EcoBalance balance bikes: range and subtleties of choice

Cycling, like swimming, is a very important skill that is best learned from early childhood. EcoBalance balance bikes will be the first step to meet your child's future two-wheeled friend

A runbike is a two-wheeled bicycle without pedals. Its active sales in the USA, Japan and Europe began in 2010, and gradually it won the love of babies all over the world. This rather fresh invention is rapidly gaining popularity in Russia due to its fundamental properties: convenience and safety. It is not surprising that with this level of demand, the number of manufacturers is only growing.

The runbike helps the kid get ready for riding a standard bike and makes it faster and easier than the usual three-wheeled model of our childhood: first of all, it is an understanding of how to keep balance, coordinate your movements and use the steering wheel - it is not for nothing that it is also called a balance bike ... Many parents then buy additional accessories: footboards, handbrake and pedals so that the child is as ready as possible for the transition to a full-fledged two-wheeled model.

EcoBalance manufactures balance bikes from quality steel and aluminum. But the market offers other materials as well: wood (most often birch) and plastic.

Wooden “ecovels”, despite the plus in the form of environmental friendliness and biodegradability, are inferior to plastic ones by an order of magnitude due to their weight. They are stronger than their polymer cousins, but they can still shatter if dropped. Minus - stepped seat adjustment. But you can create an individual design by painting the wooden parts to your liking.

Most plastic models do not have a steering wheel or seat adjustment. They are designed for children under two years old, but they please with lightness, brightness, water resistance.

The most popular material is metal. Such a balance bike is reliable and durable, all parts can be adjusted. The minus of the metal model is weight, but aluminum or lightweight steel alloy solves the problem

The brand originated in St. Petersburg. Runbikes are just one of the directions of the company that produces goods for active children's recreation. The equipment is produced in a modern high-tech factory in China. All products are certified.

EcoBalance balance bikes have a number of advantages:

• wheels made of EVA-polymer, which are unrealistic to puncture and do not need to be pumped up;
• low weight of models;
• seat and handlebar height adjustment;
• installation does not require much effort (it is simple, and the set contains assembly keys and instructions);
• affordable price.

Special pads will help to level the main disadvantage of balance bikes - the quick wear of the shoes.

EcoBalance has three lines of balance bikes: Next, Race and Line. For babies from 1 to 2 years old, the Baby line of wheelchair balance bikes has been developed.

The Next bike has a sturdy yet lightweight aluminum frame and weighs just 1.9 kg. The diameter of the polymer wheel is 30.5 cm, the tires do not require inflation. Differs from other lines in premium metallic colors. Now there are seven of them: black, blue, green, purple and red were added, initially there were only gold and silver. The steering wheel is adjustable, it is comfortable to hold due to rubber pads.

The Race has a low-frame footrest. Race models delight with bright colors: red, yellow and blue.

And monochrome Lines have only two options: stylish black and white. Also, these samples have mud flaps on both wheels, saving from dirt. The model has a low center of gravity.

The recommended age for transporting these lines is 3–6 years. The maximum user weight is 25 kg. The minimum seat height is 37 cm.

Model weights range from 1.9 to 3.6 kg. The hardest is Line.

Baby runbikes are stretchers with two pairs of stable wide wheels. Child's weight - up to 20 kg. Available in pink, orange and blue. The gurney weighs 2.1 kg.

First of all, you should pay attention to balance weight and minimum saddle height, as well as the recommended age. In order not to miscalculate with a comfortable height, you need to know exactly the length of the inner side of the child's leg (from the foot to the groin). Subtract 5 centimeters from the resulting value. This will be the saddle height. The model with the adjustment option will last longer - for growth.

If possible, it is worth choosing a frame design that is convenient for him with the child. The saddle should have a non-rigid surface: the EcoBalance seats are upholstered in artificial leather.

EVA resin wheels are lightweight and maintenance free. On dry pavement, they give good acceleration. Discomfort may appear when driving on wet roads, grass or sand: grip will be worse than pneumatic ones. If your child is very active and rides not only on flat equipped tracks, it is better to give preference to rubber wheels with pumping.

For younger children, they usually take models without a brake, because it only interferes and distracts the baby, but for a child from 3 and older, you can purchase a balance bike with a manual device. If you have purchased a balance bike with a front wheel brake, it is better to slightly loosen it so that the child does not accidentally roll over.

Users are mostly satisfied with the quality and price of EcoBalance products. Video tutorials from the manufacturer on installation are available on the Internet. Clamps secure handlebar and saddle comfortably. Parents note that the wheels are quite soft, odorless, do not make noise, but they also do not absorb shocks from uneven soil.

A note is the matte part of the steering rack - scratches easily appear on it, even during the assembly process. It is very rare for a company to find a defect: the curvature of the frame and rough welding seams.

To learn how to assemble the EcoBalance Race / Line balance bike, see the video below.