Balance Buddy (Adjustable

Product Information

Others firmly felt it was far too expensive, that young children don't need a brake, and money should be saved for the larger Islabikes in the ever growing range. Also bear in mind that you’ll probably have to lift your child’s bike in and out of the car boot or, at the very least, carry it should they get tired, so you’ll thank yourself later for going that little bit lighter. If you're looking to invest in a bike you can sell on, the Islabikes Rothan is hard to beat. How we choose our recommendations Parent testers Age range: Suitable from two years old with a minimum inside leg of 30cm and approximate height of 88cm | Weight: 3.2kg | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Pneumatic What we love The Guardian balance bike also features Guardian’s proprietary SureStop braking system, which allows the rear and front rim brakes to be activated by pulling just one brake lever. During our tests, the Guardian provided plenty of top-notch stopping power to keep our little testers safe, but not significantly more than other high-end balance bikes with quality hand brakes.

This means you're getting three bikes for your initial outlay, which can be comforting at a time of uncertainty about future product availability, prices and income levels. Size: Cycling UK advises that your child should be able to sit comfortably on the balance bike, knees slightly bent and feet flat on the floor. Finished with an A-head headset, integrated bar and stem, plus puncture-resistant Schwalbe big apple tyres, its 7005 aluminium construction keeps the overall weight down.

Why you should trust us

If your child doesn’t seem interested, keep the bike around so they can see it and use it when theyfeel the time is right. Resist the temptation to pressure them. We’ve seen time and again that kids will be interested when they want to be interested. We have a Hornit balance bike for DS and he absolutely adores it. I do too because it’s super super light for when I inevitably have to end up carrying it sometimes.” (Loved by Mumsnet user Rainallnight) Our verdict

Before recommending the best balance bikes for toddlers we spent time searching through our Mumsnet forums to find the balance bikes that come most highly recommended by the parents in our community. Expert guidance Consider how often your child is likely to use it, how long you'd want it to last and if it could be resold later or passed down to a younger sibling. I'm sure many of our readers would be surprised if an article about the best balance bikes didn't feature an Islabike. However, opinion is split on the Rothan. We found the strider sport was great for a very short nearly 2 year old, as it was the only one that had a saddle that could go low enough and light enough. Runride isn’t just pretty, though. It’s been developed specifically to meet the ergonomic needs of its young riders. Among other features, this sees the brake lever brought closer into the handlebar, making it easier for small hands to grasp.Balance bikes are small bicycles without pedals. They allow children as young as 18 months to learn to balance and steer by propelling the bike forward and lifting their feet up to glide when ready. Whether you’re looking for a garden toy, a nursery-run solution or something hard-wearing for off-road family trails, the choosing the best balance bike for your toddler will hugely impact their first experience of cycling.