Smart Gear Balance Bike Review
You might be accustomed to the more traditional form of metal-framed balance bikes, but if eco-friendly toys are something you’d like to support – the Smart Gear Balance Bike might be just the product for you and your family. Smart Gear is on a mission to design eco-friendly, innovative, and educational products for babies and children. The company is an advocate of protecting our environment and they maintain high standards of safety testing to ensure they comply with both EU and US safety regulations. With its frame made of renewable wood and non-toxic materials, the Smart Gear Classic Balance Bike embodies this mission of eco-friendly toys.
Parents will be happy to know that the Smart Gear Classic is also one of the least expensive options of balance bikes available on the market. Its design is simple and provides a no-frills option that focuses simply on helping your child learn to balance and improve coordination before graduating to a pedal bike.
Opening the box, the Smart Gear is shipped in just three pieces needing to be assembled. Assembly itself is very simple and instructions are provided. Just be sure to do a once-over when you’re done to ensure that all the bolts are properly tightened.
Eco-Friendly Design
Made almost entirely of birchwood, the Smart Gear Balance Bike truly embodies an eco-friendly design in its construction. Not only is the birchwood renewable, but it also contributes to the balance bike’s overall lightweight. The other components are also made of non-toxic materials such as non-toxic paint and formaldehyde-free glue. Taking it one step further, the packaging is also made from recycled paper and the company uses water-based ink for printing on the package.
Tires
The Smart Gear Balance Bike features pneumatic rubber tires. Pneumatic, (also known as air-inflated) tires provide more cushioning for the rider and also offer better grip on non-paved surfaces, making them an excellent all-terrain tire. Additionally, the tires feature long-fill valves to allow for easy inflation.
Seat Height Adjustments
It offers five adjustable seat positions, allowing the Smart Gear Balance Bike to grow right along with your child. The height range offered is between 11 inches to 17 inches.
Safety Features
When it comes to safety, the Smart Gear Classic Balance Bike is packed with a few excellent features to ensure your child not only has a fun riding experience but a safe one too!
Limited steering wheel radius
When learning to ride a bike, kids will often turn the handlebar too far left or right in an attempt to regain control. The Smart Gear Balance Bike features a limited steering wheel radius that prevents the rider from being able to turn the handlebars too much, which will, in turn, prevent jackknifing.
No Footrest
While some folks like the inclusion of a footrest, it’s not a good idea for beginner riders just learning to ride a balance bike. This is because a footrest can get in the way of the child’s range of motion when riding. The footrest can force a child to straddle the bike and run in a specific way so as to avoid hitting the footrest. Beginner riders are either going to keep hitting the footrest or the limited range of motion will cause a fall.
Non-Toxic Materials
Earlier we mentioned the environmentally friendly design features of the Smart Gear Balance Bike. These include the use of formaldehyde-free glue and non-toxic paints and lacquer.
Rubberized Handle Guards
The handlebars a rubberized to allow for extra grip and control. The sides of the handles are also flared to ensure that children’s hands are protected against falls.
Spokeless Wheels
Finally, the Smart Gear Balance Bike features spokeless wheel discs so you don’t have to worry about little fingers getting caught in them.
Pros & Cons
The fact that the bicycle is mainly made of wood rather than metal may influence your purchase decision to the greatest extent. Some people like it, while others don’t, so it mainly depends on personal preference. If your child is accustomed to seeing other children skating on a metal frame bicycle, then he may not want to ride a wooden bicycle. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons to see if this bike suits your needs.
Pros
- Eco-Friendly Design
- Non-Toxic Paint and Glue
- Safety-Conscious
- Lightweight
- Low Price
- rubberized grips
- Pneumatic tires
- Spoke-less wheel discs
- Adjustable seat
- Quick and Easy Assembly
Cons
- Lack of further adjustability or adaptability
- Non-marine grade wood
Conclusion
The Smart Bike Classic Balance Bike is an affordable option when compared to other wooden balance bikes currently on the market. It’s a no-frills option that offers everything you need in a balance bike while still being environmentally conscious and non-toxic.
