Everything About Balance Bikes – 10 Best Balance Bikes for Kids

The skill of riding a bicycle is not only fun but also helpful in many ways. It is a good mode of transport and an excellent form of exercise while enjoying the view when riding. For children, it is a great way to develop their motor skills and to keep them active. Learning to ride the bicycle for children however is not as easy as how adults learn it. Furthermore, a bicycle may not be suitable and may not even fit children especially those of young age. The good news is that there’s a substitute for the bicycle for kids – the balance bike.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the balance bike. Furthermore, we’ll provide you with tips and tricks on how you can motivate children to ride the balance bike, and some ways on how they can make riding more fun and enjoyable.

We’ll also provide you with a list of the best balance bikes today recommended for children of any age and any budget.

So, without further ado, let’s get right to it.

What is a balance bike?

The balance bike is a miniature version of a bicycle but doesn’t have components such as pedals, gears, and brakes (but can be installed with one). Also, it doesn’t have training wheels to keep the bike self-standing. To keep the bike moving, the rider needs to push or kick the ground with the feet. To stop the bike, the rider simply needs to use the feet as well. This way of riding the balance bike is like riding the vehicles from the Flintstones that use feet. The purpose of using the feet to perform the starts and stops is to develop the sense of balance of the child and to keep them actively using their feet. By using the feet, the child has better control of their desired speed, and brakes would be done in an instant without delays.

Balance bikes can be made from light materials such as plastic, aluminum alloy, and even wood. Ideal for ages 18 months and above and can also be modified to suit older ages by raising the seat or changing the wheels with bigger sizes.

Compared to other toys and rides such as the bicycle and scooter, the balance bike provides a safe, fun, and physically engaging riding experience to children.

What is the purpose of a balance bike?

As mentioned earlier, the balance bike is a good way to prepare children for the day when they would ride a bicycle. However, there are also many other purposes for the bike. Here are a few of those:

Motor Skills Development

Probably the most prominent and most important purpose of the balance bike is to help kids develop their motor skills at a young age. By developing motor skills at a young age, the child gains better mobility, balance, coordination, muscle strength, endurance, and improved health and well-being. Motor skills also help the child to prevent injuries.

Preparation for Riding the Bicycle

The next purpose of the balance bike is to prepare the child for his or her transition to a bicycle or pedal bike. Learning to ride a bicycle or pedal bike is not an easy task. While it can be tedious, it also poses dangers to the rider. Learning to ride the bicycle without prior training and preparation can cause accidents and injuries. However, learning to ride a balance bike before learning to ride a pedal bike can greatly reduce the chances of getting any injuries and accidents during learning.

Exercise

Many children these days are overweight and some don’t even have time to exercise and even go for walks. The lack of exercise can lead not only to obesity but also to many other unfavorable health conditions. With a balance bike, what children perceive as ‘fun’ is something that can help them exercise their bodies. Furthermore, allowing children to play and ride their balance bikes can help drain their energy – something which children need to do to sleep.

Builds Confidence

One thing that riding a bike gives to a rider is self-confidence. Learning how to ride a bike takes time, patience, skills, and hard work. And when the skill has been learned, it gives the person a feeling that he or she has achieved something great. Teaching children to build self-confidence gives them a push towards everything they will do in life later on.

Better Outdoor Experience

Another good reason to ride the balance bike is that it enables the rider to enjoy the outdoors. Many children these days are cooped up indoors for the reason that walking or running simply makes them feel tired and feeling uninterested. With a balance bike, however, they can enjoy the outdoors without getting too exhausted while still having fun.

Safer to Use

Compared to a bicycle or a scooter, the balance bike is much safer to use for children – especially for young ones. Balance bikes have smaller frames that are manageable for kids, much lighter, and don’t have components or parts that can cause injuries and accidents to the child.

What Is the Best Age for A Balance Bike?

