One of the biggest challenges for parents when it comes to buying a bike for their children is balancing the desire to buy a good bike with the reality that your child will soon outgrow whatever bicycle you pick.
In this post, we share several options. This includes 2 bikes that convert from a trike to a balance bike, and another 2 that convert from a balance bike to a pedal bike. These convertible balance bikes offer an attractive option to parents who want to buy a bike that can grow with their child for a while.
The convertible LittleBig balance bike transforms from a small to large balance bike, and then to a 14″ pedal bike. Very well made, the LittleBig will last through many years of riding. Read the review below for more details on why it’s our favorite convertible balance bike!
After years of waiting, a well-designed convertible balance bike is finally available. The cold fusion of the toddler bike world, creating a proper balance bike that seamlessly converts to a pedal bike has been attempted several times, but with poor results. Built with top-of-the-line components, the littlebig is a game changer as it is lightweight, well-made and performs great as a balance bike and as a beginning pedal bike. Designed and assembled in Ireland, every littlebig is inspected to ensure top-quality upon arrival. While not ideal for all kids, the littlebig is the great choice for parents of preschoolers or taller toddlers who don’t want to purchase a balance bike and a beginning 12″ or 14″ pedal bike.
The littlebig really shines as a balance bike. Weighing in at 11.2 lb., it isn’t the lightest on the market, but it is packed with exemptional features, including dual hand brakes, wide and extra-cushioning 14″ tires and an internally routed brake cable. With a minimum seat height of 14″ as a small balance bike and 18″ as a larger balance bike, the bike fit kids in size 2T to size 5 clothes.
As the LittleBig changes between its three modes, it goes from the equivalent size of a standard 12 inch balance bike, to that of a 16 inch pedal bike. Both the saddle height and the handlebar reach increase, allowing for your child’s additional growth. As well as these frame adjustments, the saddle, handlebars and stem are like those you would find on an adult’s bike, so can independently adjusted to further fine tune the bike’s fit.
In order to use a no pedal balance bike safely, it’s important that the bike is the correct fit for your child. Your child’s inside leg length should be the same or slightly longer than the minimum saddle height, which for the LittleBig is 37cm/14inches. It is important that your child can sit on the saddle with their feet comfortably on the ground. This will ensure that they have a successful start on their new bike.
How to measure
Measure your child’s inside leg with shoes on, from floor to top of inseam. The inseam length should be at least the same as the minimum saddle height (370mm), or preferably a little longer.
Once your child is proficient at balancing, it’s time to fit the pedals! Your little one doesn’t necessarily need his/her feet flat on the ground but the bike does need to be in the big mode. The pedals cannot be fitted to the little mode but the optional short seatpost can lower the minimum saddle height from 51cm to 47cm if needed.
With the pedal bike it’s okay for kids to just reach the ground using the balls of their feet while stationary, this will give a more comfortable position when pedalling. As a rule of thumb, when using the pedal bike, the saddle can be an inch taller than the inseam leg length, i.e. if your child’s inseam leg length is 49cm, the saddle can be 51cm off the ground.
Read more about bikes for toddlers here.
If the saddle is too low while pedalling your child’s knees will bend too much at the top of the stroke which is uncomfortable and tiring. There’s a reason while they riders in the Tour de France seem to have their saddles raised to the sky!
Kids’ bikes aren’t generally known for their high quality because, let’s face it: they’re meant to be disposable. However, because the Little Big Bike is designed to be ridden by kids starting at age 2 and going all the way up to age 7, it’s built to be durable and easy to maintain for years. The frame is made from 6061-T6 aluminum tubing, and the quality of the construction is evident right away. Even the rear brake cable gets internal routing for a clean look.
Little Big utilizes real components throughout the bike, from the forged aluminum BMX stem to the smooth V-brakes front and rear. If you’ve ever worked on a low quality child’s bike before, you know how frustrating it can be to replace parts or make repairs. The Little Big bike makes few compromises, and I’ve enjoyed turning every nut and bolt.
Speaking of turning bolts, Little Big includes all the tools you need to work on the bike, right in the box. Basically, only a couple standard allen keys and a multi-sided cone wrench are required to make all the adjustments.
The Little Big bike has three modes: balance bike, taller/longer balance bike, and pedal bike. Directly out of the box the bike is configured in balance bike mode. The brakes are already set up, the only thing to do is to install the seatpost (saddle attached) and mount the bars to the stem. Little Big recommends this starting configuration for children ages 2 to 3.
https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/sites/www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/files/vla-resource-bike-law.pdf
