The best age to train kids to ride is from 18 months, and according to experts, balance bikes are the best for training. However, if you are looking for a balance bike for your 7-year-old, you’ve come to the right page.
Some older kids, for whatever reason, either due to anxiety, terrible experiences with training wheels, or those with special needs, may still need to use a balance bike to improve their skills. There is a lot that a balance bike can do for your child, from improving balance, motor skills, and coordination, not to mention the confidence boost and fun that comes when they start riding away.
Big balance bikes for older children are so very few in the market. If you are looking into buying one for your young rider, we have a list of the best ones worth your time and money. Make sure to compare the features so you can get the bike that specifically meets your child’s needs.
Below are the best balance bikes you can find for your 7-year-old:
Reviews of Balance Bikes for 7-Year Olds
Ridgeback Scoot
The 14 inch extra large Scoot is ideal for kids from 4 to 7 years. It is a great option for those who don’t mind spending a bit more to get a high end product. The bike features a super lightweight 6061 aluminum frame and heavy duty rubber tires that provide traction and cushioning on different terrains for the price. Moreover, the wheels are also puncture-resistant, so you never have to worry about them going flat.
The bike is easily adjustable to your kid’s perfect height and comfort, with two seat posts ranging from 16 to 22 inches while the handlebars rise from 21 inches to 23 inches. Better still, it has a quick release clamp for hassle free seat height adjustment.
Most balance bikes don’t include brakes as the rider uses their feet to stop, but we love that the Scoot comes with a rear V-brake. This greatly increases the bike’s stopping power. The handy brakes also allow the young riders to practice how to ride an actual bike.
For safety, the Scoot has internally routed cables and even comes with a bumper on the grips. It also has a soft padded saddle and nice extras such as a carry handle for easy transporting.
Features
- 6061 aluminum frame
- Air filled rubber tires
- Rear v-brakes
Pros
- Four colors to choose from
- Super lightweight and durable aluminum frame
- Minimal assembly
- Soft padded seat for extra comfort
Cons
- Rear hand brakes on the left hand side is a bit confusing when the child starts using a regular bike
- Expensive compared to other options on the list
Strider16
Strider 16 is one of the best sizes for big kids, designed for ages 6 to 10. It is large with a maximum weight capacity of 185 pounds, so chubby kids and tall kids fit just fine. The handlebars and seat posts can be raised or lowered for a comfortable fit.
Strider 16 has great quality, a lightweight frame, all terrain tires, and the best brakes on this list. It is equipped with front and rear-V brakes that are very responsive, giving your child maximum stopping power. This makes Strider 16 a fantastic option for big kids who love to ride fast. With the brakes, your young rider gains relevant skills they will use when riding regular bikes.
The 16 inch bike has a tool free seat height adjustment from 19.5 to 25.5, so your young rider can use it for longer than other balance bikes. The handlebar design is another impressive aspect as they have a 3-degree sweep that makes it easy for riders to turn the bike in the desired direction. It also has a removable footrest and a kickstand.
Features
- Steel frame
- Air-filled tires
- Front and rear-v handbrakes
- Kickstand
Pros
- Durable construction
- Nicely padded comfortable saddle
- Dual hand brakes give the rider maximum control and stopping power
- High weight capacity up to 185 pounds
- Hassle free seat height adjustment with quick release mechanism
Cons
- May be clunky and heavy for petite riders
Go Glider 16
Some kids have had really bad experiences when learning on training wheels. They get afraid of the frequent falls, and this impedes their training. If your big kid is unwilling to continue learning due to such a painful experience or they are just timid, don’t give up hope before trying the Go Glider 16. It has great reviews of parents raving how the bike has been such a confidence booster and helping kids learn to ride fast.
The 16 inch wheel is one of the largest balance bikes in the market, designed for kids ages 5 to 10. It has air filled tires enabling your child to cruise on varied terrains. With a seat post that adjusts from 17 to 25 inches and adjustable handlebars, this balance bike provides a great fit for big kids. It is also the most feature-rich bike on this list, so your rider will have all they need.
This bike is sturdy with a steel alloy frame yet weighs only 11 pounds- this is very impressive for a 16 inch bike with air tires. This makes it easy for the young rider to control and maneuver. It also has a comfortable upright riding posture.
Go Glider 16 has a rear handbrake, giving the rider more control and also helps them get essential skills as they will use when they transition to a regular bike. It also has removable foot pegs, a standard steering limiter, and a kickstand.
Go Glider is also one of the few balance bikes that accept an additional pedal attachment. You could buy the pedal kit separately to transform the balance bike into a regular bike. This will make your child’s transition from a balance bike to a pedal bike smooth.
