Kidvelo Rookie 14 review: balance to pedal bike

Choosing the best kids' bike can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to picking your child’s first pedal bike. The right choice can set them up for a lifetime of confidence and enjoyment on two wheels, so it’s important to get it right. 

That’s where the Kidvelo Rookie 14 comes in, a unique bike that takes a different approach to learning to ride. Designed to transition seamlessly from a balance bike to a first pedal bike, it allows children to develop their skills at their own pace, without the need to adjust to an entirely new bike.

At Cycle Sprog, we’ve previously reviewed and loved both the Kidvelo Rookie 12 and the Kidvelo Rookie 18, so we were eager to see how the Rookie 14 measured up. In this review, our test family puts it through its paces in both balance and pedal mode to see how it performs.

If you're in the process of choosing your child’s first bike, don’t forget to check out our recommendations for the best 14” kids’ bikes to help you make an informed decision. Now, let’s dive into our full review of the Kidvelo Rookie 14!

Disclosure:  Cycle Sprog were sent the Kidvelo Rookie 14 to review. We were not paid to write this review, and all opinions are our own. We do use affiliate links, so may get a small commission if you choose to buy through the links on this page. This funds the website, and we thank you for your support.

About our reviewers:

Our test family is a family of four: mum, dad and twin girls aged three. H and E are learning to ride their own bikes, but are avid passengers too with mum and dad on their Kids Ride Shotgun seats and double trailer.

As a family they love spending time on bikes together, riding at trail centres, on scenic cycle routes, pump tracks, local sea-side promenades and disused railway lines.

H and E, (now aged 3 years and 11 months) had both been confidently balancing on their Islabike balance bikes for a while but at around the age of 3 years showed signs of being interested in pedals... Enter the Kidvelo Rookie 14!

H is our primary tester for the Kidvelo Rookie 14, but as you'll see in the photos, both girls LOVED riding this bike.

Kidvelo bikes

Kidvelo Bikes specialise in innovative “learn to ride” bikes designed to help children develop cycling skills at their own pace.

Kidvelo have created lightweight, convertible balance bikes that transition seamlessly into pedal bikes, allowing kids to build confidence before making the leap to pedalling.

Built with safety, durability, and adjustability in mind, Kidvelo bikes use high-quality materials and smart design features to ensure a comfortable fit as children grow. Their award-winning range caters to a wide age range, making cycling more accessible for all abilities.

At Cycle Sprog, we’ve already reviewed and highly recommended the Kidvelo Rookie 12 and Kidvelo Rookie 18, so we were eager to see how the Rookie 14 performed in real-world testing.

First Impressions of the Kidvelo Rookie 14

A balance bike that becomes a pedal bike: Great idea! We’ve seen various other kids bikes that aim to do the same and grow with your sprogs, but this one keeps things simple and looks like it’ll work well. "

H's Dad

What’s in the box:

• Red 14inch wheeled balance bike (also available in green & blue)
• Footrest
• Chainset & chain
• Pedals
• All required tools
• A bell

Assembly is straightforward, with all the necessary tools included in the box. You can set it up with or without the footrest, and the handlebars can be adjusted forward or backward to fine-tune reach and stability.

When your child is ready to pedal, fitting the chainset and pedals is simple.

With clean lines, low weight, footrests, and a great price, Kidvelo obviously know what they are doing.  H was keen to get riding straight away and found it a smooth transition from her smaller balance bike.

A great feature of the Kidvelo Rookie 14 is that it comes with two brakes, something not all balance bikes include. While many young riders rely on their feet to slow down, having brakes available helps prepare them for their next cycling stage.

Kidvelo Rookie 14 Specifications

The Kidvelo Rookie 14 is designed to be accessible to younger riders while offering room to grow.

With a standover height accommodating an inside leg measurement of 40-59cm, our (fairly petite) testers were able to get on the bike just after turning three.

The high-rise handlebars can be adjusted closer, making it easier for younger children to reach. Additionally, removing the footrest from the bottom bracket allowed them to swing their legs freely, which is not always possible with balance bikes with fixed footrests. This flexibility means smaller riders can comfortably use the Rookie 14 earlier than some other models.

The 14-inch wheels provide a step up from the more common 12-inch balance bike size, making the Rookie 14 a great option for growing children.

The tyres strike a good balance between smooth rolling and grip, handling everything from tarmac to gravel tracks with ease. While the slick tread suggests a pavement-friendly design, we were keen to see how it performed on rougher terrain.

The frame, made from lightweight 6061 aluminium, weighs just 4.7kg in balance bike mode. This keeps it manageable for little riders to manoeuvre, and for parents to carry when needed. Internally routed brake cables add to the bike’s clean aesthetic while also protecting them from damage, a thoughtful touch for a bike designed to take on a child’s rough-and-tumble adventures.

It’s also a bonus for parents carrying the bike, as there are no exposed cables to dig into your hands.

As a convertible bike, the Rookie 14 comes equipped with both front and rear brakes, featuring small levers designed for little hands.

The handlebars have a high-rise shape, positioning the rider’s hands slightly higher than on most balance bikes, and can be further adjusted using spacers under the stem.

Since the Rookie 14 transitions to a pedal bike, it includes a rear cog ready to be engaged, as well as a cleverly designed split in the frame with bolts where a chain or belt can be fitted. This means when the time comes to add pedals, turning the Rookie 14 from a confidence-boosting balance bike into a fully functional first pedal bike is straightforward.

Everything about the Rookie 14 has a quality and robust feel, from the saddle to the handlebars, making it a well thought-out choice for children ready to progress in their cycling journey.