When it comes to the ideal age to when a child can ride a balance bike, there are many factors involved. Among them is the child’s ability to learn new skills. Every child is unique from the other – while one child can learn fast, the other may require more time to learn.

Furthermore, the ideal age for learning to ride the balance bike will depend on which particular skill is being learned. These skills are as follows:

• Standing and walking – when learning the balance bike, the first skill to learn would be to stand on top of the bike with both legs planted on the ground. After learning how to stand with both legs at the sides of the bike, the child then needs to learn how to walk. Ideal ages for learning these skills are around two to three years old. Depending on the child’s ability to learn these skills, it may take a few months to years.

• Sitting and walking – skills that are also learned when riding the balance bike, sitting and walking can be a complex things to learn for children who are too young. The ideal age for learning such skills is around 2-3 years old.

• Sitting, running, and balancing – now sitting, at the same time running, and balancing is a complicated set of skills that requires better understanding, experience, and good motor skills. For these skills to be learned, children should already have a good understanding of what they are doing. Ideal ages for learning such skills are around 3 to 5 years old.

• Sitting, Running, Balancing, and Gliding – when it comes to all the necessary skills to ride the balance bike, the child should understand everything that is involved – from balancing, the right way to steer and stop, right speeds, and others. For this, the child should be old enough to understand all these things. The ideal age for learning such skills is also around 3 to 5 years old.

As soon as all skills are developed from riding the balance bike, the child is now ready to transition to riding the bicycle or pedal bike.

10 Best balance bikes for kids

Now that we’ve come to know all about balance bikes, let’s check out the best choices in the market today. these choices of balance bikes are carefully handpicked according to strict criteria such as safety, durability, cost, features, material, and even reviews from users.

1. Strider balance bike

First on our list of recommended balance bikes for kids is the Strider balance bike. The brand itself takes pride in its bikes that are designed simple, lightweight, child-friendly, and maintenance-free. Its alloy steel frame provides optimum durability which ensures that the bike lasts for a long time and can withstand pressure and external elements such as moisture, sun, and snow.

It has a total weight of 3 kgs which makes it easy to carry and store anywhere and anytime. Ideal for children with ages 18 months to 5 years, and can carry weights of 25 to 35 kgs. The leg reach from the seat to the ground is approximately 30cm to 51cm inseam with a little adjustment depending on the height of the seat which can be raised to 40 cm.

The tires of this bike are made from highly durable foam material which offers excellent cushioning for smooth rides. The tires also come with treads for solid grip on any ground surface. The best thing about this quality of tires compared to the tube tires is that it doesn’t deflate or wear down even when punctured.

The seat and saddle come with adjustable settings that enable your child to grow with his or her balance bike. Other features of the bike include footrests, a padded handlebar cover, a soft saddle, and rubber grips.

2. Kazam balance bike

If you’re looking for a unique design as well as a wide array of color choices out of your balance bike then the Kazam balance bike can be a good option to consider. Furthermore, this bike offers the option to choose between a foam tire and an air-inflated tire, and also a choice between two varying frame designs. The array of multiple options that the Kazam balance bike has to offer makes it among the most preferred balance bike, especially for children with specific preferences out of their bike. Compared to other balance bikes on this list, this bike is among the cheapest with each bike not costing more than $100. This budget bike is a bit heavier than most of the bikes mentioned on this list, having a total weight of 3 to 5 kgs which is still fairly manageable for children.

The Kazam balance bike is designed primarily to teach the child to master balancing before actually pedaling. Ideal for children in the ages 3 to 5 years old but can also be used by 6-year-olds as the seat can be raised to suit the height and leg-reach preference of the child. What’s unique about this bike in this list is its footrest which allows the child to rest his or her feet whenever the bike is moving. The footrest is also quite spacious to serve as a passenger seat.

Despite its rather traditional bike look, it does not fall behind when it comes to material quality, durability, and features.

