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Big balance bikes for taller children

Balance bikes are fantastic for helping children learn to ride. They offer a fun way to build balance, steering, and braking skills without the added challenge of pedaling.

If your child is ready to progress but is too tall for traditional 12" balance bikes, as found in our best balance bikes guide, there are larger models available that are perfect for taller or older kids.

This article explores bigger balance bikes designed for children who need that extra size.

Sizing and age - is a balance bike right for my child?

Most balance bikes feature 12" wheels and are generally suited to kids aged around 3–4. For taller children, though, larger balance bikes are available, typically recommended for ages 4 and up. Remember, sizing is based on each child’s unique height.

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top Christmas present for balance bikers!

Hornit AIRO balance bike + helmet

We love Hornit balance bikes because they're fun to ride, incredibly lightweight (great for when you end up carrying it!) and come in a wide range of vibrant colours.  Plus they also do a range of fun helmets that appeal to younger kids.

The balance bikes come in two wheel sizes - 12" and 14" - and make a fabulous Christmas present for that special little person in your life.

Last order date for delivery in time for Christmas is 12PM on 19th December.

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Before you start take a moment to GRAB YOUR FREE KIDS BIKE BUYING CHECKLIST to help you record all the information you need to find the perfect bike for your child. 

Balance bikes for older kids

Here’s our selection of the best larger balance bikes for older kids, with options ranging in size and price. Some models can be converted into pedal bikes, while others are pure balance bikes with larger wheels and a higher standover height.

Hornit AIRO 14 balance bike

Hornit AIRO 14

The Hornit AIRO 14 is a balance bike designed for beginners that are a bit older or taller, but also for kids looking to move onto their next balance bike as they've outgrown the current one!

Built around a super lightweight frame, the AIRO 14 comes with a rear mounted drum brake that is easy to use due to the TEKTRO lever designed for small hands.

It's available in two colours, Hammer Yellow or Magma Red, and comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and forks.

Price: £189

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Kidvelo Rookie 14 and 18

Kidvelo are a company determined to shake up the balance bike industry with their uniquely designed bikes that aim to get children pedalling more quickly.

They have two brilliant bikes that start off as big balance bikes and convert to pedal bikes.

The Rookie 14 (for ages 3 to 6 years) and the Rookie 18 (ages 4-8 years) are great value ways to help your child transition from balance biking to pedalling.

Alternatively, you can just use them in balance only, or pedal only mode, depending on the needs of your child.

We've reviewed their full range of bikes and are impressed with the design and quality. Our 4-year-old tester of the Kidvelo Rookie 14 review found it a "fun, easy-to-ride balance bike that promises an easy transition to pedalling when the child is ready!". Read the full Kidvelo Rookie 14 review here.

Our 7-year-old tester of the Kidvelo Rookie 18, Edie, is autistic and presents with some sensory triggers as well as communication/speech differences and the Kidvelo Rookie 18 was the perfect bike for her to build her confidence on and transition to pedals in her own time. Read the full Kidvelo Rookie 18 review here.

Prices starting from £235

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Kidvelo Rookie 14 balance and pedal bike
Woom 1 Plus balance bike with 14" wheels for taller children

Woom 1 Plus

woom Bikes are an Austrian company renowned for the quality of their bikes.  They have a "big balance bike" available - called the woom 1 Plus - which comes with 14" wheels.

It is sized for children aged between about three and a half to 5 years of age, with a height of between 95cm and 110cm.   The saddle height ranges from 37.5cm to 47cm.

The woom 1 Plus is available in 5 different colours - including yellow (which isn't the easiest colour to find!). It comes with both front and rear brakes.

We've reviewed a few woom Bikes (including their 14" wheel pedal bike, the woom 2) and our reviewers have always been very impressed with the quality and longevity of these bikes.

Price: £245

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Frog Tadpole Plus

Frog Bikes are one of the most popular brands of quality kids bikes, and they have three balance bikes in their offering - including the large 14" wheel Tadpole Plus.

This is a balance bike designed for taller children, with a minimum inside leg of 38cm. It comes in four colour choices - red, pink, green and blue.

It has a rear brake, but not a front brake, which will help ease a child into learning to brake gently.

We've reviewed a wide range of Frog Bikes over the years although not this specific model, and have always been impressed with their quality.  This is reflected in their second-hand values - these bikes are designed to be outgrown and passed on!

Prices from £220 

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The Frog Tadpole Plus is a large balance bike for taller and older kids, aged about 4 years and over

Black Mountain bikes

Black Mountain Bikes offer a versatile setup, allowing them to be used as both balance bikes and pedal bikes. With adjustable frames and larger wheel sizes, they’re designed to grow with your child, saving on the cost of upgrading as they get older.

Both the 18" wheel KAPEL or the 20" wheel HUTTO are ideal for taller children, while the smaller 16" wheel SKOG will work better if those are too big.

These bikes come with front and rear brakes, which help kids practice braking before they start pedaling. While the larger models don’t include the balance bike mode as standard, you can order them with a balance bike conversion kit for an additional cost, which includes the pedal and gear kit when they’re ready to move up.

For more details, see our Black Mountain Bikes cost comparison and our reviewer’s experiences in the Black Mountain Bikes HUTTO review.

Prices starting from £399

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KAPĒL Black Mountain bikes bike that grows with your child

Strider 14x

Strider are a well know American balance bike brand, who have a 14" wheel bike that is suitable for taller kids who have outgrown their standard 12" wheeler.

Again, the good thing about the Strider 14x is that you can buy a separate pedal conversion kit so your child can transition easily from balance bike to pedal bike.

