Kazam Balance Bike Review

With a unique design and a wide range of color and style options, there’s a lot to love about the Kazam balance bike. Available in both air and foam tires, as well as two different frame designs (the Kazam line and the Kazam Select line), the Kazam balance bike is not only widely available, it’s also very budget-friendly with some models available for under $75.

We put both versions of the Kazam bike to the test with other budget balance bikes to see how it stacked up against the competition. In our full review below, you’ll learn what we loved about the Kazam and what we didn’t, as well as the differences between the two different Kazam models.

Toddler riding hot pink and yellow Kazam bike down the driveway.

Kazam Balance Bike Overview

RATING: Recommended

MSRP: $75 – $100

BEST FOR: Families on a budget – can sometimes we found on sale for under $40!

ADDITIONAL SPECS

SEAT HEIGHT:  13.75″ – 16″, Kazam Select: 12.5″ – 15.75″
WEIGHT: Kazam w/ foam: 8.4 lb., Kazam Select: 10.9 lb.
TIRES: Foam or air, Kazam Select: Air
FRAME: Steel, Kazam Select: Steel (except Pro which is aluminum)
FOOTREST: Yes
BOLTS: Rounded
BRAKES: No

PROS:

  • Affordable and widely available
  • Lots of color options
  • Puncture-proof and air tires available
  • Adjustable height handlebars

CONS:

  • Most models have minimal seat height adjustment, offering less room for growth
  • Heavier than most balance bikes
  • Rear portion of frame is too wide for some petite riders (not a problem with the Select version)

Kazam Bikes Video Review

Prefer watching the Kazam Balance Bike in action? Watch our video review right here!

Kazam Balance Bikes – Different Models

Introduced to the world on Shark Tank, Kazam balance bikes are now offered in two different models that come in a wide variety of styles.  The “standard” model features an “s” shaped curvy frame, and the Select model has a straight frame that runs along the bottom of the bike.

Toddler riding red Kazam bike down a wood ramp.

The “standard” model is known by many different names, including Neo, Sprout, Tyro, Wheeli, and Squirt. The main difference between these models is whether the bike has foam or air tires. Depending on where the bike is sold (Amazon, Walmart, Kazam, etc.), the same bike will have a different name. The MSRP between the models also varies widely depending on where they are sold.

The Select model always has the name Select attached to it.

Kazam “Standard” Wheeli vs. Kazam Select

Two Kazam balance bikes next to each other. One has foam tires, the other has air tires
KazamKazam Select
ModelsNeo, Tyro, Wheeli, Squirt, SproutSelect, Select Ultra Pro
MSRPVaries widelyVaries widely
Seat Height13.75″ – 16″ or 14.25″ – 17″12.5″ – 15.75″
Weight8.4 lb. (foam)10.9 lb.
FrameSteelSelect – Steel
Select Ultra Pro – Aluminum
TiresFoam – Tyro, Sprout, Squirt, Wheeli
Air – Neo
Air
RimsPlasticTyro, Sprout, Wheeli
Plastic MagwheelsSquirt
SteelNeo
Steel – Select
Plastic Magwheels – Select Ultra Pro

Kazam Review – Results of our Test Rides

toddler riding Kazam balance bike up a hill

To get a good feel of the complete line of bikes Kazam offers, we tested out three different Kazam bikes with several different kids ages 2 to 4. Throughout this review, you’ll see a blue Kazam Neo, a pink and yellow Kazam Wheeli, and a red Kazam Select.

Of the three bikes we tested, all of our riders enjoyed riding them, but like any balance bike, the Kazam bikes are not one-size-fits-all! Getting a proper fit on a balance bike is essential to providing your child with an enjoyable riding experience.

What size child fits on Kazam balance bikes?

The Kazam and the Kazam Select bikes differ in size as well as design, but both bikes fit our testers in 3T and 4T pants. Between the two, the Kazam Select has a lower minimum seat height and could also fit a child in 2T.

Kazam Models (Wheeli, Neo, Sprout, Squirt and Tyro)

The Kazam Wheeli we tested had a seat height range of 13.75″ to 16″ while the Neo was very similar at 14″ to 16″, and the Sprout was 14.25″ – 17″. These minor differences are due to the different saddles between the bikes.

Kazam Wheeli and Neo Balance Bikes

3 year old and 2 year old toddlers riding Kazam balance bikes with foam tires.

Additional saddle styles appear on other Kazam models, but since the frame and seat post on Kazam bikes are all very similar, we anticipate all Kazams to have a seat height range very close to 14″ to 16″.

A two inch seat height range is very small for a balance bike and offers limited room for growth. This is one of the major disadvantages of a Kazam balance bike. Other budget-friendly balance bikes, like the Banana Bike GT, have about four inches of seat height range.

A rare find on budget balance bikes, the Kazam models feature a height-adjustable handlebar to allow taller riders to fit more comfortably on the bike. As a result, the Kazam is one of the few balance bikes that offers a great riding position for riders who have the saddle set to its maximum height. (As seen on the pink bike throughout this review.)

