Kids Training Bikes

What are the features of a training bike?

The core feature of any training bike will be the training wheels (stabilisers) that allow them to always stand upright. This means that those learning to ride can get the hang of pedalling and turning without having to worry about balance too. These are different to balance bikes which have no pedalling mechanisms but allow the rider to get to grips with balancing while pushing it along with their legs.

Featuring lightweight frames that are usually aluminium or steel, these bikes have adjustable seat heights to deal with growing bodies, and small wheels (10 – 16 inches). With many other child specific components (like smaller brake levers and grips for small hands and safety features including steering limiters, chainguards, and durable tires) these are a great way for little learners to get their first taste of life in the bike seat.

Are balance bikes better than training wheels for teaching a child to ride a bike?

Balance bikes and training bikes focus on different areas of learning to ride, with balance bikes more about gaining confidence in balancing, and training bikes all being about pedalling and turning. For younger children, balance bikes allow them to learn about centring themselves whilst turning and learning to control the bike. However, these are push powered so don’t offer the full cycle experience but are great for starting out on.

Once little legs are strong enough, they can then progress to training bikes with stabilisers for the next step in learning to pedal and control the bike at the same time.

How to teach children to ride a bike with training wheels

Setting up a training bike is an important part of teaching a child to learn how to ride. Firstly, you’ll need to adjust the training wheels to be about an inch above the ground and then lower the seat so the child’s feet can touch the ground. You can find out more about this in our bike size guide.

Once the child is in a comfortable riding position, you can teach them to pedal by showing them how to push off and use the power position, where the pedal is at 2 o’clock. Focus on coordination and building their confidence on looking at what’s in front of them rather than what their feet are doing, making sure that sessions are light-hearted and fun, and that they can stop safely.

Should stabilisers touch the ground?

Stabilisers are there to stabilise should balance go wrong but they shouldn’t support all the time otherwise the rider gets no feel for balance. If you want that extra support constantly, consider looking at trikes instead.

Functioning as safety outriggers, stabilisers should be between half an inch to an inch off the ground, only offering support when the bike tilts too far.

How to help your child transition from training wheels

Transitioning from training wheels can rely on both coordination and practice on a bike. Training wheels can offer this practice and confidence but, somewhere between the ages of 4 and 8, a child will likely be ready to move away from these.

Once they’re confident in riding with the stabilisers in place, talk it through with them and make the transition seem exciting. Start in areas with grass or soft places to land while practicing and then remove one wheel first to allow them to start practicing balancing on their own. Make sure they’ve got protective wear in case they do lose balance, so that they’re protected from any scuffs and scrapes.