It can be really tricky to buy the first bike for a 3-year-old kid, but it shouldn’t be that way.
There are few things to consider, and once you pay attention to them – the rest should be really easy.
You shouldn’t buy your kid a bike without being sure if it will fit him.
That’s why I will teach you in this post how to find the best bike for a 3-year-old kid.
Also, there is much more to pay attention than the looks of the bike, or will the kid like it. Of course, they will like it, they’re getting a brand new bike.
Balance Bike or Pedal Bike?
We all used to learn how to ride a bike on a pedal bike with training wheels.
Now, there are special bikes for kids called balance bikes, which will help them learn to keep balance on a bike even before they ride one.
Some people say that the balance bikes are better for kids rather than pedal bikes with training wheels, and some people say different.
In my opinion, it’s a good idea for kids to first learn how to keep balance on a balance bike, but also enjoy a little bit of speed. Also, I don’t think that it’s a bad idea for kids to go straight to pedal bikes and learn to ride a bike with training wheels.
While some people say training wheels are a big no nowadays, I still don’t see it as a big problem. We all once learned to ride a bike with one of these right? If balance bikes are better for learning, let it be, but training wheels still have their purpose and they still get the results.
The goal is to learn how to ride a bike, and they will achieve it either with balance bike or a pedal bike.
It’s more a matter of preference, in mine opinion.
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How To Choose a Bike For Kids
There isn’t much to think about, and it’s rather a common sense thing.
By paying attention to few factors I have listed down below, you won’t have any problems finding a perfect bike for your kid.
Size
Obviously, one of the most important factors is the size.
The size of the bike, but also the size of the child. As every child is different, not everyone will fit the same bike.
For kids who are just learning how to ride a bike, would be the best to have a bike where they can put their feet flat on the ground.
For the best fit, it’s recommended that the kids inseam be as long as the minimum seat height.
Weight
Another really important factor is the weight of the bike.
After you have found the right size bike for your child, it’s necessary to pay attention to the weight of the bicycle. You might think weight shouldn’t be an important factor as it’s only a kids bike, but in reality, it plays a big role in kids enjoyment.
The lighter the bike is, the easier child will handle it and it’s gonna make a big difference in how long the child will ride it for, for example.
Wheels Size
The third factor is the wheels size.
I have noticed that this confuses parents a little bit too much, and I constantly see questions whether they should buy 12″ or 14″ bike for their child.
If your kid is tall enough to handle 14″ bike, I recommend you go for it.
14″ bikes are easier to handle, and as they have bigger wheels, it’s easier to come across obstacles and it’s easier to ride in general.
If your kid is closer to 3.5 years old or older, I would definitely advise you to go with 14″ bike. However, if your kid hasn’t even turned 3 years yet, the best way would be to stick with 12″ bike for some time.
Price
In the most cases in life, the more you spend on something – the better quality will be. If you choose wisely for the value of money, of course.
That’s how it is with bikes. You can’t know how long they will do, but by spending a little bit more money and purchasing a bike with a better material frame could increase its duration, for example.
That’s why down below, I have chosen and listed the best bikes which will get you the best quality for the value.
All the bikes you see down below are available to purchase on Amazon and they will be delivered to your doorstep.
Strider Sport Balance Bike
If you aren’t into balance bikes and you would like to go with pedal bikes and training wheels, that’s completely alright, and down below I have listed many of them.
In my opinion, it’s a matter of preference, and both ways are good ways for kids to learn how to ride a bicycle.
Strider Balance Bike is not only great for 3-year-olds, but it’s also a great option for kids from only 18 months to 5 years old.
It’s a 12″ bike which offers a good quality for a really reasonable price. It’s there to inspire mobility and freedom, but it’s also a great way mastering bike riding if your child has never ridden a bike before.
The US designed and made really proves the quality of the Strider Balance Bike and it’s not only quality, but it’s really simple.
Simple for kids to use, and also very simple to assemble once delivered.
It takes only a 5 minute and a 5mm wrench which comes included with the bike.
Balance bike has EVA polymer tires which are flat-free, so you won’t ever need to worry about changing a flat tire. It has ultralight wheels and frame, which is backed up by a 2-year factory warranty.
