Best balance bikes: two wheelers for your toddlers

The best balance bikes are an amazing way to introduce your little one to the joy of cycling. We explain how to choose and hand pick our favourites

Best balance bikes image shows a child in a pink helmet and t-shirt, black leggings and silver boots riding a balance bike with their back to the camera
(Image credit: Hannah Bussey)

With no cranks or pedals, the best balance bikes are the first step to life on two wheels for the smallest of riders.

But rather than simply removing these parts from a regular kid's bike, the best balance bikes will be precisely designed and engineered to create the perfect foundation for learning the key skill of cycling, balancing on two wheels.

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Model

Age range

Bike weight (claimed)

Brakes

Strider Bikes Sport

1.5 - 5 years

3.0kg

No

Hornit Airo

1.5 - 5 years

2.95kg

No

Frog Tadpole

2 - 3 years

4.17kg

Rear

Vitus Smoothy

3+ years

3.2kg

No

Cannondale Trail

1 - 4 years

4.0kg

Yes/no

Strider 12 Sport

0.5 - 3+ years

Not specified

No

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her first daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.

Michelle is on maternity leave from April 2025 until spring 2026.