The low standover aluminum frame makes it easy to get on and off, while the extra-large seat offers superior comfort on every ride. If our top pick isn’t available, or if you have a taller child, the REI Co-op Cycles REV 12 Kids’ Balance Bike is an excellent next-best choice. At 9 pounds, the REV 12 is heavier than many of the other bikes we tried, and it lacks some extras.
A rear expander brake and front alloy linear pull brake deliver reliable speed control and secure stopping power. Plus, a locking brake lever acts as a parking brake to keep the tricycle stationary on flat ground for easy loading and unloading. Best suited for flat areas, this schwinn bicycles single-speed drivetrain is easy to use and simple to maintain, while the chain guard keeps your clothes and shoelaces free & clear. The Woom 1 arrives almost ready to go—its wheels and handbrake are already attached and perfectly adjusted, and only the tires need to be filled.
Chris Dixon, this guide’s first author and a lifelong mountain biker, interviewed bike-industry experts and spent more than 20 hours assembling, dissecting, and testing 13 balance bikes in 2017. After spending over 60 hours researching and assembling 22 balance bikes, and subjecting them to test panels of highly energetic kids, we’re confident that the Guardian Balance Bike is the best choice. We looked for trikes that can be passed down from child to child. We tested tricycles made from steel, aluminum, and plastic, in varying combinations.
That side of the wheel goes onto the axle first.Align the flat sections on the hub and axle, then slide the wheel onto the axle until it stops. Slide one washer over the axle end, then thread the locknut on and tighten it with a wrench. Repeat for the second rear wheel, then turn the tricycle right side up.
The MyRider Midi has no extras, but it accommodates older kids. The banana-shaped bike seat doesn’t adjust, but because of its ample length, kids can comfortably push back and stretch schwinn tricycle their legs as they grow. We found that bigger kids could more comfortably ride the MyRider Midi than our other picks, and that could help justify the much higher price tag.