Handlebars and seat are adjustable (from 18-22 and 11-16 inches), which makes this balance bike fit kids from only 18 months to 5 years. Which means your child won’t out grow it very easily, so the new bike won’t be necessary anytime soon.
It’s available to purchase on Amazon and to find the price simply Click Here.
Early Rider Alley Runner Balance Bike
It’s for kids who are going to learn how to ride a bike in their early age, which makes it a perfect bike for 3-year-olds.
It’s another balance bike, because, as I stated before, I support both balance bikes and pedal bikes as the first bike for kids.
This balance bike costs a little bit more than other bikes for kids, however, it’s really surprising for its value.
It’s a very popular bike among parents who are looking for a first bike for their kids, and I have only seen recommendations without any negative comments.
A nickname this bike has is a “silver bullet” which must have come up from the light weight of the bike, but also the speed kids can reach with this balance bike. That gives kids the best way to learn how to balance on a bike and make it a lot easier job before they jump on a pedal bike.
7-pound bike and wide rubber tires will teach any kid how to balance and corner with a bike without any slow downs and any dragging at all.
Quality of the bike provides better performance than the other bikes for kids, but also it’s made to last long, so it’s a great way to hand it down to another child you might have in the future without any additional costs.
It’s available on Amazon, and they can be ordered & delivered straight to your door by clicking here.
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Cleary Gecko
This bike with a small frame is made to fit kids from 3 years and up, which makes it perfect for first-time learners. The best thing I love about this bike is easy-to-pull Tektro v-brakes.
Once a child learns how to operate them, and learn how to ride a bike with Cleary Gecko, they will be ready for any other bigger bike in the future as they grow up.
Wheels are 12″ and Kenda tires are perfect for any kind of surface, which means, it won’t stop your child to learn how to ride on any surface.
The frame is made out of steel which makes this bike durable, and it’s also a great bike for handing it down to another child in the future.
I would recommend this bike for kids who are new learners, but also to kids who already have previous experience on balance bikes.
Pello Romper 14″
Pello is a company which isn’t very old, but it has a great story behind it and that’s what I appreciate the most.
Pello was started by a cyclist dad who couldn’t find a perfect, lightweight, quality sized bike for his son. Simple as that, know when you know the story behind, you can guess that this bike has everything you could look out for.
It’s a mid-sized bike with 14″ wheels, for kids from 3 to 4 years old, who are just starting to ride a bicycle, and even have no previous experience on balance bike. They are also great for kids who already had ridden 12″ bike, but they aren’t big enough to go straight to 16″ bike.
As the previous bike, it also has Kenda tires which are great for any surface, and what I like the most is how well they handle the grass surface. They offer traction and stability every child should have when learning how to ride a bike.
It also has the same brakes as the previous bike I have mentioned, and those are Tektro v-brakes which I really support because they are a great way for kids to learn how to fully operate a bicycle from a young age.
I should mention once again how the story behind this bike is amazing, and a dad cyclist who couldn’t find a perfect bike for his son – made his own bike and he nailed it.
Unfortunately, this bike isn’t available on Amazon, but in my opinion is worth every dollar it costs.
Early Rider Belter 16″
They also have this great 16″ bike for kids who are cycling lovers. It only weighs 12 pounds which will help kids learn how to ride a bike more easily but also to put less effort into it and drive faster and longer without getting tired.
Not only kids will be in love with this bike, but also the parents as well. Early Rider is a great bike, which doesn’t need much bike maintenance. Parents love it because they find it comfortable to take their kids on rides together without too much hassle.
Belter is equipped with custom made Maxxis tires which not only look badass, but they really are badass. They provide traction and stability for the bike on any surface. Off-road? Not a problem with this bike.
Conclusion
I know that the price plays a big role when deciding or purchasing a kid’s new bike.
However, I think that parents should look at it a different way, and do what’s the best for their child no matter what it costs – if that’s what they decided to do in the first place.
These bikes might be a little bit expensive at first look, but once you look at them closely and see all the features which will make kids learn a bike the easier way and without too much hassle, it’s really worth it.
Take your time when purchasing a new bike for your child, and take it seriously, because they deserve the easiest and the best way to learn how to ride a bike without any problems or complications. And these bikes provide it for sure.
Which bike does your kid ride?
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below, but also feel free to express your opinion as well.
Also, feel free to share this post on social media. Enjoy your ride and stay safe! 🙂