I have to admit, I'm late to the party when it comes to balance bikes. I'd heard about them but still bought my daughter a bike with training wheels because that's what I grew up with. I figured she'd graduate learn on the bike with training wheels and then a regular bike, just like I did. After a few months and a little more research I knew I should have bought a balance bike instead. I've partnered with Joovy® to show you their Bicycoo Balance Bike and share why balance bikes are a better choice for all kids!
When I heard about balance bikes, they looked cool but I wasn't sure what the benefit was. I figured it would be good for our daughter to learn how to pedal and ride just like I did. Little did I know, balance bikes are much more effective at teaching kids to ride a real bike.
3 Reasons Balance Bikes are Better than Training Wheels
- Balance bikes teach kids to balance naturally, whereas training wheels give them a false sense of security. I know that when I got rid of my training wheels as a kid I had a hard time learning to balance on the bike. I could pedal but it didn't matter because I was constantly tipping over. Balance bikes teach kids how to control their body so when they start on a regular bike they just need to get the pedaling motion down.
- Because they don't have extra (smaller) wheels, balance bikes don't get stuck on uneven terrain or rocks. I can still remember bumping into a rock with my training wheels and feeling like the whole bike was going to tip over. Kids can feel more secure on a balance bike because they have control with their feet and their core.
- Training wheels create dependence. When your child gets used to riding without having to balance it becomes harder for them to ride a regular bike when the time comes. We all remember trying to ride a bike and falling or feeling terrified that we'd fall. If kids learn on a balance bike first, they'll be less likely to have those accidents and will take to riding a regular bike with ease.
Buying a Balance Bike
There are many balance bikes on the market today but the Joovy Bicycoo has a few features that make it stand out from the rest. One of the main things I love about this bike is that it's aluminum so it's lightweight. Harper (our three-year-old) is able to easily move it herself and she has control while she's riding it. Other brands use steel or wood which are cumbersome and heavy.
Now, I do wish I'd started Harper on a balance bike in the first place. Because she's used to pedaling it took her a little while to get used to balancing and lifting her feet up to glide. She's getting the hang of it, though, and she's getting more confident each time.
Another thing that sets the Bicycoo apart from other balance bikes is the pneumatic (air) tires. Some bikes come with cheap plastic tires that wear out quickly. Joovy's rubber tires glide well even on gravel and grass (and Harper tested that, ha!) and will last much longer than plastic wheels.
Brakes are important for any bike and a balance bike is no exception. The Bicycoo has a hand-brake that's easy to use for little fingers. The brake is connected to the back tire.
The seat is adjustable for your child's height. Harper has long legs so she's got the seat up about as high as it goes. On a balance bike, your child should be able to put their feet flat on the ground and have a slight bend in their knee at the right seat height.
Overall we love the Joovy Bicycoo! I'm so excited that Harper is learning to balance well on a bike; I only wish I'd started her on it sooner. Our son is just 11 months old now but when he's big enough to ride a bike he'll definitely be getting a Bicycoo.
I'd highly recommend the Bicycoo if you're looking for a balance bike for your kiddo. With Christmas coming up, it could be the perfect time to invest in one!
I also wanted to quickly mention that kids should always wear a helmet when riding a bike. The Joovy Noodle is a perfect helmet because it's lightweight, has a pinch-guard chin strap, and an adjustable fit dial. We love our Joovy Noodles!
Connect: You can connect with Joovy via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Buy it: You can purchase the Joovy Bicycoo in black, red, or white on their site for $129.99 or you can buy it on Amazon!
Disclaimer: I (Amber) received the Joovy Bicycoo at no cost to facilitate an honest review and all opinions are my own.
Judy says
Thank you for the information on this bike. I have a grandson, Atticus, and this would be a great gift for him. It's been a long time since either of my two daughters were this young, and it appears bikes have come a long way since they had their first bikes. I really like the hand brake and the fact that they can learn to balance on this bike. Thank you for the information. I will show this to my daughter and son-in-law for Atticus.
Jordan carver says
LOve it!!
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
I would love to also have the Toy Joovy Car Seat!! I think it would be so fun for my little girl who loves her doll baby!
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
I wish I had started my oldest on a balance bike to begin with too! She has a bike with pedals, but is very slow on it and wears out quickly. I know the balance isn't there yet either. She has been interested in a neighbor's balance bike and I would love for her to try one out!
Stephanie Phelps says
I would also love to have the Room Playard. All of their products are the best!
Brandy L Buneta says
I would love to have. A play yard for my first grand coming in January.
Tammy Greer says
I would love the Groove Ultralight 2017.
Amanda Lawson says
Oh goodness, I would love a BicycooBMX Balance Bike in pink for my daughter! I'd be awesome! Thanks for the chance!
