If you want to introduce your child to bicycles at an early age, balance bike with pedals to add is the way to go. They can get started on the bike as a balance bike, then switch to pedalling when they’re ready!
Balance bikes are bikes that don’t use pedals. Instead, the child sits on the seat and uses their feet to move around. This helps them learn how to balance on two wheels before switching over to pedalling.
This is perfect for young kids. You can start a child on a balance bike as young as 18 months.
Some balance bikes are just balance bikes, designed to never have pedals or a chain. I’m not going to bother with those in this article. Personally, I prefer ones that are built to let you attach the pedal and chain later. Why buy two seperate bikes when you can buy one that grows with your child?
Let’s compare two balance bikes with pedals to add.
Contents
Strider – 14X 2-in-1 Balance to Pedal Bike Kit
The 14X 2-in-1 Balance to Pedal Bike Kit is the perfect bike to grow with your child.
Firstly, and most obviously, it’s a balance bike with pedals to add later. The entire thing is quick to assemble, mostly using easy, snap-together pieces, an Allen key, and a screwdriver. The pedal assembly is likewise pretty painless to put together.
Secondly, the bike has adjustable seat and handle heights. The manufacturer says it’s designed for ages 3-7, so you can keep the bike growing right alongside your kids. Perfect!
There are two colors to choose from — “Awesome Green” and “Fantastic Blue”.
One potential downside is that this bike is heavy. Storing it and getting it around places might be a problem for some. Small children will need careful supervision even when not on the bike, as it could hurt them if it fell on them.
That being said, the weight does make it durable and sturdy — a silver lining to any cloud.
Pros
- Potentially four years of use out of one bike.
- Easy to assemble.
- Sturdy.
- Adjustable.
Cons
- Possibly too heavy for smaller children on their own.
- No kickstand.
Frequently Asked Questions with Answers
Having seconds thoughts about Amazon? Here we answer the most frequent questions:
There are no handbrakes. How do you brake with the pedals attached?
The 14X doesn’t require a handbrake. Simply pedal backwards to stop the bike.
How much assembly is needed?
The bike is mostly assembled on delivery, and comes with most of the tools you need to put it together. The only thing you need to supply is your own Phillips head screwdriver.
Does the bike come with a kickstand?
Unfortunately not. This can make setting the bike down or picking it up a bit difficult for small children due to its weight.
Are there any more colors available?
Just the blue and green.
Can I add training wheels?
The point of a balance bike is you don’t need them. The child learns to ride the bike using their feet to move, then you add the pedals once they’re balanced.
U Rennrad Convertible 2 in 1 Balance/Pedal Bike
The U Rennrad Convertible 2-in-1 is a much more basic balance bike with pedals to add than the 14X above. That said, it’s still a great selection. It’s both easy to assemble and to convert from a balance to a pedal bike.
This bike comes in a wide variety of colors — pink, blue, orange, green, and purple. You can get 12, 14, or 16 inch wheels for it.
Where the 14X used a reverse-pedal action to brake the bike, the Rennrad uses a traditional hand brake lever. This is attached whether you’re in balance or pedal mode, so children learn to ride with it from the beginning.
The major drawback of the bike is that the size isn’t as adjustable like the 14X. When you add the pedal assembly and raise the seat you get a bit of extra room, but nothing like the 14X’s range.
Pros
- Wide variety of colors.
- Handle brakes.
- Front and rear reflectors for evening or night riding.
- Easy assembly.
Cons
- Limited adjustability — the seat can lower and raise, but that’s about it.
- Possibly short lifetime due to child growth.
Frequently Asked Questions with Answers
Having seconds thoughts about Amazon? Here we answer the most frequent questions:
Does the Rennrad Convertible balance bike with pedals to add come with a kickstand?
Unfortunately, no. Luckily the bike is fairly lightweight, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
What size tires would I need for my child?
12” wheels: 2.5 years or 37” tall in balance mode, 3 year or 39” in pedal mode.
14” wheels: 3 years or 39” in balance mode, 4 years or 43” in pedal mode.
16” wheels: 4 years or 43” tall in balance mode, 5 years or 45” in pedal mode.
My 4 year old has outgrown their 14” wheels, can I just adjust the height?
If your 4 year old kid is too tall for the bike, you’ll need to replace the wheels with the next size up.
Do I have to replace the bike to replace the wheels?
No, you can buy replacement wheels for the bike.
Conclusion
As you can see, the 14X is an excellent choice for longevity, usefulness, and ease of use. But if you’re happy to just have the balance bike with pedals to add long enough for your child to learn to ride, the Rennrad is a great option. Once they outgrow their wheels, you could replace them with a larger size or opt for a more substantial bike altogether.
I hope that you liked my Most Popular Balance Bike with Pedals to Add [2 Great Choices] article and I’ll see you soon!
Favorite Picks by Other Readers
(If you can’t see this you need to disable your ad-blocker)
Leave a Reply