Truth in Advertising: A Balance Bike Comparison Chart That's Actually Worth Reading

We like to inform consumers, before they waste their money on balance bikes that are inferior, unsafe and unloaded onto parents using deceptive marketing tactics. It's pretty clear that the word "safety" is being used pretty loosely these days by certain brands. Look at everything you get when a bike is #RealBikesNotToys™ certified. The Yedoo TooToo is a Rock Star in our book, but the following bikes could also use this same exact chart in place of the TooToo:
Woom1, Ridgeback Scoot, Saracen Freewheel, Muna, ByK, and others that we will add later.

Balance Bike Safety: Don't Let Fake Review Sites Lead You Into the Weeds

It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole when you're searching for a product that you know little about. Here's a video I created to inform you of the possibility that most so-called "Review Sites" that are  recommending balance bikes really have no business recommending anything that has to do with your child's safety. They don't care. Most of them are after a 3% commission from Amazon, and their selection method for the "top 10 balance bikes" is really nothing better than fishing with dynamite.

Debunking the myth about balance bike frame shape

The all-new MUNA designs are coming soon to WeeBikeShop and select dealers this fall, but are available for pre-order right now. Don't be disappointed when they are sold out!

Here's an issue that needs honest clarification so that consumers can avoid the deceptive marketing that prevails. A low frame tube on a balance bike is often sold to parents as some kind of advantage. After all, the bike will be easier to mount and dismount, no?

No.

The only time a toddler pokes his or her leg through the bike's frame to get onto it is the first few times they ride it. On the 2nd or 3rd day, kids intuitively discover that it's much quicker and easier to swing their leg up and over the back wheel, and onto the saddle. This is how adults do it, it's how cowboys get onto their horses, and it's how kids get onto balance bikes.

Conclusion: A low swooping frame tube is just a marketing gimmick that targets folks who don't usually ride a bike and don't know better. No matter how the bike's frame is shaped, the top tube will always be lower than the saddle. Marketing is very good at solving problems you don't even have.

The Muna Balance Bike is in stock and shipping now..

Happy shopping!

The Infamous Scoot Balance Bike Gets A Makeover for the US

If you're here because you've done some research about balance bikes, you have no doubt read some things about the Scoot Balance Bike by Ridgeback UK, imported and distributed in the US by WeeBikeShop. Here's a quick review of this wildly popular balance bike in it's current 2017 configuration built exclusively for the US.

Wide handlebars enhance control. Think of it this way: would you be a better driver with a tiny steering wheel?

Originally launched 10 years ago, the Scoot has a timeless design that's been engineered for it's riders by a reputable British bicycle producer. Ridgeback has been selling bikes since 1983 and they are not in the habit of slapping something together just to rush it to market. The Scoot was developed with the same quality workmanship as the company's adult bikes, meaning that it was designed as a bicycle, not as a toy. This is evident in it's "stacked nickel" aluminum welds, it's lack of any weight limit, and it's compliance with bicycle safety testing protocol- a process that would destroy most every other balance bike on the market that avoids this testing for obvious reasons.
The Scoot was launched in the US by WeeBikeShop in 2013 and since that time, a lot has changed and improved. The 14" version of the Scoot (called the Scoot XL) was launched about a year later, designed to fit the typical 4 year old son or daughter of parents who may have become aware of the balance bike craze a little later than others. This bigger bike solved a problem for many families, by rescuing 4 year olds from having to ride under-sized toy product with 50 lb weight limits, masquerading as real bikes. It's hard for an untrained eye to tell the difference between toy and real bikes, because they all market themselves as "bikes".. something the bicycle industry should take issue with, the same way that the dairy industry plans to do with "soy milk" and "almond milk". (If it's not from a cow, it's not milk! and if it's not safety tested as a bicycle, it's not a bike! but we digress..)

Back to the Scoot. It's recently been upgraded, changed and adapted for the US market. To wit:

1. It now has an all-terrain tread pattern on the tire, by Vee Rubber, so it can be ridden safely on any surface. The previous tire was rather devoid of much tread, designed mainly for pavement.
2. Scoot now has angled valve stems that make topping off the air in the tires much easier, regardless of the brand or model of bike pump.
3. The hand lever for the brake was improved, changing from an all-plastic version to a much better alloy lever that loads the cable end from the side for better engagement of the brake wire.
4. Aforementioned hand lever is now positioned on the right hand side of the handlebars by default, instead of the left (as is the custom in the UK, those wacky Brits!)
5. The Scoot is now a co-branded bike in the US so you will observe the nifty WeeBikeShop logo on the rear tubes of the bike. This is intended mainly to filter UK version Scoots sold by unscrupulous rogue European sellers to the US. What this means is that WeeBikeShop, as the sole exclusive US importer, can avoid servicing warranty claims from the customers of the aforementioned unauthorized sellers. Make sure you're buying the "US Edition" whenever shopping for a Scoot. Otherwise, you will be left holding the bag if you need service, as it should be.
6. Assembly tools are now included with every Scoot and Scoot XL- something that should have happened long ago, but which took some time for the WeeBikeShop folks to sort out.
7. Touch up paint is now included with every Scoot balance bike, in an exact match. Like any paint material, it's potentially hazardous stuff, so please keep it out of reach of children. Making those scratches disappear is a nice feeling though, and a feature normally reserved for high end adult bikes.