Jennifer says
Love the look of this bike
Joyce says
I'd love the new nook
Joyce says
My daughter had one liis and it really helped her!
nina mackrain says
I think this would work very well for our youngest, he has such a desire to ride a bike but the peddles confuse him.
Christy p says
My 2 year old would thrive on the bike trying to keep up with her brother!
Angela hamel says
Cute bike. Always wear a helmet with any type of bike!
Darcy Koch says
This bike is ideal for my 4 yr. old grandson with Noonan's Syndrome. He is very short (normal with his condition) so this would fit him perfectly. He only weighs less than 40 lbs. so it being lite weight is a bonus. He will also feel like one of the big boys not needing to use training wheels.
Darcy Koch says
I also like the Noodle Helmet. It is perfect for riding the balance bike.
Amber Ludwig says
Very interesting!! I never knew there were such benefits to a balance bike over a regular bike!! I wish I could find a company that sold a balance bike that could be changed into a pedal bike!! There's a get rich quick idea there 😉
Amber Ludwig says
I would love the Caboose Graphite stroller!!!
Deborah D says
My nieces & nephews would fight over this bike. They will learn to share though.
Deborah D says
The Room Playard would be nice.
molli taylor says
i think this would be good for my daughter. it took my odler kids so long to ride i think this is the answer!
Meghan K says
Thank you for explaining this so perfectly. We are going to start training our daughter and I don't want her to be dependent on training wheels. These bikes are so cool!
Courtney W says
I'll definitely have to keep this in mind when my daughter reaches the age where this info will come in handy!
April E says
This review was perfectly timed, My 2 year old keeps trying to climb on his big sisters bike and I have been mulling over which balance bike I should go with. I love how this one looks so much like a big kid bike with brakes and all, which I have not seen on many balance bikes. The tires also seem like a great feature. Thanks!
sheila colbert says
the playland would be awesome to own
sheila colbert says
Awesome rebiew, openef my eyes hoping to win so my grand daughter can get startef
Carrie Lancon says
I really like the thoughtfulness of your review and how you clearly explained your choice and reasons for it.
Carrie Lancon says
My daughter would love the caboose stroller
Thelma Zaras-Medrano says
wow! this bikes are amazing! Looking for 1 for my son! I like the white/red one! Too cute!
Stephanie F says
This came just in time! We are thinking of getting a bike for our little girl for her birthday in Jan. And we are wondering between training bike or the the balancing bike. Thanks for sharing this and hopefully we can WIN this for our daughter too! 🙂
Jennifer babich says
Good point about them not getting stuck on bumpy terrain-I never bought if that!
Karen alba says
This bike looks amazing ! My son Has been asking for a bike for so long but sadly I haven't been able to buy him one since I can't work do to my illnesses 🙁 so winning would be such a blessing !! Plus this bike looks so easy to little kids who are learning to ride a bike . It would help my little guy so much !!! His favorite color is red so that would be another plus! Keeping my fingers and toesies crossed !!!
Karen alba says
I would also love to win any of the double strollers they have ! They are so cute and would be perfect since I have two boys
Mindy Fink says
Great Review! My niece would love this!
Becca F says
Loved the review! Really want to get one of these for my daughter.
Kristin C says
Thanks for the review. I had no idea that it was so much easier to learn how to ride a bicycle from a balance bike than from a tricycle.
Ashley Coleburn Carr says
I love balance bikes! What I love most about this one is how it can accommodate figure children and I like that it has a handbrake to teach them how to do that to rather than them dragging their feet to stop like most balance bikes !!!!!
Ashley Coleburn Carr says
Bigger children-
Linda Yip says
Groove ultralight for my lil baby boy.
Rochelle Luaders says
Wow, this is a nice bike. I just bought one for my 2 yo but I know someone else who would love one of these!
Rochelle Luaders says
I also like the moonroom playyard!
LAURA MARTIN says
I also like the tricycoo 4.1
JJ Wong says
I'm very intrigued by these balance bikes. Thanks for the thoughtful and thorough review of this Joovy model. I love that it is light weight and aluminum. It looks durable, but safe.
Nicole m says
I'd also love to win a Balloon
Erika Unger says
If I don't win this I'm definitely buying it for my son. He is having a rough time learning to ride. So much so that he has practically given Up and that makes me sad. I really think this will help get him riding training wheel free
Cindy Kong says
Thanks for the review. Also wondering about these balance bikes, they are pretty amazing. It makes a great b-day gift.
Cindy Kong says
I would love the ultralight caboose.
Wendy c g says
The scooter x2 stroller
Linda Manns Linneman says
This is such a great idea for our little ones. I love the bigger wheels so they can use this in the yard, etc. I also love the colors. Thank you so much for sharing this
Sue E says
I should have taken stock in band aids when my kids were little! They had more scrapes and bruises from learning how to ride a bike then I care to remember! And there wasn't any talk of helmets! Which I am glad that more of our children are wearing them for their safety! This bike sounds amazing! The cost is worth it to keep our precious children safe! This review covered everything I wanted to know.