Features
- Steel alloy frame
- Rear handbrake
- Air tires
- Steer limiter
- Kick stand
Pros
- Can be converted from balance bike to pedal bike
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Upright riding position for comfort
- Has removable foot pegs for the rider to rest their feet
- Five color options
Cons
- Brake lever can be hard to engage
Bixe 16 Pro Balance
1 used from $57.49
For those looking for a no-pedal balance bike at budget friendly pricing, the Bixe 16 is an excellent option. It lacks the bells and whistles you would find on higher priced competitors, but its simplicity and great pricing are its biggest selling points, hence making it one of Amazon’s best seller balance bikes.
Apart from its price, the bike is lightweight- only 12 pounds despite the steel frame and air tires. This makes it easy to maneuver and transport. Another impressive aspect is that it comes partly assembled, so you have less frustration trying to figure things out, and you take much less time to complete assembly.
This bike has adjustable handlebars and seat height. However, it does not have a quick release lever like most bikes. Instead, it uses an Allen key, so the process is a bit lengthy.
Bixe 16 is great for timid riders. It has a large wheelbase so that the rider sits low and with plenty of room to lean forward. This makes it easy for the rider to control and maintain balance. It does not have brakes or pedals, but on the brighter side, your young rider will concentrate on just balancing, which is the major skill they need to master to ride a bike.
The company has gone to great lengths to ensure your child’s safety is also taken into account. For instance, the frame is engineered with a capacity that far exceeds the weight stated. The bike also has tamper proof clamps and safety washers on wheels.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that the manufacturer gives you a 100% satisfaction guarantee for total peace of mind. You are free to return the bike for a full unconditional refund if you are not happy with your purchase, and they also replace or fix any defective parts. This is a pointer that Bixe 16 is a solid balance bike.
Features
- Steel frame
- Air filled rubber tires
- Padded seat
Pros
- Lightweight construction
- User friendly
- Eye catching designs with four colors to choose from
- Affordable
Cons
- Wish it had hand brakes
Strider 14 X Sport
While Strider 16 we saw earlier teaches your child to balance, Strider 14X lets your child practice both balancing and pedaling. In fact, its compatibility with pedal attachment is one main selling point of the 14X. Keep in mind that you buy the pedal conversion separately.
This is the only bike that comes with a step-by-step guide for parents to teach their children how to ride like a pro. As a result, users transition from a balance bike to a pedal bike easily within no time.
Strider is lightweight and easy to handle. It weighs 12.5 pounds without pedals and 20.5 pounds with pedals. The bike’s seat post can be adjusted to fit kids with inseam between 16 to 23 inches. The handlebars can also be adjusted for a more comfortable riding posture. As with all Strider models, 14X also comes with footrests. These come up handy when the rider is gliding uphill.
One of the things we didn’t like is that the bike uses coaster brakes instead of the handbrake. Coaster brakes are especially problematic for beginners because every time they pedal backward, they activate the brake causing the bike to stop abruptly and resulting in falls. This is very frustrating and painful for the learners.
The bike comes with inflatable rubber tires that provide grip and roll easily on paved as well as dirt roads.
Features
- Steel frame
- Inflatable rubber tires
- Coaster brakes
Pros
- Converts from a balance bike to pedal bike
- Upright riding position for comfort
- Easy to install
- Padded, ergonomic seat
Cons
- Coaster brake, no hand brake
- Heavy with steel frame and pedals
Joystar 16
Joystar 16 is another budget friendly option. It is comparable to the Bixe 16 above, but it has more features to offer. It is large with an adjustable sizing, so your child has so much room to grow into. The seat height can be adjusted tool free from 18 inches to 22 inches, depending on your kids height.
This bike is well engineered with a carbon steel frame and pneumatic tires to tackle varied terrains yet has managed to keep the weight as low as 13.5 pounds. To assure you of the high quality of the construction, every bike comes with a lifetime warranty to fix or replace any defective parts.
Joystar has a large wheelbase and keeps the rider upright and comfortable, allowing the rider to learn coordination and balancing easily and fast. Unlike the Bixe 16, Joystar has a front caliper handbrake that increases stopping power and helps boost the rider’s confidence.
The bike also has nice aesthetics and is available in color options for girls and boys.
Features
- Steel frame
- Front caliper handbrake
- Rubber tires
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Lightweight yet sturdy
- Tool free seat height adjustment
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Wheels could be better
How to teach your kid how to learn how to ride a bike with a balance bike:
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Mary Stephens is our infant development and baby fun activities specialist here at Motherhood HQ. She has over 10 years of experience dealing with kids, previously as a K3 teacher and now as a K9-12 teacher specializing in physical education and Social Studies. She is certified to teach in New York and Massachusetts and when not teaching trampoline jump tricks or giving toddler safety guides, she enjoys writing and providing helpful guides to parents on baby fun activities from infancy to toddlerhood. Mary is also an independent consultant providing parents with fun activities at home and appropriate toys and baby gear for infants and toddler development. She can be reached at her email, mary.s(at)motherhoodhq.com.
