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Can You Use a Pedal Bike as a Balance Bike?
Yes, you can remove the pedals from a children's bike and use it as a balance bike. It can be a practical way to teach balance if you already own a suitable bike. However, ordinary pedal bikes are often heavier, have higher saddles and leave crank arms in the way of a child's feet.
Whether it works well depends on the child's size, the bike's geometry and how comfortably they can push and glide with both feet on the ground.
Why Remove the Pedals From a Kids Bike?
Learning to ride involves balancing, steering, braking and pedalling. Trying to coordinate everything at once can be difficult for young children.
Removing the pedals allows a child to concentrate on balance first. They can walk the bike forwards, gradually build speed and eventually lift their feet to glide.
If you already have a pedal bike that fits your child correctly, this can be a useful starting point without buying another bike.
How to Turn a Pedal Bike Into a Balance Bike
Before making any changes, check that your child can sit comfortably on the saddle with both feet flat on the ground and their knees slightly bent.
- Remove the pedals. Use a suitable pedal spanner or Allen key. Viewed from outside each crank, the right pedal loosens anticlockwise and the left pedal loosens clockwise. The left pedal has a reverse thread.
- Lower the saddle. Set it low enough for your child to push confidently with both feet, without exceeding the seatpost's minimum insertion marking.
- Check the crank arms. Removing the pedals leaves the crank arms in place. These can catch a child's legs or interfere with scooting. Removing the complete crankset may provide more clearance, but this requires appropriate tools and mechanical knowledge.
- Check the bike's safety. Make sure the brakes, steering, wheels and other components are secure. If removing the crankset or drivetrain, have a competent bicycle mechanic check the setup.
- Start on level ground. Let your child walk the bike forwards before encouraging longer pushes and gliding. Avoid traffic and steep slopes.
Not every pedal bike is suitable for this conversion. If the saddle remains too high, the bike feels difficult to control or the crank arms obstruct your child's legs, it is better to use a correctly sized balance bike.
What Are the Advantages of Using a Pedal Bike Without Pedals?
- Lower upfront cost: If you already own a suitable pedal bike, you may not need to buy a separate balance bike.
- Familiarity: Your child can practise balancing on the bike they may eventually use for pedalling.
- Easy progression in some cases: Once your child is confident, the pedals can be refitted, provided the bike is correctly sized and mechanically sound.
What Are the Drawbacks?
1. Standard Pedal Bikes Can Be Too Heavy
A pedal bike includes a drivetrain, crankset and other components that add weight. For a little child, that extra weight can make pushing, steering and recovering from a wobble more difficult.
2. The Saddle May Not Go Low Enough
A child learning to balance needs to reach the ground comfortably with both feet. Many pedal bikes have a higher minimum saddle position than purpose-built balance bikes, especially for younger riders.
3. Crank Arms Can Get in the Way
Even with the pedals removed, the crank arms remain beside the child's legs. They can interfere with the natural scooting movement, particularly when the child takes longer strides.
4. The Riding Position May Not Suit Balance Practice
Conventional pedal bikes are designed primarily around pedalling. Their frame shape, bottom bracket position and overall proportions may not provide the same freedom of movement as a purpose-built balance bike.
Pedal Bike Without Pedals vs Purpose-Built Balance Bike
| Feature | Pedal Bike With Pedals Removed | Purpose-Built Balance Bike |
|---|---|---|
| Starting fit | Depends on the original pedal bike | Designed for children to reach the ground |
| Weight | Usually includes additional drivetrain weight | Typically lighter and simpler |
| Foot clearance | Crank arms may obstruct scooting | Designed for unobstructed foot movement |
| Pedal conversion | Pedals can be refitted if the bike fits | Only possible on models designed to convert |
| Best suited to | Children who already fit the pedal bike comfortably | Children starting to learn balance and steering |
What About a Convertible Balance Bike?
There is a better option: a bike designed from the outset to work in both balance and pedal modes.
Unlike a standard pedal bike with its pedals removed, a purpose-built convertible bike is engineered to provide suitable clearance and geometry for balance riding, with a dedicated way to introduce pedals later.
For example, the LittleBig convertible balance bike starts in a little balance bike configuration, changes into a bigger balance bike as your child grows, and then converts into a 14 inch pedal bike using an optional pedal kit.
Because the frame is designed for all three stages, there is no need to improvise a balance setup by removing pedals from a conventional bike.
When Should You Put the Pedals Back On?
Rather than choosing a particular age, watch how your child rides. Signs that they may be ready include:
- Gliding confidently with both feet lifted off the ground.
- Steering around gentle turns without putting their feet down immediately.
- Slowing down and stopping in control.
- Showing an interest in learning to pedal.
- Being physically big enough to use the bike safely in pedal mode.
There is no need to rush. If your child is still developing confidence, let them continue balancing until they are ready. Our guide to 6 signs your child is ready to start pedalling explains what to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you just take the pedals off a kids bike?
Yes. However, removing the pedals does not remove the crank arms, which can interfere with scooting. You also need to check that the saddle is low enough and the bike is manageable for your child.
Can you remove the crankset to make a balance bike?
On many bikes, the crankset can be removed with the correct tools. This can improve foot clearance, but the work varies by bike and may be best handled by a bicycle mechanic.
Is a pedal bike without pedals as good as a balance bike?
It can work well for some children, particularly if they already fit the pedal bike. A purpose-built balance bike will generally be more suitable for smaller beginners because of its lower fit, lighter construction and unobstructed foot movement.
Can you add pedals to any balance bike?
No. Most balance bikes do not have the mounting points, frame clearance or drivetrain design needed for pedals. Only models specifically engineered for conversion should be fitted with a pedal system.
Final Verdict: Is Removing Pedals Worth Trying?
If you already own a lightweight pedal bike that fits your child correctly, removing the pedals can be a sensible way to practise balance. Just be aware of the saddle height, weight and crank arm clearance.
For younger children, a purpose-built balance bike is generally the easier starting point. And if you want your child to progress from balancing to pedalling on the same bike, a convertible design offers that flexibility without compromising the initial balance setup.
For more advice on choosing the right bike, visit our Balance Bike Guide for Parents, or explore how the LittleBig Convertible Balance Bike grows with your child.
