Introduction
The Banana Balance Bike is a pedal-less bike that helps the kids in learning balance and coordination at an early age. The unique body frame and design are very attractive. It comes in two variants – Banana GT, having air tires, and Banana LT with foam tires. With its affordable price, sturdy frame, and excellent visual appeal, can this bike be a bundle of satisfaction for both the kids and the parents?
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lightweight
- Adjustable seat and handlebar
- Budget-friendly
- Good customer support
Cons
- Requires too much assembling
- Bolts don’t tighten perfectly
- Lack of steering limiter
- Exposed bolts
Summary
With just around 50 bucks, Banana Balance Bike is a perfect fit for your 2 to 5 years old child. Both of their models are made from aluminum. Kids can’t handle heavy bicycles, therefore having an aluminum body is a good thing. It makes the bike weigh at a max of about 8.16 lbs or 3.70 kg. The bike comes with adjustable handlebars to account for height variation. There are a total of 3 different colors to choose from.
If you are like us who don’t like flat-tire and frequent pumping, well, I have good news for you, the Banana LT comes with flat-free rubber foam tires. But in case a good grip holds more importance, Banana GT is the one you should go for. They also have good quality paint that will ensure the bike stays a mile away from rusting.
Check the price of the Banana Balance Bike: https://amzn.to/3ujjemO
Paint Job
Both the variants of the Balance Banana Bike come in alluring color options. While the GT model comes in yellow, blue, and pink, the LT model can be bought in pink, blue, yellow, and green colors. The vibrant colors instantly grab the attention of the kids and the adults. The paint is robust and environmentally friendly. The paint coating is thick and has a uniform visual appearance regardless of the orientation.
The Banana Balance Bike has a colored frame while the rest of its parts are black. The black wheels, seat, and handle grips contrast the color of the body and make it pop out. The empty space of the frame is covered with branding stickers on either side.
Material and Strength
The Banana Balance Bikes uses aluminum as its primary material, which makes the bike lightweight and durable. The bike has a low center of gravity which helps the toddlers in maintaining balance and coordination. The GT model weighs 8.16 lbs or 3.70 kg, while the LT model weighs 6.39 or 2.9kg. The LT model thus comes with the advantage of being lighter in weight in comparison to the GT variant. Both bikes can support a maximum weight of 55lbs or 25kg.
Safety and Stability
The variant GT comes with a sealed bearing threaded set, while the LT model comes with a threadless headset. The threaded set is responsible for delivering a smooth ride to the kids. Even if the kid falls, it’s easier to realign the handlebar and ensure the right comfort and posture for the kid.
The wheels have good traction even on slippery surfaces which makes the bike safe for the kids. The brakes are absent on the bike, but it is not necessary for these bikes. Both variants have exposed bolts which may cause minor scratches to the kids if not handled with precaution. Generally, bikes with flat or rounded bolts are preferred as they are safer compared to exposed ones.
Wheel & Comfort
The Banana GT Balance Bike has 12″ inflatable pneumatic tires with an aluminum rim that have excellent traction and allow kids to ride on any terrain. The Banana LT Balance Bike has 11.5″ puncture-proof EVA tires with plastic rims that don’t require any pumping. Compared to the GT version, the LT version has less traction. Both variants of the bike have an excellent grip which makes kids safe even in slippery areas.
Both the models of the Banana Balance Bike have a quick-release system, which allows height adjustment without any requirement of the tools. The lowest height setting is 12.2 inches. The maximum seat height for the GT model is 17.3 inches, whereas it is 15.7 inches for the LT model. The seat is both comfortable and durable. The saddle is ergonomically shaped with a slight rise at the back to prevent kids from falling off.
The handlebars are straight in shape with wide-grip bar ends. The grips are provided with large groves, which help prevent the hands from slipping. This bike also comes with an adjustable handlebar that helps in maintaining correct posture as the child grows.
Unfortunately, it lacks a steering limiter, which keeps the handlebar from over-rotating. Lack of steering limiter increases the chances of bike disbalance and thus, introduces a potential risk of injury.
There is no footrest available in both variants of the bike.
Extra Features
Keeping customers happy is the duty of every company and keeping this in mind, the Banana Balance Bike comes with a full warranty and a commendable customer support service. So if your kids face any issue with their bike, the help is just one call away.
Conclusion
The bike comes with robust powdered paint, which gives it a classy finish. The material is not only light but also durable. The exposed bolts and lack of steering limiters may cause some concerns regarding the safety of the kids. However, the grip of the wheels and handlebar is pretty good. An ideal estimate for the age limit for this bike would be 2 to 4 years old.
Buy Banana Balance Bike: https://amzn.to/3ujjemO
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