3.  Chillafish balance bike

If you prefer a more modern look with cool amazing features out of the balance bike for your child then the Chillafish BMXie 2 is a great option to consider. It is designed with a BMX-style frame having oversized tubes that makes the bike look like a miniature adult BMX bike. While it helps children develop their sense of balance, it also prepares them for the pedal bike.

Made from durable reinvoiced plastic which makes it among the lightest bikes in this list – easy to manage for kids, easy to carry, and easy to store. Although made from light plastic, the bike is guaranteed optimum durability that can withstand pressure and external factors such as wind, water, ice, and sun.

It comes with an airless pair of tires that doesn’t require maintenance, along with tire treads for perfect grip on any kind of ground surface. This bike is more of the average choice of balance bike with a seat height of 32 cm to 39 cm and is recommended for children between ages 2 to 5 years.
The bike comes with a footrest to provide comfort for the legs when riding continuously. Furthermore, it is designed with a foot brake for smooth stops, especially when riding downhill.

Cons

• Made from plastic.
• Integrated footbrake and foot rest can get in the way for beginners.
• Non-adjustable handlebar.

4. Strider 12 sport balance bike

A specific model of the Strider balance bike series which is loved by many is the Strider 12 Sport. This is for the reason that while it has all the best features of a balance bike from Strider, it offers the most comfort and convenience for kids when riding. Just like its predecessors, the Strider 12 sport comes with an array of color choices, frames, and added features. The brand itself is a recommended name when it comes to experienced and trusted providers of balance bikes for kids.

Ideal for children between 4 to 5 years of age, this balance bike features a patented frame that guaranteed durability and lightness. Just like most Strider balance bikes, the Sport series feature puncture-resistant tires made from foam which relieves any maintenance work for the tires.

The bike can still be used as the child ages because of the adjustable seat and handlebars. It even has its built-in footrest to give comfort to the feet when riding continuously. Furthermore, the balance bike seat can be raised from 11 inches to 19 inches without using any tool, and it comes with an inseam measurement of 12 inches to 20 inches in various leg lengths.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Requires assembly.
• Not ideal for beginners.

5. Velo balance bike

Another cool balance bike that you can consider is the Velo balance bike with its modern and cool design. It comes with an aluminum frame that is both durable to withstand impact and pressure, and also lightweight. Among the unique things about the Velo balance bike is its rubber over-mold wheels that provide excellent comfort and grip to any kind of ground surface. Furthermore, the tires are airless which means you don’t have to bother with punctures or any diligent maintenance.

Compared to the other modern balance bikes, the Velo bike has higher ground clearance which means that the frame and other parts of the bike don’t sag on the ground, especially on humps. It even has a comfortable beam saddle which enables the rider to slide closer to the handlebar without the need to adjust or reset the saddle. With the beam saddle, younger riders can simply move in closer to the handlebar for better reach, and older riders can also move back for better arm stretch to the handlebar.

Ideal for children with ages 18 months to 5 years old with heights between 27.5 inches to 37.5 inches. Seat height can be adjusted to heights of 11 to 14 inches along with the handlebars. Lastly, this bike is popular because of its interchangeable rear tires which can be set to single tire or dual tire. The dual tire enables the bike to stand on its own thus providing better balancing practice for beginners while the single tire is more of the advanced kind of tire.

Cons

• Other components are made from plastic.
• Too small for bigger riders.
• Expensive.

6. Radio flyer balance bike

Another excellent balance bike that can help children develop their gross motor, as well as spatial skills, is the Radio Flyer Balance bike. Looking at this balance bike alone gives the feel of a small BMX pedal bike – without the pedal. It comes with all the basic features of a regular pedal bike such as the adjustable seat height, adjustable handlebars, a ringing bell, and inflatable tires. Compared to other balance bikes available in this list, the Radio Flyer balance bike is only the one that boasts an inflatable set of tires. With its inflatable tires, riding on rough ground surfaces doesn’t cause too many vibrations.