Nothing new but worth pointing out: Every balance bike shipped from the WeeBikeShop facility in San Diego (yes even if you ordered it on another website or on Amazon) is thoroughly bench prepped. What this means is that it's removed from the carton, inspected for defects, checked for safety, tires re-inflated to 35psi, rear wheel tuned to spin true, v-brakes dialed for balance, brake shoes aligned with rims, and everything re-packed with extra protection to survive the wrath of angry Fedex handlers. The cherry on top is a nice big complimentary hand wipe that's included for customers to clean their hands after assembly.. and why not? to also remove all the finger prints you added to the glossy paint before presenting it to a lucky recipient.

Some bad news: Some colors were discontinued in the US, namely the matte black (both sizes) and the Lime Green 12" Scoot (still available for Scoot XL) One of the finer details of the Scoots is their paint job- they are quite pristine with a thick clear coat protecting the decals underneath- none of those cheap stickers that other brands put on top of the paint that get dog eared and filthy over time.

Did we mention there is no weight limit? While we're on the subject of weight, let's inform you about why ultra light balance bikes are not necessary. Flash forward 2 years. You are shopping for your kid's first pedal bike, the one that someone promised you they would ride immediately, without training wheels, after a couple of seasons on a balance bike. The bike has either 14" or 16" wheels (please avoid pedal bikes with 12" wheels) and weighs about 20 pounds (assuming you are spending $200-250 for it.. if you're going cheap, expect it to weigh 25 pounds) So.. realizing that junior was practicing his/her balance on a toy product that weighs 6-7 pounds, you now realize that this pedal bike weighs 3x to 4x more than the first bike. Sounds ridiculous! Let's think clearly about this.. It's the equivalent of practicing to ride a Harley, using a bicycle (which is not a motorcycle). To get ready for a Harley, you don't practice on a bike, and to get ready for a real bike, you should't practice on a toy. Long story short, a hyper light balance bike does not help your kid adapt to the real deal. Why even go there?
If any of this sounds like defensiveness of the weight of the Scoot and Scoot XL (weighing 11b and 12.5lb respectively) you are correct. But please consider that the protocol for bike weight that is most successful is for a bike rider to outweigh their bike by a factor of at least 3. For example, A Scoot recipient should weigh at least 33lbs and a Scoot XL recipient should weigh at least 37 lbs. Some discretion can be used of course for muscular, athletic kids, but these guidelines are pretty successful. As it turns out, most 3 year olds weigh 32-35lbs (perfect for Scoot) and most 4 year olds weigh 36-40lbs (perfect for Scoot XL)
Still not sure? Then please consider the seat height of the bikes you are considering. The Scoot has a seat range of 14" to 20", and the Scoot XL has a seat range of 16" to 22". It says so right on the box. Avoiding a tiny bike will avoid buyer's remorse, like when you observe your kids elbows digging into their torso because the reach to the handlebars is ridiculously small. No such issues with the Ridgeback Scoot. It was engineered for optimal fit and comfort for kids age 3-6, by a real bicycle company. Happy shopping! Thanks for reading.

Brake cables are routed through the frame for clean lines.

The distance from the seat to the handlebars allows room for growing arms. None of that nonsense you get from the toy industry stuff. #realbikesnottoys is a thing!

Check it: the seat is finely upholstered with handsome stitching AND a convenient carrying handle  (for you to use, not the kid)

V-brakes are TOP MOUNTED, as they should be. It's important to be able to observe a bikes brakes and easily inspect them. We see bikes with the brakes mounted under the frame and we just shake our heads.. So not necessary to hide this important component from view and make maintenance a challenging ordeal!

This is the best brake lever on the market for little kids. Sized for small fingers and built to endure the abuse of any 3-6 year old.

The seat clamp is pretty basic, but can be upgraded to a premium quick release in one of 6 cool colors.

Not to sound like a late night infomercial, but these are all of the goodies included with your Scoot! A bell, an extended length 2nd seatpost, assembly tools, touch up paint, a little cardboard foot (license to ride), and a pleasantly scented hand wipe (smells a lot like Davidoff, so Dads will like it)

With welds like "stacked nickels" and evidence of it's genetics, the Scoot has the same appeal as a Land Rover, but for kids.

