Learning to ride a bike is one of those magical milestones we look forward to both as a kid AND  parent or caregiver. Those first few pedals awkwardly moving from side to side are moments we tend to never forget. Unfortunately, those magical moments don’t arrive without hours, days, and sometimes months of frustration, tears, bumps, and bruises along the way. We get it! Learning to ride a bike comes with a lot of required skills for our little one to master all at once. It can be a bit overwhelming. Steering, pedaling, braking, and balancing are a lot to think about for a new rider. 

At Guardian, we have simplified the learning process by creating a bike that is safer and easier for your kid to ride. 

No Training Wheels Needed

For starters, all Guardian Bikes can be ridden using the balance bike method. Balance bikes are a simpler, safer way to get kids riding because they teach balance and steering before learning to pedal. Traditional training wheels hinder learning because they teach pedaling first, yet when removed, kids are back to square one learning to balance which is the hardest skill for a child to master. 

“Both of my boys (6 & 8) were afraid of their training wheels being removed, so we bought two Guardian bikes,” explains reviewer Anthony R. “They rode them for one week without pedals, then we put the pedals on, and in less than 1 day, they were riding without any help.”

Safer, Easier Braking

A great bike is nothing without great brakes. All Guardian Bikes are equipped with our patented single-lever SureStop braking system. This system provides your rider with just one brake lever  to control both their front and rear tires. How does it work? Like anti-lock brakes on your car, the SureStop brake system dynamically compensates in “panic stop” situations to safely bring your child to a stop. Your child’s riding surface and their weight on the bike will determine the amount of force sent forward to their front brake. 

Surestop provides a faster, more controlled stop for your child while also eliminating the chance of them ever going over the handlebars.

Focus on Fit

Guardian Bikes also offer kid specific geometry that make it easier for a new rider to get started. This means that the wheel size, bike frame, distance between seat and handlebars, crank arms, and brake levers are all designed to fit a child’s body (versus a shrunken down version of an adult bike like many manufacturers offer). With a wide wheelbase and lower center of gravity Guardian Bikes also give your child better balance and control.

If a child’s first bike is too big or too small from the get go, it can ruin their experience. With over 100,000 kids measured using RideSizer, our online kids bike sizing tool, we can confidently determine the perfect size bike for your child. This tool will also determine how long their bike will last and when it is time for a new one.  

 “Trust the ridesizer! I felt the 20” large was too big for my son and wanted to buy the small. However, I trusted their recommendation and I am very thankful. My 5yo comfortably fits and has years to ride and grow with the bike.”  -Stefan D.

Lighter Weight

Another consideration when selecting a first bike is weight. A bike that’s too heavy can leave your child tired, frustrated, while also making it much harder for them to balance and control. Unfortunately, most mass market bikes can weigh up to 75% of your child's weight. Heavy right? 

“My 3 year old can now make it up the hills that she couldn’t before on her heavy, cheaper bike we had before her Guardian,” explains reviewer Derek H. “They’re worth every penny.”

Guardian Bikes are lighter weight (up to 10 lbs. lighter than big box store bikes) making for better balance and control. This can make all the difference when it comes to ease of learning and a future of riding together as a family.

So, if your child is struggling learning to ride and claims not to like bikes, make sure it’s not a heavy, incorrectly-sized bike that’s causing the problem. At Guardian Bikes we believe ALL kids deserve to ride a bike and have that “Love at First Ride” experience.  

Looking for more information about buying kids bikes? Check out our kids bike sizing guide.