The former is stylish, easy to ride and exceptional quality – it’s a balance bike that kids will love and one that can be passed down the family over the years. Some models in our round-up even have the option to transform into a first bike, with pedals and chain.

Read more about the condition New: A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging is applicable). Children should be able to sit on the saddle, with both feet flat on the floor and with a slight bend at the knee. This super stylish balance bike not only looks awesome in it’s 3 available colours (Green Rocket, Pink Arrow and Red Bullet) it feels very robust and safe! With a Master's Degree in Marketing from Northwestern University, Carrie left the corporate world behind to dedicate her career to testing and improving kids' bikes and bike products.With a cool BMX look and a (detachable) shield at the front, this balance bike will definitely appeal to wannabe racers. thanks to its aluminium frame – which made it really easy for both our testers to get to grips with and move around on. The seat is fully adjustable so can grow with your child and we found that this bike is good for taller children like Logan. This balance bike helps develop the balance and confidence your child needs to use a real 2-wheeled bike.

We loved the carry handles, cut out of the bike frame – a thoughtful touch that will be appreciated by parents who will inevitably end up having to carry the balance bike at some point. There are 14", 16", 18" and 20" options in the Black Mountain range which means there's options for up to about 7 years of age (depending on your child's height of course). The tyres are chunky but super-lightweight, tackling bumpy ground with ease, and the in-built footrests, contoured into the frame, are perfect for kids to place their feet on when freewheeling along.it's perfect for younger children who don't have the strength to manoeuvre a heavier bike, and who aren't ready for learning to use brakes.

it makes an ideal starter balance bike for toddlers who may struggle to manoeuvre and keep upright on heavier models. The older one had stabilisers on his bike and was the same – i think they both give children extra confidence in the saddle.

Another plus is that as the Strider doesn't have air tyres there is less maintenance and no risk of a puncture while out. Our three-year-old tester got the hang of it straightaway and it really gave some extra peace of mind when they were reaching top speed while whizzing down country lanes. My son has the tadpole plus and it's fab, a few months on it and at three he can cycle a normal bike without stabilisers. Riding a bike is something everyone should be encouraged to do as it not only keeps us fit but it’s also a more eco friendly mode of transport which is a great benefit for our planet.

A very popular choice when I asked the parents to recommend the best balance bikes were the Strider Balance Bikes. Just the right size for storing snacks, toy cars or random sticks discovered along the way, it was a big hit.Bikes have really come on in leaps and bounds since I was a child and balance bikes seem a popular choice amongst parents. As they slowly get used to the bike, they should move on to “striding” – when they walk with the bike while sitting on the saddle – before eventually gaining the confidence to push with their feet and glide along the ground. Despite it being so featherlight in weight, it’s incredibly durable – the magnesium alloy frame is seriously hard-wearing, so much so, AIRO offers a lifetime warranty on the frame and forks. The bike comes in a choice of five colours, and it’s fair to say it was love at first sight for our three-year-old tester when they laid eyes on their bike in the sparkle pink colourway.