Toddler Bike: In this ultimate buyers guide you will discover what you should consider when buying a toddler bike and find out which are the Best Toddler Bikes for 2022.
QUICK ANSWER – BEST TODDLER BIKES FOR 2022
- Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike
- Strider 12 Sport
- Fisher-Price Harley-Davidson Tough Trike
- Fisher-Price Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Lights & Sounds Trike
- Schwinn Roadster Tricycle
- Little Tikes Perfect Fit 4-in-1 Trike
- Schwinn Balance Bike
Riding a bike is one of the best feelings you can have and learning to ride a bike is a great experience that every kid should enjoy in their life.
With so many toddler bikes available on the market today finding the right one for your beloved can be challenging, therefore in the next section we want to explain how to choose the best toddler bike and share our Top 7 Toddler Bikes for 2019 with you. Let’s dive right in:
What should you consider when buying a toddler bike?
There are many aspects that we need to consider when buying a toddler bike including tire size, weight, handlebars, brakes or gears, however the most important considerations are bike size and seat height, here’s why:
- Bike size: Children are constantly growing, so we know that the bike we buy will be good for a couple of years, then they will need a bigger one. Therefore it’s important to choose a suitable sized bike to avoid shortening the usable life span of the bike.
- Seat height: Together with bike size, this is a very important point when choosing a toddler bike. The child must feel comfortable while pedaling, and their legs should be placed in an ideal position so as not to cause pain and injury to their knees. For safety and to boost riding confidence you should adjust the seat height so that your toddler can place both feet flat on the ground.
- Tire size: We can find bikes for children in the market with tire sizes ranging from 12 inches to 26 inches, with toddler bikes typically featuring 12 inch or 14 inch wheels depending on the riders height.
- Weight: We also have to pay attention to the weight of the bicycle, if the child is small and light, they cannot ride a heavy toddler bike. We recommend choosing a bike with a weight between 35% to 50% of the child’s body weight. To achieve this, we can find frames made in different materials, from plastic to aluminium.
- Handlebars: When choosing the handlebar, we must keep in mind that a high handlebar reduces manoeuvrability and stability when riding while a low handlebar can be uncomfortable. Therefore, a mid-rise handlebar is the best option for a toddler bike. Another important feature to look out for is a padded handlebar which helps avoid injuries and impacts with the face.
- Brakes: Most toddlers don’t yet have the strength in their fingers to activate a handbrake until they are 4 to 5 years old. For younger riders the legs can be used to act as a brake or some bikes feature a backpedal brake.
- Gears: We can find toddler bikes with gear when the bike size is 20 inches or more. This will make the child ride much easier the toddler bike. The slopes and flat terrain will be easier to ride with a bike with gears.
After this brief introduction, let’s take a look at our recommendations for the best toddler bikes (under 5 years old) for 2022:
Best Toddler Bikes for 2022
1- Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike
Best Toddler Bike for 1 Year Old: This is a bike for kids between 1 and 5 years. It’s wonderful because it has 4 ways to ride: Infant trike, steering trike, learn-to-ride trike, and classic trike.
It’s a 16 lbs (7.25 kg) tricycle that can be pushed by an adult when the toddler is too tired to pedal. It has a safety harness with 3 anchor points.
The Radio Flyer comes with a great range of accessories as you can see in the image above such as a footrest, tray, push handle and UV blocking canopy.
It features a robust steel frame and an adjustable seat to ensure the durability and longevity of the bike.
Pros:
- A 4-in-1 bike designed for use for at least 4 years.
- Removable canopy
- Safety belts
- Integrated carry basket
- Footrest for toddlers
- Handlebar for adults
Cons:
- Not very robust
- Wheels are made of plastic
2. Strider 12 Sport
Strider 12 Sport Toddler Bike: This Strider 12 Sport toddler bike is designed for children between 18 months and 5 years.
The version shown in the link does not have pedals meaning that for the child to push himself he will need the help of his legs. The larger versions for sale (from 14 inches) include pedals.
This could be classified as “a child’s first bike”. The best option for teaching your kid how to ride a bike. The saddle is adjustable so it can be raised as the child grows, and has a leg length of 20 inches (50 cm).
The frame is made of steel and the weight of the bike is quite light, only 6.6 lbs (3 kg). And you don’t need to worry about tires maintenance because these are non-puncture.
It’s easy to see why this is an Amazon best-seller.
