How to Balance Your Kids Ride with Style

Scars tell tales, glancing down at our knees or elbows, there’s a graze for each of the trials and tribulations we went through while learning to ride without stabilizers. Pondering on these skin abrasions, we wonder why on all major bike manufacturers websites, there’s always images of children riding independently, and not in the early stages of balance…

We all have to start somewhere, so we have scoured the web and for all you parents with potential little rippers, and found the products to speed up that golden moment when you first see your kid ride off into sunset…unassisted.

Specialized Hotwalk

Starting with one of the biggest brands in the world, Specialized have been at the forefront of the kids bike market for quite some time now, making slightly higher than usual priced bikes, but nevertheless, not skipping on quality. If you hit up any Specialized Concept or Elite store, you’ll see a showroom littered with a range of children’s bikes, and what we love the most is they style them brashly, boldly, and most importantly, like the original kids bikes when we were just coming of age.

For more info, visit: specialized.com

Early Rider Road Runner

We first spotted this little ripper at Lake Garda Bike Festival in Italy a few months back, and you guys went crazy for it. The full article is here. Early Rider actually create a drop bar version of this, too.

LIKEaBIKE Jumper

Aimed at actually getting your kid ripping quicker than any other, and with a choice of 9 colours to choose from, the Jumper from LikeaBike is possibly the most versatile. Made from using low weight aluminium and a rear suspension pivot to improve handling and comfort, if your little buddy wants to show off buy hopping off curbs, this bike can handle it.

For more info, visit: likeabike.co.uk

ZumZum Balance Bike

If Josh Bryceland is anything to go by, being endorsed by Steve Peat automatically makes you World Champion, doesn’t it? Well, Peaty has got on board with presenting this 10mm-150mm balance bike and we think it looks absolutely insane. Fully-natural suspension and made from a pretty minimalistic design, we can’t imagine our kids looking any cooler…unless you’re a big fan of the next one we’re featuring. Full article on this nifty bit of kit can be found here

For more info, visit: kickstarter.com

Dunecraft Balance Bike

Based on the early 1920s Isle of Man TT winning racing motorbike, the Dunecraft is made of top quality birch wood and comes fully assembled with a stand. Weighing in at 8kg and hand-made from start to finish at their workshop in Leiden in the Netherlands, you know you’ll never be skipping on quality and your child will be the pinnacle of style. One thing that scares us is the price…

For more info, visit: dunecraft-balance-bikes.com

Got any more to add to this list? Just drop us a comment below!

Words: Andrew Richardson Photos: Courtesy of the brands

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