woom GO 1 Plus Balance Bike Review
Designed for preschoolers—or tall toddlers ready to kick off their two-wheeled adventures—the woom GO 1 Plus is the ideal balance bike for kids too tall for the woom GO 1. With a slightly larger frame, 14” air-filled tires, and dual hand brakes, the GO 1 Plus is built for faster cruising and more confident stopping. A removable footrest also adds a fun option for coasting or trying out tricks.
After testing hundreds of balance bikes over the years, we can confidently say the woom GO 1 Plus (formerly the woom ORIGINAL 1 Plus) is one of the best mid-size balance bikes out there. As a heads up, all bikes shown in this review are the older ORIGINAL version, but the frame size and geometry are unchanged on the new GO model. The only updates on the GO are a redesigned saddle, oval seatpost, grips and new color options.
woom GO 1 Plus
MSRP: $299
BEST FOR: Preschoolers just getting started on their balance bike journey riding mainly on paved surfaces
SEAT HEIGHT: 14.4″ to 17″
WEIGHT: 9.6 lb.
ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
BRAKES: Dual Hand Brake
TIRES: Air
FRAME: Aluminum Alloy
Cons:
woom GO 1 Plus Review – Results of our Test Rides
From its ergonomic grips to its surfboard-style footrest, we’ll break down every detail of the woom GO 1 Plus so you’ll know it as well as we do. But before we jump in, let’s tackle some of the most commonly asked questions about the bike.
Who is the woom GO 1 Plus Best For?
- Taller toddlers or preschoolers with inseams between 15” and 19” (typically 37” to 43” tall)
- Kids who are new to balance bikes or have outgrown a smaller 12” model
- Everyday riders cruising on pavement or packed dirt trails
- For more aggressive riders hitting pump tracks or singletrack trails, a more rugged option like the Shotgun Dirt Hero may be a better fit.
How is the woom GO 1 Plus Different from the woom GO 1?
- Size and Fit: The GO 1 has 12” wheels and is designed for toddlers under 3, while the GO 1 Plus has larger 14” wheels and fits most kids over 3.
- Braking: The GO 1 Plus features dual hand brakes, while the GO 1 has a single rear brake.
- Footrest: The GO 1 Plus includes a removable footrest for coasting and tricks; the GO 1 does not.
- Tires: The GO 1 Plus comes with all-terrain tires for mixed surfaces, while the GO 1 has smoother street-oriented tires.
Should I Get a Larger Balance Bike or a Pedal Bike for My Preschooler?
If your child has already mastered their balance bike—gliding smoothly, stopping with control, and confidently cruising through turns—they may be physically ready to move up to a pedal bike.
That said, we usually don’t recommend making the switch unless your child is asking to. Balance bikes are often easier and more fun for preschoolers to ride. They’re lighter, more nimble, and give kids more freedom to experiment with tricks, ride ramps, or explore bike parks. In fact, many 3- to 5-year-olds are more agile and adventurous on a balance bike than they would be on a heavier 14” pedal bike.
So what’s the best move?
- For newer riders or kids who have outgrown their smaller balance bike but still love riding it, a larger balance bike is the way to go. You can likely skip the 14” pedal bike altogether and wait until they’re ready for a 16” model.
- For aggressive riders tackling pump tracks, jumps, drops, or dirt trails, a more rugged balance bike like the Shotgun Dirt Hero (with knobby tires and lower handlebars) is a better match.
- For confident gliders eager to get pedaling, a 14” pedal bike can be a great next step into the world of pedaling.
woom GO 1 Plus Features – What Makes it Great!
From the very first ride, the woom 1 Plus was a hit. “Mom, this bike is really speedy!” With just a small push, the 1 Plus rolled off effortlessly—and just kept going. Whether cruising around the neighborhood or heading down ramps, the Plus felt light, easy to control, and fun to ride.
Larger balance bikes can sometimes feel a bit clunky or tough to manage, especially for smaller riders. But the 1 Plus strikes a great balance—big enough to offer more room without becoming overwhelming. So what makes it work so well? In this section, we’ll dig into the features that help the woom 1 Plus stand out.
Size and Weight
Larger than the original woom 1, the woom 1 Plus is designed for preschoolers or tall toddlers who are either new to balance bikes or have outgrown their smaller 12” model—but aren’t quite ready to start pedaling.
