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Can you use a pedal bike as a balance bike?

While a pedal bike can indeed be used as a balance bike by removing the pedals, it’s not a task to be taken lightly.

While removing the pedals allows the child to focus on balancing and steering while pushing themselves along with their feet, it’s better to buy a convertible balance bike that was designed to be both a balance bike and a pedal bike.

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Considerations:

• Balance Bike Size: Pedal bikes can be heavier and larger than balance bikes, which might make them more difficult for smaller children to manage initially.

• Saddle height: Pedal bike saddles are typically higher than balance bike saddles, requiring adjustments to accommodate younger children.

• Brakes: If you're concerned about stopping, consider a balance bike with brakes.

How to Convert a Pedal Bike to a Balance Bike:

1. Remove the pedals: Using a pedal spanner unscrew the pedals from the crank arms, usually counterclockwise for the right pedal and clockwise for the left.

2. Adjust the seat height: Lower the seat height so the child can comfortably reach the ground with their feet while seated, allowing them to push off and stop safely. This may not be possible if your kids pedal bike has a tall saddle as your child will need to reach the ground with their feet to use it as a balance bike.

Why it's a good option:

• Cost-effective: If you already have a pedal bike, converting it to a balance bike can be a cheaper alternative than purchasing a new balance bike.

• Transition to pedalling: Once the child is comfortable with balancing, the pedals can be reattached, making the transition to pedalling easier.

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Why it's not a good option:

While it might seem convenient to simply remove the pedals from a regular kids’ bike to create a balance bike, this approach often leads to frustration rather than progress. Traditional pedal bikes are typically heavier, have a higher standover height, and are not designed for scooting and gliding. Without the right geometry and weight distribution, children may struggle to get both feet flat on the ground, making it harder to develop confidence and balance in those crucial early stages.

Converted standard pedal bikes also lack the intuitive handling and lightweight frame that purpose-built balance bikes provide. With improper sizing and poor ergonomics, kids can develop bad habits or tire quickly, slowing down the learning process.

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Meet LittleBig, the Ultimate Kids Bike

In contrast, the LittleBig bike is carefully engineered with young riders in mind—starting as a lightweight balance bike with a low seat height and roomy cockpit to encourage natural balance and control from day one.

What sets the LittleBig apart is its unique ability to grow with your child. Unlike converted bikes that become quickly outgrown or awkward to ride, the LittleBig easily transforms from a balance bike into a proper pedal bike with no need for stabilisers—thanks to its clever design. It’s not just more functional—it’s more fun, more comfortable, and ultimately a smarter long-term investment in your child’s riding journey.

Rather than messing with the bike yourself, why not go for a bike that was intended to be used both as a balance bike and a pedal bike. The LittleBig's unique frame grows so it can be used as a little balance bike, big balance bike and big pedal bike, for kids age 2 to 6, perfect for your little toddler.

How to remove pedals from the LittleBig kids bike

To remove the pedal kit from a LittleBig kids bike, you'll simply need to reverse the process for adding the pedals. Here is the process;

Unscrew the pedal kit from the bike frame.
Remove the rear wheel and take the chain off.
Put the rear wheel back on and it is a balance bike.

Since the LittleBig bike is designed to convert from a balance bike to a pedal bike, the process can be done much easier than you would be able to remove the pedals from a regular bike.

How to remove pedals and cranks from a regular bike

To remove pedals and cranks from a bike, you'll typically need a pedal wrench and potentially an Allen wrench, depending on the crank type. For pedals, the right pedal (drive side) unscrews counter-clockwise, while the left pedal (non-drive side) unscrews clockwise. For cranks, you may need a crank puller tool, which threads into the crank and pushes it off the bottom bracket spindle.

Identify the pedals:

Determine if you have standard pedals or clipless pedals.
Gather tools:

For most pedals, a pedal wrench is usually needed. For clipless pedals, you may need an Allen wrench or a specific tool for your pedal system.
Remove the right pedal:

Position the pedal wrench or Allen key on the flats of the pedal spindle. Turn the wrench or key counter-clockwise (opposite of how you tighten it when pedaling).
Remove the left pedal:

The left pedal is reverse threaded, so turn the wrench or key clockwise (the same way you tighten it when pedaling) to remove it.
Apply penetrating oil:

If the pedals are stuck, apply penetrating oil to the threads and let it sit for a while before trying to loosen them.

Crank Removal:

Identify crank type:

Check if you have a square taper, Octalink, ISIS, or Hollowtech II crankset, as this will affect the removal process.
Remove the crank bolts:
Certain cranksets feature bolts securing the cranks onto the bottom bracket spindle. Discard these bolts. Employ a crank puller:
Thread the crank puller tool into the crank arm and tighten it to push the crank off the spindle.
Consider a self-extracting system:

Some cranksets have a self-extracting system where a built-in mechanism pushes the crank off as you loosen a bolt.