FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the advantages of purchasing a KinderBike brand trainer vs other products on the market?
That's simple: quality and value. Sure, you'll find a great many balance bikes on the market at/near our price point. The difference is the quality and value you get with a KinderBike brand trainer when compared to the vast number of imitators. With the exception of our entry-level E Series model, all KinderBike brand trainers come standard with a 6061 aluminum frame, aluminum pneumatic wheels, dual-adjust (height/angle) quad-rail saddle, dual-adjust (height/roll) riser handlebars, reflector, bell, linear-pull brake and quick-release collars.
In addition to using high-end alloy components, KinderBike trainers come standard with a lifetime warranty, compared to the industry norm of 1 year. All KinderBike trainers are made with quality, TIG welded framesets, similar to what you might find on a bicycle from an independent bicycle retailer. The combination of alloy components and proper TIG welding is critically important, since most mechanical failures are the result of a cheap component or shoddy weld. Lastly, KinderBike trainers best prepare children for the transition to a regular bicycle. Bicycles don't have steering limiters, foot pegs, or foot brakes.....neither do KinderBike trainers. This means your child won't have to "re-learn" to steer or brake when he/she transitions to a regular bicycle.
I've seen some other bikes with grip tape on the rear fork for kids to rest their feet on. Can my child do this with your bikes?
The angle of the rear forks on KinderBike trainers (like most balance bikes) do allow for that. However, there is an inherent danger when a child rests their feet on the rear chain stay and adjacent to the rear wheel. Their feet, being so close to the rear wheel, may hit the wheel causing the bike to become unstable and veer off balance. Your child may be thrown from the bike while the bike is in motion. In the interest of safety, we do not recommend that a young child stand or rest their feet on the rear chainstay. Most run bikes in Europe (where the concept was invented) also do not use foot rests since children best learn to balance when their feet are swept back while they ride.
Are there any advantages to metal vs. wooden balance bikes?
Yes. Wooden bikes are much more susceptible to damage from the elements (sun, rain, snow, ice, heat, cold, etc). As such, metal bikes are much more durable and practical and may be more apt to be handed down from one child to the next. Wooden bikes were probably created as a novelty.
Why are your bikes so inexpensive when compared to similar products on the market?
Volume. We sell quite a few bikes which allows us to keep costs lower. These cost savings are passed on to our customers.
Steel frames are considerably less expensive than aluminum. Why not just use steel?
Steel tubes (bicycle) are considerably heavier than equivalent aluminum tubes. So, to compensate for the weight increase, manufacturers employ plastic components. Unfortunately, plastic components do not hold up as well as alloy components. We will be releasing an option for an entry-level trainer that is comprised of steel tubing and a compilation of metal and plastic components. This trainer will retail at a significantly lower price point than most similar trainers in its class. And of course, it wouldn't be a KinderBike without the Limited Lifetime Warranty. So regardless of model chosen, we've got you covered!
What material are KinderBike trainers made from?
With the exception of the E Series entry-level trainer, all of our trainer frames are made from 6061 aluminum alloy. Most of the components on our trainers are also made from aluminum. The result of using high-end aluminum components is that KinderBike trainers are incredibly light and durable and some of the lightest balance bikes on the market.
I’ve heard of similar bikes that use turning limiters, which limit your child’s ability to steer and turn. Do KinderBike trainers have this feature?
No. For safety reasons, KinderBike trainers do not include that feature. When your child is learning to ride a bike, they should learn all skills, especially steering. One parent said it best when he wrote, "The time to learn proper steering is NOT when they’ve moved onto a standard bicycle that moves at significantly greater speeds. Rather, they should learn to steer properly when their feet are at their sides and they can prevent a spill or fall." There is a reason they're called trainers.
Do you offer a model with a brake?
Most KinderBike models come standard with a linear-pull or coaster brake so that young riders can begin to become familiar with the concept of braking. The braking systems on our trainers are engineered specifically for young children in mind. The inclusion of brakes on our trainers is critically important as it allows the young child to learn to brake properly BEFORE they move on to a regular bicycle.
My child is just three years old and quite tall for his age. Which KinderBike model is most appropriate for him?
Great question. KinderBike trainers come in a wide range of sizes, styles and colors. Neither age, nor child's height is a determining factor however. In fact, it is the child's inseam that determines which trainer is best suited for a given child. The child must be able to touch the ground with his/her feet to be able to push the trainer along. Since each model has a different minimum/maximum saddle height, the child's inseam should fall within the range of the minimum/maximum saddle height of a given model. For example, if your child's inseam is 13.5 inches, then the Laufrad would be most suitable because the Laufrad minimum saddle height is 13" (the Mini would be too small since it's minimum saddle height is only 11"). With an 11" minimum saddle height, the Mini and E Series trainers are usable by children with the smallest of inseams.
Many balance bike manufacturers in the US claimed to have invented the "run bike" concept. Which manufacturer really invented it?
Disregard the many claims from US companies as none of them invented the concept. And, while KinderBike introduced the first balance bikes to North America in early 2005, we did not invent the concept either. The reality is that the first bicycle ever made was itself a form of run bike - it did not have pedals. As far as the application as a trainer for young children, that credit must be given to Europe - where the concept has been flourishing for 17+ years.
How long will it take my child to learn balance using the balance bike method?
It truly varies per child. Some children figure it out in only an hour, while others may take a few days. Either way children have fun while they’re learning and they continue to enjoy riding their trainers long after they switched to a standard bicycle.
My child is 6 years old and tall for his age. Would you recommend these bikes?
We normally wouldn't recommend these bikes, since most six year-old children are likely too tall for a 12” bicycle. Again, a simple inseam measurement will tell you. However, our Morph trainer due to hit the North American market in late May, is designed to accommodate older children as it serves both as a balance trainer and traditional bicycle - and it is the ONLY run bike that truly grows with your child.