With a seat height range of 14.4” to 17”, the 1 Plus is a great fit for kids wearing size 3T to 5 clothing. For reference, our 3-year-old tester shown below just moved into 4T pants and has a 16” inseam—comfortably within the fit range of the bike.
Another of our testers, a tall 2.5-year-old, can still squeeze onto her woom 1 but is about to max it out. At this stage, the woom 1 Plus would be a much better long-term fit.
Compared to other larger balance bikes with 14” or 16” wheels, like the Retrospec Cub XL Plus, the woom 1 Plus has both a lower minimum and maximum seat height. That said, as shown in the overlay below, the overall bike size is still quite similar. While the Cub XL’s seat post extends higher, the riding position starts to feel cramped as you approach the top of that range, especially for taller kids.
| Bike | woom 1 Plus | Retrospec Cub XL Plus |
| Weight | 9.6 lb. | 10.3 lb. |
| Brakes | Dual | Dual Hand |
| Footrest | Yes | Yes |
| Seat Height | 14.4″ – 17″ | 15” – 21” |
What’s the largest size child who can ride the woom 1 Plus?
Our 6-year-old tester (shown below), who wears size 5 clothing and usually rides the 16” woom 3 pedal bike, was definitely too tall for the 1 Plus, but still had a lot of fun on it. With a 21” inseam and the saddle maxed out at 17”, there was no room left to grow.
As a result, most kids who outgrow the woom 1 Plus will be tall enough to move directly to a 16” pedal bike—making it easy to skip the 14” pedal size altogether.
Geometry
To help younger and more timid riders feel comfortable on a balance bike, the woom 1 Plus is designed to promote an upright riding position—where the rider’s shoulders are naturally aligned over their hips. This mirrors the position kids use when standing or walking, making it feel intuitive and stable for first-time riders.
Both the riser handlebars and the bike’s overall frame geometry work together to create this upright posture. For beginners, it’s a great setup that builds confidence and keeps the bike feeling approachable.
However, for more aggressive riders—especially those transitioning from smaller balance bikes—the high-rise handlebars can be limiting. Because the bars sit higher, it’s harder for kids to lean forward into the bike when powering up hills or navigating tight corners and obstacles.
As shown in the overlay below, the 14” Shotgun Dirt Hero, designed specifically for aggressive riding, features flat handlebars that sit much lower than those on the woom 1 Plus. That difference in handlebar height and shape is the main reason we recommend the woom 1 Plus for newer or more cautious riders, and the Dirt Hero for those ready to push the limits.
woom GO 1 Plus Balance Bike Features
14″ Air Tires
The 14” tires on the woom 1 Plus are a noticeable step up from the 12” tires found on the original woom 1 and most other balance bikes. They provide a bit more room for growth while still being perfectly manageable for preschoolers. Bonus: larger tires roll more efficiently and make it easier to glide over curbs, cracks, and uneven terrain.
The 14 x 1.4” Schwalbe Little Joe tires hit a sweet spot with their lightly knobby tread. They handle pavement beautifully but also give kids the grip and confidence to venture onto packed dirt trails. In contrast, the Retrospec Cub XL Plus comes with smoother street tires that aren’t quite as versatile off-road.
Dual hand brakes with color-coded brake levers
A fast bike needs reliable brakes—and the woom 1 Plus delivers with dual hand brakes that offer excellent stopping power. In fact, the brakes are strong enough that kids need to be taught how to use them correctly from the start.
To make that easier, woom includes a color-coded system: the right-hand brake lever is green and controls the rear brake, which also has a matching green brake pad. When teaching your child to ride, we recommend starting with the green lever only. Rear-wheel braking provides safe, steady stopping—without the risk of the rear tire lifting off the ground.
Why not use the front brake alone? On any bike (not just the Plus), braking hard with the front wheel only—especially at speed—can cause the back tire to lift and, in rare cases, toss the rider forward. That said, we’ve never seen a child actually get bucked off a balance bike this way, but it’s still worth avoiding.
Once your child is confidently riding and understands left from right, you can teach them to use both brakes together. But early on, it’s best to stick with just the green lever and avoid any front-brake-only habits.
Pro tip: Teach your child not to squeeze the brakes while walking the bike! Our 3-year-old tester kept complaining that the bike was “slow” until we realized she was gripping the brake levers the whole time she was pushing it around.
