There is perhaps nothing more heartwarming and exciting to a parent than to see their child attempt to walk for the very first time. But it isn’t long after that your little one is romping all over the house, ready to take on the next challenge.
And that challenge is most often the bicycle. To a child, taming this wild beast is considered a personal badge of honor. But the journey there is usually fraught with a mix of fear and determination.
As a parent, you want nothing more than to help your child overcome this obstacle. Then perhaps it’s time you invested in a wooden balance bike. This unique yet effective tool is very beneficial in assisting youths with their stability.
Wooden trike balance bike
Unfortunately, there are plenty of wooden balance bikes on the market that are of sub-par quality and will quickly fall apart. If you are shopping for a wooden balance bike, and want something that will last for years and be well-loved, then choose from one of these top picks.
Wooden balance bikes look pretty sweet, but they definitely have some limitations that metal balance bikes don’t. Before you buy a wooden balance bike, it’s important for you to understand how they are different from metal balance bikes.
In general, wooden balance bikes don’t have the same range of seat height adjustability as a metal balance bike with a standard seat post. Adjusting the seat height on a wooden balance bike also requires some time and patience. Far from a quick release, the seat requires removing two bolts, realigning the seat post with the frame and then reinserting the bolts. While this process, seems easy in theory, at times it can be quite a challenge.
Wooden balance bikes also generally provide a much narrower range for seat height, typically ranging from about 1″ to 4″. On the other hand, metal balance bikes usually range from 4″ to 8″. As a result, while kids can ride a wooden balance bike for the same amount of time as a metal balance bike, they will likely have to ride the bike with the seat height much lower than is ideal as they grow.
A bike shouldn’t weigh more than 30% of your child’s weight. More athletic kids are generally less bothered by weight than timid riders, but as a general rule, try to stick to a bike under 9 lbs.
Wooden balance bikes tend to be heavier than metal balance bikes, although depending on the bike this is not always the case. The lightest wooden balance bike we know of is 7 lbs, while the lightest aluminum balance bike we’ve tested is 4.4 lbs.
Due to their construction, most wooden balance bikes have some variation of a turning limiter. Turning limiters restrict the degree at which the handlebars can rotate. While some metal balance bikes feature turning limiters, they don’t restrict the turning radius nearly as much as a wooden balance bike’s limiter does.
For younger riders, turning limiters can be beneficial as they can prevent kids from oversteering and jackknifing the bike. As kids get older and more experienced, however, turning limiters can become more problematic as they can prevent kids from intentionally taking tight turns.
The unique design of the Early Rider balances bikes, however, allow them to function more like a metal balance bike. They can be completely “opened up” to allow for the handlebars to rotate 180-degrees around the handlebars.
While this is a concern with any bike, wooden balance bikes are more susceptible to wear and tear than metal bikes. Wood can crack, rot, and warp, and can even snap in half. While many wooden balance bikes are coated with lacquer to “weather-proof” them, it’s always advisable to store them indoors.
There are two common types of balance bike tires: foam and air. Foam tires will never go flat, but have no cushioning and little traction. Air tires are more expensive and a little heavier, but provide great cushioning and traction for a more comfortable ride for adventurous kids.
There are lots of reasons to buy a wooden balance bike—they are eco-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and lots of fun. Of all the balance bikes I’ve helped folks buy, these are also the most commonly given gift-item.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of wooden balance bikes on the market that are of sub-par quality and will quickly fall apart. If you are shopping for a wooden balance bike, and want something that will last for years and be well-loved, then choose from one of these top picks.
The Early Rider classic is just that—a classic. Carved from quality marine birch, this wooden balance bike is both beautiful and environmentally-friendly. Flames on the side will make even the littlest riders feel cool!
The Kinderfeets Classic is like two gifts in one. Not only is it a balance bike, it is a chalkboard too! The bike comes in both a plain wood version as well as a version thats painted in a variety of colorful chalkboard paints that kiddos can draw on.
You can also feel good about your purchase knowing that for every tree that is harvested to make a Kinderfeets bike, another tree is planted in its place.
