Light as a feather and zippy as a mouse, the Biky Bikes 12″ balance bike is sure to bring smiles and a sense of freedom to your little explorer. Weighing just 6.6 lbs, it’s the lightest balance bike in its size category, but it doesn’t compromise on quality. Equipped with air-filled tires for a smooth ride, a turning limiter for safety, covered axle bolts, and a quick-release seat post clamp, the Biky delivers both performance and ease of use.
From zipping down driveways to tackling grass and ramps, the Biky 12 provided endless giggles during our test rides. But with so many balance bikes on the market, is the Biky 12 the best option for your little one? In this review, we’ll walk you through its size range, standout features, and how it compares to other top brands.
Biky Balance Bike Overview
RATING: Highly Recommended
MSRP: $199
BEST FOR: Toddlers in 2T months clothes through 3T, especially ideal for kids with petite frames
SEAT HEIGHT: 12.5″ – 15.5″
WEIGHT: 6.61 lb. (on our scale)
ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
BRAKES: None
TIRES: Air
FRAME: Aluminum Alloy
FOOTREST: No
BOLTS: Covered
TURNING LIMITER: Yes (removable)
PROS:
- Extremely lightweight and nimble
- Solid, sturdy construction
- Very narrow frame, ideal for small frames riders
- Multi-use tires work well on a variety of surfaces
- Removable turning limiter
CONS:
- No handbrake
- Only available in one color
Biky 12 Balance Bike Test Ride Impressions
It’s hard to have a conversation with a toddler on a great balance bike. After two words, they are zipping away as they have endless sidewalk to cover, turns to manuver and curbs to take on. Who has time to stop and talk in the middle of a very important bike ride?
During our test rides our testers immediately fell in love with the bike and certainly had no time to chat! While it can be common for our testers to ride in a quick circle and then return to ask for a different bike, with the Biky 12, they were off to the races.
This enthusiasm is a testament to how fun and easy the Biky is to ride. Its lightweight frame and intuitive handling made it an instant hit, showing how simplicity in design can yield exceptional results.
What Makes the Biky 12 Stand Out?
At just 6.6 lbs, the Biky 12 is one of the lightest balance bikes available, offering a significant advantage for young riders. While the woom 1 is similarly light, the Biky 12 is slightly larger with a longer wheelbase and higher maximum seat height.
The Biky 12 also features a very narrow frame design. The rear axle is notably narrower than those on most balance bikes, making the bike better suited for smaller, lighter riders. This design ensures that kids won’t scratch their legs or ankles on the bike while running — which can be a common issue with wider-framed bikes.
Do Balance Bikes Need a Handbrake?
One key difference between the Biky 12 and other high-end balance bikes is the absence of a handbrake. At Two Wheeling Tots, we often advocate for handbrakes on balance bikes because they provide an added layer of control and safety, and they help prepare kids for pedal bikes, where handbrakes are essential. That said, many children never use the handbrake on a balance bike, instinctively using their feet to stop instead.
Despite our love for handbrakes, we still recommend the Biky 12 even without one. Its lightweight, narrow frame is perfect for younger or more timid riders who are less likely to need the brake. Additionally, with no brake mechanism on the chainstay, the bike remains super narrow, eliminating the risk of kids scratching their legs on a brake caliper.
If your child is likely to be a really aggressive speed demon or you live in a particuarly hilly area, we would recommend a bike just to be safe.
What Size Child is the Biky 12 Best For?
The Biky 12’s seat height ranges from 12.5″ to 15.5″, making it suitable for young toddlers and smaller preschoolers in 2T or 3T clothes. With 2″ of adjustable seat height, the Biky 12 can grow with your child for a year or more, which is standard for balance bikes.
With balance bike riders, the seat height should at least match or be slightly lower than a child’s inseam, ensuring they have a slight bend in the knees for optimal balance and control. As a result, the Biky 12 is suitable for kids with inseams ranging from 12.5″ to 14″.
Our testers ranged from 2T to 3T in clothing size, and both fit comfortably on the bike. Our 2T tester rode with the seat set to around 13.25″, while our taller 3T tester set the saddle to about 15″. This gives the Biky a good fit range of about a year for most riders, allowing them to grow with the bike.
Biky 12 vs. Biky 14 Pedal Bike
When it’s time for your child to transition to a pedal bike, the Biky family makes that step seamless. The Biky 12’s maximum seat height of 15.5″ matches the minimum seat height of the Biky 14″ pedal bike, allowing for an easy transition to pedaling without needing to adjust their riding posture.
Our 2T tester is easily able to ride both bikes, but he also learned to pedal at a really young age. As a result, the seat height on the Biky 12 shown below is set lower than on the Biky 14, but as you can see, the Biky 14 is bigger and will provide plenty of room for him to grow.
Biky 12 | Biky 14 | |
---|---|---|
Min. Seat Height | 12.5″ | 15.5″ |
Max. Seat Height | 15.5″ | 25.5″ |
Weight | 6.6 lb. | 11.6 lb. |
MSRP | $199 | $349 |
Biky 12 Balance Bike Components
Lightweight Aluminum Frame
The Biky 12’s lightweight aluminum frame stands out for its narrow build, making it ideal for petite toddlers while also offering stability with a long wheelbase. The riser handlebars further contribute to a comfortable ride, particularly for taller riders, allowing them to maintain an upright posture without leaning too far forward.
The downward swoop of the riser bar also benefits young rider as provides room for them to lean into the bike when getting aggressive.
Narrow Grips with Protective Bumper
To keep small hands comfortable and reduce fatigue the Biky 12 features a narrow 19mm bar. The soft rubber grips also offer added protection with sturdy bumpers on the ends to safeguard little hands in case of falls.
Multi-terrain Tires
Designed for smooth rolling on paved surfaces, the tires of the Biky 12 provides plenty of traction and cushioning. While certainly not an off-road knobby tire, Biky’s offers a bit more traction on non-paved surfaces than the woom 1.
Our testers had no problems riding through grass, gravel and dirty pavement.
Turning Limiter
Kids often ride balance bikes with the handlebars turned the wrong way! I’ve always wondered how they don’t notice, but we all know that toddlers are an interesting breed at times 🤣. In order to prevent the handlebars from being twisted the wrong way, the Biky 12 includes a removeable turning limiter. Although it’s simple to remove (just unhook the rubber ring), most riders will benefit from keeping it in place.
Cushioned Saddle
The saddle is plush and narrow, designed for small riders’ comfort during long adventures.
Axle Bolts
For added safety, the axle bolts on both wheels are covered with smooth metal end caps to prevent any injury to the rider or damage to the bike.
Biky 12 vs. Guardian
In terms of size, the Biky 12 is similar to the Guardian, but there are key differences. The Guardian has dual handbrakes, while the Biky has none. However, the Guardian is also 2 lbs heavier, which can be significant for small riders.
For a rider who may not use the handbrakes, the Biky’s lighter frame is a better choice. But for children who are more coordinated and enjoy aggressive riding, the Guardian could offer more control.
Biky 12 Balance Bike Bottom Line
In a crowded field of balance bikes, the Biky 12 stands out for its lightweight construction and narrow frame, making it ideal for petite or smaller-framed riders. With its cushioning air tires, narrow grips, and long wheelbase for added stability, the Biky 12 is an outstanding choice for toddlers in 2T pants just starting their balance bike journey.
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