These new sneakers can go anywhere (sneakers=bike tires) The domed axle nuts  perform double duty- they fasten the wheels to the frame and they keep the frame from touching the ground when the bike is sleeping. Scratches prevented!

Stop Reading Click-Bait Sites with "Best Balance Bikes"

Seriously? Google the words "Best Balance Bike" and the first page of results is nothing but a bunch of opportunistic greedy and lazy Amazon affiliates who don't know a balance bike from a hole in the ground. They have discovered [with 2 minutes of research] that the cheap crappy bikes selling the most to the masses can make them some affiliate dough, so they list these products as "the best" and provide you with link to go buy them on Amazon, as though "best selling" necessarily means "best". (Gee, why not provide another place to buy them? Oh yeah, because they won't make any MONEY!" Clearly, this situation grinds my gears, especially as one engaged in the specialization of selling only the best balance bikes for the past 10 years. For those of you still listening and not already on Amazon buying a crappy toy masquerading as a bike, here is our top ten list of the BEST balance bikes.

Judgment criteria:
1. Safety tested per bicycle safety protocols (not toys)
2. Inflated rubber tires (no EVA foam)
3. Metallic frames and forks (no wood or plastic)
4. Twin bearing headsets connecting frame and fork (no quick releases or clamps)
5. Industry standard brake sets (No cheap flimsy toy drum brakes)
6. Decals are underneath the paint like a real bike (no stickers)
7. Saddles are ergonomic for kicking (skinny at the front, wide at the back)
8. Seat height range is sufficient to last rider at least 3 years
9. Weight limit of at least 150lbs (If there is a 50-70lb weight limit, its a TOY)
10. Geometry is engineered for riding by a cycling industry person (not invented out of thin air by a toy factory intern)

Here is The List of the best balance bikes in the world:

-Scoot and Scoot XL by Ridgeback UK
-Dimension 12 and 14 by Ridgeback UK
-TooToo and ALU by Yedoo
-WOOM1
-Islabike Rothan
-Likeabike Jumper (this one can be fitted with a front brake)
-Freewheel by Saracen UK
-Tadpole by Frog Bikes
-Alley Runner | Trail Runner by Early Rider

Next we will inform you of where to buy these bikes. Stay tuned.

Is my balance bike a bike or is it a toy? What's the difference?

Parents: The foundation of your balance bike buying decision should first boil down to one thing:
Do I want a toy or a bike? (and what's the difference?)
The differences are dramatic.
Nearly 100% of balance bikes are imported from the Far East. They are produced in a factory that is either in the business of producing bicycles, or in the business of producing toys. To enter the US market, these products must be tested for compliance with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in one of two ways.
Here's the big secret that most balance bike producers don't want you to know: The balance bike you are considering is either categorized and tested as a toy, or it is categorized and tested as a bicycle.  (Very few are tested for compliance with both standards, but the Scoot by Ridgeback is one example of this) The differences between toy testing and bike testing is pretty immense.
Toys are generally tested for the presence of heavy metals like lead and mercury, and other chemicals like phthalates, and for general finger pinching issues and choking hazards. If a portion of the toy can or will be "mouthed", it is tested for chemicals to make sure a child is not harmed by ingesting or inhaling certain chemicals. They are NOT tested to see if it can withstand 250-400 psi of stress, which is part of the bicycle testing protocol. Bicycles are tested every which way to make sure they are durable enough for the trauma that a bike must endure. The wheels need to be strong enough to withstand 100s of pounds of deflection without failure, the frame and fork are tested with 100s of pounds of force to make sure they stay connected under impact, the brakes are tested in a controlled manner to make sure stopping distance falls within a specified range. It goes on and on.. Needless to say, a balance bike tested as a bike is far more durable than a balance bike tested as a toy.
Even so, all of the balance bikes imported as toys are marketed with "safety features", that sometimes seem intended to mask the fact that they are not safety tested as bicycles, and would not pass any of the tests mandated for bicycles.
This is a personal decision that falls upon parents to make, but without knowing how a bike is tested, how can one decide? That's simple. Just call and ask.
If the retailer you are speaking with doesn't know the answer, perhaps a different retailer who has has done the proper amount of homework WILL know. Find them and buy with confidence.
Below find some of the testing methods used for actual bicycles. The subject being tested is the Scoot by Ridgeback UK, which also happens to be tested for compliance with toy standards.

What Happened to LikeaBike Balance Bikes?

Check the logo on the sleeve.

