A lot has been written about the best way to teach kids to cycle. But it’s now pretty much accepted that kids who start out on a balance bike take to cycling independently a lot quicker and easier than those who learn by other methods.
But there’s one important stage that doesn’t get discussed very often. That’s the point at which a child transitions from a balance bike to a pedal bike.
Here we focus on that critical stage, and discusses the benefits of choosing a convertible balance bike with pedals that can easily switch from a balance bike to pedal bike .
Why Doesn't A Balance Bike Have Pedals?
Balance bikes don't have pedals so kids can put their feet on the ground while sitting in the saddle. To move forwards, kids push off the ground with their feet to run, glide and ride. This allows kids to develop their balance and coordination before adding pedals.
A convertible balance bike, has the option to fit optional pedals, converting the balance bike into a proper pedal bike.
Balance bikes are like bicycles stripped down to the bare minimum: no pedals, gears or suspension. These features get in the way of getting kids to balance and steer by themselves.
Is A Balance Bike Better For Your Child Than Fitting Stabilisers To A Pedal Bike?
In the battle of balance bikes vs stabilisers (training wheels), balance bikes are a winner every time because kids can develop their confidence and coordination before progressing to pedalling.
Balancing as a skill is more nuanced and tricky to master than pedalling, so it's best to get this dialled before adding pedals into the mix.
If your child can glide along comfortably with their feet up, there is less urgency, as they can coast along safely while they figure out how to spin the pedals.
Can You Remove The Pedals From A Standard Bike To Turn It Into A Balance Bike?
It is possible to remove the pedals from a standard kid's bike, which can work for taller kids. However, most pedal bikes are too big for smaller kids to use as a balance bike. This is because the saddle and bottom bracket (crank axle) need to be raised off the ground to provide ground clearance for the pedals, which is why they are unsuitable for smaller balance bikers.
Why not go for a bike that is designed to be both a balance bike and pedal bike, like the LittleBig bike?
Once your child starts pedalling and moving faster, safely stopping becomes critical. Some say you can only go as fast as you can stop!
How Do You Know When Your Child Is Ready To Begin Pedalling?
Your child is ready to begin pedalling when they can confidently coast along with their feet off the ground, is strong enough, tall enough, and able to brake safely (if your bike has them). Find our more on our in depth guide 6 Ways to Tell If Your Child Is Ready to Start Pedalling
Once mastering the skills like gliding, turning, braking, the transition to pedalling will be effortless.
At this stage you will need to either purchase the appropriately sized pedal bike, or fit pedals to your convertible balance bike.
Top Tip!
Our LittleBig balance bike with pedals comes with front and rear brakes so your child can stop confidently. The special short reach alloy brake levers work perfectly for little hands too!
Can you add pedals to balance bike?
Unless specifically designed for this, adding pedals will not be an option for the vast majority of balance bikes. A standard balance bike will not have mounting points for pedals, the rear wheel will not have a cog, and there is unlikely to be any clearance for a chain. A standard balance bike will probably have insufficient ground clearance to fit pedals underneath.
We have designed the LittleBig to grow from a little balance bike into a big pedal bike. Our unique design means that when you are ready to add the pedals, the frame will grow and make room for the pedals.
What Is a Convertible Balance Bike?
The term convertible means that a balance bike can convert to or operate in different modes. Generally, it will relate to the bike's ability to grow or adapt to a larger size and whether pedals can be fitted when your child has mastered the basics and is ready to start pedalling.
What do the terms' 2-in-1 balance bike' and '3-in-1 balance bike' mean?
The terms 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 mean that the balance bike in question can convert to another mode. Generally, this will mean the bike can get bigger as your child grows.
A 2-in-1 balance bike would have either a small and large mode OR the option to have pedals or no pedals.
A 3-in-1 kid's bike will probably have a growing frame AND the option to add pedals.
What Are The Benefits Of Buying A Convertible Balance Bike With Pedals?
There are many benefits to buying a convertible balance bike with pedals. For your child, it means that when they are ready to progress from their balance bike to a pedal bike, they are comfortable on the bike already. Therefore the change involved is lessened, making the transition more fluid.
As a parent, there is financial value in choosing a convertible bike (see more below). However, there is also the environmental footprint to be considered. Choosing a convertible balance bike eliminates the need to buy a balance bike and a separate pedal bike.
One bike lasting for longer is more sustainable, reduces raw materials used, energy from production processes, and the amount of shipping involved.
What Other Parent's Say
Pat - USA
I’m an amateur bike mechanic and appreciate good components. I have shopped far and wide for a kid’s bike that would really impress me. This is it! It’s real solid yet light weight, has truly functional hand brakes, and a real headset for the handlebars. The wheel bearings are smooth and solid as well as on the pedal assembly. Who would’ve thought on a kids bike! I wanted him to be safe on a good functional bike. I’m very pleased! Thank you all for a wonderful product!
