Review: Strider 12 Balance Bike For Kids 1.5 to 3 Years Old

Paint Job

The Strider 12 Balance Bike is available in various colors that are enough to fulfill every child’s mulishness. The bike has spectacular bright paint. With a colored frame and a black handle and seat, the bike has a glossy finish all over it. It has bold brand stickers on either side of the frame and on the handlebar, which gives it a great visual appeal. The overall appearance of the bike is mesmerizing. The bike is available in Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Red, and Yellow colors.

Material & Strength

The Strider 12 Balance Bike uses a steel frame that is strong and durable. It is as lightweight as it is sturdy. The bike needs minimal maintenance. The lightweight bike makes it easier for the toddlers to ride the bike and enjoy it. The bike weighs 6.7 lbs or 3kg. In addition to helping the kids learn to balance, the bikes also give them the confidence to be adventurous as it’s easier to handle and light to pick it up when it falls.

Safety & Stability

The bike has no brakes. The architecture of the balance bike is made with caution to ensure the safety of the kids when they ride. The seat of the bike is close to the rear tire when placed at its lowest height. The small gap provides a stable low center of gravity that makes the bike easier to balance, steer and keep the ride safe. Also, there is an ample amount of space between the seat and the handlebar that gives kids plenty of room to lean in and extend their legs to stride safely and naturally. But on the downside, the bike has exposed bolts that can hit the backside of the kid’s legs and makes their ride unpleasant. It has an attached footrest that enables the kids to place their feet when they ride to keep their shoes safe from wearing out. The handlebar grips keep the kid’s hands safe when they fall or strike against walls or trees. It would have been great if the bike had a turning limiter that prevents the cycle from going 360 and making safe turns.

Wheel & Comfort

The Strider 12 Balance Bike has puncture-proof foam tires. The lightweight, non-marking, and essentially maintenance-free foam tires will never go flat. Compared to air tires, the foam tires provide less traction nevertheless, it is still a comfortable fit for all roads. Flat-free tires are one of the major selling points for many families. Foam tires are fine to ride on paved surfaces, but the cushioning is significantly lower when compared to an air tire. Such tires tend to slip pretty quickly and affect the overall stability of the bike. The saddle of the bike is padded well and gives a comfortable and pleasant experience for the kids. The seat on the bike is soft, which allows the kids to sit firmly and enjoy the ride for a more lasting period. The padded seat lets kid overcome their first tiny “all-terrain bumps” without any jarring. The height of the saddle post is adjustable without the use of any tools. Instead, the bike uses a quick-release clamp which makes the adjustment experience much quicker. The seat height can be raised from 11” at the lowest to 19” at the highest. The 8” height range gives an ample amount of space to grow the bike along with the kids. The Strider 12 Balance Bike comes with a straight handlebar. It has mini grips on the handlebar that provide support to the hands when they ride the bike. This grip keeps the kid’s hand safe when they fall or come across a wall or tree. The handlebar post is adjustable according to the kid’s height using a quick-release clamp and without any tool. The Strider 12” Balance Bike has a well-designed footrest. The footrest is tucked securely below the seat. The placement is so well that it barely disturbs the child while they ride the bike. To use the footrest, kids can simply place their heels on the footrest located close to the rear tire. Using a footrest keeps the sole of the shoes safe from being worn out by coming in contact with the ground. The Strider 12” Balance Bike is available in 3 different models: Classic, Sport, and Pro. all the three models have the same size frame and foam tires but the main difference is that the Sport and Pro have an extended seat height range, a tool-free seat adjust and a padded seat. The Pro version of the bike is much lighter as the body uses aluminum as a primary material.

Extra Features

There are a lot of add-ons that can improve the functionality of the bike. The Strider balance bike can be turned into a rocking horse for young riders ages 12 months to 2 years using the Strider Rocking Base at $79.99. The base can add fun for the young toddlers both inside the house and outside. During the winter season, the kids can make use of the Strider 12 Snow Skis set and turn their ride into a tiny ski bike. They are easy to put on and take off, thanks to the easy velcro straps that come along with the skis. The whole set is pretty cheap at only $34.99. Coming to personal customization, you can buy their Strider Ultralight Wheels that come in 5 different colors along with colorful handlebar grips that have 7 color variations. The mentioned add-ons cost $16.99 and $4.49 respectively. How about adding a number plate to your ride? The Strider Number Plate comes with stickers 0-9 with an easy to attach plate that will turn your bike into a motocross bike! These were a few add-ons we found worth mentioning. To take a look at their whole store, visit the Strider website.

Conclusion

The Strider Balance Bike is one of the coolest and most boss bikes for toddlers. It has bright colors and a bold appearance. The lightweight steel frame bike with an adjustable seat and handlebar height allows the kids to ride the bike safely and enjoy it. The padded saddle and foam tires give a comfortable ride to the kids. The bike comes with a footrest and handlebar grips to keep them safe. The excellent architecture is an added advantage to the bike. The only disappointment is that it lacks a turning limiter and a rear brake. It will be a perfect partner for kids of 18 months to 3 years of age.

Buy Strider 12 Balance Bike on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PBsK5w

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