Here is the list of the top 5 balance bikes for the year 2022. Filtered from the 70+ balance bikes on the market and ranked on comparable parameters like strength, visual appeal, comfort, safety, and price.
- Ridgeback Scoot Balance Bike
- Byk Balance Bike
- Pello Ripple Balance Bike
- Black Mountain PINTO 14″ Balance Bike
- Prevelo Alpha Zero Balance Bike
1. Ridgeback Scoot Balance Bike (£129.99)
Coming in a cool color selection of Orange, Blue, Red, Lime, and a combination of Mint & Grey, the Ridgeback Scoot is an ideal companion for your 3 to 6 years old kid. With a cost of £129.99, the bike is surely on the heavier side. The bike has a 6061 aluminum alloy frame and a 12″ wheelbase, pretty standard among balance bikes.
The weight of the bike is 10.5 lbs or 4.76 kg and comes with rubber tires. The bike also offers an adjustable seat that can slide anywhere between 14″ to 20″ and can be fixed using a quick-release clamp. Additional features include a rear V brake, a cycle bell, and a seat handle for parents. Ridgeback Scoot gives a lifetime warranty on the bike’s frame and a year warranty on original parts.
Read the full review: Ridgeback Scoot Balance Bike.
2. Byk Balance Bike ($189)
The Byk Balance Bike is a $189.00 aluminum ride with a regular 12″ wheel that can withstand weight up to 55lbs or 25kg. The weight limit makes the bike ideal for kids 2 to 4 years old.
The Byk has a lightweight of around 9.47lbs or 4.3kg. The seat of the bike can be adjusted from 13″ to 16.14″. Byk also provides a long adjustable seat post to extend the seat height up to 18″ for taller kids. The bike has v-shaped handlebars and rubber tires for a firm grip on the ground for easy steering. Though brakes are generally not required on a balance bike, the Byk has a rear roller brake as a safety measure. To double down on the child’s safety, they have also included a bicycle bell, safety reflectors, and a safety flag. The bike is expensive for sure, but the perks offered are worth every penny spend on it.
Read the full review: Byk Balance Bike.
3. Pello Ripple Balance Bike ($198)
The Pello Ripple Balance Bike is available in two distinct colors Orange and Pink. The body of the bike is aluminum and comes mounted on a pair of 12″ wheels. With a cost of $198, the bike fits kids 2 to 4 years old, weighing up to 30lbs or 13.60kg. The bike’s self-weight is 8.8lbs or roughly 4kg and comes with an adjustable seat. The seat can vary from 11.5″ to 16.5″ and be held using a quick-release clamp. The bike has rubber tires that have good traction on the floor. The rear wheel comes attached to a brake to abide by the child’s safety. The bike also has a bell to add that fun factor to your ride.
Read the full review: Pello Ripple Balance Bike.
4. Black Mountain PINTO 14″ Balance Bike (£369)
The £369 bike from Black Mountain is a 12″ balance bike ideal for 2.5 to 5 years old. The bike is available in four shades, orange, sky blue, purple, and neon green. The bike can be used in three modes – one balance mode and two pedal modes. In balance mode, the pedals are removed to make room for legs. One can even attach a pair of training wheels to the rear wheel. Talking about wheels, the bike has rubber tires instead of EVA tires. Unlike most, the PINTO Balance Bike comes with a front and rear brake. The handle and the seat both are adjustable.
Read the full review: Black Mountain PINTO 14″ Balance Bike.
5. Prevelo Alpha Zero Balance Bike ($199)
Tagged with a price of $199, the Prevelo Alpha Zero Balance Bike is a balance bike carved out of aluminum alloy. The bike is available in 3 different shades. Though the manufacturer has not provided a majority of details, the bike fits well for 2 to 3 years old. The bike has a regular wheel size of 12″ which is convenient for kids. The bike comes with a rear brake to improve safety. The rubber tires have sealed bearings and are attached via buttoned axle bolts. The bike also has an adjustable seat post but no footrest.
Read the full review: Prevelo Alpha Zero Balance Bike.
Safety Comparison
When it comes to the safety of the bikes, all of them perform very well in this section. However, Black Mountain has the edge over its competitors due to both front and rear brakes. Byk balance bike, the Pello Ripple, and the Ridgeback scoot does not lag behind either, the former two coming with a flag while the latter coming with a flag. Overall, the overall safety measures taken in all the bikes are commendable, with the special mention of the Black Mountain.
Comfort Comparison
Talking about the bike’s comfort, the Pello ripple, Black Mountain, and the Ridgeback Scoot together hold the leading position. The impressive range of the seat adjustment and a custom best drive make these bikes genuinely remarkable. The three-mode interconvertible option changes it into a pedal bike and a balance bike as per an individual’s need. Other bikes do not lag far behind either; it’s just that these bikes have got some impressive extra features for their price.
Strength Comparison
Strength is the factor that defines the longevity of the usage of a particular bike. When it comes to analyzing the strength of the materials used in the cycles, all of them perform equally well. All of them are composed of an aluminum frame that is both lightweight and robust. Therefore, in this section, all of the bikes have a tie.
Price Comparison
The most prominent factor to consider in the rating of these bikes is their price tag. As the discussion is mainly about the best bike in 2021, we look for the value for money these bikes offer. The most affordable among these bikes is the Ridgeback Scoot, with a price tag of £129.99($155), followed by the Byk Balance Bike($189.00), the Pello Ripple Balance Bike($198), Prevelo Alpha Zero Balance Bike($199), and the Black Mountain($440.00). Therefore, the clear winner in this area is the Ridgeback Scoot. However, you can also go with the Black Mountain as it has a value for money design by having the features of three bikes into one.
Visual Comparison
All the bikes have an excellent visual appeal, to say the least. The paint job in all the bikes is at par with each other. The most color options, however, are provided with the Ridgeback Scoot (five). The next is the Black Mountain, with four color options. The rest bikes have 2-3 color options each. Therefore, the clear winner in this section is the Ridgeback Scoot.
Final Verdict
After looking at all the bikes’ qualities on the list, the most value for money is provided by two cycles in the list in their respective price range. They are, without a doubt, the Ridgeback Scoot and the Black Mountain. If you have a budget-oriented approach, the Ridgeback Scoot is the perfect choice for you, and if you want an investment that will last much longer, then you can always go with the Black Mountain PINTO 14″ balance bike.
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