Pros:
- Balance bike make for learning
- Made of durable steel
- Padded handlebar
- Adjustable seat height
Cons:
- Plastic tires are puncture proof but may not be as comfortable to ride as air inflated tires
3. Fisher-Price Harley-Davidson Tough Trike
Harley Davidson Toddler Bike: If you are a Harley-Davidson motorcycle lover, then you should buy your child this fabulous bike that copies the famous motorcycle. It’s a toddler bike designed for children between 2 and 5 years old to learn to ride a bike.
The pedals are located on the front wheel, and under the seat you will find a secret compartment where your little one can stash their goodies!
Super wide wheels give extra stability to the tricycle. The bike is made from plastic and its total weight is 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg). This toddler bike is another Amazon best seller!
Pros:
- The design is awesome
- Wide back wheels for more stability
- Carry basket under the seat
Cons:
- The saddle is not adjustable
- Made of plastic
4. Fisher-Price Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Lights & Sounds Trike
Fisher Price Trike: If your toddler is a Paw Patrol fan then this is the perfect bike for them! Built by Fisher Price the handlebar of this bike is higher and is easy to grip, the non-slip pedals are placed on the front wheel, and the tricycle is made of plastic.
It also includes lights and music to keep your little one amused and entertained for longer. The saddle is adjustable but only has 3 different positions.
The weight of this tricycle is 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg). Recommended for toddlers between 2 and 5 years.
Pros:
- Children will love the design
- Equipped with lights and music
- Non-slip pedals
Cons:
- Made of plastic
- Heavier than other models
5. Schwinn Roadster Tricycle
Schwinn Roadster Toddler Bike: This Schwinn Roadster toddler bike has a retro design and is designed for children between 2 and 4 years old.
The saddle is adjustable in 5 different positions, so it can be adjusted according to the child’s growth.
It is a toddler bike made of steel and with a low center of gravity. The pedals are located on the front wheel, and the tires are rubber. The front wheel is 12 inches, while the rear wheels are 8 inches.
The handlebar is mustache style, with padded handles, and is adorned at its ends with long tassels.
Pros:
- Made of robust steel
- Adjustable height seat (5 positions)
- Fenders in all wheels
- Rubber tires
Cons:
- Too heavy (20 lbs)
- Steel handlebar without padded protection
6. Little Tikes Perfect Fit 4-in-1 Trike
Little Tikes Perfect: The next toddler bike that we are going to analyze is similar to the style of Radio Flier.
This is a 4-in-1 tricycle that can be pushed by an adult and incorporates multiple accessories such as a canopy to protect the child from the sun, a luggage carrier to carry things from the child or parents and a safety harness with 5 anchorage points.
The seat is adjustable through a switch. This toddler bike weighs 20 lbs (9 kg) and is suitable for a rider up to 49 lbs (22 kg) in weight.
The recommended age range for this toddler bike is from 2 to 5 years.
Pros:
- 4-in-1 trike
- Removable canopy
- Safety belts
- Integrated carry basket
- Handlebar for adults
Cons:
- It’s a bit heavy for a kids bike (22 lbs)
- Made of plastic
- Handlebar is delicate
7. Schwinn Balance Bike
Schwinn Balance Bike: To finish this selection we have another Schwinn toddler bike. A bike that has no pedals and a very low center of gravity, which make it ideal for taking the first steps of riding a bike.
The 12-inch wheels are rubber filled with air, and the saddle is adjustable, so the bike will grow at the same time as the child. Recommended for ages between 2 and 5 years. A steel bike that weighs 14 lbs (6.35 kg).
The handlebar is padded by a rubber grip, and we can see that in the center of the handlebar there is padded protection to avoid hitting the face with the handlebar base.
Pros:
- Padded handlebar
- Tires filled with air
- Robust steel design
- Adjustable seat height
Cons:
- Heavier than others from our selection
Conclusion
In this article we have shared with you 7 of the best toddler bikes available on the market today. We have looked at 3 different bike types: 4-in-1 tricycles, balance bikes, and trikes.
When choosing one over the other, it’s important to consider your toddlers needs and developmental stage.
For a 1 year old, we recommend opting for the 4 in 1, since initially, the adult can push the trike.
If the child is a little older, over 2 years, we recommend the purchase of the fisher-price trikes, as your child can learn to pedal.
Finally, for older children, it may be more fun to ride a balance bike, after learning to ride it, they will be ready to start using a two-wheeled bike with pedals.