Balance Bikes Buyer's Guide

Balance bikes are the best introduction to two wheels for kids. Your child won't have to worry about pedals or gears, they can simply push off and enjoy the freedom of riding. If you want to start them riding as soon as possible, a balance bike is the best way to teach little ones the art of balance before mastering their pedalling and braking skills.

If you're searching for a brilliant balance bike, you'll find it at Halfords. In our balance bikes buyer's guide, we explain what a balance bike is, how it works, and show you some of our favourites.

What is a balance bike?

Balance bikes are cycling stripped back. Your child climbs on board, pushes off using their feet and enjoys the ride without having to worry about managing pedals and brakes. They won't build up much speed and can use their legs to control the speed and slow down. Read more about how to ride a balance bike to find out more about teaching your child the skill of riding their first bike.

As they get better, they’ll begin to balance and cruise with legs off the ground, using their feet (or brakes on some models) to slow down and stop.

Balance bikes give your child a chance to build confidence on two wheels. Then, when they've mastered the basics of balancing and steering, they're ready for a bike with pedals.

What age are balance bikes for?

Balance bikes are often the perfect choice for a child’s first bike. You can, however, find balance bikes for older kids, where our bikes are recommended for up to 7-year-olds.

Balance bike or bike with stabilisers?

Traditionally, bikes with stabilisers were the most popular option when teaching kids how to ride a bike. There is no right or wrong option when choosing a first bike for your child. Every child learns differently and may find it easier to master their balance first before advancing onto pedalling, steering, and braking.

The easiest way to know what bike is best for your child is to visit your local Halfords where they can sit on some bikes and get a feel for what's comfortable. If that's not possible or practical, check out our kids' bike size guide.

Balance bike benefits

There are many benefits of balance bikes, including:

• They teach your child how to balance at their own pace.
• They are easy to understand with no dirty moving parts like chains.
• They are light enough for children to carry, which also helps them to control their riding more easily.
• Balance bikes don’t need a lot of space, so they can be used pretty much anywhere.
• They don’t require much maintenance since they don’t have gears.

What safety gear does my child need to ride a balance bike?

Safety is critical while riding any bike, and balance bikes are no different. 

Your child should always wear a helmet when riding a bike. At Halfords, we have a massive selection of children's helmets in different styles and designs. From Peppa Pig to Disney Princesses, we've got a helmet that they'll never complain about clipping on. 

Other accessories you may want to buy with your balance bike include knee and elbow pads and gloves. You can check out our full range of kids' cycling clothing and essential accessories here.

What are the best balance bikes?

At Halfords, we stock a wide range of balance bikes in different sizes and styles. Here's a selection of our favourite balance bikes. 

Indi 10" Balance Bike

The Indi Balance Bike is a perfect first bike for your little ones. With its vibrant design and specially designed for little hands, this is an ideal choice for those looking to build their confidence on two wheels and offers excellent value for money.

Paw Patrol Balance Bike 10"

The Paw Patrol Balance Bike is the ultimate first bike for little ones who love Paw Patrol. The colourful character graphics are certain to put a smile on your child’s face. and the adjustable handlebar means it can grow with them.

Apollo Wizzer 10" Balance Bike

The Apollo Wizzer 10” is a perfect option for learning toddlers. The sturdy steel frame and air-filled rubber tyres keep them safe and stable, while the cute design is sure to get them excited to ride

Pendleton Somerby 12 " Balance Bike

The Pendleton Somerby is the stylish balance bike created in collaboration with Olympic champion, Victoria Pendleton. A perfect option for a first bike, it contains a cute wicker style basket for little ones to carry their favourite toys on their journeys.

Peppa Pig Balance Bike 10”

The lightweight Peppa Pig Balance Bike is the perfect first bike for little ones who love Peppa! The soft handlebar grips keep little hands comfortable, while the puncture proof foam tyres and adjustable saddle allow your little one to easily set off on their first adventure.

Carrera Cosmos 12” Balance Bike

The Carrera Cosmos 12” Balance Bike is a fantastic option for your mini speedsters! The 12" air filled rubber tyres provide some resistance to help your child perfect the art of riding.

At Halfords, we've been helping riders take care of their bikes for over 100 years. Our CycleCare packages keep you moving safely on two wheels, and the Classic package is perfect for young riders – we’ll provide a safety check and identify any issues or faults that may need fixing, and in most cases, we can perform repairs quickly.

Halfords CycleCare is the cheapest and best way to ensure your new balance bike brings hours of enjoyment every time your child pushes off.