Riding the Kidvelo Rookie 14 in balance bike mode

H quickly adapted to the Rookie 14 after moving up from her smaller Islabike. She was immediately drawn to the bright colour, and the larger 14-inch wheels meant she could ride faster and more efficiently, making it much easier to keep up with her sister, who was also on a 14-inch balance bike.

Initially, H preferred riding without the footrest, giving her more freedom to swing her legs as she scooted along. Once she gained confidence and started gliding more, the footrest was reattached, providing a comfortable spot to rest her feet while coasting.

The swept-back handlebars play a key role in building confidence. They give a natural, relaxed riding position and responsive handling, making it easy to dodge leaves, potholes, and other small obstacles. They may look quite high when a child is just big enough for the bike, but they provide plenty of growing room, ensuring the bike remains comfortable as the rider gets taller.

The 14-inch tyres strike a great balance between smooth rolling and good grip, performing well on tarmac and gravel trails. While they don’t offer much traction on sand or mud, they are perfectly suited for everyday riding and light off-road adventures. Pump tracks have been a particular highlight, with H happily completing lap after lap on the Rookie 14.

The addition of front and rear brakes is a valuable feature for a balance bike of this size. The small levers are designed for little hands, and the reach can be adjusted closer to the handlebars for even younger riders, which is a thoughtful detail that helps children to comfortably and safely use the brakes. While they were initially ignored, as feet are much easier for braking, they are brilliant to have for when they are ready. 

Overall, the upright riding position proved to be really important at the start, as it kept H stable and comfortable, giving her a secure and confident stance as she progressed.

The only criticism of this bike is that when H had become really confident and was picking up speed, its upright riding position and the shorter wheelbase was less stable at high speeds. This is a confidence-inspiring balance bike, but it doesn't provide an aggressive position for fast technical riding.

This sometimes left H wanting to ride her sister's balance bike (the Hornit AIRO 14) which was more stable at higher speeds. This was only really noticed right at the very end of her balance biking journey, but is something to be aware of if you have a child with a need for speed (which we unfortunately do after years of riding a Kids Ride Shotgun seat)!

Converting the Kidvelo Rookie 14 into pedal mode

H wasn’t initially keen on using pedals, but one day she decided she was ready to give them a go. This is one of the standout features of the Rookie 14; you can convert it to a pedal bike in just 10 minutes. Yes, you could turn a pedal bike into a balance bike by removing the pedals from a regular pedal bike, but the cranks can get in the way, making it more awkward to ride. With the Rookie 14, there’s no such issue.

The process of adding the pedals was simple, with all the necessary tools included in the box. There’s even a helpful video guide if needed. In our case, we actually switched back and forth a couple of times. H showed some initial enthusiasm for pedals before changing her mind, further proving just how brilliant the bike’s convertible design is.

Knowing when your child is ready for pedals can be a tricky one. While both the girls showed some initial enthusiasm at about aged three, it took them another 7 months to have the confidence to fully pedal. We got a pedal bike when they first showed enthusiasm for pedals, and they loved riding it on a makeshift static bike set up inside, but it was still a little too big for them. A few months later and with slightly longer legs, there was renewed enthusiasm for pedals and we set about fitting them to the Kidvelo Rookie 14. The odd pedal stroke was had but they suddenly got a bit overwhelmed and decided they both didn't like pedals and H was adamant she wanted it back to balance bike mode. The flexibility of this bike came into it's own!

Riding the Kidvelo Rookie 14 in pedal mode

After some months of gently mentioning that we could try pedals again, H rebuilt her love for the bike after a few wobbles and confusion of the pedals on the first try, one evening they both announced they wanted to try again on tomorrow's ride. Result! A quick evening off going back through the fitting process and we were ready for take 2.

Because H was already familiar with the Kidvelo Rookie 14 as a balance bike, she only had to focus on the new skill of pedalling. With a traditional first pedal bike, a child has to adjust to an entirely new bike as well as learning to pedal, which can make the transition more daunting. Here, the process felt much more natural.

Once in pedal mode, this time H quickly built her confidence, she was ready! They both whizzed along the perfect smooth tarmac ride we had planned, gaining speed as she got used to pedalling. The simple switch completely transformed the bike, but at its core, it remained the same well-made, robust, and stylish ride just with the added bonus of pedals!

In the 8 weeks since H started pedalling, she has confidently mastered muddy trails, riding around parks and gravel trails. The upright cycling position is confidence boosting and we think she'll continue to develop her skills on this bike for a while to come.

The simple switch completely transformed the bike, but at its core, it remains the same well-made, lightweight, robust, and stylish ride just with the added bonus of pedals!

Where to buy the Kidvelo Rookie 14

The Kidvelo Rookie 14 is available exclusively online, directly from Kidvelo. It comes in three colour options; green, blue, or red.

Kidvelo offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you peace of mind if the bike isn’t the right fit for your child. Additionally, the frame and fork come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, while other bike components are covered for two years.

Before you go...

Have you thought about how you will know when your child is ready to learn to pedal?

There's a temptation to start early, but if it's too soon it can leave them anxious and you frustrated.

Take our questionnaire, which is cunningly called "Is my child ready to learn to ride" and we'll send you a personalised report with hints and tips for getting your child pedalling at the right time for them and you.

Other articles you might be interested in:

• Kidvelo Rookie 12 Balance Bike Review
• Buying a balance bike for your toddler? 10 things you need to know!
• Choosing the best balance bike for your child
• The best balance bikes as recommended by parents 2025
• Is your child ready to learn to ride a pedal bike?
• Kids bikes that will grow with your child