Balance Bike

Built to be incredibly robust, fast and fun, Striders are used in balance bike racing the world over, as well as by children who just want to ride at a more leisurely pace.

The most popular model is the lightweight Strider Sport which is readily available here in the UK.

The Strider Sport weighs 3kg, making it easy for your child to ride and manoeuvre. It features mini-grips meaning little hands can easily take control and learn how to ride and balance on the bike.

The saddle goes as low as 28cm, which Strider claims is suitable for 18 months plus, but remember every child is different so measure them carefully.

You can read our review of the Strider Sport here.

The Squish 12 Balance bike is a popular choice for parents with 2-3-year-olds wanting a lightweight ride for their child. The lightweight alloy frame means the overall weight is only 3.86kg meaning it is easy to ride and manoeuvre.

The wheels on the Squish balance bike are 12″ and feature alloy rims and hubs.

The bike also features a neat carry handle on the back of the saddle which is a great help if your little cyclist gets tired.

At 3.86kg, it isn’t the lightest balance bike on the market, but it is lighter than most. At this price point, that makes it a solid choice.

The Vitus Nippy Balance Bike is really lightweight! When we first picked one up we were really amazed at how little there was to it.

At just 1.9kg and fitted with tiny 10″ wheels it’s perfect for young children who don’t have the strength to manoeuvre a heavier / larger balance bike.

The saddle height ranges from 31cm to 38cm allowing plenty of room for growth.

The Frog Tadpole Plus is a 14″ wheel balance bike designed for taller and/or older children with a minimum inside leg of 38cm for whom a 14″ wheel pedal bike isn’t suitable.

It has a rear brake, but not a front brake, which will help ease a child into learning to brake gently if that’s appropriate.  If not, then stopping with their feet is much more fun!

The Tadpole Plus is fitted with a steering lock, which acts as a safety mechanism to prevent any serious falls and damage – to the child or the bike.

The Frog Tadpole balance bike is fitted with a rear brake to get your child used to the concept of braking (although they will probably still use their feet a lot to stop, especially in the early days).

The tyres are pneumatic, so good for use on a variety of terrains, and a steering lock  prevents over-steer accidents.  The quick-release seat post is useful for when your Cycle Sprog has a growth spurt.

The 10″ wheel Frog Tadpole Mini is one of the very smallest balance bikes available and it’s suitable for children with an inside leg of just 24cm.

The Frog Tadpole Mini balance bike does have a rear brake which will allow your child to get used to braking when they are ready. However, don’t expect a very young child to use them – feet are more than adequate for stopping!

The tyres are pneumatic, which means you can take this bike outside and ride on a variety of surfaces, and there’s a quick-release seat post so the bike easily grows with your child.