The Bixbi balance bike is a well-crafted beauty, but narrow handlebars make it less ideal for larger-framed toddlers. Read the review!
***The Bixbi is no longer available in the US. See our Best Balance Bikes list for our favorite balance bikes.***
Bixbi Balance Bike
RATING: Highly Recommended
BEST FOR: Lightweight toddlers and preschoolers with narrow build
SEAT HEIGHT: 13.8″ – 18.9″
WEIGHT: 7.4 lb.
TIRES: Air
BRAKES: None
PROS:
- Super lightweight
- Sealed, semi-integrated, cartridge bearing threadless headset for smooth and effortless steering and gliding
- Beautiful, quality crafted frame in gorgeous colors
- Wide handlebars for stability in steering
- Rounded and recessed bolts for increased safety
CONS:
- No handbrake
Bixbi Balance Bike Review – Results of our Test Rides
If your stable is full of saddles and chains, but not a single horse, then the Bixbi balance bike is for you. No “Huffy-esque” plastic toy bike parts here, from the painted alloy rims to the integrated threadless headset, the Bixbi’s Route 12 is a pure bike, but in miniature form. Destined to be a mantlepiece in your garage (or house!) once your child moves on, the Bixbi is sure to be an integral part of your biking family for years to come.
Quality
Straight out of the box, the Bixbi oozes class and quality. Weighing a mere 7.4 lb., the Bixbi is the lightest all-metal bike on the market. Deceiving the eye, the alloy frame and adult-size components of the Bixbi look heavy, yet the bike feels as light as a feather.
The sealed, semi-integrated, cartridge bearing, threadless headset provides for smooth and effortless steering and truly helps the Route 12 look and feel like a full-size bike.
Down below, the bearings on the wheels make the Bixbi glide smoothly and effortlessly. With a small push, our two-year-old tester was easily able to glide for almost 25 years without putting his feet down.
The rounded and recessed bolts on a metal frame additionally place the Bixbi in a league of its own. Rarely found on metal bikes, recessed bolts are a highly-coveted safety feature that prevents kids from being scratched by worn away bolts. New for 2015, the alloy seat clamp is also rounded.
Moving up the bike, the Bixbi does lack a quick-release seat post adjust, however its precise tool-adjust clamp prevents the seat from slipping better than most quick-release clamps. The 2015 Bixbi has also been upgraded with a 400 mm 6061-T6 alloy handlebar. Significantly longer than the 2014 model, the 400mm offers wider and more stable steering for toddlers and preschoolers.
In terms of size, the Bixbi is built for ages 2 to 5, with a saddle that adjusts from 13.8″ to 18.9″. Upon testing the bike with various ages, the speed and responsiveness of the Bixbi quickly made it a crowd favorite.
The Bugatti of balance bikes, the Bixbi is a nimble and agile bike that impressed even the most hesitant riders. One two-year-old tester, who had never ridden a balance bike before, hesitantly got on the Bixbi but was cruising around the skate park in no time.
When compared to the popular Strider ST-4 and FirstBIKE, the $210 Bixbi is certainly pricey but has the credentials to back up its high cost. With a lifetime warranty, over 5″ of seat post adjustments, painted metal rims and spokes, and a sealed threadless headset and bearings, with the Bixbi you are sure to get a high-end bike, not merely a name brand.
While close to perfect, there are two features of the Bixbi we would like to see improved. First, the lack of brake. With the speed of the Bixbi, a brake would be nice, however, unless you plan on riding a lot of hills, we don’t believe the lack of brake is a deal breaker. Our 2, 3, 4 and 5-year-old testers all rode the bike in off-road conditions as well as down driveways without experiencing any close calls. Their shoes, on the other hand, did experience a little more wear and tear. Secondly, we would like to see some form of protection on the chain-stay to prevent the frame from being scratched when dropped on the ground by careless toddlers.
Bottom Line: If you truly appreciate the beauty and functionality of bikes, then Bixbi is for you. While the $210 price tag is steep, for a bike that you will proudly pass onto your future grandchildren, the Bixbi is worth every penny.
FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this review. No monetary compensation was provided for this review, however, the reviewed product was supplied by the manufacturer or distributor to help facilitate this review. All opinions and images are that of Two Wheeling Tots LLC. All content and images are copyrighted and should not be used or replicated in any way. View our Terms of Use.
