For our testing subjects, we enlisted our friend’s adventurous little kids, including 2-year-old Elle, 6-year-old Luke, and 7-year-old Fleet here in Charleston, South Carolina. River, who is 3 and a proficient balance biker, took to our fleet with enthusiasm. So what about skipping the balance bike and heading straight for a small pedal bike (like a 16-inch model with training wheels)? Kids outgrow 12-inch and 14-inch bikes so quickly, huffy beach cruiser it makes sense to have your kid stay on a 12-inch balance bike or 14-inch hybrid (with a highly adjustable seatpost and handlebars) until they’re ready for at least a 16-inch pedal bike, which will last them longer. Many kids need a little encouragement (and flat, paved terrain) to get into balance biking. Unless they’ve started out with a ride-on toy car or scooter or push trike they may not pick up the bike and just go.
But even though this was an issue from time to time, this wasn’t even the biggest issue of the Superia. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident huffy beach cruiser buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). A nicely narrow Q factor—the distance between the cranks—keeps a child’s legs from splaying out while on the pedal and allows them to generate power more easily.
It also was nearly assembled right down to its pre-attached wheels, which were perfectly tightened so they spun freely without any play. Step-by-step instructions, both printed and online, were easy and fun and never frustrating. Final assembly consisted of fitting a couple of nylon bushings that comprised its super-tough and simple steering headset, then tightening the quick-release levers that raise and lower the seat and handlebars. The quick-release levers are even notched where they’re supposed to sit. Once kids have mastered striding, it’s time to attach the pedal setup, which like everything else Strider, is extremely clever. The pedal assembly arrives in a box that advises parents not to open it until your child is ready to pedal.
Like many engineering entrepreneurs, McFarland has fanatically followed the behaviors and traits of his consumers—in this case, parents and kids from toddlers to second graders to special-needs kids of all ages, for whom he’s built larger balance bikes. Agile, simple to assemble, and sporting a useful rear hand brake, this is the balance bike for bike enthusiast parents who want their kid to have a pro-level tyke bike. A good balance bike helps little kids develop the coordination and confidence they’ll need to ride a pedal bike—things they won’t get with training wheels. In particular, you should be aware that, even if you change every component on a mountain bike, the frame will still have mountain bike geometry.
Many experts we spoke with agree that training wheels render a bicycle little more than a dangerously tippy four-wheeled tricycle and don’t teach a child to balance. Though not as polished as the Strider or Co-op, this lightweight, low-slung bike will get most kids up and happily gliding along—and won’t bust the budget. You didn’t specify the age of the bikes, but it sounds like they’ve been sitting around unused for a while.
Proper ID will be required in the form of a valid, state-
issued driver’s license or state ID card. The matte paint finish brings a great look to an awesome BMX bike.Rotor delivers tangle-free 360 degree rotations for exciting ride options.Beefy 4 bolt stem delivers superior durability. The end of the Superia came when things were starting to (literally) fall apart. The pedals, which were made of cheap plastic to begin with, finally cracked and broke to pieces while riding. I rode the Superia without pedals (just with the rod that would’ve connected the pedal to the crankshaft) for some time, but I found that wore out my shoes (and feet) in quick succession. While not as pronounced or as severe as other bikes of this price point I’ve owned in the past, the Superia did suffer from minor gear selection mechanism mayhem.