When buying a balance bike for your children besides the size of the bike you have to also consider the material of the frame. Balance bikes have wooden, steel and composite frames. The material used in the frame impacts the weight and the height of the bike. Both the wooden as well as the steel bikes have their pros and cons and either can be suitable. It all depends on what fits your toddler and the environment that the child is likely to use to ride the bike. Wood balance bikes make great indoor bikes though they can be ridden outdoors too. If there is no place indoors for the child then the steel bikes are the better option as they are hardy.

Wooden balance bikes

Wooden balance bikes are made from birch wood that is processed into plywood. Mostly Baltic birch wood is used since it is light, strong and durable. Depending on the thickness required, plywood boards are glued together or screwed and bolted so the bike remains steady. The advantage of plywood over solid block of wood is that it is less susceptible to warping and cracking. The bikes are finished with lacquer and that makes them water proof to a great extent but they need to be kept out of the rain Balance bike manufacturers also try to use marine grade wood so that the bike remains safe from water.

Wood is a reusable resource and if the bike has had its life then the wood can be reused. Since some people have grave concerns about the environment then they need not worry as most companies use wood that has been harvested with environmentally methods. Most wood used in the balance bikes is certified as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Wooden balance bikes have a toy appeal as they can be painted in attractive colors. Normally the frame, fork, handlebar and saddle are constructed from wood and painted to a very high standard with child-safe paint. Most companies use non- toxic material so they are safe for toddlers. Wooden balance bikes weigh about 9 to 12 lbs. Wood bikes encourage an upright posture and the handle bars don’t turn full circle so the bike doesn’t career off and kids can control it better. If your child is a little less adventurous it is better to start them on a wooden bike. There are a number of wood balance bikes that have a footrest where you would normally find pedals, children can rest the foot there. Wheels don’t have spokes and are safe. Seats can be adjusted which makes these bikes an attractive option besides the price, which is rather reasonable.

Steel balance bikes

Steel framed bikes are made from lightweight steel but they are durable. The frame is welded together but is structured to withstand hard impact. Since the steel is very light the balance bikes weigh around 8 to 12 lbs. and cannot really be termed lighter than wood bikes. Just as wood bikes can deteriorate in the water in the same way steel bikes too can corrode and rust where pain chips off. So bring them indoors when the weather is not great.

Steel bikes outdo the wood bikes in that the handlebar and seats are more adjustable. Steel bikes generally just have a single bolt to adjust the seat height whereas the wood bikes could have as many as three. The handlebars too are adjustable on steel bikes and can be raised as the child grows, whereas the wooden bikes have fixed handlebars at a fixed height. Many manufacturers have begun to use better shock absorbers on steel bikes. The experienced toddlers, who have already learnt to handle balance bikes, will find the steel bikes more fun to ride.

Since the steel balance bikes could be a tad lighter parents prefer them especially when they have to carry them home. Moreover metal bikes come with modification options, appealing accessories that are age appropriate. These bikes are also available in a range of prices so one cannot really say that they are more expensive than the wood balance bikes

There is no doubt that the dilemma in selecting a bike is rather real for parents who are buying a balance bike for the first time. There is no one answer to which is the better bike because bikes are meant to teach balance and coordination through steering. Bikes help children to engage in activity and for that they should get a bike that they find cool, while parents should select one keeping all safety angles in mind besides the price. They should also consider the nature of the child when selecting a bike because it’s pointless giving a timid child a bike that she might never use.