It is designed with a durable and light frame which makes the bike easy to manage for kids. Ideal for kids ages 2 to 5 years. The adjustable seat can be raised to a height that matches the height of the child as he or she grows.

The 12-inch pneumatic tires are also designed with tire treads that grip and hold firmly to the ground surface. It comes with a total weight of 6.6 lbs and can accommodate weights of up to 50 lbs. Furthermore, the brand Radio Flyer is a popular name when it comes to bikes thus finding replacement parts as well repair stations are not hard to find.

Cons

• Requires assembly.
• Air tires require constant maintenance.
• Not ideal for smaller kids with small leg reach.

7. Woom balance bike

If you want a balance bike that almost seems like the real thing, then the Woom balance bike is a great option to consider. This balance bike is designed with durability and performance in mind. Its frame is made from alloy weighing only 6.6 lbs which is very much manageable for kids who are transitioning to pedal bikes. The frame is not too small and at the same time not too big, ideal for ages 18 months to 3 years old with an inseam length of 11 inches to 15 inches.

This balance bike is designed with a higher handlebar compared to others on this list. This is to ensure that the child is always seating upright and to prevent back pains and strain from reaching a handlebar that is too low and too far. Furthermore, the handlebars are much wider compared to other balance bike handlebars to give better control. It also comes with ergonomic handle grips for added comfort to the hands and better maneuverability.

Unlike other balance bikes, the Woom balance bike is designed with a single handle brake. This is designed to teach children to rely on the brake lever when stopping instead of stopping with their feet. While brakes give better stopping power and speed, it also helps the child develop his or her body coordination.

Cons

• Limited seat post height.
• Air tires require constant maintenance and upkeep.

8. Schwinn balance bike

Among the oldest names in the bicycle industry is Schwinn which was founded in 1895. It has an established reputation of being a provider of the best and most durable bicycles in the industry. It is a trusted name that provides all assortments of bicycles such as road bikes, mountain bikes, touring bikes, BMX, Cruiser, and many others. It also takes pride in its balance bikes which are quite popular on their own among its competitions.

The look of the Schwinn balance bike immediately gives off a feel of a miniature mountain bike. It comes with a pair of pneumatic tires that are excellent in eliminating vibrations when riding on rough terrains and surfaces. The handlebar and the seat can be raised to a level that can provide comfort and convenience for the rider. Ideal for children with ages 2 to 5 years, the available height adjustments enable the bike to grow the child. As the child learns to balance, he or she can have his or her footrest on the footrest while the bike is running – no better way to prepare the child for a pedal bike.

Cons

• Small seat height adjustment.
• Less traction on tires.

9. Bixe balance bike

For children who are a bit older than 4 years old and yet to learn the pedal bike, a good balance bike to consider is the Bixe balance bike. It is among the tallest and biggest balance bikes on this list. Despite its size, however, it is impressively light and also durable. This budget bike weighs as little as 11 lbs for the 16” model, and 4 lbs for the 12” model, and can carry weights of 60 to 150 lbs.

One thing that is quite noticeable about this balance bike is its BMX design and height. Furthermore, the seat height can be adjusted along with the handlebar. With these features, the bike can grow old with the child.

The Bixe balance bike is also equipped with a footrest that allows the rider to rest their feet on the sides of the bike while moving. Furthermore, the padded seat and saddle, along with the ergonomic handle provide better comfort, convenience, and control. It also comes with pneumatic air tires to relieve shock or vibrations from rough terrains or ground surfaces.

Cons

• No handbrake.
•Adjusting the components requires tools and equipment.
• Limited height of seat.

10. Retrospec balance bike

The Retrospec balance bike is also a popular choice for beginners. Ideal for ages 20 months to 5 years old, this balance bike is both child-friendly and reliable in not only teaching the child the fundamentals of balancing but also in preparing the child to transition to a pedal bike.

It is designed with an adjustable seat and handles to provide comfort and convenience to growing children. The seat height can be adjusted from 12.5 inches to 16 inches depending on the child’s preference. The frame is designed to be low to allow for easy mounting for the child. Also, the bike comes with a footrest were to rest the foot when riding the bike continuously.

