Hornit Balance Bike AIRO | Kids Balance Bike | Toddler Bike | Kids Bike | Balance Bike 2 3 4 5 Year Old Girl Boy | Lightweight 2.95 kg | Flamingo Pink

Product Information

A balance bike will teach a child how to balance and lean – valuable skills when it comes to riding a pedal-powered bike. Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images While some people would argue that it’s better to dive straight into a standard bike with stabilizers, we think that balance bikes are absolutely worth it and a great place to start learning bike riding skills. We found the strider sport was great for a very short nearly 2 year old, as it was the only one that had a saddle that could go low enough and light enough. I was even more pleased when they asked if they could send one over to Cycle Sprog HQ for us to do a first impressions review, and to help them spread the word about this new bike (and yes, full disclaimer, Hornit are paying me for my time in writing this. Thank you Hornit – the Sprogs can eat this week!) My eldest (3) loves his Strider Balance Bike - it is the 'sport' version and is very light, although not the lightest on the market. It was a good price given it came with two seat posts to extend its lifespan. He's had no problem with the unrestricted handlebars and I doubt would use the brake offered on competitor brands (certainly not when he first had it aged 2).

Weighing in at just 2.95kg this is quite a feat of balance bike design. They've even managed to include a footplate for your child to rest their feet on as they gain confidence and start moving at speed - but you don't get brakes.Lighter on the wallet than any comparable balance bike, the AIRO is superior on every meaningful measure.

Available in a choice of six bright, funky colours, the Hornit AIRO looks great and thanks to the height-adjustable seat it’ll last your child for years. There’s even a lifetime warranty available for the bike so it’s a great choice for families who want to be able to pass it on from one child to the next. Age range: Suitable from two years old with a minimum inside leg of 30cm and approximate height of 88cm | Weight: 3.2kg | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Pneumatic What we love Age range: 18 months - 4 years | Weight: Not stated | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Airless What we love

Tyres and wheels on the Hornit AIRO balance bike

Hornit are so confident in the quality of this balance bike they're giving it a lifetime warranty which can be registered on-line for free.

While one alternative is to buy a conventional 12- or 14-inch kids’ bike and remove the pedals, a balance bike will typically be lighter in weight, given there are fewer components, and some may have specific features such as a footrest. The lightweight frame and modern, confidence-inspiring geometry should make for a fun ride and allow for small riders to progress and experiment with their cycling." Some raved about its lightweight and the fact that unlike some other balance bikes it comes with a brake.Specialized say the Hotwalk is designed for "less crashes and more smiles" to help kids get on two wheels with confidence. The bike has a low standover and 12" wheels, so it's a great size for a 3 or 4 year old to get their bearings. This bike is FAST. The lightweight design combined with super smooth bearings and slightly bigger tires make this bike cruise. Sometimes a little too fast for my comfort level with my no-fear toddler. The wheel rims are aluminium, which is more hardwearing than plastic over time. The tyres are slightly ridged, which works well on hard surfaces and grass, but less well on mud and gravel paths. Our reviewer thought tyres with more tread might have been more versatile overall. Balance bikes, designed to look like ordinary kids' bikes but without pedals, allow your toddler to master steering and balancing at speed, increasing their confidence in the saddle before the transition to pedalling.