Also bear in mind that you’ll probably have to lift your child’s bike in and out of the car boot or, at the very least, carry it should they get tired, so you’ll thank yourself later for going that little bit lighter. Vitus Nippy weighs just under a Strider and is a third of the price. We had a heavy balance bike and made no progress, swapped it for a Vitus Nippy and my son was doing huge ramps in the skate park the same day, and road a bike with pedals without needing any practice once he'd outgrown the Nippy. He absolutely loved that thing, even more than his pedal bike tbh." (Recommended by Mumsnetter user33323) Our verdict FEATURES: Lightweight, durable build, three different speed settings, quality mid-drive motor, removable battery, replacement parts widely available Sizing Chart for Frog Kids Bike Frog bikes are sized by leg length rather than age, as this is the most reliable way of getting the right size of bike for each child.

The Guardian balance bike also features Guardian’s proprietary SureStop braking system, which allows the rear and front rim brakes to be activated by pulling just one brake lever. During our tests, the Guardian provided plenty of top-notch stopping power to keep our little testers safe, but not significantly more than other high-end balance bikes with quality hand brakes.Age range: Suitable from two years old with a minimum inside leg of 30cm and approximate height of 88cm | Weight: 3.2kg | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Pneumatic What we love

We then test how easy it is to manoeuvre the full case. We consider the handles and, if the handle is extendable, is the action smooth, or glitchy? Does the case have wheels? If so, how many? And we assess how easy and light it feels to steer. We asked real parents to put some of the UK's top balance bikes through their paces, letting their young children try out each model and taking detailed notes on a number of points: Kids who have tricycles, scooters, or bikes with training wheels can be more resistant to ride a balance bike. Why? Balance bikes require a little more effort to learn but offer far greater rewards in return. If you think this might be the problem, remove these other distractions and only offer up the balance bike as a possibility.Size: Cycling UK advises that your child should be able to sit comfortably on the balance bike, knees slightly bent and feet flat on the floor. Balance bikes also teach kids how to steer properly by leaning the bike towards the corner, helped by the assurance of having their feet on the ground. Key specs – Wheel size: 12in; Suggested age: 2-4 years; Frame material: Aluminium; Tyre type: Pneumatic; Weight: 3.4kg; Additional features: Suspension, steering limiter

With several fun, colorful designs to choose from as well as air tires and a handbrake, there is a lot to love about the Guardian Balance bike. With a taller minimum and maximum seat height than the woom 1, the Guardian provides exceptional quality, but more room for growth for tall or older toddlers. As with adult bikes, there’s a large number of balance bikes to choose from, chiefly distinguished by size, components and features. How much should I spend?

9. Best balance bike for resale value: Islabikes Rothan

The saddle should also, ideally, be in a ‘scoop’ shape to deal with the amount of weight targeted towards the centre of the saddle and to aid positioning. Age range: Suitable for two and three year olds (average inside leg 31cm) | Weight: 4.17kg | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Pneumatic What we love