Q. WHICH KIDVELO BIKE WILL FIT MY CHILD?

Choosing a proper fit requires a simple measurement; their inseam, which is used to determine the correct bike from our lightweight balance bikes range.

First Rule is to select based on inseam rather than the child’s age or overall height.

Inseam

Measure the inside leg to determine what seat height they need. The easiest way is to stand children against a wall, put a book between their legs and measure to the floor to determine the seat height you need. Overall height of the child is not relevant providing both seat and handlebars adjust, so the bike will grow with them.

Once you have your child’s inseam measurement, check the bike’s specifications of minimum seat height. The bike will be a good fit if your inseam measurement is equal to or greater than the minimum seat height. It’s ideal to purchase a bike with a maximum seat height of at least 2 cm above the child’s current inseam. Check out our Bike Size Guide for further help

Weight

Follow the “Rule of 30” when selecting a balance bike. The bike should weigh no more than 30% of your child’s weight. An easy way to determine this is to follow a simple calculation: (child’s weight) x (0.3) = (max bike weight). For example, if a child weighs 15 kgs and we calculate this by the “Rule of 30”, their bike should weigh no more than 4.5kgs. A Rookie 12 is super light at just 2.9kg and made from aluminium alloy, so even the shortest child can ride.

You can use some discretion for very athletic and adventurous kids, and an extra kilo of the bike will be OK. However, a slightly lighter bike will offer better performance.

Q. SHOULD I BUY A BIKE THEY CAN GROW INTO?

When choosing the best balance bike for your little rider, selecting the correct size is always essential. Not getting it right, can frustrate your child and inhibit their ability to learn. It can also be dangerous. Most likely, they have never ridden before so we highly recommend that you purchase a cycle that fits them now, not one that they will grow into. We strongly recommend reviewing sizes indicated suitable in our product description.

Q. WHEN IS MY CHILD READY FOR A BALANCE BIKE?

If your child is proficiently walking, your child can ride a balance bike. Even young toddlers have found great success with our 12″ models due to the perfect combination of low seat height, low centre-of-gravity, and lightweight features. A balance bike replaces the need for a push-handled trike, a tricycle and a 12” bicycle with stabilisers – save money!
Trikes, buggies with handles and plastic ride-on toys don’t last and often the child just sits in them. Balance bikes are easy for toddlers to ride and are much more fun. Children learn through play – read the review of the Rookie 12″ Balance Bike by the Good Play Guide. As parents, we naturally worry about nasty falls and scrapes. As these bikes are so easy to use, especially the Rookie 12 for the youngest, your child only has to concentrate on balancing. There are no distracting pedals or stabilisers, meaning they learn more quickly and safely.

Q. IS A STEERING LIMITER NECESSARY?

While there are pros and cons to steering limiters, the overall effect on riding is minor, and their presence shouldn’t be a deciding factor in your decision.
A steering limiter prevents the handlebars and front wheel from completing a full revolution of 360 degress. Fans of turning limiters claim that bikes are safer with them as it prevents sharp direction changes. Kidvelo believes that the steering limiter keeps the handlebars from being able to fold flat to the ground in the event of a fall and potentially impaling the child in the face, neck or chest. We have witnessed this for ourselves. We believe that a child benefits from feeling the full range of steering from day one and those steering limiters are basically “stabilisers” for handlebars.

Q. DO BIKES REQUIRE ASSEMBLY?

Assembly is very quick; in most cases, it takes approximately 10 minutes or less and any tools needed are provided in the box. However, you’ll find the bike assembly straightforward, with an instruction manual found in every bike box and a copy or watch the videos – Assembly Guides.
If you are uncomfortable with the idea of assembling your bike, any local bike shop can assist you for a small nominal fee.

Q. HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN MY CHILD IS READY FOR A PEDAL BIKE?

Once your child has skillfully mastered the fundamentals of balancing, leaning, and steering they’ll be ready for their first pedal bike. Keep in mind how important fun and adventure are to a child. A lightweight balance bike has a “fun factor” simply not available on a heavier pedal bike for such a young age. During their transition to a pedal bike, we recommend our Convertible Pedal Bikes that you start in Pedals Off mode and then bolt on the pedal kit when ready. The advantage is you then end up with a super-light pedal bike.

Q. HOW MUCH HELP FROM A PARENT OR CARER DO THEY REQUIRE?

The good news is that using a balance bike is designed to be instinctive and easy to ride and requires minimal assistance. The best role for parents is to be their supporters, not a coach! Praise your child for any amount of time they spend on their bike. In the first few days, it may be just 5 minutes. They may just wander over and spin the wheel. Leave the bike available so they can pick it up when the mood suits. Let them be independent and encourage them. Better still, get on your bike with them! Our tips on how to ride a balance bike may be useful to know what to do from Day 1.

