Prince Lionheart Balance Bike: An Old-School Style Balance Bike

Prince Lionheart Balance Bike

Made from wood with large, rubber tires, the Prince Lionheart Balance Bike ($80) looks like a big-kids’ bike. Its retro styling with the race car number up front and the real bike tires makes it cool.

My 3 ½-year-old son Finn jumped right on after we assembled it — it only took a couple of minutes — and cruised down the sidewalk, pushing the bike with his feet. As he gets more accustomed to riding it, I can see him sticking his legs out and coasting along. It’s not adjustable so I don’t expect it to work for him for multiple summers, but he is so proud of this bike that he rides it all the time and the high-quality construction will outlast his brother’s use, too.

Balance bikes give small kids the feel of a real bike and teach the balance and coordination required to ride one. My hope is that, when the time comes, we’ll be able to transition to a pedal bike without using training wheels. Maybe next summer!

– Kristen

Comments

We have this for my sons and we love it.

- Brandi on June 10th, 2009

I have a Kettler version for my son. He LOVES it! People always comment on it and how fast he is able to go and how well his balance is. He got it for his 3rd birthday in March and is able to ride a regular bike without training wheels! SOOO worth the money.

- Bree on June 10th, 2009

Can someone explain the purpose of these bikes to me? I know they’re supposed to help balance, but I don’t see how they do. If the childs feet are always on the ground then they don’t really need to balance. Or are they supposed to sit down and lift their legs up and just kinda glide?

- Anon on June 10th, 2009

We have the Skuut, which is exactly like this one. Also made of wood with sturdy wheels and no pedals. It’s awesome! My son (now 4) glides so fast and well and is learning balance and confidence at the same time. He’ll be on a regular bike in no time! Totally recommend a bike like this!

- bpal on June 10th, 2009

My husband simply removed the pedals from my daughter’s(4) bike and she learned to balance in a day. He put the pedals back on two days later and she rides like a pro!

- KiKi on June 11th, 2009

The Prince Lionheart balance has cool styling; quality craftsmanship and the part I like; spoked wheels. As a parent, I have had the luxury of having my 3 year old son test a lot of the bikes I sell.

- Jeremy Phillips on August 12th, 2009