Best Balance Bikes for Toddlers and 2 year olds
Parents, if you are looking for the best balance bike for a toddler, I recommend the Strider Sport no-pedal balance bike. After extensive research – we considered a dozen balance bikes and tested many of them – we consider the Strider Sport to be the best choice for a toddler or a 2 year old to learn how to ride on two wheels.
This is a side by side comparison of the TOP 3 balance bikes from our research.
| Balance Bike | Price | Age | Rating | Tires | Weight | Seat Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike | 120$ | 18 months to 5yr | 5 / 5 | foam tires | 6,5 pounds | 11" to 16" |
| Strider Classic Balance Bike | 90$ | 18 months to 5yr | 4,7 / 5 | foam tires | 6,5 pounds | 11" to 16" |
| Schwinn Balance Bike, Red, 12-Inch | 80$ | 2,5 years and up | 4,5 / 5 | inflatable tires | 10,5 pounds | 14,5" to 16.5" |
As you can see the two most popular Strider models, the Classic and the Sport made it to the top of the list.
The Best Balance Bike for Toodlers: Strider Sport Balance Bike
Pros and Cons
- Very light in weight for toddlers to lift
- Needs no maintenance
- No tools needed for assembly or adjustment
- Rider weight should not exceed 60 pounds
Key feature that makes it stand out
The design of this model makes it suitable for children as young as 18 months. First, the Strider 12 inch has the lowest seat height and the lightest weight. Besides, it has the widest adjustment range of all balance bikes in the market. Also, it comes with a bonus seat and padded saddle to fit a taller child. It is the best balance bike for 18 months to 5 year olds.
Key feature that makes it useful
The no-pedal concept of this bike helps children to have confidence when learning how to ride on two wheels. This is so because children train while having their feet on the ground most of the time. As a consequence, it takes away the fear of falling thus allowing them to learn at their own pace. This feature helps to eliminate the developmental delays caused by tricycles.
Top features roundup
This balance bike has an aluminum frame that makes it very light, it has maintenance-free wheels, saddle fits well on toddler hips, handlebar safety pad to prevent injuries, and great grip.
The Schwinn 12″ Balance Bike
We also liked the Schwinn balance bike for it’s real spokes and tires with tubes that make it feel like a true bicycle. The Schwinn is easy to assemble and well made. But at 10.5 pounds, it can be a little heavy for toddlers.
The other down side of the Schwinn is it’s minimum saddle height of 14″. Depending on your child’s height, this could work or not.
Conclusion
The Strider 12 inch Sport Balance Bike provides an easy and faster way for children to learn how to ride a bike. Its popularity among parents has seen almost 1 million of them to have been bought. This is the best balance bike for a child’s first bike. Checkout our complete reviews here.
