Rookie 18 Balance Bike

Older Beginners Aged Approximately 5–8 Years

Start with the footrest fitted so your child can focus on balancing, steering, braking and controlling their speed. When your child is ready to try pedalling, the bike converts into a super lightweight pedal bike with the included pedal kit, allowing your child as much time as they need to master balance first, before progressing to pedals.

Because children learn to pedal on the same familiar bike, they do not have to adjust to a different frame, riding position or handling. That familiarity can reduce anxiety, build confidence and make the transition to independent cycling feel much more manageable.

The Rookie 18 is particularly helpful for older beginners and children who need longer to develop their coordination or confidence. Children with SEND such as dyspraxia, autism, ADHD, developmental delays tend to start learning to ride a bike later than their peers, and as such this larger convertible balance bike gives them the opportunity to learn to ride.

Age is only a guide. Check our kids’ bike size guide to measure your child’s inseam and confirm it falls within the Rookie 18’s 48–71 cm fit range.

Not sure whether your child is too old to start with a balance bike? Our Balance Bike Age Guide covers balance bikes for children aged 5–8 years.

Why Choose the Rookie 18 Balance Bike?

Using a convertible balance bike allows your child to learn to ride, at their own pace. Leave the pedal kit off while your child practises coasting, steering and stopping. Once they are comfortable and balance has been improved, you can fit the pedal kit and importantly, as no child is the same, you can easily take it off again if they need more time in balance mode.

At only 5.5 kg in balance-bike mode and 7.1 kg with the pedal kit fitted, the Rookie 18 remains light enough for children to handle and control. Every detail has been designed to give bigger, growing riders a stable, comfortable and confidence-building way to learn.

The Rookie 18 is made from lightweight, durable materials selected to withstand everyday family life while remaining manageable for an older child learning to ride.

Lightweight Without Cutting Corners

From its aluminium frame and wheels to its sealed bearings and air-filled tyres, every part of the Rookie 18 has been carefully selected to keep this larger balance bike lightweight, durable and comfortable to ride.

It provides older beginners with more growing room and the stability they need to learn to ride, without the excessive weight often found on larger children’s bikes.