FAQ

Frequently asked questions

FROM WHAT AGE CAN MY CHILD RIDE A BALANCE BIKE?

Ideally, a child should start riding a balance bike at the age of two, i.e. as soon as he/she out-grows a three-wheel plastic bike. However, we take part in events (sports days, family festivals, professional trade fairs), where we see many skillful children riding on a FirstBIKE at the age of 22 months (with the optional LowKit™ lowering kit attachment). The sooner you start helping children with exercising their balance on a bike the better. Small children learn on their own extremely quickly (from our own experience we know that it’s a matter of hours). But there are also children less excited to move around, who will not be thrilled by a balance bike at the age of two. Certainly do not force them to ride it, but show them the FirstBIKE again in two or three months. Children starting to ride balance bikes later, from the age of 4, take longer to learn and tend to have a problem with keeping their balance. This is often the case because they have developed bad habits from bicycles with training wheels mounted on the sides or from other ride-on carts, which don’t allow them to make progress.



WHAT IS THE MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR MY CHILD TO RIDE A FIRSTBIKE?

Thanks to the seat adapter, models with inflatable tires can be used by children from 87 cm. The Basic model with solid wheels can be used by children from 84 cm. However, this also depends on the length of the legs. When riding a balance bike the knees should be slightly bent while the feet are flat on the ground. The lowest seat position on a FirstBIKE is only 30.5 cm, which makes it one of the lowest balance bikes on the market.



DOES MY 2 YEAR-OLD CHILD NEED A LOWERING KIT TO LOWER THE SEAT?

That depends on how tall is your child and on the length of his/her legs. For safe riding on a balance bike, it is necessary that your child reaches the ground with both feet flat, not just with the toes. Around 90% of two years old children need the lowering kit.



WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TIRES USED ON A STREET AND CROSS MODEL?

In practical terms, the only difference is the design. Both have very similar on-road performance. The Cross model is more attractive for children who enjoy off-roading and motorcycles, because the rough tread looks like a mountain bike and sounds a bit like a motorbike. The Street model has a more subtle look and is best suited for children who enjoy the look of city or trekking bikes. However, this is matter of taste.



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