Faye - Ireland
Excellent bikes. We have 2 of these bikes. They are excellent quality and are beautifully made. They are very easy to assemble. Both children loved them as balance bikes and started on them when they were nearly 3. They have now transitioned onto their pedals with ease. I would 100% recommend to a friend and do so on regular occasions.
Alistair - UK
Superb bike, great quality components and nice build! Super quick NI delivery, and excellent support if you have questions on setup. Very pleased, our 3 year old loves it and quickly got to grips after a few handlebar and seat adjustments.
Amy - UK
Balance bike or stabilisers? LittleBig Bike seemed like the perfect answer, a little expensive but figured if it lasts until she’s 6 or 7 then it’s worth it. My daughter took to it straight away. She was able to steer and push it along whilst walking over the frame. Such an amazing bike, it really is beautiful and she loves it! The quality is so impressive. We love it!
Matt - Canada
This bike is legitimately the best bike in the world for new little riders. It came well packaged and was thoroughly impressed with the build quality. It was super easy to set up and the pedal conversion is easy as well.My daughter rode the little scoot bike for her 2 year old summer. At 3.5 she took off pedalling as fast as she could.This bike is absolutely the best way to teach your kid to ride. Sticking with the same lightweight, easy to use platform year after year is the recipe for success!!!
Kelly - UK
I did a lot of research before buying, I wanted excellent quality, and be appropriate for my 4YO daughter for a number of years. This bike ticks all the boxes. She LOVES the sparkly pink finish. Customer service is exceptional, with LBB going above and beyond to ensure our bike arrived in time. First class, all round.
Andrea - Italy
A great product! My daughter loves her LittleBig Bike. Quality is excellent, assembly is easy, and customer service is excellent. I am extremely satisfied with the LittleBig Bike, I’m sure my daughter will enjoy it for years, it’s absolutely ideal for all ages. Definitely recommended!
Dan - UK
Couldn’t possibly recommend this company more! Fantastic idea, fantastic build quality and just such a great little bike. My lad absolutely loves it and has taken to it so quickly, really recommend going for the upgraded tyres too. Standard ones are perfectly fine but the upgraded ones are brill! Order arrived in two days, couldn’t be happier!
Bríd - Ireland
We bought this bike for our boys 2nd birthday and by 3.5years he was pedalling! Best thing we’ve ever bought without a doubt! He’s 4 years old now & he cycles outside for hours. Absolutely loves it. So sturdy & it has taken ALOT of bangs. Just about to put an order in for our 2year old girl by the request of her brother so they can cycle together
Luke - UK
I wholeheartedly recommend littlebig bikes. It is a quality product, at a good price with excellent after sales service. My son loves his bike all the way from when it was a balance bike to a pedal bike (without the faff of training wheels). Save yourself money in the long run and get this quality bike.
Alex - USA
My son started age 2, he developed a great sense of balance, better than any training wheels will give and by 3 1/2 was riding with pedals. The feeling of being a dad and having your son enjoy the sport is priceless. He loves going to the park to ride and I love that he keeps up and I can ride next to him. Thank you LittleBig Bikes.
How Does A Convertible Balance Bike Save You Money?
By choosing a convertible balance bike, you will buy just one bike instead of two. By comparison, buying a balance bike and a separate pedal bike, with a similar quality to the LittleBig convertible balance bike (€325), could cost you more than €700.
Furthermore, choosing a convertible bike reduces costs associated with buying a second bike, such as your time spent shopping, travelling to and from a bike shop, or paying shipping costs twice.
The LittleBig is built from high-end components to ensure it will last the test of time, as backed up by the 5-year warranty on our frame and fork.
This gives you peace of mind that the bike will be there for your child's journey from balancing to properly pedalling.
What Is The Best Convertible Balance Bike?
While there is no world cup of balance bikes, we are proudly confident that the LittleBig is a winner here. We are parents and experienced cyclists, and our bike was designed around our core values of quality, functionality, sustainability and value.
Don't just take our word for it; take the time to look at our many customer reviews or any of the 3rd party glowing press reviews we have received in publications from every corner of the globe.
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Round the world cyclist, mountain bike racer, engineer and all round bike geek, Simon Evans clearly loves all things BIKE.
Simon worked as a Structural Engineer in Cambridge for a number of years before setting off on an 18 month, 30,000km cycle around the world, testing his bike, body and mind to the limit and giving a wealth of wonderful experiences.
Coming home in 2010, he wanted to combine his engineering with his love of bikes to create a better and more sustainable bike for kids. In 2015 he launched LittleBig bikes which have now been sold to 77 countries around the world giving thousands of kids the best start on two wheels.
