5. Burley MyKick
Many people know Burley for their top-notch strollers. Our family is on the list of many that have come to trust Burley with their most precious of cargo. Now, Burley makes a balance bike! Flat-free tires, high-grade aluminum, and even ball bearing hubs and headset are key features of the MyKick. Starting at $119, they’ll help your little one develop coasting skills and confidence.
[offer keyword=’burley mykick’]
4. Schwinn
The Schwinn 12” Balance Bike has a new look and design compared to the first balance bike they released. After introducing their “foot-to-floor” technology, many parents noticed quicker confidence building for their children. One mom personally told me for the cost, their family has gotten years of use from their Schwinn. Some naysayers will tout semantics of Schwinn’s quality in recent year,s but when it comes to balance bikes, they have many happy customers with many happy children.
[offer keyword=’schwinn balance bike’]
3. Glide Bikes
The Ezee Glider is yet another bike from a brand I had never come across in my parenthood. However, a few of my online connections cite this bike as their absolute favorite. It’s affordable and easy to find (starting at $89 at Kohls) and features a removable foot peg system for easy riding. One rarity amongst the other bikes on this list is that Ezee Glider has a handbrake. Most balance bikes don’t include a handbrake due to the observation that most children use their feet to come to a stop. However, as the shoes of thousands of children are worn through the soles from dragging, some parents will be saving on shoe costs thanks to Glide Bikes and their inclusion of the handbrake.
[offer keyword=’ezee glider’]
2. Giant Pre Balance Bike
The Giant Pre Balance bike boasts a lightweight aluminum frame, soft edges, plush grips, and a low standover height. It is a unique, mono-style frame, but its simplicity does not degrade its durability. Your tiny future rider will appreciate its lightness after mishaps and crashes. For $119, this balance bike is a perfect marriage between affordability and versatility.
1. Early Rider
[offer keyword=’early rider trail runner’]
My husband and I purchased EPO’s second bike from Early Rider, a company out of merry old England. We were on a mission to find a balance fat bike. Our little one loved the snow, and we were obsessed with the idea of going fat biking as a family. A few long nights of Googling led us to the Early Rider Trail Runner XL. Featuring the lightest frameset on the market for balance bikes, along with forged aluminum dropouts, Kenda fat tires, and a fully functional stem, this was our dream come true. We found out we were the first shipment to the Midwest–long before they were distributed in the US. (You can now purchase Early Rider bikes through your local shop.) The company was incredibly easy to work with internationally, and their customer service truly was top-notch. We had such wonderful success with the Trail Runner XL, we purchased the 16” Belter Trail, which has given EPO brakes and pedals. They are a bit on the spendy side–$229 at most shops for the Trail XL. However, if you are envisioning your little one as a future XC Olympic medalist, this might be the bike to buy.
[see_also id=’198053′]
