FITS KIDS: While the manufacturer recommends from ages 3 to 7, based on our testing, we recommend only from ages 4 to 5, or with inseams ranging from 17″ to 20″ in balance bike mode and 16″ to 20″ in pedal bike mode. When your kid no longer needs the limiter—that is, when they get old enough or skilled enough to maintain handlebar control—you can simply pop off the O-ring and let it dangle. But most riders don’t need the extra-robust wheels, and feature-wise, you get more for your money from the REI REV 12.

If our top pick is sold out or if you have a taller child, the REI Co-op Cycles REV 12 Kids’ Balance Bike is an excellent choice.When a child is still small enough to fit on a 12″ or 14″ bike, even investing in a cheap balance bike would be a much better option. The seat post should grow by at least 3 inches, and the handlebars should allow you to raise them; if they also tilt, that’s even better.

This suggested age range may be based on what age range the manufacturer recommends will like the product best, or what age range is appropriate based on safety information and restrictions. Such factors as a child's developmental skill set and toy popularity help determine the enjoyment levels of a product. The Guardian bike’s air-filled, rubber tires are the cream of the crop, grippy enough to find traction on any surface but offering enough bounce to make for a fun ride. As kids get older and heavier, the downside to the FirstBIKE is that the frame can flex when the seat post is set at its highest position. Communication, physical and emotional skills continue to develop as your child moves through school!It’s heavy enough to be grounded for fast turns but light enough to accommodate kids of all ages, it has a handbrake that slows both the front and back wheels, it’s equipped with a steering limiter for safety, and it has an appealing, flashy design, with shiny, bright paint and crisp logos. Pair all of that with a handlebar stem that you can raise nearly 4 inches, and you have an especially versatile bike that’s fun to ride and capable of growing with your child.

Agile, simple to assemble, and sized right for the smallest kids, this is the balance bike for bike-enthusiast parents who want their child to have a pro-level tyke bike.The frame is made with such thin aluminum that it felt like plastic to us, and the paint got scratched up almost immediately. It’s extremely popular, and we understand why: It offers easy assembly, a wide range of size adjustability (11 to 19 inches on the seat), light weight (6. Designed with a composite frame with smooth edges and recessed bolt pockets, there isn’t a sharp or blunt edge on this entire toddler push bike!

Weighing under 7 pounds, the bike features an ideal upright riding position, a very low 7-inch stand-over height—the same as on the Guardian Balance Bike, and great for shorter kids—and 5 inches of seat adjustability, starting on the lower end at 10 inches. These bikes are a little bigger that our smallest choices, and are sized to fit toddlers in at least 24 months pants.To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page. He was super excited to receive his first bike but unfortunately it's just too big for him to ride without us holding the bike. But this Bixe model had cheap, foam tires with very little tread; Jenni’s son wiped out on this bike more than on any other. To get the most use out of a balance bike, the best age to start a child is between 18 months and 2. span itemprop="description">The idea of this is great, unfortunately I wouldn't say this is for a 2 yr old.