Balance bikes for children are a fun game that they can use both indoors and outdoors. This type of bike is suitable for children over 2 years of age and allows them to better develop a sense of balance, preparing them to use the classic bicycle.
On the market, there are many balance bikes without pedals for children that differ according to materials, colors, and prices. Here’s how to choose a balance bike that’s best suited for your child on Black Friday Deals.
What is the balance bike and how it works?
The balance bike, also known as the balance bike, is a bike designed specifically for children aged between 2 and 4-5 years. As can be deduced from the name, this bike is not equipped with the classic pedals and drive chain.
In addition, some models also lack brakes. This type of bicycle is indicated to develop a sense of balance in the child and to encourage learning to use the classic bicycle without resorting to historical wheels.
But how exactly is a balance bike made? It is very similar to the bikes that were produced in the early nineteenth century, also not equipped with pedals and transmission and, which were operated simply by moving the feet against the ground. Just like the current models, these didn’t have any kind of accessories such as easels or baskets.
On the market, there are balance bikes made of different materials such as wood, plastic, aluminum, or other metals. The design is very simple and resembles the classic bicycle. The wooden pedal bikes are particularly suitable for smaller children, as they are more comfortable and safe because they are more stable and less fast.
For the older ones, on the other hand, aluminum bikes are preferred as they have an aesthetic very similar to classic bikes, and some models can also be modified by replacing the saddle or even putting the pedals.
In any case, these bikes are still safe, as the speed reached is not high and the child can safely brake with his feet. As for the wheels, on the other hand, there are both the classic ones with an inner tube and solid ones in a polymeric material.
How to use the balance bike without pedals
First of all, it is a very simple object for children to use, as they only have to push themselves with their feet, a very instinctive movement. Pedaling, on the other hand, is anything but an instinctive movement and for the little ones, it could be very frustrating not to succeed and consequently, lose all interest in the bike.
Using a balance bike without pedals allows children to learn very quickly to get around with this means of locomotion, also stimulating their creativity. In addition to learning how to move in space, they will also have to learn to maintain balance thus improving their motor skills.
As the child becomes familiar with this tool, he will feel more and more autonomous and safe, perceiving the space that surrounds him better. This is why the benefits of using a balance bike rather than one with wheels or a tricycle are many.
How to choose a balance bike without pedals: What are the factors to evaluate?
Before buying a balance bike for children, it is important to consider a few factors, here are which ones.
Dimensions
Just like buying a classic bicycle, size is a key factor to take into consideration. To understand, which is the right balance bike, the child must be able to stay on it by touching the ground comfortably with his feet. In this case, it could be counterproductive to buy a larger bike thinking that the child will be able to use it longer because initially, he will not be able to control it and there will be a greater risk of falling.
The dimensions of the balance bike, must be relative to the height of the child, but how do you get the right measurements? As for the height of the seat, you have to rely on the length of the inside leg. To take this measurement, have the child put against a wall very straight, with a book between the legs and with a measuring tape measure the distance between the horse and the floor.
The minimum seat height must never exceed this number. Most balance bikes on the market have an adjustable seat and handlebar, so your child can play with them for longer.
Frame
The frame, or the material with which the bicycle is made, is another very important element. The materials that are generally used for the frames of these bikes are metal, wood, and plastic.
Bikes made of metal, steel, or aluminum are very similar to the classic ones with pedals. Those in steel belong to the cheaper range, while those in aluminum are more sophisticated. In general, bikes without metal pedals are much more resistant.
Another widely used material is wood, which gives bikes a much more toy look. The wood is very delicate for this reason it could easily be damaged not only, following falls, but also due to humidity if the bike is left in the garden, for example.
Finally, there are the plastic frames that make the bikes lighter and at the same time able to withstand a lot of weight. Even these are not very resistant and could easily be damaged if used for a long time by lively children.
Wheels
As for the wheels, they must be characterized by certain ease of sliding, in order to make the bike without pedals more maneuverable and faster, but also to give a good grip to the ground.
Still, with regard to wheels, another element to consider is the use that must be made of them to choose the most suitable material. If the balance bike without pedals will be used mainly on asphalt roads and smooth terrains such as city streets, wooden, polymer foam or plastic wheels are fine.
If, on the other hand, you want wheels that are good for all types of terrain, you can opt for the classic rubber ones with an inner tube. These are more expensive and less light, but offer greater grip and cushioning.
As for the dimensions of the wheels, these are expressed in inches. 10 and 12-inch ones are very common on the market.
Weight
Another very important factor to take into consideration is the weight, which must never exceed 30% of that of the child. Otherwise, it will be too heavy for him, and he will not be able to handle the bike as easily as he should.
Comfort and safety
The balance bike without pedals must also be comfortable for the child and above all safe. In this sense, an aspect that must be carefully considered is the material with which the handlebar is coated. The ideal would be a rubber coating and to make the bike even safer it should have wide and rounded ends, so that, in the event of a fall or sudden swerve, the child cannot get hurt.
Finally, as regards the issue of brakes, for this type of balance bike, they are not necessary, evaluate their presence only if it is a balance bike that can be modified and used during the different stages of the child’s growth.
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Other frequently asked questions
At what age is the bike without pedals recommended?
The balance bike without pedals is great for children aged two and over: it would be useless to give a bike without pedals to a child of about 4 who has already started pedaling.
Is the helmet mandatory?
The helmet is not mandatory, but it is still recommended since it will be the first time that the child practices with this type of vehicle.
When to switch from a balance bike without pedals to a bike with pedals?
As soon as your child has learned to balance the balance bike, it’s time to switch to the pedal bike. You will notice this because it will tend to push itself more and more decisively and to raise its legs more and more often without falling.
If, on the other hand, he continues to use it as if he were walking, then he is not ready yet. Usually, this change occurs around the age of 4, the right age to start riding a bicycle with pedals, but without wheels!
A two-year better bike without pedals or rideable?
Ride-on bikes are much wider than balance bikes: they are more of a toy than a real means of transport like, in reality, it is the bike without pedals. So, from two years on, we recommend that you opt for the balance bike directly.
Accessories
You can accessorize your child’s bike with the following accessories:
- Bell: so that he learns to warn pedestrians and make his way.
- Lights: a useful accessory to understand that lights are also essential with the bicycle.
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