Kazam Select Models (Select and Select Ultra Pro)

The Select line of Kazam bikes can fit a slightly shorter child, with a seat height range of 12.5″ to 15.75″. The extra 1.5″ lower minimum seat height allows the Select models to fit kids in 2T pants, while the standard Kazam models do not. And with 3.25″ of seat height range vs. the standard Kazam’s 2″, the Select offers more room for growth.

The adjustable-height handlebar on the Select can be adjusted up or down to better fit shorter and taller riders.

3 year old riding red Kazam bike down the sidewalk.

How much does a Kazam balance bike weigh?

The Kazam Select model we tested weighed 10.9 lb. while the Kazam with foam tires came in at 8.4 lb. While we did not have a chance to test out a Kazam model with air tires, air tires typically add at least a pound to the overall weight of a bike. As a result, we would predict the Kazam models with air tires to be about 9.5 lb.

While the overall weight of the bike wasn’t a burden for our experienced testers, both Kazam models do weigh considerably more than similarly-priced balanced bikes. For example, the $59 Swagtron weighs 6.5 lb. while the $70 Banana Bike LT (with foam tires) comes in at 7.3 lb.

Considering it is best to try to keep a child’s bike close to (or less than) 30% of a child’s weight, a few extra pounds on a bike can make a big differences for a young toddler learning to ride.

Unique Footrest Design

One unique feature of the Kazam bikes is their platform footrest. The black footrest is located at the bottom of the bike and is intentionally designed to tilt up towards the back of the bike. The footrest angle on the Kazam is much more prominent than the angle on the Kazam Select, but our readers found both footrests easy to use.

Kazam Standard Footrest vs. Kazam Select

Foot rest on standard kazam has steeper angle than on the Kazam select

The angling of the footrest is designed to match the angle that a child’s foot naturally takes when lifting their feet off the ground. The footrest is also unobtrusive as to not interfere with a child’s stride.

While a child doesn’t need a footrest on a balance bike, as far as footrests go, the Kazam’s is better designed than most. It’s the only footrest that our three-year-old tester below has successfully been able to use. Its placement and width make it more intuitive and natural to use than other bikes she’s ridden.

Young child riding the Kazam and resting her feet on the footrest.

Air vs. Foam Tires

Several Kazam models are available with foam or air tires. We strongly prefer air tires on balance bikes due to their increased traction as well as their ability to compress and absorb bumps along the ride. However, there certainly is a place for foam tires as well.

Air tires add a couple pounds to the overall weight of a bike, and of course can go flat! If you live in an area where “goat head” weeds are prominent, foam tires can be lifesavers. After a couple minute of riding on our Kazam Neo, our tires were covered in goat heads.

Goat head weeds stuck in the foam tire of a Kazam bike.

For those who want the traction and cushioning offered by air tires, we highly recommend filling your bikes tubes with tire sealant. You can find more balance bikes with air tires on our 10 Best Balance Bikes List.

Wide Rear Frame of Kazam Problematic for Petite Riders

For the smallest of riders, we did find the Kazam frame design to be problematic for shorter or petite riders. Compared to other balance bikes, the rear portion of the bike’s frame is quite wide. As a result, our youngest testers actually hit the inside of their knee on the frame while riding the bike.

Swooping wide rear frame of the Kazam makes contact with two different toddlers' knees.

While this certainly didn’t hurt them, it isn’t ideal and could cause a young child to be hesitant to ride. The Kazam Select models, however, have a completely different frame design which was not a problem for our petite riders.

Considering the Kazam Select has a lower minimum seat height than the Kazam, it is a better fit for younger toddlers, but keep in mind it is also heavier.

No Hand Brakes

Like simliarly-priced balance bikes, none of the Kazam models come with a handbrake. While handbrakes certainly aren’t needed for young toddlers, by the age of 3, kids usually have enough hand/eye coordination to master hand brakes.

Once handbrakes are mastered, balance bike graduates are even better prepared to move up to a pedal bike. Parents are also often happy to report that their kids no longer destroy their shoes while dragging their feet to stop the bike.

Kazam Bikes vs. Competitors

While both the Kazam and the Kazam Select have a lot to offer, their limited seat height range, higher weight, and the wide frame design on the Kazam, prevented them from earning a spot on our Best Budget Balance Bikes list. For younger toddlers, we recommend the Swagtron K3, while the Banana Bike is a great option for older toddlers.

BikeMSRPSeat HeightWeight
Kazamvaries14″ – 16″8.4 lb.+
Kazam Selectvaries12.5″ – 15.25″10.9 lb.
Swagtron$5912.25″ – 15.25″6.5 lb.
Banana Bike GT$7012.5″ – 17″8.1 lb.
Banana Bike LT$6012″ – 16.5″7.3 lb.

Kazam Balance Bike Bottom Line

When found on sale, the Kazam balance bike is an amazing deal as it offers a solid ride for a low price point. Compared to $70+ balance bikes, the Kazam bikes are a bit heavier than competitors and have less room for growth. The Kazam’s wide rear frame is also problematic for petite toddlers.

FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this review.  No monetary compensation was provided for this review, however, some of the reviewed products were 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.

Subscribe
Notify of

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

8 Comments
Newest
Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Scroll to Top