Although the frame is a bit heavier than the other bikes mentioned in this list – having 9.2 lbs, it does not stay behind when it comes to durability and performance. Also, the bike can carry as much as 30 lbs of weight from the rider. It also has a set of foam tires that don’t get deflated when punctured. The best thing about foam tires is that they don’t require maintenance.

Cons

• Large footrest can get in the way when striding.
• Heavier than other balance bikes.

3 Best Balance Bikes with Pedals

Balance bikes with pedals are just the normal bike with pedals. But what we’re trying to find is a bike that is good for kids. For this purpose, the ideal bike to find would be a balance bike that is convertible to a pedal bike. Listed below are three of our most recommended balance bikes with pedals or convertible bikes – from balance bike to pedal bike.

1. BIKEBOY Balance Bike 2 in 1

First on our list of top convertible bikes is the Bikeboy balance 2 in 1. It is a loved bike simply because it can be turned from a balance bike to a pedal bike with just using minimal effort. Furthermore, the bike can be installed with trainers to make learning how to balance safer and more effective. This bike uses a pair of pneumatic tires which makes every ride smooth and with less vibration. Tire sizes can vary from 12, 14, and 16 inches, and are also available in various colors.

This is an ideal convertible bike for ages 3 to 8 years old. As the child ages, the seat and handle can be adjusted to match the height and reach requirements of the child. Seat height can be adjusted from 44 cm to 54 cm according to the desired leg reach and comfort of the child.

It is made from carbon steel which makes it tough and durable to withstand pressure, loads, and even wear and tear. It is even designed with a 360-steering capability and a hand brake on one handle for smooth stops.

Installing each part such as the pedal, foot bracket, tire inflator, and the brake is easy and doesn’t require tools.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Chain may loosen upon frequent dismantling.

2. SmarTrike Xtend 3-in-1

Another great balance bike that can be converted to a pedal bike is the SmartTrike Xtend 3-in-1. This bike can start from a balance bike to a pedal bike, and also to a bike that extends its frame to make the bike bigger and longer for growing kids. It is ideal for children with ages 3 to 7 years and it has two models – the 14 inch and 16-inch models.

What sets this bike from other bikes in this list is that its frame is made from lite magnesium which is far more durable than other bike frame materials. It has a total weight of 8.2 kg and can carry weights of more than 4 times its weight. As the child grows, the frame can simply be extended to provide better reach toward the handlebar.

It has an adjustable seat height of 47 cm to 59 cm to accommodate the growing height of the child. Also, it comes with a pair of handle brakes for smooth brakes. It uses the disc brake system for that quick and smooth brake every time. It comes with foam tires which means there’s no need for frequently checking for air on the tires.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Heavy.
• Requires assembly.

3. Little Tikes My First Balance-to-Pedal Bike

Last on our list of best balance bikes with the pedal is the Little Tikes My First Balance-to-Pedal Bike. This bike teaches children to transition from balance bikes to pedal bikes at a fast rate. What’s unique about this bike is that the pedals easily fold in place using an Allen wrench to convert it into a balance bike. Ideal for ages 3 to 5 years old, this bike weighs 13 lbs and can carry loads of as much as 50 lbs.

The tires are made from foam which means there’s no need to constantly check the tire for air and no need to worry about punctures when riding. It also has an adjustable seat that raises from 14.25 inches to 17 inches depending on the height of the child. In addition, the handlebar can also be raised to a level that gives comfort to the child – it can be raised from 25 inches to 27 inches.

The Little Tikes My First Balance-to-Pedal Bike is also equipped with a chain guard to keep harmful elements such as moisture and dirt off the chain.

Cons

• No brakes.
• Requires assembly.
• With chain guard.

