The wheels (bike on the right) are often an obstacle both for those who walk next to the child but above all for the fact that they can get stuck in manholes, fences and more. With a balance bike the problem does not exist.
Anyone who has had experience with bikes with wheels will remember how many times they got stuck or the rear wheel spun on uneven ground. Children can, with bikes without pedals, be more agile and independent in maneuvers: they can stay on the sidewalks without getting stuck in roots or benches (yes, the sidewalks of Sesto San Giovanni, where we live, are real traps), they can easily slide on asphalt (smooth or uneven) and if they want they can slip into a lawn or gravel. With a tricycle or a bike with wheels this would be impossible.
The balance bike has revolutionized the way we teach our children to ride a bike, how to find balance and make this important phase of life fun. Personally, I think it is a safe and effective way that leaves children freedom of movement and more serenity to their parents, happy to finally see them pedal after having transported them for a couple of years.
Below I illustrate the main aspects that you will have to evaluate and take into consideration when choosing the balance bike for your child.
Balance bike: wooden, aluminum or plastic frame?
There are really well-made bikes on the market, with components on the same level as adult bikes (such as sealed steering and bottom bracket bearings). These details and a metal frame (aluminum or steel) guarantee a long life of the bike and the possibility of passing it on to your little brother or sister or to resell it in excellent condition. Metal bikes have very comfortable geometries and well thought out components.
I believe that some products on the market are more toys than real balance bikes for “pre-ride” learning. Some wooden balance bikes have solutions that are too “artisanal” such as the steering entrusted to a pin screwed with a bolt that certainly is not comparable to a real headset. There are well-made plastic models and others that, just by touching them, leave doubts about their resistance.
So be very careful when choosing, try to go to a store and don’t rely only on a photo on an online store. Also check the maximum sustainable weight of the bike, which must be declared. It is usually around 30 kg.
Balance bicycle: wheels and tires
You will find wheels in aluminum, plastic, composite material and wood. It depends on how your child will use it. If you believe that the bike will be used mainly in the park on the cycle path or in the driveway, then a bike with less robust wheels (wood or plastic) and solid tires with polymer foam material will suffice.
If, on the other hand, you plan to introduce your son or daughter to mountain biking then choose aluminum wheels and tires with an inner tube that have a better performance (in fact they allow you to adjust the pressure and make the wheel more or less smooth or suitable for different terrains).
