Review: Kidvelo Balance Bike Rookie 12
There is a reason why clever design can make the difference for children learning to ride and Kidvelo bring it up to the next level.
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Eliza is over 18 months old and very mobile, so when we received the Rookie 12 bright neon pink balance bike from our friends at Kidvelo as a gift, we couldn’t wait to try it out. However, like any mum who has experienced a little one trying their first bike, I wasn’t sure we could get her on it without a screaming fit or meltdown. But they are ranked as one of the best balance bikes out there for little ones, so we were ready to give it a go! Read our full review of the Kidvelo Rookie balance bike below:
“It is a great choice with many design features that make it the perfect foundation for your little one to learn. I can not believe that our 18-month-old is whizzing around in two weeks without training wheels attached with so much confidence” Abbie Coleman.
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Kidvelo Rookie 12 Technical Bits
The Kidvelo Balance Bike Rookie 12 is a unique bike made explicitly for the starting age range of 1-year-olds up to 3 years old. The seat height goes from 30cm to 44cm, so it’s perfect for those little legs that are at beginner level. The first thing that hit me was how light this bike is, so you feel happy with your little one holding it and being in control when in balance mode so it won’t tip them over.
You won’t believe it until you lift it as it comes in at 2.9kg, so it is ideal as a lightweight balance bike; they are about 30% lighter than most others on the market. Kimi learned with a more traditional balance bike, which weighed a ton and used to take him over when he was learning to balance and ride. You can also get the bike in a unique neon red, blue, green, or pink design. It has the bonus of the frame, forks, and handlebars made of durable aluminium alloy, and they give you a Kidvelo lifetime warranty!
I also found out that they stretched the wheelbase length, which lowers the centre of gravity and helps the child maintain balance. And it has air tyres and thick tyres that are 12-inch wheels. A padded adjustable seat. I think that’s it all covered, but for a full breakdown, check out the specifications here of the Kidvelo Rookie 12
Putting Together The Kidvelo Rookie 12
Ok so having put together my 8yr old bike over summer last year this part filled me with dread! The bike comes well packaged but with minimum packaging so you don’t end up with tonnes of paper and plastic to get rid of and cut up for the recycle bin.
It’s well protected and within a few minutes, we had the bag containing the Allen keys, the alloy frame with one wheel attached at the back, the handlebars and the front wheel to attach, and the little bell. It took me 10 mere minutes to assemble no mess or swearing involved! It also has a lovely little padded seat that tilts so it stops them from sitting too far back. The little bell was a big hit.
Overall Look And Style
It looks the business and feels like a bike even though a balance bike and the lightest one you will ever lift! The colour is stunning and the design just makes it look very top end, but they just look like little mini riders. The front of the bike has space for a lovely little bell that’s easy for little hands to attach. A definite style statement for young children, I just love it.
MMB Magazines Overall Review Kidvelo Balance Bike Rookie 12
I wish we had had this bike when Kimi was learning; it would have saved a lot of tears. Eliza’s confidence has been amazing at such a young age within a few short weeks. It’s such a lightweight bike that if she wobbles, it doesn’t take her over, giving me more confidence to let her try on her own. She is almost scooting along on the full length of the path at 18 months in less than two weeks.
The balance bike comes with a low stepover frame, which is a real winner with me. Her little legs find it so easy to get on; off that, she hasn’t had her confidence knocked before she even starts to push off and feels very able to do it herself! So, in a nutshell, it’s been amazing. It’s an excellent choice for small children, and I would rank it as the best bike balance and even small bike we have had over the years.
It’s been the best fit and a better option than we have found on the market before. I seriously wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. It saves you lots of tears and lets you and your little one enjoy the experience of learning to ride instead of feeling like an uphill battle, as Kidvelo has thought of everything for those small hands and feet getting on that bike for an easy ride.
I wish we had had this bike when Kimi was learning; it would have saved a lot of tears. Eliza’s confidence has been amazing at such a young age within a few short weeks. It’s such a lightweight bike that if she wobbles, it doesn’t take her over, giving me more confidence to let her try on her own. She is almost scooting along on the full length of the path at 18 months in less than two weeks.
The balance bike comes with a low stepover frame, which is a real winner with me as her little legs find it so easy to get on and off that, she hasn’t had her confidence knocked before she even starts to push off and feels very able to do it herself! It’s been amazing. It’s an excellent choice for small children, and I rank it as the best bike balance and even the tiny bike we have had over the years. It’s been the best fit and a better option than we have found on the market before.
I seriously wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. It saves you lots of tears and lets you and your little one enjoy the experience of learning to ride instead of feeling like an uphill battle, as Kidvelo has thought of everything for those small hands and feet getting on that bike for an easy ride.
There are also some tips from Kidvelo to support your little one in learning to ride balance bikes, which are worth reading. From setting up how the bike should fit confidence boosters for your little kids to get moving if you are looking for the next step up, the Kidvelo Rookie 14 is the next step up!