The Strider 2-in-1 Balance Awesome is a ‘sport balance bike’ –a category intended for young children to learn how to ride a two-wheeled bicycle. A rite of passage in life, once upon a time children (and parents) endured much trepidation learning (teaching) how to balance a bicycle. The Strider is included in the best bikes buyer’s guide, awarded the best children’s bike designation. Not all kids start learning how to ride as toddlers, or for any number of reasons learning to ride on a regular bicycle can be preferable. If that’s the case then check out the SixThreeZero Around the Block Bike, or the Diamondback Tess Youth Mountain Bike.
Why We Like It – Strider 2-in-1 Balance Awesome
The Strider 2-in-1 Balance Awesome provides a great way for kids to get the feel of two-wheel cycling early in life without having to endure a fear of falling. The Strider bike is great too for parents who may not want to ride kids on their bike in a child seat, and for families wanting to bring their youngest members along on family group rides.
- Strong steel frame
- Nearly 8” adjustability (3 – 7 years)
- Lets kids learn with confidence
- Pedals not included
- Kids grow out of it around age 7
Performance
European children typically start bicycle riding on a balance bike which is considered a more advantageous way than learning with old-school training wheels bolted to a regular bike as maybe you did years ago. The Strider 2-in-1 Balance Awesome (Awesome Blue is the name of its color) is among the best balance bikes that let kids effortlessly experience cycling and independence when they’re very young, and then graduate to a pedal bike without ever needing training wheels. For an adult, you should check out our Specialized Roubaix Sport review as the bike comes with 11 different speeds.
Design
The Strider features a light weight (12.4 lbs.) durable steel frame built to withstand whatever kids throw at it. The seat height and handlebars are adjustable allowing the Strider to grow with your child, all the way up to 7 years old (for average sized kids). Wheels are 14” alloy rims with chrome spokes laced to alloy hubs and mounted with real air inflated tires –not foam tires as with some other balance bikes. Footrests are included, although probably best to let first-time riders push the Strider –it’s like walking. Once they get the hang of coasting you can add the footrests to mimic pedals to get them comfortable with taking their feet off the ground. A cool feature of the Strider 2-in-1, and hence its name, is how it can be converted into a full-on pedal bike. While equipped with a gear on the rear wheel, to convert the Strider into a pedal bike you need to separately buy a kit containing a chain ring, chain, crank arms, and pedals. Some kids may find riding the Strider 2-in-1 conversion pedals challenging because they are somewhat narrow and positioned close to the frame. You may want to go through our Tern Joe D24 review if you want a foldable bike.
Value
Balance bikes that a child pushes along by foot are well liked by kids and parents, and generally prove their value by how fast kids learn to ride. But therein lies the rub. Balance bikes are soon obsolete because kids both learn to ride and grow relatively quickly. The adjustability of the Strider makes it a good investment that can be transitioned as kids grow, ultimately convertible into a full pedal bike. Installing the pedals is easy enough, however, the conversion kit is not cheap.
Strider 2-in-1 Balance Awesome Wrap Up
The Strider 2-in-1 Balance Awesome is an excellent way to get your kids into bicycling without the trauma usually associated with learning to balance on two wheels. Perfect as a learning aid and for family bicycle rides, Strider bikes let your youngest riders experience immediate success and independence. The Strider 2-in-1 Balance Awesome is plenty sturdy enough for kids and will easily last from one kid to the next as your family grows. If riding off-road is more important consider the Mongoose Dolomite Mountain Bike.
