Toddlers want to learn new things. It’s in their nature to. They want to experience different tastes, experience different feelings and do everything else that they see their parents do. One of such things is riding toddler bikes. They want and feel the need to learn how to ride a two-wheeled bike so that they can have fun with their friends and finally cross it off of their imaginary bucket list. But while they are flooded with the desire to ride, they also are scared and afraid to. The fear paralyzes them and makes it very hard for them to get anything done.
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Luckily, in the recent past, courtesy of technology, there has been a spike in the number of toddler bikes available in the market. These include tricycles, balance bikes, and many other types. With these bike types, they are able to have fun with their friends devoid of the fear of hitting the ground hard due to lack of balance.
As a parent, you are looking to give your kid all that he/she wants and that is good for them. This is great. But the question is, do you know how to do it? How do you get your little one the very best toddler bike in the market? Where do you even start from? Well, in this article, we shall handle this and more. We shall have a look at how you can get the best toddler bike in the market, focusing our sights on balance bikes and have some reviews of the best too to light your path eve brighter.
But first…
Why should you get a balance bike?
Riding a bike for kids is just one of those activities that will help with their cognitive abilities. Nothing can help this part of them grow and develop like biking does. As a matter of fact, kids professionals state that their mental and physical alertness is hinged on biking. That said, parents are encouraged to have their kids riding a bike as they develop and grow.
If you have your fears and reservations about biking, regarding safety and comfort, you should know that they will be put to rest by the time you finish reading this piece.
Below we have provided a comprehensive list of the factors that you should consider when making your purchase decision and a list of the top toddler bikes in the market.
Factors to consider when getting the best toddler bike (balance bike) for your child
The below facts will help to make your choosing process an easier one. One that will have you protect your child as they grow into fine young boys and girls.
Price
This should be the very first thing that you consider. Come up with a budget to work with. It is always advisable to work with a budget. It helps you keep track of your finances and make decisions that will not have you suffering at the end of the month.
Now, yes you want the best balance bike for your kid but you also do not want to get that is expensive. You need to strike a perfect balance between the price you get and the quality of bike that you get. It can be a difficult thing to strike and equilibrium between the two but it is one thing that has to be done. This, however, does not say that you go cheap. Remember that you will always get what you pay for. But if you do want to go cheap, you will have to sacrifice on quality. This is to mean that the bike might not be as comfortable or as durable as you would want it to be.
Weight
From their name, you understand that your child will have to do the balancing for himself/herself right? And since they will be tasked with this responsibility, you should know their strength. Do not get your child a bike that they will have trouble balancing. He/she might look stronger for his/her age, but you should not risk it. A heavy bike can be dangerous and very difficult for your child to balance.
You know you have gotten a heavy bike when your child is ecstatic about it the first few days after which the enthusiasm fades away and the bike you spent a fortune is relegated to the back of your garage to rot. Kids are very true when it comes to how they feel about something. If something does not provide them with pleasure but instead drains them of their energy fast, they will stop using it altogether. On the other hand, if it is fun for them, they will not stop using it even when it is 3 years old.
Therefore, the lighter it is the better it will be for them.
Weight capacity
The denser the bike, the better it will be for your child. Dense frames enable kids to balance the bike with great ease. They are also pretty comfortable and safe. Balance bikes are designed to aid in balancing in addition to offering play and fun.
Brakes
With balance bike’s the main stopping source is their feet. However, having a secondary form of braking would not hurt. If anything, it would be even better and extremely beneficial to develop their hand-eye coordination and prepare them for a bigger bike when they get to it.
A balance bike with brakes, in addition to saving the sole of their shoes, will help prevent injuries and make the transition to a bigger much faster bike a breeze. But a handbrake is only as good as it has been designed.
Remember that toddlers have very small hands and cannot reach standard level brakes. Shorter reach levers are as such perfect for toddlers.
Grips
This might come as a shock to many. I mean how many parents think of grips when they are getting themselves a bike? Very few right? But be it as it may, grips are very important as they help to up the safety of the child while they are having the time of their life.
The best grip is that which is made from rubber. It makes turning easier.