How To Use A Balance Bike

If you are a parent and a bike enthusiast, you probably felt the need to teach your child the fun and joy that riding a bike brings. Furthermore, teaching a child how to ride a bike develops their motor skills as well as self-confidence. So, if you’re looking to teach your child to ride a bike, the best way to start would be to use a balance bike. Here’s how to do it.

4 Steps to Riding a Balance Bike

If you’re teaching a child to ride a balance bike, you’ll have to focus on 4 major steps which include standing and walking, sitting and walking, sitting-running and balancing, then sit-run and glide.

Step 1: Standing and walking

The first thing that should be mastered for riding a balance bike is to stand on the bike frame. Children, especially those below 3 years old may have difficulty with what the bike is for and how it works. Getting the child to stand on the bike frame will enable them to be curious about what to do next.

Have them put their hands on the handlebars and have them walk for a few distances. You don’t even need to let the child sit down on the saddle. Simply let them walk to have a feel of holding the handlebar and at the same time using their feet to move forward.

Depending on the learning capability of the child, learning to stand and walk with the balance bike can take days, weeks, and even months. What’s important is consistency and frequency – the more the child practices, the better results will be.
For this step, it is helpful to demonstrate how it should be done.

Step 2. Sitting and Walking

After the child learns how to stand on the bike frame and walk with the bike, he or she can then proceed with sitting on the seat and at the same time walking for movement. Have the child sit on the bike and make small steps using his or her foot on the ground.

At first, the child may feel the challenge of being out of balance when sitting and walking especially when it’s time to lift one foot to make a step. The child may even trip and fall at first however it is through practice and encouragement from the parent which will help him overcome this obstacle.

At this stage, the child is getting an idea of the purpose of the balance bike and is becoming more engaged or interested in keeping the bike moving while sitting. This feeling draws the child into doing the third step on their own which is to sit, run and balance.

Step 3. Sitting, Running and Balancing

From the second step, the child begins to want more than just to sit and walk. He or she then starts to pick up the pace by running. At this stage, the parent or the guardian should be able to keep up with the child as they run with the bike to prevent falling and any accidents or injuries.

This stage is done by the child on his own. The child will run while sitting on the bike if he or she wants more momentum or speed. However, the child will simply walk while sitting if he or she feels that he’s not ready for running. In any case, the parent should let the child decide when it’s time to run or not.

If the child runs while sitting on the bike, prepare to chase after them to catch if they fall. Running will enable the child to have a better feel of balancing the bike while moving. A bike that runs slow is harder to balance due to gravity from both sides of the bike, however, a bike that runs fast has more force toward the front which requires less balancing. So, the child will notice that running can allow balancing the bike.

In this step, it is important to ride in an open area where there are no obstacles, and that the ground is even or at the level. This step is quite easy to learn since it is similar to the second step, and usually takes only a few days to a few weeks.

Step 4. Sitting, Running and Gliding

Now comes the final step of the process – to sit while running and to glide at the same time. Gliding simply means taking long strides while balancing the bike momentarily. This will step will also be the sign that the child is ready to transition to a pedal bike.

At this stage, the child already has a good grasp of balancing a bike and already knows how to manage speeds and how to control his or her brakes. When the child is at this stage, it is best to slowly incorporate the features and functions of a pedal bike. Start by letting the child use the footrest to give him or her a feel of using a pedal and to let the child balance the bike without having the feet on the ground. Also, set up the brakes if not already included in the balance bike for the child to practice controlling the brakes.

Additional notes

As the child learns how to ride the balance bike, it is also important to consider these few things.

How To Stop

Apart from moving, the child will also need to learn when to stop when riding a bike. Stopping a balance bike simply involves using the heel of their feet on the ground. Depending on the speed of the bike, the child needs to control how he or she plants his feet on the ground. Preferably, a stomping action is required to make slow stops when riding a balance bike.

For balance bikes using a handbrake, simply press or grip the brake lever or control to stop. Smooth and sudden stops can be made by either gripping the brake control softly or firmly.

