Starting off with the balance bike
In order to use a no pedal balance bike safely, it’s important that the bike is the correct fit for your child. Your child’s inside leg length should be the same or slightly longer than the minimum saddle height, which for the LittleBig is 37cm/14inches. It is important that your child can sit on the saddle with their feet comfortably on the ground. This will ensure that they have a successful start on their new bike.
How to measure
Measure your child’s inside leg with shoes on, from floor to top of inseam. The inseam length should be at least the same as the minimum saddle height (370mm), or preferably a little longer.
Using the LittleBig in pedal bike mode
Once your child is proficient at balancing, it’s time to fit the pedals! Your little one doesn’t necessarily need his/her feet flat on the ground but the bike does need to be in the big mode. The pedals cannot be fitted to the little mode but the optional short seatpost can lower the minimum saddle height from 51cm to 47cm if needed.
With the pedal bike it’s okay for kids to just reach the ground using the balls of their feet while stationary, this will give a more comfortable position when pedalling. As a rule of thumb, when using the pedal bike, the saddle can be an inch taller than the inseam leg length, i.e. if your child’s inseam leg length is 49cm, the saddle can be 51cm off the ground.
If the saddle is too low while pedalling your child’s knees will bend too much at the top of the stroke which is uncomfortable and tiring. There’s a reason while they riders in the Tour de France seem to have their saddles raised to the sky!
| Geometry Chart – cm/ degrees | Little Balance Bike | Big Balance Bike | Big Pedal Bike |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min Saddle Height (cm) | 37 | 47 | 51 (or 47cm with the short seatpost fitted) |
| Max Saddle Height (cm) | 45 | 55 | 55 |
| Top Tube Length (cm) | 34 | 39 | 39 |
| Head Angle (degrees) | 66 | 70 | 70 |
| Seat Angle (degrees) | 78 | 70 | 70 |
| Wheelbase (cm) | 69 | 67 | 67 |
| Geometry Chart – inches/ degrees | Little Balance Bike | Big Balance Bike | Big Pedal Bike |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min Saddle Height (inches) | 14 | 18 | 19.5 (or 18" with the short seatpost fitted) |
| Max Saddle Height (inches) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
| Top Tube Length (inches) | 13.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| Head Angle (degrees) | 66 | 70 | 70 |
| Seat Angle (degrees) | 78 | 70 | 70 |
| Wheelbase (inches) | 27.5 | 26.8 | 26.8 |
A real bike, not a toy!
The LittleBig no pedal balance bike (also called a kids push bike or strider bike) is for kids age 2 to 7. There is no need to change bikes when your little one wants to begin riding, pedals can be added too!
Alloy short-reach V-brakes front and rear ensure your little one can stop easily and safely. LittleBig has a high-grade aluminium frame that’s fitted with quality parts such as a lightweight pivotal saddle, alloy riser handlebar and forged alloy BMX style stem.
To help your child glide along comfortably there are smooth rolling sealed cartridge wheel bearings and multi surface air tires.
Lightweight & rust-proof alloy frame
The LittleBig frame is made from 6061-T6 aluminium which is commonly used in road and mountain bikes due to its light weight and durability. The LittleBig only weighs 5.1kg in the growing balance bike mode (including front and rear brakes) and 6.6kg for the pedal bike.
The lighter the bike weighs, the more easily it can be pushed along, lifted and manoeuvred which will allow your child to have a great biking experience.
Adjustable Ride Feel
Less wobbles while learning – more responsive steering as your child’s abilities improve.
As the LittleBig switches from the little mode to the big mode, the ride feel changes too. In the little mode, steering is slow and stable, becoming more responsive as the balance bikes grow into the bigger mode, and when you add pedals.
Big Wheels Are Better
Increased comfort from LittleBig’s large wheel diameter.
LittleBig’s low initial stand-over height allowed us to use 14 inch wheels. They give a more stable ride and glide over bumps better than with the 10 or 12 inch wheels found on standard balance bikes. The wheels are fitted with proper air-filled rubber tires which are comfortable, grippy, and are easily replaceable should they eventually wear out.
Handy for Parents
Lightweight aluminium tubing makes transporting the LittleBig – by hand or car – child’s play.
The LittleBig is great for busy families. Its simple shape and light weight means carrying or popping in the boot of the car is easy. No oily chain on the balance bikes equal no mess. But since your child will be having so much fun on the LittleBig, it’s likely you’ll never need to carry it!
High quality parts like on a proper big bike–only little
LittleBig is a unique balance bike with pedals, that can change size as well as converting from a little balance bike into a big pedal bike. We’ve selected great parts that were chosen for their function, reliability, weight (or lack of!) and aesthetics. Here’s a full list of what comes with your LittleBig bike:
| Growing Balance Bike | Specification |
|---|---|
| Approx weight | Classic | Balance Bike: 4.9kg | Pedal Bike (with pedals): 6.6kg. |
| Approx weight | Brushed Edition | Balance Bike: 4.3kg | Pedal Bike: 6.0kg. |
| Available colours | Brushed Edition | Electric Blue* | Apple Green* | Flame Red* | Sparkle Pink* (*with brushed alloy front frame section) |
| Frame | 6061-T6 heat treated aluminium |
| Forks | Classic: Hi-Ten steel | Brushed Edition: Alloy |
| Stem | Forged aluminium BMX aheadset; 50mm long; 10degree rise |
| Handlebar | Aluminium riser; 500mm wide; 70mm rise |
| Grips | Kids slim grips with safety ends |
| Headset | 1-1/8 inch integrated with ball bearings |
| Saddle | Pivotal padded kids saddle |
| Seatpost | Pivotal aluminium; 27.2 diameter |
| Brakes | Aluminium V-brakes front and rear |
| Brake levers | APSE aluminium short reach |
| Rims | Samson aluminium 20 hole single wall |
| Spokes | Steel |
| Hubs | Aluminium 20 hole with sealed cartridge bearing |
| Tyres | Classic | Innova 14" x 1.95" pneumatic (note: dust caps are removed in line with current best practice as they are potential choking hazard) |
| Tyres | Brushed Edition | Vee Crown Gem Skinwall 14" x 2.25" pneumatic (note: dust caps are removed in line with current best practice as they are potential choking hazard) |
| Freewheel/cassette | 14 tooth with removable safety cover |
| Pedal and Cranks attachment | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cranks | Aluminium 89mm long |
| Chainring | Aluminium 28 tooth with chain guard |
| Chain | KMC |
| Bottom bracket | Cartridge with sealed bearings |
| Pedals | Resin kids size flats with ball bearings |