Seat height
How tall the seat is will determine the ability of your child to ride it. It will also determine if they will be able to use it immediately and for how long they will continue to make use of it. the height of the bike that you pick out should be adjustable. Why? Well, it might be perfect for your toddler today, but what about six months down the line when they have grown taller? Will you throw away the bike that s still in perfectly good form?
When you can adjust the height of the seat, you will be able to get the most out of your kid’s bike before it is relegated to permanent storage awaiting to be passed down to another toddler in the family.
Best Toddler Bike Reviews
Strider ST-2 PREbike Balance Running Bike
Strider Sports International is a company that is well deserving of the publicity and the preference that it is getting from many of the customers in the market today. When it started out, they were focused on delivering a product that would aid kids in learning their balance, and steering fast – which they achieved. The quality of the products that they make available is also out of this world. A quick look at the features that this particular balancing bike features and you will wonder no more why many parents root for it.
First and foremost, it is very light weighing less than 7 pounds. Comparing it to many of the other balance bikes in its level, this is very commendable. This weight is perfect for toddlers aged between 1 and 5 years. Its frame is made from a solid steel frame (which also contributes to the lightweight nature of the bike), that is durable which makes it almost maintenance fee. It will be able to withstand the constant bashing and falls on walls and to the ground.
Ensuring a smooth ride, it features EVA polymer tires. These are non-deflatable. Your toddler can ride through thorns without the need for a replacement. How handy can a bike get?
Both the handlebars and the seat are adjustable. As such, you can be sure it will grow with your child. It can support a height of between 30 and 44 inches. This height is very important since it determines the ease of which your child has when riding the bike. If it is too low, it will be uncomfortable with your kid’s feet dragging on the ground and if it is too low, they will not be able to ride without your help. In addition to this, having the handle bar and the seat at the right height will act as a safety measure.
Padded footrests are available for your child’s comfort while riding. When your toddler starts to glide, they will have a place to place their foot making the learning process easier and faster.
Click here to check it out on Amazon
Schwinn Balance Bike, 12 inch
This is yet another company that has worked its way to being the best in the sea of balance bikes available in the market. The bikes they design are geared towards fun and excitement. But even while they intend to bring fun and excitement to the lives of many families and toddlers, they ensure that their products are safe and of high quality. But this is not all that has given this bike a reputation that precedes itself.
Below is why many parents have given this bike a high rating after its purchase and use.
The seat and the handlebars suit toddlers in every aspect. It is created with toddler height in mind. The handlebars are not too far from the toddlers reach and the seat is just the perfect distance from the ground. They are both placed at heights that ensure the child takes up perfect posture while riding.
Unlike many balance bikes, it features inflatable tires. These are perfect for all terrain. The air in them absorbs all shocks while on the rough ground providing a smooth ride for your child. The inflatable tires are made from actual rubber which means that it not only will provide a smooth ride but also last for long and brake fast when required to.
It comes with a foot to floor design for safety. With this design, your child will be able to place his/her feet on the ground at all times. This provides your toddler with perfect control at all times.
All this you get at a great price – one that you will not have to break your bank to possess.
Click here to check it out on Amazon
KaZAM v2e No-Pedal Balance bike
If you are just hearing about this company, you probably might find the design of its toddler bikes quite unusual. But even with its unusual design, it has what many toddler bikes do not have – an ergonomic design. The handlebars and the mini-saddle are adjustable ensuring accommodation of your toddler as he/she grows. In addition to this, it features a footrest which seals the deal when it comes to perfect posture while riding.
Its tires are made from EVA polymers which do not require any maintenance. Your toddler can ride on pretty much any terrain that he/she sees fit.
At 8 pounds, it is one of the lightest balance bikes there is in the market. Its lightweight nature makes it easy for toddlers to balance and support the bike.
The v2e comes with a whopping 2-year warranty and passes the US toy standards for Children’s Product and Safety.
If you prefer it you can get a version that comes with brakes. This will make it possible for your child to learn how to use these at an early age and their transition to fully fledged bikes will be easier.
Click here to check it out on Amazon
Conclusion
These bikes reviews have hopefully shed light on the otherwise dark and frightening path you were about to go down on. Choosing the best toddler bikes for your child is not something that you can compromise on. Safety and quality have to come first even when you are looking for the best price. When your child goes out riding, ensure that he/she has a helmet on at all times.
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