Rolling on Wheels

Schwinn Balance Bike Review

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The 12″ Schwinn balance bike features an exclusive foot to floor design which drives confidence while teaching the basics of balance and steering on two wheels. As the kids progress they increase speed and eventually lift their feet and place them on the footrest.

Build on air tires and tube for smooth riding experience, adjustable saddle height for the growing child and adjustable handlebars.

A word about the manufacturer: founded in 1895 Schwinn Bicycle Company surely knows how to build bicycles. Checkout their complete lineup at schwinnbikes.com.

Schwinn 12″ Balance Bike

PROSSCHWINN BALANCE BIKE

  • AIR TIRES AND TUBES
  • ADJUSTABLE SEAT AND HANDLEBARS POSITION
  • EASY TO ASSEMBLE

CONS

  • LOW SEAT POSITION FOR YOUNGER RIDERS BUT NOT THE LOWEST AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET

BOTTOM LINE

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BALANCE BIKE WITH AIR TIRES AND TUBES, THIS IS DEFINITELY AN INTERESTING CHOICE. NOTE THAT SMALLER RIDERS 18-24 MONTHS OLD MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE RIDING THIS BIKE. CHECKOUT THE STRIDER 12″ SPORT AS AN ALTERNATIVE.

Foot to floor design

With it’s unique design and foot rest built in the frame, the Schwinn 12″ balance bike really looks like a solid balance bike. Children feel safe and in controls with both feet on the ground as they to learn to ride this bike.

Air tubes and Tires

Most balance bikes available today come with plastic tires that won’t last as long as these real inflatable tires 12″ tires. This balance bike is suited for more rugged rolling surfaces than the competition. Rolling on air tires changes the smoothness of the ride. The only downside of air tubes is that they require to be inflated from time to time.

Customer Reviews

As far as I can tell, this bike is far superior to the competition. The Schwinn has real rubber tires with Schrader valves (they even have an authentic new-tire smell) and steel-spoked wheels, just like a real adult bike, not plastic toy tires and plastic wheels. The frame has welded-on dropouts to hold the wheel axles, rather than the squashed tubing found on virtually every other such bike. The wheel bearing cones are held in place by a washer and a locknut, the latter being separate from the nuts that attach the axle to the frame, as on an adult bike.

Other customers also mentioned that this balance bike is build just like a real bicycle, if you compare with the more “toy” looking balance bike of the competition. Other than cosmetic issues (paint scratches) mentioned by other reviewers we have not seen any other negative feedback among customers reviews on amazon.

At time of writing this balance bike had received an average of 4.5 stars out of five, exactly the same rating we gave it in our review.

Conclusion

Younger kids really learn faster on no-pedal bikes. They can put all their efforts on controlling their balance and steering. Once they master these skills they can transition to a regular bike without the need of adding supporting wheels, after all, all they need to learn now is how to pedal.

The Schwinn Balance bike is just perfect for this task. We liked the feet rest and the easy adjustment of the seat and handlebars. At this price tag it’s a very interesting choice.

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