the saddle is height-adjustable, the balance bike can grow with your child and be used for several years.
• Tires: Rubber tires filled with air usually ensure a good riding feel. Bumps are smoothed out so that your kid's joints are protected. There are also balance bikes with solid rubber tires, which are more robust and cannot be damaged by sharp objects, but they are not as softly sprung. Children's balance bikes with solid tires are therefore more suitable for smooth surfaces.
• Brakes: The best way for little riders to stop a balance bike is to use their feet. Especially when they are still learning their coordination skills, a brake could make them feel insecure. Especially as they often do not have the necessary strength to apply the brake. Brakes on a bike make sense for children from the age of three to gradually prepare them for their first real kid's bike.

Whether your child's balance bike should be made of aluminium, steel, carbon or magnesium depends on your personal preferences. More important than the material itself may be the quality and workmanship of the children's balance bike to provide your kids a safe ride.

The following types are available:

• Metal balance bikes: Balance bikes made of aluminium or steel metal are the most common. The design and construction differ from bike to bike. They are also available in the most colorful and modern paint finishes. In terms of equipment, there are also balance bikes with and without brakes, reflectors, bells and kickstands. Top dogs are Early Rider, Cannondale and Shotgun balance bikes.
• Plastic balance bikes: Balance bikes made of plastic or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic are designed for lightness and are therefore particularly handy – when picking up, holding in place, starting off, pushing, stopping and parking. The lighter your child is, the more you should pay attention to the weight of the balance bike.  If this sound interesting to you, please take a look at balance bikes from Specialized.
• Carbon balance bikes: Parents with a passion for cycling will love the high-end material carbon. High-quality materials, chic designs, minimal weight and optimized geometry make a carbon wheel a real eye-catcher.

Balance bike 12-inch and balance bike 14-inch models are the most common balance bike sizes. These models are recommended balance bikes for 2-year-old and at least 80 centimeters tall children. The motor skills are usually sufficiently developed at this point, so it is worth investing in a balance bike.

To find the right size for your kid, inseam length and height are the most important factors. A matching inseam length is important because your kid should be able to place both feet on the ground in a seated position and push off. In short: If the saddle is too high, your child will not be able to get their feet on the ground. If the saddle is set too low, your kid will find it difficult to start riding. The optimum balance bike size is found when both legs are slightly bent when seated.

As children grow quickly, the majority of balance bikes are designed so that the balance bike can grow with them. The handlebars and saddle height can then be adjusted and adapted to your kid's size.

When it comes to balance bikes for children, manufacturers make sure that the construction is safe for wild young guns at all times and ideal for small children's hands. A wide wheelbase provides more stability, soft and non-slip handlebar grips for more grip and a steering turn limiter for increased tipping stability. To ensure maximum safety, the balance bike should always be adapted to the size of the child. An adjustable, ergonomic saddle and height-adjustable handlebar make this possible.

Before the first ride can begin, parents should tighten all the screws again and equip their kid with a helmet. A kid's helmet should be as much a part of cycling as tomato sauce with spaghetti. So, get them used to it right from the start. Young children in particular do not yet react intuitively enough to catch themselves properly in the event of a fall. Even on hills or faster rides, the youngest riders sometimes overestimate themselves, which is why falls are part of the learning process. A helmet and, if necessary, protectors are therefore particularly advisable.

With a balance bike, children can improve their sense of balance and muscle strength. Learning balance bikes with two wheels in particular give your kid a feel for riding and make it easier for them later on. It also gives your child their first experience of riding independently and being able to keep up with mom and dad on walks.

Are you thinking about buying your kid a balance bike? But you're still wondering which balance bike your little one will enjoy for as long as possible? Finally, we have summarized for you the most important buying criteria.

• Whether your kid can already ride a balance bike depends on them individually. Most important thing is whether they have the curiosity and desire to ride a balance bike.
• If your child can walk safely and has a certain amount of body awareness, it is highly likely that they will enjoy balance bike riding.
• With a balance bike, your kid trains their sense of balance, muscle strength and motor skills.
• Children's balance bikes are available in metal, wood or plastic. Your own preferences and requirements in terms of material and design determine the choice.
• We recommend you to measure your kid's inseam length and height to find the right balance bike model.
• If you want the balance bike to grow with your kid, make sure that the handlebars and saddle are height-adjustable. When adjusting, you should adjust the handlebars and saddle proportionally so that your kid has a good sitting position.
• There are bikes with and without brakes. Depending on whether you are riding on flat or steeper terrain, a brake may be more or less necessary. For smaller children, it is better to use balance bikes without brakes so as not to overtax the child.
• A balance bike is the perfect training device for active children to gain their first experience and skills for cycling.