Don’t push kids on their bike or hold them up by the handlebars—it’s important that they learn to propel themselves first by walking, and that they correct any tipping themselves. Over the years we have found that kids who lean more towards the adventurous side tend to use footrests more than kids who are slightly more timid.

At the end of the day, it’s a budget balance bike, with budget components, but a much nicer build than most budget balance bikes. As you may have heard, kids grow, and luckily there is a fair amount of adjustability in the Banana balance bike, both in the height of the bar and the height of the saddle. 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. The seat adjustability—between 10 and 14 inches—offers the shortest starting point of any bike we tried, the benefit of which was obvious during testing, as the shortest kids took to the Woom 1 immediately. For the first iteration of this guide, a panel of kids ranging from ages 2 to 8 tested 13 top balance bikes in a flat neighborhood over a period of a few weeks.The 12″ inflatable durable air tires provide added traction and a superior ride compared to other balance bikes on the market. 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. You’ll need a pump to fill up the 12-inch tires, which don’t come prefilled, whereas the tires on the Guardian and REI models do. This isn’t a serious safety issue-you’re child isn’t going to get seriously injured as a result–but is something worth being aware of. Parents were impressed right away by the beautiful paint job (it comes in six colors) and well-considered build of the Woom 1’s frame.

Simple-to-use brake system: Though most kids can stop just fine with their feet, a handbrake is a desirable safety feature, especially in hilly areas.From your local crag to the summit of Everest, at Tiso, you’ll find the climbing and mountaineering equipment you need. pounds with), and has excellent front and rear handbrakes as well as an ingenious system that allows you to flip the midpoint of the frame (video) so that it grows with your kid. pounds) steel bike with air tires, a steering limiter, and a strong linear-pull handbrake (great for hilly areas).

This makes it feasible for your child to ride until age 4 or 5, though by that time they’ll be pretty cramped on the bike.

With all these skills ready in their back pockets, balance bikes make the real thing seem much less intimidating. Thomas’s Cycle Revolution Ltd reserve the right to decline a refund or an exchange if the condition of the item(s) don’t comply with the terms above and/or the claim is outside the stated time scales. Easy assembly and maintenance: From unboxing, a balance bike should be ready to roll in about half an hour, and the average parent should be able to assemble it properly without a professional’s help. THE BEST WAY TO LEARN – The LT Banana Bike provides your little kids with the best way to learn to ride a bike. If you're interested in the Raleigh but would like to see more options, check out our guide to the best balance bikes.