Ergonomic Grips
The woom GO 1 Plus features updated ergonomic grips that are narrower in diameter, making them much easier for small hands to grasp securely and reducing fatigue. The grips are soft, slightly textured, and shaped to naturally support a child’s hand, offering both comfort and confidence on the ride. In the image below, you can see how uniquely shaped the woom grips are and just how much slimmer they are compared to the chunkier grips on the Retrospec Cub Plus XL.
Removable Turning Limiter
To help prevent accidental oversteering, the woom GO 1 Plus includes a removable turning limiter that gently restricts how far the handlebars can rotate. For new riders, this added support helps prevent overly sharp turns that can lead to jackknifing or tip-overs.
While the limiter can be removed once your child becomes more confident, we generally recommend keeping it in place for younger or less experienced riders. In addition to improving steering control, it also helps protect the brake cables from being stretched or twisted when the handlebars are turned too far or spun around the fork.
Updated Saddle and Oval Seatpost
The GO 1 Plus features an updated saddle with a narrower profile that’s better suited to smaller bodies. It also has slightly more padding and improved contouring to support longer rides without discomfort. In the image below, the woom’s saddle is quite smaller than the Retrospec’s saddle designed for the same size child.
A small but thoughtful touch: the underside of the saddle nose is textured to make it easier to grip when carrying the bike.
What we love even more, though, is the new oval-shaped seatpost. Traditional round seatposts have a tendency to twist out of alignment, especially after a few tip-overs. The oval post keeps the saddle locked in straight, so you’re not constantly readjusting it after every ride. It’s a subtle but smart upgrade that makes things easier for both kids and parents.
Easy Fit Adjustments with Seat Post and Stem Markings
Getting the right fit as your child grows is easy on the woom GO 1 Plus, thanks to clearly marked A, B, and C sizing guides on both the seatpost and the stem. These markers help parents keep the saddle and handlebars aligned at matching heights, which promotes better posture and control. For example, if your rider’s seatpost is set within section “A,” you’ll want the handlebars at “A” too.
To keep those markings visible over time, woom added a plastic liner inside the seat tube. It helps prevent scratches to both the seatpost and the printed guide—something we really appreciate after years of dealing with worn or scuffed height markings.
Removeable Footrest
For kids who love to glide, the footrest on the woom GO 1 Plus adds a whole new layer of fun. The wide wooden footrest is easy to reach mid-ride and is topped with grip tape to help keep feet securely in place. Older riders especially love the added challenge and creative possibilities it brings. Our 6-year-old tester was all in using it to glide across curbs, stand up while coasting, and show off his balance skills.
That said, the footrest isn’t ideal for every rider. Our just-turned 3-year-old tester found the platform a bit too large for her stride. While the rounded edges didn’t cause any discomfort, her legs often bumped into it as she walked the bike. Thankfully, woom anticipated this: the footrest is fully removable, so it can be taken off for younger or more hesitant riders.
So when do kids actually use the footrest? In our experience, some kids as young as 2 will experiment with it, but standing up and doing tricks typically starts around age 4.
Note: The footrest on the current GO 1 Plus model is slightly smaller than previous versions—including the one shown in the images above.
woom’s Upcycle Program
Another benefit of the woom 1 Plus is woom’s Upcycle paid membership program (a one-time $59 fee). This program allows you to trade in any woom for 40% off your original purchase price applied towards a new larger size when your child outgrows it.
woom 1 Plus Video Review
Want to see the woom 1 Plus in action? While this video shows the older version of the 1 Plus, the size and geometry of the bike hasn’t changed, so it still does a great show of showing the 1 Plus at work.
woom GO 1 Plus Bottom Line
NNot too big and not too small, the woom GO 1 Plus hits the sweet spot for timid preschoolers just starting their balance bike journey. It’s tall enough to offer growing room, yet light and nimble enough for any 3 to 5-year-old to handle with confidence. Whether they’re gliding down the sidewalk or venturing onto dirt paths, the Plus is a fantastic stepping stone toward two-wheeled independence.
RECALL NOTICE: If you’re considering purchasing a used woom 1 Plus balance bike, be aware that the stems on models sold between September 2018 and March 2022 have been recalled by the CPSC. Before buying, check the woom’s Recall Notice to confirm the bike has been updated with the new stem.
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.
