Hutchens has spent his life imparting his two-wheeled passion to others as a coach, racer, mechanic, guide, shop owner, and consultant. Long-time Tahoe resident and occasional pro racer Jeremy Benson huffy electric bike also contributed his time and knowledge to this review. Benson has been riding bikes for over 30 years and has authored a book on bike trails in and around the Lake Tahoe basin, Mountain Bike Tahoe.
Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful huffy electric bike advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).
These Fred Flintstone-powered criteriums were, not surprisingly, the brainchild of Strider founder and avid motocrosser Ryan McFarland. The zeitgeist of these races is nicely captured in this story and video by The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay, “The End of Training Wheels,” who describes a cross between Sesame Street and Mad Max. For this great Outside story, “Inside the Cut-Throat World of Toddler Bike Racing,” writer Ian Dille’s son actually competed in the race Gay was covering. Slightly bigger with easy-to-install pedals, the Strider 14x Sport can also be used as your kid’s first pedal bike, making this an all-in-one solid investment. Cannondale’s $225 Trail Balance bike (it comes in boys’ and girls’ versions, which are identical apart from the colors) is unique, with its single-sided lefty-style fork, made famous on Cannondale’s big mountain bikes. Return your Woom 1 (shipping prepaid) to the company within two years of purchase, and Woom will put 40% of the returned bike’s original purchase price toward the next bike, one size up.
With its 4-inch wide tires and comfortable front suspension, this bike offers stability and smooth rides, ideal for exploring dirt roads or leisurely trails. The 750W motor feels potent and can reach speeds up to 28mph with pedal assistance. Sleek and stylish, the bike has a frame-integrated battery and complimentary components. It comes in two frame sizes and step-through and step-over styles to cater to your preferences. The Aventure.2 boasts an excellent display and controls, front and rear fenders and lights, a rear rack, and even turn signals. So, this bike is perfect for exploring, whether you’re on an adventure or just commuting.
Being able to plant both your feet on the ground offers you more balance and control to ride confidently no matter the terrain. While some minor issues were reported, the bike’s overall quality and value make it an excellent choice for those who want to explore bike paths and beyond. Huffy mountain bike Its main competitor is the Ride1Up 700 series, which has a larger battery and comes with a rear rack.
Hybrid-wise, we also tested the under-$100, footrest-equipped 12-inch Glide Bikes Mini Glider, which our advanced riders really liked. But the rear drum-style hand brake didn’t work well and weighed the bike down unnecessarily. The Mini Glider also came with a freewheel (no coaster brake) pedal option, but with the marginally effective brakes, we couldn’t recommend the add-on. If you’re confident that you can persuade your youngster to give push biking a go (and money is a secondary concern), the aluminum-and-stainless-steel Woom 1 is a work of industrial art. The Strider 12 Sport’s functional design carries over into its very lightweight plastic wheels and foam rubber tires that never need inflating.
The Blix Vika+ Flex has several useful features, including integrated lights, fenders, and a sturdy rear cargo rack. At 51 lbs and 14 oz, it is significantly lighter than other top performers and folds down small for easy portability and storage. Our testers were delighted by the performance of the Ride1Up Turris XR, especially considering its affordable price. It’s an upgrade to the Ride1Up Core5, which used to be our favorite bike in this price range.
Beyond those concerns, we feel it is a great option for riders who want fewer limitations on where their electric bike can take them. If you don’t, the Ride1Up 700 is likely the better option and will save you money. When it’s set up, the Strider’s pedal assembly is engineered with very narrow cranks and pedals—half as wide as you’d see on any other bike. These are key because when most kids transition from a balance to a pedal bike, they’re hardwired to use their feet as brakes—especially if their balance bike didn’t come with hand brakes. The narrowness of this setup allows them to continue to stride and brake like Fred Flintstone until they develop the coordination to engage the pedal and coaster brake in concert. Other bikes with wider pedals will catch kids in the leg if they put their feet down.
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. So what about skipping the balance bike and heading straight for a small pedal bike (like a 16-inch model with training wheels)?
When our shop re-opens to the public following the coronavirus outbreak, we’ll be happy to discuss options for fit customization, upgrades, and accessories. For retail purchases returned without a receipt, the refund will be issued as a store merchandise
credit at the lowest price within the last 90 days. Proper ID will be required in the form of a valid, state-
issued driver’s license or state ID card.