Trybike Steel Balance Trike

A balance bike is a 2-wheel learner bicycle that has no pedals but is instead propelled by the rider pushing their feet along the ground. A balance bike is designed to help young children learn to balance and steer. Once children have found their balance and confidence, they will then have the skills to progress successfully to a pedal bike without using training wheels.

This very much depends on the child’s ability as well as the size of the balance bike, its wheel size and seat height. A child must have mastered basic levels of co-ordination before they can use a balance bike though most balance bikes are marketed to children aged from 3+. There are some balance bikes available which have smaller wheels, or three wheels, which can be suitable for younger children, from as young as 18 months. Trybike, when set up as a Trike is suitable for children aged 15 months. The 3-wheel balance bikes can be converted to a 2- wheel balance bike as soon as a child is ready to start balancing.

It will teach your child a crucial skill which will set them up for life - balance. Learning early can enhance confidence when it comes to cycling unsupported. Some balance bikes adjust from a 3-wheeler to a 2-wheeler. 3-wheelers are generally suitable for children from 15 months plus and will teach them to control movement using their body weight as well as the art of steering before they progress to a 2-wheeler. Balance bikes can be used anywhere and will roll on any surface, inside or outside. Training wheels will often inhibit children’s progress and cause frustration when used on surfaces such as gravel, grass and carpet.

We don’t recommend this. It very much depends on the construction of the frame and the seat height. Pedal bikes require a higher seat height whereas with a balance bike the seat needs to be closer to the ground so a child can control the movement with their feet. You want to start with a balance bike as early as possible, and on a normal bike a child would need to be 4+ years to be able to reach the ground.

Again, we wouldn’t recommend it as it’s a feature that tends not to work well and is not an ergonomic solution. But there are some brands that offer this facility.

The two key considerations for parents are:-
Appropriate seat height for the age of the child
Adjustable seat/adjustable steering in order that the bike can evolve in line with their child’s progress.
All other considerations are generally aesthetic.

Buying a 2-in-1 balance bike, ie one that progresses from a 3-wheeler to a 2- wheeler, is a good, long-term investment as children can start using it from around 15 months. Once they have developed their confidence, and are familiar with the feel of the bike, (around age 3), one of the wheels can be removed to turn it into a balance bike. We really don’t recommend training wheels. They don’t actually teach children to balance which is the skill you need to ride a pedal bike. Worse still, if a child goes from a balance bike to a bike with training wheels, it can completely eradicate all the skills they have developed on their balance bike.