Frequently Asked Questions

What is a balance bike?

Balance Bikes are designed to be the best way for toddlers to learn to ride by teaching balance first. As leaders in the balance bike industry, Strider knows balance is key to almost every physical sport and activity. Kids need to be active daily and balance plays a big role in the development of our children. People of all ages and abilities can benefit from developing their balance. 

When balance is mastered, transitioning to a bicycle with pedals is easy. A child needs to experience the feel of leaning and how steering affects the balance of the bike. A Strider Balance Bike is lightweight and breaks riding down into simple steps, inspiring confidence for a child who has only been walking for a short time. If your child can walk, they can ride a Strider!

Why should I avoid using training wheels?

Balance is the most important skill for riding a bike and training wheels create a false sense of security. Training wheels are often unstable and are meant to never touch the ground at the same time, causing a child to tilt to one side or the other in order to feel stable with the bike holding them up.

When a child is ready to transition from training wheels to a pedal bike, they have to go back to square one and learn balance. Pedaling is the easy part and typically takes a child just minutes to learn, while balance is a skill that can be developed throughout an entire lifetime.

Check out our Ditch Training Wheels page to learn more, or get tips on teaching riding basics with our Learn To Ride Guides.

Can I add pedals to all models?

The lightweight 12” Strider teaches riding basics to the littlest riders to develop balance, coordination, steering, riding skills and, most importantly- their confidence.

Transitioning to a pedal bike before they are ready for that extra weight and size is detrimental for a child’s overall riding success. In addition, the Strider 12 ground clearance may be perfect for short legs, but doesn’t allow room for pedals. With that being said, the only bikes we offer with attachable pedals are the Strider 14x for ages 3–7 and the Strider 20x Sport for ages 8 through adulthood.

The Strider 20x model breaks down the overwhelming task of learning how to ride a bike into a safe and natural progression. It was designed as an inclusive learn-to-ride tool for people with cognitive, developmental, or physical disabilities, but it can also serve those who simply didn’t learn to ride as a young child and find the prospect of doing so as an adult difficult or intimidating. The 20x Sport’s low stand-over-height gives it a low center of gravity, making it ultra-stable to teach balance first. An optional Pedal Kit can be attached once the rider can balance proficiently.

What's the difference between the 12 Classic and the 12 Sport?

While the Classic is our entry-level budget-friendly model, the Sport is what we typically suggest purchasing.

The Sport comes with an XL Seatpost making the age range 18 months to 5 years old vs the Classic 18 months to 3 years old.

The Sport features upgraded build-in performance footrests, while the Classic has integrated footrests on the frame.

The Sport has a handlebar pad and mini grips, while the Classic does not have a pad, and has standard grips. 

Finally, the Sport features no-tool assembly and allows for easy adjustment on the height for a growing child, while the Classic requires a tool for assembly and to raise and lower the handlebars

If that isn’t enough and you’re looking for even more awesome features, check out the All-Aluminum Strider Pro or the best-of-the-best Carbon Strider STR.

What size/model do I need?

Great question. So many options! We offer several different models for kiddos ages 6 months – all the way up to adults.

Strider Bikes are available in 12″, 14″, and 20″ models (the number refers to wheel diameter in inches). The best way to determine which size and/or model is right for your kiddo is to go by their inseam. (Check out our Size & Fit Guide). 

12 Sport 2-in-1 Rocking Bike – Built for babies looking for fun and freedom. This is the perfect way to introduce a bike to your child. (6 months – 5 years)

12 Pro 2-in-1 Rocking Bike – An all-aluminum frame meets a rocking good time. Perfect for future racers and high-performance fans. (6 months – 5 years)

12 Classic – Don’t let its modesty fool you. The Strider Classic is a skill-building, confidence-building, budget-friendly model. (Ages 18 months to 3 years)

12 Sport – Looking for more features than you can shake a stick at? Meet the bike that set the world on fire. It’s our most popular model for a reason. (Ages 18 months to 5 years)

12 Pro – Performance meets perfection with the Pro’s all-aluminum frame. This is our high-end model and race-ready right out of the box. (Ages 18 months to 5 years)

Strider STR – If Luxury and Performance got together and decided to create the pinnacle of what a Strider 12 Bike should be, they’d make the Strider ST-R. Sleek? Yes. Elegant? Double yes. Lightweight? Triple yes. Totally, incredibly, jaw-dropping, head-turning, amazingness on two wheels? A gajillion times yes.

14x – Instant riding success? Yeah, we went there. The 14x starts off as a balance bike and, with a little help from the Easy-Ride Pedal Conversion Kit, transforms into their very first pedal bike. This is the best bike for those younglings making the transition to pedals. (Ages 3 to 7 years)

20x Sport – Riding a bike is a life changing, magical, and revolutionary skill that belongs to everyone. The highly adjustable 20x Sport is an inclusive, pedal conversion bike and the perfect learn-to-ride tool for ages 8 through adulthood. The Strider scientists have gone above and beyond once again, by making a bigger bike for people who might need some extra help.

If their inseam happens to fall into more than one bike option, the Bike Picker page might help you decide! 

Where can I buy locally?

We’re glad you asked! If you are in the United States please visit our Dealer Locator and search using your zip code for dealers near you. If you are located outside the United States use our International Sellers page to find a distributor in your country. 

There are no pedals? How do they make it go? How do they make it stop?

Children put their feet on the ground and push, just like Fred Flintstone.

Toddlers’ legs are strongest when used this way, rather than trying to pedal really short cranks. They are actually faster and more capable of dealing with uneven terrain and inclines on a Strider Balance Bike than a pedal bike.

Stopping is just as easy as starting; they just put their feet down. For young riders, success requires simplicity. That’s what we strive to do: Keep It Simple.

Are the tires plastic? Foam? No-air?

We get this question all the time. The tires on all Strider 12″ models (Classic, Sport, and Pro) are made of an EVA polymer, which provides two key benefits. First, they’re extremely lightweight for easy control. Seriously, these puppies are half the weight of an air-filled tire and inner tube. Second, and parents love this part, they require NO MAINTENANCE. They will NEVER go flat and never need to be checked; just grab and go!

Tires on the Strider 14x and 20x Sport are normal bike tires that will require air to stay properly inflated. You can find information on the proper inflation PSI on the side of every Strider tire.

Do you offer a military discount?

We sure do! To show our appreciation for their service, we are pleased to offer Active Duty and Veteran military customers 10% off their purchase. This offer is only available over the phone, so please contact our customer service team at (605) 342-0266 to place an order using our military discount. Our normal business days/hours are M-Th 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Are samples available?

We have limited samples available. Please contact the press team if you are interested in testing and reviewing a sample.