It's a lightweight option (5.7 kg in balance bike mode and 6.1 kg in pedal bike mode) and is sized for children with an inside leg of between 40 and 58 cm which is up until about 6 years of age.

Price: £189.99

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Strider 14X balance bike that becomes a pedal bike
Ridgeback Scoot XL kids balance bike

Ridgeback Scoot XL

The Ridgeback Scoot XL, with its 14" wheels, is a great choice for kids who have outgrown smaller 12" balance bikes. Designed for children around 100–110 cm tall (approximately up to age 5, depending on height), this model offers stability and durability. Available in six colours, including black, lime green, purple, and pink, the Scoot XL also comes equipped with a rear brake for added control.

Price: £124.99

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Islabikes: Rothan 14

Islabikes has long been a leading name in kids' bikes, offering a range of thoughtfully designed models. While they no longer manufacture new bikes, the Rothan 14" is a popular option available on the second-hand market. This 14" balance bike suits children with an inside leg of 36 cm or more, starting from about age 3. Lightweight at just 3.4 kg, it’s easy for kids to handle and for parents to carry, helping children build two-wheel confidence before moving on to a pedal bike.

Price: £199.99

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Islabikes Rothan 14 kids bike 2021
Strider 16 Sport

Strider 16 Sport

For children aged 6 and older, the Strider 16 Sport is an excellent choice, accommodating an inside leg measurement of 52.1–67.3 cm. Available in blue or red, this sturdy steel-frame bike weighs 8.0 kg, giving older kids the balance and confidence they need on two wheels.

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Strider 20 Sport - best balance bike for teenagers

Frustratingly larger balance bikes for teenagers and adults aren't very common.

Strider in the USA make the Strider 20 Sport which is designed for teenagers and adults, with an inside leg measurement of between 69.9cm and 84.6cm.

Sadly their UK franchisee does not stock this bike.  We contacted the USA HQ in March 2023 to ask them if someone in the UK could order the bike from them and pay for shipping and the reply was sadly:

Hello Karen, Thank you for your interest in our Strider 20x model. Unfortunately, we are unable to sell or ship outside the United States. Have a wonderful day! 🙂

Not quite the smiley faced answer I was hoping for!

The bike does occasionally come up for sale secondhand in the UK.

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Other balance bikes for teenagers and adults 

If your teen isn't too tall (118cm to 134cm), then the Black Mountain HUTTO on the larger frame size could work for them (remember to buy the balance bike conversion kit).

For a balance bike that is more likely to fit a teenager or adult, there's the SUYUDD 18" wheel balance bike.  

It says it is suited for people 135-170cm tall, with a saddle range of 65cm - 80cm.

We can't vouch for this bike, as we don't know anyone who's used it, so do please let us know how you get on if you do buy it.  Thanks!

 

Strider 20 balance bike for adults and teenagers. This large balance bike is particularly good for those with special needs or a disability, but is also useful for those who haven't yet learnt to ride a bike and need a big balance bike

WeeRide Delux Balance Bike

The WeeRide Delux balance bike features 14" wheels and is designed for kids aged 3–5. Uniquely, it includes a rear band brake, a style more commonly found in Asia. This option might appeal to bike enthusiasts looking for something different or those up for a challenge with repairs, as band brakes can be harder to service in Europe.

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Wee Ride Delux 12" Balance Bike

Making your own balance bike

Another option is to convert a standard pedal bike into a balance bike by removing the pedals, cranks, and any gears. If you’re comfortable with basic bike maintenance, this can be a cost-effective solution. For a step-by-step guide, see how to turn a pedal bike into a balance bike. 

Just remember that many kids' bikes are heavy, so if your child isn’t taking to it, a lightweight balance bike might make all the difference in building their confidence.

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Comments

Carrie

Hi! I have a Strider 14x and my son loves it but we are in the US so it has coaster brakes (meaning no brakes at all in balance mode). I’m trying to find out more about the rear hand brake on the UK version to see if I can rig something up on his. The only kids bikes here without coaster brakes are really expensive (I got the strider used for pretty cheap). Do you know what kind of brake set up is used for the rear wheel?

Karen

Hi Carrie,
Thanks for getting in touch. I recall having an online discussion with Strider Bikes about this over a year ago, and they told me the UK version has a hand operated rear brake which uses something called a “band brake” – these aren’t very common, but work by pulling on a lever rather than backpedalling (as with a coaster brake). Hope this helps! Regards Karen

Nikolaos Vourderis

My daughter is 2 years and 9 months old. She is one metre tall. Shall I buy woom 1 plus, Ridgeback Scoot or Ridgeback Scoot xl?

Penny Millar

Hi Nikolaos. Many thanks for your comment. All three are great little bikes, we’d recommend any of them. Unfortunately, at the moment there is a shortage of kid’s bikes (you’re probably aware!), so we’d go with whichever you find available. Good luck and happy cycling to your daughter! Kind regards, Penny

Adam

Hi mate I live in Perth Australia
I’m after a balance bike 14” but one that looks like a BMX ? Do u have somthing I saw a 12” green awesome one but my son is way to tall 3.5yrs for this

Penny Millar

Hi Adam
Sound like you have a budding little cyclist there! Unfortunately, Cycle Sprog doesn’t sell bikes directly, but the Black Mountain range is worth a look if your son is taller. They are balance bikes that convert into pedal bikes when your child is ready. Their 14″ is the Pinto (currently out of stock but they are taking reservations). Click here to have a read them. They also look very cool! We hope this helps. Penny

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