Which bike is best? Wood or metal? Which size bike will fit my child?
At Balance Bikes Canada, we are available to answer your questions and find which bike is best for your child. We have tested each brand we sell with toddlers and preschoolers to make sure it passes our kid testing and we will not carry a brand that our own demo riders do not love.
These balance bikes are all based on the concept that teaches children how to balance first and make the transition to ride a two-wheeled bike without the need for training wheels. The bicycles have no pedals and the bike works by having your child walk, run, and glide with the bike. When your child is ready, he or she will be able to move-up to a pedal bike without the usual falls, bumps and scrapes that come with the traditional method of removing training wheels on a two-wheeled bike.
The chart below will provide you with some comparing information to help in your selection. One of the most important features to ensure proper fit is to measure your child's inseam and make sure it is long enough for the starting end of the bike. The chart below lists starting height in inches.
Bike Models and Sizing |
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Model |
Material |
Wheel size |
Wheel type |
Bike weight |
Max child weight |
Seat height |
Warranty |
CAD MSRP Price |
|
Strider |
Metal |
12" |
EVA Polymer |
6.4 lbs (4.9 lbs for Pro) |
60 lbs |
11 - 16" up to 19" with XL post |
2 years |
$139.00 |
|
Mini Glider |
Metal |
12" |
EVA Polymer |
8 lbs |
100 lbs |
12" - 17.5" |
Lifetime |
$159.00 |
|
Go Glider 16" |
Metal |
16" |
Air |
10 lbs |
125 lbs |
16" - 25" |
Lifetime |
$199.00 |
|
Strider 16 | Metal | 16" | Air | 17 lbs | 187 lbs | 19.5" -25" | 2 years | $299.00 | |
B-Bip by Mamma Cangura | non-toxic plastic | 12" | Plastic |
6.7 lbs |
60 lbs | 13" - 17" | 3 years | $149.00 | |
Kinderbike Laufrad |
Metal |
12" |
Air |
9 lbs |
75 lbs |
13-17" |
Lifetime |
$129.00 |
|
KinderBike Mini |
Metal |
12" |
Air |
9 lbs |
75 lbs |
11-15.5" |
Lifetime |
$129.00 |
|
Kazam |
Metal |
12" |
Air |
9.9 lbs |
60 lbs |
14 - 17.5" |
2 years |
$145.00 |
|
Runners Speeders | Metal | 12" | EVA and A Series - Air | 6.7 lbs | 80 lbs | 12-17" | 2 years | $110 / $115 (A Series) | |
Runners Ultralight | Aluminium | 12" | Air | 7.9 lbs | 80 lbs | 13.5-18" | 2 years | $139.00 | |
Runners Junior (1-2.5 years) | Wood | 10" | Plastic | 3.6 lbs | 60 lbs | 11-12.5" | 1 year | $89.95 | |
LIKEaBIKE Mountain | Wood | 12.5" | Air | 7.7 LBS | 165 LBS | 12.5" - 16" XL up to 17.2" | 2 Years | $319.00 | |
LIKEaBIKE Mini | Wood | 12.5" | Air | 7.7 LBS | 80 LBS | 11.5" - 14.5" | 2 Years | $329.00 | |
LIKEaBIKE Jumper | Metal | 12" | Air | 7.5 LBS | 100 LBS | 13.4 - 18.5" | 2 Years | $289.00 | |
Prince Lionheart | Wood | 12 " | Air | 10 lbs | 75 lbs | 12 - 16" | 1 year | $139.99 | |
Prince Lionheart Chop / Whirl | Wood | 12 " | Air | 10 lbs | 75 lbs | 15 " -18 " | 1 Year | $149.99 | |
Runners/ Princess/Police | Wood | 12 " | Air | 9.5 lbs | 65 lbs | 12.5" -16.5" | 1 year | $139.00 | |
Wishbone Wood Recycled Edition |
Wood |
12" |
Air |
8.4 lbs 10.4 lbs |
65 lbs |
11” -18” 9" - 20" |
1 year |
$239.00
|
|
FirstBike |
Composite |
12" |
Air |
7.5 lbs |
75 lbs |
13.5 - 17.5 ( with lowering kit 12") |
5 year |
$199.00+
|
This chart shows our recommendations based on demo riders.
Balance Bikes Canada Recommendations (some new models still under review, chart to be updated accordingly) |
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Age/Clothing size |
Strider |
Firstbike |
Strider16 |
Kinder |
LIKEaBIKE | Prince Lionheart |
Wishbone |
Mini Glider |
B-Bip |
Kazam |
Runners |
Go Glider |
18 mos - 2.5 yrs (2T or smaller) |
X |
|
|
X (Mini only) |
X (Mini only) |
X |
|
|
|
|||
2.5 yrs - 3 Yrs (2T - 3T) |
X |
X |
|
X |
X | X |
X |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
3.5 yrs - 4 yrs (3T - 4T) |
X |
X |
|
X |
X | X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
4 to 5 yrs (4T - 5T) |
X |
X |
|
|
X | X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
5 1/2 - 10 yrs (6T and up) |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
X |
Please note for ages 2.5 and under, we recommend the Strider Classic or Sport as a first bike it is the lightest of all the brands, has a low seat height and is easy to carry.
If you prefer a wood model, we recommend the Wishbone 3-in-1 as it starts off as a trike.