Jeanne Melanson says
This looks like a pretty cool bike! I didn't know they existed. At first I wondered what the purpose of it was, since it doesn't have pedals, but after reading your review, I understand it's a matter of balance without dependence of training wheels. Thanks so much. This would be perfect for my 2 year old grandson.
Sandi McGinnis says
I've just resettle started see the balance a lot but this is the first review I've seen.Thanks so much for the review and the information on it.Now I'm seriously considering it for my grandsons first bike.
Sarah Elyce says
I think our toddler would love this bike! The review, with the action photos, was awesome at describing the balance bike.
Sarah Elyce says
I also love the look of the Tricycoo Tricycle.
Alexia says
I like that you're honest about not going first for the balance bike.
Robin Dempsey Dogan says
My son would love the balance bike. Another item I would like would be the new room playpen. It looks so fancy.
Laura Grace Andry says
I love all things Joovy! I adore the Groove Stroller and would love the new bicycoo too! But I think developmentally my daughter is really ready for a balance bike This looks great!
lori says
I would like the foocot child cot. We are on the go a lot and this looks easy to pack up/use.
Chelsey Gordon says
This is such an amazing concept and I didn't even know these balance bikes existed! I always thought training wheels were just what you had to do to learn to ride a bike, but like you said, while they help a kid get used to peddling, they don't learn balance and then they have to relearn a lot when the training wheels are taken away! Thanks for the review !
Maryann says
Thisis great to help kids learn how to ridea bike, and give them independence
Maryann says
I would love the Joovy Tricycoo 4.1
Jamie S says
I would love the TwinGroove Ultralight because I recently find myself needing to push two toddlers and love them being side-by-side but separately adjustable!
mary anderson says
This would b great to have so I could teach my grandsons how to ride. Looks much easier and safer than the training wheels.
Karisa Benjamins says
My nephew has one of these bikes and he can ride like a pro. They can totally skip the training wheels step and its awesome!
Kristen Freeman says
This would be such a blessing! This bike is the coolest bike I could ever imagine! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity God bless everyone and merry Christmas!!
Laura says
What a great little bike! I love the white and red colors - it really pops!
Rebecca H says
Thank you for your review. Before reading it I wasn't sure the benefits of a balance bike.
serena says
The Foocot child cot looks like a great thing to have for trips to grandma's and vacation.
Amanda Baird says
Great review! I never heard of a balance bike unti l my friend got her son one. By that time my girls were to big for one but I now have another little one who I will need to purchase a bike for. This review really helps me better understand what benefits there are to a balance bike.
Meg LaVigne says
would love the groove ultralight
Miranda Burdette says
So neat! My daughter would love this!
Leela says
I also like the Caboose Graphite.
Amandalane says
New room play yard !
DENISE LOW says
Thank you for sharing. I would like this bike over the ones with training wheels. These little bikes are so cute,
DENISE LOW says
The toy caboose stroller would be great to get for my granddaughter. Thank you for sharing.
Sue E says
I will keep this bike in mind when I'm shopping for a bike for my grandkids!!
Melissa says
Thanks for the chance and the review was great to know all the information very helpful.. my son would love this bike as he is still riding with training wheels hopefully he will get trained by summer
serena says
This looks like a fantastic balance bike! I really love that it has air-filled tires. My twins would love it.
Katy says
I love that this has a break! We have a balance bike for our daughter but the wood frame is so heavy for her and I want her to learn how to break. Tho she has everything I'm looking for in a starter bike!
Bethany B says
We are hoping to get a balance bike for my two year old for Christmas!
Nicole G. says
I love the hand brake. My niece has a hand me down balance bike without a brake and she loves to coast down the driveway, but it makes me so nervous that she can not slow down or learn how to slow down.
Nicole G. says
I would love to own the Joovy CocoonX2 Double Stroller.
Nan Oo says
My baby could use one of these bikes it'd be nice when he gets older.
Lenae Schwartz says
This is a skills building ride on toy.
jennifer williams says
Would love on of these for my toddler. Very cool!
Jo-Ann Brightman says
These are great reasons to choose a balance bike. i love how it teaches a child to use her/his core .
Jo-Ann Brightman says
I would love to own the Foodoo highchair.
Renee Rousseau says
This is the first time I have ever heard of the Balance Bike concept. After reading all the advantages to a Balanced
Bike training we would love to try it on!
Renee Rousseau says
The Tricycoo Tricycle is a great investment and it's even on sale right now! With the parent power option it gives a long usage span for your child and built to last so it can be handed down!
Mia says
I used to think that the only way to learn was training wheels but now appreciate all the positives that come from kids starting out on balance bikes.
Richard Hicks says
I like this bike. It is perfect starter for the little one.
Anel says
The caboose graphite looks amazing!