Other bikes with wider pedals will catch kids in the leg if they put their feet down. If your beginner kid is old enough or large enough to graduate from a 12-inch balance bike to something bigger that will balance now and pedal later, the Strider 14x Sport should merit your serious consideration. Along with the also impressive but more expensive LittleBig 3-in-1, the Strider 14x Sport comprises half of a tiny market in 14-inch bikes that easily convert from a balance bike to a no-compromises first pedal bike. We were highly impressed with the 14x Sport’s under-$200 price, comfortable geometry, wide adjustability, the sheer genius of its add-on pedal/sprocket setup, and its excellent printed and online instructions and technical support. More than a good balance bike, it’s an ideal bike for learning the pedal basics.
This point, however, is disputed by John Bradley, who said that, just like an adult, a child will be more likely to want to ride a lightweight, high-quality bike (which proved true among our testers). He also pointed out that such a bike will also sell on Craigslist for a pretty good percentage of what was paid for it, provided it was taken care of, making it a more digestible investment. The single-speed bike has a durable steel frame showcasing the Huffy ornament, while the ribbed-style chainguard completes the classic look. 26” cruiser tires are smooth-riding, and provide huffy trail runner good traction for a confident ride. All these details add up to one fantastic bike that is so comfortable to ride. Many kids need a little encouragement (and flat, paved terrain) to get into balance biking.
Dual density grips and two-tone pedals add to the comfort, and to the style. This results in a strainful experience for the rider when they are out traversing, thus the suspension system cannot be relied upon. Still, it is critical to note that Huffy bikes are not at all poorly made. Huffy even uses rust-proof frames to ensure that your bike will serve you longer while keeping its style. On top of that, the price of these spare parts will not hurt your budget.
If you’re confident that you can persuade your youngster to give push biking a go (and money is a secondary concern), the aluminum-and-stainless-steel Woom 1 is a work of industrial art. With a featherweight frame and rubber-tired wheel set, custom-built and -selected componentry, a powerful hand brake, ideal geometry, and solid customer support, the Woom 1 is the perfect balance bike for kids age 18 months to 4 years. Geometry-wise, the Banana is very similar to our runner-up pick, the Co-op Cycles REV 12. The curved frame is well-engineered with a very low step-in height of 8.5 inches. The handlebar grips are marginally kid-scale with a grip circumference of 3.5 inches, and the seat is also right at the edge of what a little kid would need at a large 5.5 by 8 inches.
Though not as polished as the Strider or Co-op, this lightweight, low-slung bike will get most kids up and happily gliding along—and won’t bust the budget. After all this—and after consulting with fellow parents and industry professionals—we’re huffy cruiser judging the Strider 12 Sport as the best balance bike for most kids (and their parents). We spent about 40 hours researching and assembling 13 balance bikes, and subjected them to a cadre of highly energetic 2- to 8-year-olds.
The 14x also has a nicely narrow Q factor—the distance between the cranks—of 5.9 inches, which keeps a child’s legs from splaying out while on the pedal and allows them to generate power more easily. These are features other pedal bike manufacturers would do well to consider. The Strider 12 Sport comes without a rear linear-pull hand brake—the ideal kind for a balance bike. Most kids can indeed stop a balance bike even on moderate hills with nothing more than their feet or simply step off the back of the bike, but a good squeeze of a hand brake can stop them faster.
Return your Woom 1 (shipping prepaid) to the company within two years of purchase, and Woom will put 40% of the returned bike’s original purchase price toward the next bike, one size up. (In this case, either a Woom 2 or a Woom 3.) You pay a one-time enrollment fee of about $60, but the discount would be renewed up to your purchase of a 26-inch-wheeled Woom 6. Of course, this cannot be accomplished without the help of some parents who spend a significant amount of time researching and locating the best model for their height and her favorite color when looking for a suitable mountain bike for women. So I found this by our dumpster and it seemed in good condition to fix up for my wife to ride with our son. The amount you can expect to receive in store credit when trading in your bike with a dealer.
An included Allen wrench removes the single Allen bolt that secures the footrest. That same Allen bolt then attaches the pre-built sprocket assembly, which also comes complete with a correct-length loop of chain. Unlike most bikes, the 14x Sport’s rear fork/chainstay is designed with a tight inward angle at the front sprocket that allows the chain to be fixed in place without even removing the rear wheel—a brilliant modification.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). Balance biking gives small children the chance to build the coordination, balance, leg musculature, and confidence that they’ll need for pedal biking. Although some negative reviews mention chain damage, I believe that adjustments must be made during the assembly process. A necessary task is to check the pre-assembled part when the package is removed. Mountain biking requires multi-section mountain tires, and the ’s multi-section mountain tires are ideal for hilly, wooded riding, with a good grip on soft dirt or scattered tree branches.