Q. IS A HELMET REQUIRED?

We strongly believe that a child should always wear a bike helmet. Stay safe when cycling depends upon teaching your child safe riding habits, developing advanced riding skills, and always being alert and aware of what is happening nearby. So buy that helmet and enforce its use, but please understand that safety features and helmets do not replace a parent’s obligation to teach and supervise their little rider at all times actively.

Q. HOW LONG WILL MY CHILD RIDE A BALANCE BIKE BEFORE THEY OUTGROW IT?

From our experience, little riders fit correctly in one size of Rookie, for about three years. After that, it all depends on how fast your little one grows. Kidvelo Bikes for Kids range ensures each bike can offer at least three years of longevity, and then the child can move up to the next stage.

Q. CAN I GET SUPPORT FROM OTHER PARENTS?

Kidvelo run a Balance Bike Fan Club Group on Facebook. Ask other parents for their advice and learn how they teach their toddlers to cycle. Use our contact us options and we are happy to offer honest advice, as to what may or may not work for your child.

Q. WHY ARE YOUR BIKES LESS EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER TOP BRANDS?

We get it! Kids are expensive. To bring you a top-quality bike, Kidvelo bikes come straight from our factory, to our distribution network, out to you. No middlemen to take a cut and therefore we offer these savings directly to our parents, in the form of a quality bike at a lower cost.

Q. CAN I RETURN THE BIKE?

We want you and your little one to be content with your new Kidvelo purchase. To make sure you love your purchase, we offer a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. Sort of like buying a new pair of shoes, generally wear them around a bit but don’t wear them out, if they don’t fit take them back. When trying out your new bike, please try and keep it in a clean, unused condition. If you aren’t in love with it after 30 days, we give you your money back less shipping back to us. Please shoot us an email to arrange a return at help@kidvelobikes.co.uk or visit Warranty & Returns Policy

Q. HOW LONG DOES SHIPPING TAKE?

In-stock bikes generally ship out within 24-48 hours of receiving your order, Monday to Friday. All bicycles are sent via a tracked courier service, typically DPD on a next-day delivery service. DPD will notify you of your one-hour delivery slot. For birthdays, please plan. We will email you a tracking number when your bike ships. Because each cycle goes through a quality and safety inspection, our bikes are unavailable for immediate pickup from our warehouse. If you choose to pick up your bike at our warehouse, we will require advance notification BEFORE the order is completed.

Q. WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON YOUR BIKES?

Each of our bikes comes with a lifetime warranty on Frame and Forks.
Other components are for 5 years.
Tyres, punctures, accidental damage, are not covered.
Maintenance is easy and our simple maintenance guide will help you.

Q. DO YOU SHIP OUTSIDE OF UNITED KINGDOM?

Sorry, No. Due to complexities around customs paperwork, we currently only deliver to UK destinations. Our International customers rely on friends to forward the bikes or alternatively some customers use third party forwarders. Alternatively we welcome enquiries from EU distributors wishing to sell Kidvelo. More details here Kidvelo Distributor.

Q. HOW DIFFICULT ARE THE BIKES TO ASSEMBLE?

The bikes are shipped to you 99% assembled. The only necessary tools are provided in the box. Total time takes about 10 mins (most of the time is removing the protective packaging). Before the bikes ship to you, we inspect the bikes and go through a thorough checklist to ensure all parts are there and everything is ready to go!
Check out our Owners Manual that ships with each bike or visit our assembly guides online for more information.

Q. WHAT IF I NEED A SPARE PART LIKE A TUBE OR BRAKE LEVER?

If you need an extra spare tube or a new tyre, we stock all spares. If you need something different just ask, we’ve got you covered. Contact us or email help@kidvelobikes.co.uk

Q. HOW LONG HAS KIDVELO BEEN AROUND?

Learning Early Ltd, the parent company, was started in 2009 when Karen and Gary Wood bought their oldest daughter her first balance bike and discovered how heavy and poorly made it was. From 2010 – to 2019, we were distributors of Strider Bikes. Since 2019 we have been designing, testing, re-designing, and re-testing our Kidvelo bikes brand to ensure they are the #1 featured and best value bike in UK, Europe and Australia. More About Us

Q. DO YOU OFFER STABILISERS?

We designed our bikes to be very easy to ride and enable children to quickly learn the joy of riding hence our bikes do not come with stabilisers. Teaching your child to ride with stabilisers is pointless as they don’t learn to balance the bike – the main skill required. In addition, design elements like a low centre of gravity, relaxed geometry, and proportional components make riding easier for those just starting.

Q. TIPS FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE ON THEIR BALANCE BIKE?

We have written down our top tips for riding a balance bike to help you or visit our blogs for more advice. Alternatively, contact us with any questions, and we will help you.

Frequently Asked Questions