Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Balance Bike?
Balance Bikes are designed to be the best way for toddlers to learn to ride by teaching balance first. As leaders in the balance bike industry, Strider knows balance is key to almost every physical sport and activity. Kids need to be active daily and balance plays a big role in the development of our children. People of all ages and abilities can benefit from developing their balance.
When balance is mastered, transitioning to a bicycle with pedals is easy. A child needs to experience the feel of leaning and how steering affects the balance of the bike. A Strider Balance Bike is lightweight and breaks riding down into simple steps, inspiring confidence for a child who has only been walking for a short time. If your child can walk, they can ride a Strider!
Why should I avoid using training wheels?
Balance is the most important skill for riding a bike and training wheels create a false sense of security. Training wheels are often unstable and are meant to never touch the ground at the same time, causing a child to tilt to one side or the other in order to feel stable with the bike holding them up.
When a child is ready to transition from training wheels to a pedal bike, they have to go back to square one and learn balance. Pedaling is the easy part and typically takes a child just minutes to learn, while balance is a skill that can be developed throughout an entire lifetime.
Check out our Learn-to-Ride Guide for some tips on riding basics.
Can I add pedals to all the models?
The lightweight 12” Strider teaches riding basics to the littlest riders to develop balance, coordination, steering, riding skills and, most importantly- their confidence.
Transitioning to a pedal bike before they are ready for that extra weight and size is detrimental for a child’s overall riding success. In addition, the Strider 12 ground clearance may be perfect for short legs, but doesn’t allow room for pedals. With that being said, the only bike we offer with attachable pedals is the Strider 14x for ages 3-7 years old!
The Strider 16 and 20 models break down the overwhelming task of learning how to ride a bike into a safe and natural progression. Designed specifically for individuals with cognitive, developmental, or physical disabilities, these two models do not have a pedal option and are made to be balance bikes only.
What size/model should I buy?
Great question. So many options! We offer several different models for kiddos ages 6 months – all the way up to adults.
We offer Strider Bikes in 12″ and 16″ models (the number refers to wheel diameter in inches). The best way to determine which size and/or model is right for your kiddo is to go by their inseam. (Check out our Size & Fit Guide).
12 Sport 2-in-1 Rocking Bike – Built for babies looking for fun and freedom. This is the perfect way to introduce a bike to your child. (6 months – 5 years)
12 Sport – Looking for more features than you can shake a stick at? Meet the bike that set the world on fire. It’s our most popular model for a reason. (Ages 18 months to 5 years)
12 Pro – Performance meets perfection with the Pro’s all-aluminum frame. This is our high-end model and race-ready right out of the box. (Ages 18 months to 5 years)
14x Sport – Instant riding success? Yeah, we went there. The 14x starts off as a balance bike and, with a little help from the Easy-Ride Pedal Conversion Kit, transforms into their very first pedal bike. This is the best bike for those younglings making the transition to pedals. (Ages 3 to 7 years)
If their inseam happens to fall into more than one bike option, our Size and Fit guide might help you decide!
How do I measure my child's inseam?
In order to have the bike fit your child the best, so it is comfortable to ride (which makes it FUN to ride), we suggest you measure your child’s inseam and set the seat hight 1-2 inches below that height.
Watch this video for the simplest way to get an accurate inseam measurement or simply use a measuring tape and measure from their crotch to the floor while they are standing up.
There are no pedals? How do they make it go? How do they stop?
Children put their feet on the ground and push, just like Fred Flintstone.
Toddlers’ legs are strongest when used this way, rather than trying to pedal really short cranks. They are actually faster and more capable of dealing with uneven terrain and inclines on a Strider Balance Bike than a pedal bike.
Stopping is just as easy as starting; they just put their feet down. For experienced riders, we also offer an optional foot-operated brake. We don’t recommend it until about age 3 to 4 years old. For really young riders, success requires simplicity. That’s what we strive to do: Keep It Simple.
Are the tyres plastic? Foam? No-air?
We get this question all the time. The tires on all Strider 12″ models (Classic, Sport, and Pro) are made of an EVA polymer, which provides two key benefits. First, they’re extremely lightweight for easy control. Seriously, these puppies are half the weight of an air-filled tire and inner tube. Second, and parents love this part, they require NO MAINTENANCE. They will NEVER go flat and never need to be checked; just grab and go!
Tires on the Strider 14x, 16, and 20 Sport are normal bike tires that will require air to stay properly inflated. You can find information on the proper inflation PSI on the side of every Strider tire.
How high should the seat and handlebars be?
Proper seat height should have the child sitting on the saddle, with feet flat on the ground, with a slight bend in the knees. For long-distance striding on smooth surfaces, you can raise this slightly. For obstacles, tricks, and off-road riding, the saddle should be adjusted for slightly more bend in the knees. Strider offers two different length seatposts – 220 mm (8.66 in.) and 305 mm (12.0 in.). Older/taller riders will benefit by using the XL seatpost.
Handlebar height should be at the lowest setting for children 6 – 24 months old, mid-height for 36 – 48 months old, and at the highest setting for 48+ months old. Typically, you want the handlebars to be about mid-torso. For older/bigger kids that still love their Striders but are getting too big, we also offer our XL Handlebar.
What first pedal bike do you recommend?
The Strider 14x Sport! Seriously, there’s no better way to teach your child how to pedal than with the 14x Sport.
What should I do, my child is big enough to pedal a bike but doesn't want to quit riding the Strider?
Kids are focused on FUN. The transition to ANY pedal bike is a big one because most pedal bikes are two to three times the weight of a Strider. Most pedal bikes will only be able to be ridden on flat, smooth surfaces. This isn’t nearly as much fun as going on an adventure with your all-terrain-capable Strider.
We recommend that you offer both to your child and let them choose. Remember, ALL the skills learned and time spent on the Strider will roll into pedal bike/dirt bike riding proficiency later. So don’t be in a hurry; don’t feel like they are falling behind. When the pedal bike becomes more FUN to them, they will make the switch. Until that time, you want to encourage them to ride and have FUN on whichever bike they choose.
That’s why we designed the 14x Sport as a balance bike that turns into a pedal bike. Switching back to balance bike mode takes only minutes, and your child has the best of both worlds.
What is your warranty policy?
Please see our Warranty and Registration page for details on our customer guarantee.
How do you handle refunds?
If you wish to return your purchased item, you may do so within 30 days of delivery. All returned items must be in unused, brand new condition. The customer is responsible for the cost of return shipping.
Beyond the first 30 days of receiving your order, all products are non-returnable, non-refundable, and non-exchangeable. If a returned item is received to Strider damaged due to negligent packaging or re-packaging by the customer, we will be unable to issue a refund.
