Most parents seem to be confused when they have to decide between buying a brand-new balance bike for their kids because they are likely to stumble upon two significant types of balance bikes: wooden vs. metal balance bikes. It is pretty common for you to be confused and have no idea what to buy since both types have their pros and cons. To do so, you may need to do thorough research on balance bikes via a popular search engine like Google, but, unfortunately, you have to deal with tons of information on the internet, which can quickly turn you down. On top of that, most information you have found may not be as useful as you think. Look no further, and we have rounded up the essence of both types of balance bikes and carefully outlined the vital points that every parent needs to know before buying a balance bike for their beloved kid.
Wooden Balance Bikes
It is no surprise that most of the wooden balance bikes on the market are made of Baltic Birch Plywood. Generally, the bike frame is composed of multiple layers of Birchwood being glued together. This type of craftsmanship is preferred over the use of a single, gigantic piece of wood that is heavy and difficult to handle. Furthermore, the Baltic Birchwood is best known for the lightweight, durable, robust, and renewable materials that make a wooden balance bike one of the most environmentally-friendly vehicles on this planet. For instance, if you decide to dump your old wooden balance bike, the wooden frame and handlebars will be reused or renewed. Thus, the wooden bike is quite admired among environmental enthusiasts.
Additionally, manufacturers are required to obtain the certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for the right to purchase, process, and sell the wood. The FSC has mandated that certified wood must be harvested by using environmentally friendly measures. Typically, bike manufacturers coat the wood with a lacquer veneer to protect the wood from various objects like flying rock, mud, water, and heat. Although the wood has already been coated with lacquer veneer, it is still venerable to moisture and excessive heatwave. Therefore, it is advisable to store it in a cool, dry place.
The wooden balance bike usually carries more weight than the metal counterpart since the wood is ten times less dense than metal. To build a bike, the manufacturers need to add up more wooden materials than that metal. You will find out that most wooden frames are thicker than a metal frame. On the plus side, the thicker wooden frame provides more shock absorption and better vibration dampening than the metal frame does. Your kids probably feel more comfortable riding a wooden balance bike than a metal counterpart.
>>>Find out more on the review of best wooden balance bikes for your kids!
Characteristics of wooden balance bikes
- The wooden bike frame is more substantial and thicker than that of a metal bike. Usually, many bike manufacturers need to add more wooden materials to build the frame because the wood is ten times less dense than the metal.
- The wooden bike provides better shock absorption and vibration dampening.
- Wood is more susceptible to heat and moisture damage than metal.
- Wood is eco-friendly material compared to metal.
- Most wooden balance bikes have equipped handlebars with ankle limiters, which prevent kids from making excessive overturns, which usually results in severe injuries.
- Speaking in terms of craftsmanship, the natural beauty of wood offers an attractive and unique look.
- Wooden balance bike tends to limit the seat adjustment for compensating as many different height ranges of riders.
Metal Balance Bikes
Metal balance bikes, on the other hand, are crafted from metal materials such as aluminum alloy or lightweight steel. Some higher models may employ ultra-lightweight carbon fiber material to build frame construction. Generally, metal materials will be fused to form the frame tube using the welding method. You can easily single out a good quality bike from many bad ones by examining the welding quality on the frame and fork. Regardless of metal materials being used, most metal bikes come with a universal weight of around 8-12 lbs.
Additionally, metal materials offer more durability and provide a longer lifespan over some time. They are also less venerable to corroding if exposed to severe weather conditions such as rainstorms. Due to universal design, metal balance bikes can be mass-produced in bulk volume, so their price is usually lower than those of wooden bikes, depending on the models and the quality of materials.
Unlike wooden balance bikes, metal bikes tend to be more agile and flexible than their wooden counterparts because metal materials can be welded into any form or shape, which encourages the innovative process of new models or designs. Moreover, metal balance bikes are designed to be easily adaptable to children of all ages. It means that the bike can grow with your children without worrying about buying a new bike. Besides, this type of balance bike provides more space for customization as you can mount additional accessories on the bike frame.
Characteristics of metal balance bikes
- Durable and lightweight compared to wooden bikes, thanks to the material’s high density.
- Capable of being welded into any form or shape which encourages the innovative design.
- Composed of galvanized steel or aluminum alloy, metal balance bikes are not susceptible to corroding even when being directly exposed to harsh weather conditions.
- Metal bikes are easily adaptable to children of all ages with adjustable Seatpost and saddles.
- Bicycles are available in the universal weight range from 8-12 lbs.
- Affordable price.
- The metal frame provides more room for customization with various accessories.
Wooden balance bike VS metal balance bike: which one is better?
The answer to this question depends solely on your preference and your kid’s riding style because both types have advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps the following questions may guide you to figure out which type of balance bike is the best suit for your kids.
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How old is your kid?
As you may know, the wooden bike is designed to accommodate little kids more than young toddlers. Although some brands are also targeting young kids, few wooden models are readily available on the market. If you have a little kid, you have more options to choose between wood or metal. On the other hand, young children may have to go for a metal balance bike.
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How much do you allocate your budget?
Riding a wooden balance bike tends to cause parents more dollars than a metal bike because wooden bikes are not as adaptable as metal bikes, which can grow with your kids. Parents may find out that they have to buy a new bike for their kid because the old wooden bike is no longer fit for their child anymore. On the contrary, a metal balance bike comes with an adjustable Seatpost and saddle to accommodate a kid’s height.
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How do you store your kid’s bike?
Although wooden bikes are coated with lacquer veneer to protect the wood from various objects, they are still susceptible to moisture and heat. If you can store the bike in a cool, dry place, it is okay to buy a kid’s wooden bike. Otherwise, a metal bike is a perfect choice if you don’t have adequate space to store your bike because most metal bikes are built to resist moisture and heat.
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What is your primary preference for bike design?
Wooden bikes offer a classic look and design while metal bikes feature a modern and fresh appearance. Thus, it depends on your personal preference for the design. Furthermore, metal balance bikes also provide mounting points for additional accessories while wooden bikes do not.
The Bottom Line
After reading the information provided above, parents will develop a solid idea about wooden and metal balance bikes. Hopefully, you will be able to make the right choice for your beloved kids. It is highly recommended that your little angle should have a comfortable posture when riding the balance bike. Also, make sure that you are clear with bike size, color preference, and design orientation before hitting the buy button. Last but not least, always remember that safety is the priority for your kids. Have a helmet and other protective gear ready, and it’s time for your kids to hit the road.