How To Fall

Falling from the bike is pretty much normal during the learning stage, however there is a right way of falling off a bike to avoid injuries and bruises while learning. In the event that the child falls from the bike, the child should always fall hand first to avoid any serious injury.

Wear Protective Gear

Since the child will be prone to falling and even crashing through objects and obstacles along the way while learning to ride the bike, it is always best to use protective gear for the child such as gloves, helmet, and knee and elbow pads. Invest in these protective gears and you’ll be thankful you did in case of emergencies.

With these 4 steps and additional notes, a child will be able to effectively learn how to ride the balance bike and even transition to a pedal bike in no time.

Balance Bike Vs Training Wheels

One question which people who are learning how to bike usually ask is which bike is better for beginners – the balance bike or the bike with training wheels? If you simply want to know which one works best for basic balance learning among the two kinds of bikes, here’s what you should know.

Classification

When it comes to the balance bikes, one thing is for sure – it usually has no pedals. To move the bike, the rider needs to push or kick the ground using their feet. Learning to ride the balance bike as discussed earlier involves a series of steps. After accomplishing the steps, the rider is now ready to transition to pedal bikes.

Bikes with trainers on the other hand are more of a miniature bicycle that has an extra pair of wheels at the rear. It is complete with all the parts and accessories of a bicycle such as the brakes, gears, pedals, and others. Riding the bike with training wheels doesn’t require any learning as the bike can freely stand on its own with the help of the training wheels. Unfortunately, riding a bike with training wheels doesn’t give much challenge when it comes to balancing seeing that the balance is done by the trainers.

Pedaling

When it comes to pedaling, the balance bike doesn’t have any since it relies on the foot for movement. Whereas bikes with trainers depend solely on the pedals for movement. Depending on the gear, a pedaling movement can be difficult or easy.

Cornering

Whenever a bike moves to corners or turns, it leans toward the direction it is going. Balance bikes are quite effective in doing these turns since it only has two wheels that are in line. However, the bike with training wheels may have challenges in turning or cornering seeing that it has trainers on each side that may get in the way every time the bike leans.

Terrain

Now when it comes to terrains, balance bikes work perfectly on any ground surface – whether it is sloping surfaces, smooth, and even rough surfaces. This is for the reason that there is less drag and contact with the surface. Unfortunately, bikes with trainers can struggle with rough and sloping surfaces for the reason that the trainers can’t roll over rough surfaces or small debris and obstacles. Furthermore, the trainers can get buried in the soft ground which can disable the movement of the bike.

Weight

As far as weight goes, the more components and parts a bike has, the heavier it becomes. As such, the balance bike is a basic bike without the advanced parts and components such as pedals, brakes, and others. Thus, the balance bike is much lighter. Whereas, the bike with trainers has everything thus it is much heavier.

Wheels and Tires

When it comes to wheels and tires, the balance bike usually has foam tires, while the bike with trainers has pneumatic air tires. The difference between these two types of tires is that the other requires more frequent maintenance and upkeep. The foam tires are also resistant to damages brought about by puncturing.

Brakes

Balance bikes stop by using the feet while the bike with trainers stops through the brake lever. Using the feet to stop can sometimes be tedious as well as dangerous, especially when riding at high speeds. The advantage of using a brake lever or brake handle is that the rider can make smooth stops and can also make sudden stops with just a squeeze of the hand on the lever. Nevertheless, both balance bikes and bikes with trainers can be installed with hand brakes.

So Which Bike Is Better?

Overall, the balance bike is a better option than the bike with training wheels when it comes to learning to ride the bike for the first time, and for children who are looking to transition from a basic bike to a pedal bike without trainers.

The balance bike is also a better option when it comes to price as well as weight because it doesn’t have many components and accessories that can add up to its weight and its price. Maintenance as well as is more convenient for the balance bike with its lesser number of components. Furthermore, a balance bike can be upgraded anytime to a pedal bike without having to spend on a completely new bike.