Balance bike or stabilisers? What to choose for a first bike

Start with a balance bike. It teaches the part of cycling that stabilisers skip.

What stabilisers teach, and what they do not

Stabilisers keep the bike upright. Your child learns to pedal and steer, but never has to balance. When the stabilisers come off, they must learn balance and pedalling together, and that is often where the tears start.

What a balance bike teaches

A balance bike has no pedals. Your child sits, pushes with their feet and glides. They learn to balance first, on their own terms, and they stop with their feet. Pedals are added later, when balance is already automatic. Many children switch to a pedal bike with little fuss.

When can my child start? Prambee has you covered

• From about 9 months: the woom WOW, once your child can sit up alone and pull themselves up to stand.
• From about 18 months: the woom GO 1, from 82 cm tall.
• From about 3 years: the woom GO 1 PLUS, from 95 cm tall.

Each child develops at their own pace. If your child is not interested yet, try again in a few weeks.

How long will they use it?

Most children ride a balance bike for one to two years before they move to pedals. That is a short time to own something, which is why renting makes sense. You can swap to a bigger size as they grow and skip the storage and resale.

Tips for the first rides

1. Let them explore the bike indoors first. Let them sit and walk with it.
2. Fit a helmet every time, even for short rides. See our helmet size guide.
3. Choose a flat, smooth place such as a park path, and stay close.
4. Keep rides short and stop while they are still enjoying it.
5. Do not push them or lift their feet. Let them find the glide.

Which bike?

Read the guide to choosing between the woom WOW, GO 1 and GO 1 PLUS, or use the bike size guide.

Bikes now in stock, send us a note if they go out of stock and you want to be top of the line once they return