Best Overall
Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
$130The lightest balance bike on the market at under 7 pounds, it teaches kids balance and steering without pedals, making the transition to pedal bikes seamless. Real owners report their toddlers skip training wheels entirely after learning on a Strider.
what experts say
- >“At under 7 pounds, this bike is so lightweight that my toddlers could steer and handle the bike with ease. Both her sons learned on the same STRIDER, starting at age 2, first scooting and then later lifting up their feet and cruising.”— REI Expert
- >“Best Balance Bike: Strider Sport Balance Bike. He started on a balance bike at age 3 and was pedaling by 5.”— Good Housekeeping
- >“You can start with a 12-inch Woom balance bike ($249) and upgrade to differentiated and bigger models from there. The sizes go all the way up to to the Woom 6 ($869), which is a 26-inch bike that even I can ride.”— WIRED
pros & cons
[+] what's great
- +Ultra-lightweight at 6 lbs 11 oz, easy for toddlers to steer and handle
- +No pedals or chain—kids learn balance and steering naturally by pushing with feet
- +Tool-free seat and handlebar adjustments grow with child from 18 months to 5 years
- +EVA polymer tires eliminate flat tire worries
- +Proven track record: kids transition directly to pedal bikes without training wheels
[-] what's not
- -No pedals means it's a stepping stone, not a complete bike solution
- -Higher price point than some training wheel alternatives
- -Limited to ages 18 months–5 years before needing to upgrade