LikeaBike was the first brand of balance bike ever to exist, and it was also the first brand we ever sold at our shop. We could barely keep them in stock back in 2007 when we first started selling. Boy have times changed! As much fondness as we have for LikeaBike, it's necessary to share some information that every seeker of LikeaBike products will appreciate knowing.
First of all, the distribution that was in place 10 years ago no longer exists. The supply chain is broken and current distribution channels are very scarce. What this means is that the new distributor has very little, if any, product to provide to the US market. Most of the availability is limited to the iconic Jumper- the very slick aluminum bike that has been such a hit in the past. Even so, you are lucky to find one. Hopefully this will change in the future.
Wooden bikes from LikeaBike are relatively extinct. If you do find one, grab it quick. However you look at them, yes they are all beautifully crafted in Germany, but they are over-priced relative to all of the new products that now sell in the US market for 1/3 (or less) of the cost.
The Rosalie and Hardy aluminum balance bikes are discontinued. Only a handful remain in the US market. This was LikeaBike's answer to all of the "knock-offs" that cost so much less than the Jumper. It was a nice design, lightweight, and shared genetics with the Jumper. With the correctly applied marketing effort, it had the potential to be a hit. Sad to see it go.
The wonderfully designed asymmetrical LiketoBike pedal bikes are readily available in Europe, but getting one here is not easy. It may be necessary to pre-order one and wait 4-6 weeks. These bikes are one-of-a-kind heirloom pieces, and may be worth waiting for, if you find a dealer willing to bring one in for you. Again, they are very cost prohibitive and really intended for the kid who has everything and the parent with deep pockets.
So what went wrong?
As an industry veteran relative to balance bikes, I believe that one cause of this decline is summed up with one word: Adaptation. (that is, failure to adapt to the changing balance bike marketplace) A product that is superior in every way became eclipsed by better products from innovative new brands, for about 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost. The Hardy and Rosalie were one attempt to grab market share at the $200 price point, but it was a day late and a dollar short. The bikes had great potential to grab market share, especially if the price were reduced to the balance bike "sweet spot" of $150-180. Part of the pricing problem is that LikeaBike insist on bringing all of their aluminum bikes to Germany, before they can be dispatched anywhere else. Apparently there is some prep work that is performed in Germany that Taiwan is not qualified to do (really?) This means that a potential distributor is paying to move the bikes two times (three times really, if they provide customers free shipping), and probably inadvertently paying the import duties in Germany, which are added to the landed cost of the bikes and passed on to dealers. If it was possible for dealers to receive shipments directly from the factory in Taiwan, costs would come down, but this is not allowed or possible.
Another reason: Marketing. (that is, a severe lack of it) LikeaBike used to sell so well without any advertising or marketing or social media attention, primarily because they did not have any opponents. As the competition revved it's engines with better, more functional, lower cost products, LikeaBike was stuck in 1st gear, without any marketing plan to execute. At the end of the day, the products that now sell really well, are the ones being marketed like crazy, and LikeaBike can no longer quietly move it's expensive albeit superior product based on it's own merits alone.
Elitism: The LikeaBike company owners are fiercely proud of their products, and consider themselves the pioneers of balance bikes, which is true. They also believe that every balance bike to exist after LikeaBike is a cheap knock-off of their products, without exception. There is some truth to this- a LOT of balance bikes priced in the $100-200 range are being sold to cost-sensitive families. (This is actually a wonderful thing imho) Take a look at what brands like FirstBike, Strider, Ridgeback and Yedoo have done in a very short period. But the problem is that opportunities to partner with reputable US distributors willing to put LikeaBike on the map [again] and aggressively market it, were always dismissed, because the only qualified candidates also imported other brands of balance bike. LikeaBike's position was that distributing LikeaBike alongside inferior, competing bikes, was out of the question, an insult. They say opportunity knocks once, but in this case I can assure readers from personal experience that opportunity knocked many many times and LikeaBike discriminated against potential investors who were unwilling to put all of their eggs in one basket, and not a very lucrative one at that, given the declining popularity.
Don't get me wrong, we consider ourselves LikeaBike's number one fan in the United States, having sold more of them than any other retailer over the past 10 years. We even put their logo on tens of thousands of dollars worth of cycling apparel of our racing team (see image) We continue to sell them at our shop, but the supply of bikes is very scarce and we often find ourselves over-sold when we discover that the warehouse is sold out indefinitely of this color or that model. Yet we persist. We will not give up on LikeaBike. It's the company with the longest history of teaching kids proper bike handling and giving them the wonderful sensation of balance, as young as age two, and nothing will take that away from them.
Interested in finding out if a particular LikeaBike model is available? Please feel free to reach out to us with your inquiry using this email address link.
Thanks for reading!