When my preschooler showed interest in riding a bike, I knew I wanted to get her equip her with whatever she needed to ride on two wheels. In the sea of bikes to choose, I noticed that woom Bikes were everywhere.
Why are there woom Bikes of all sizes all around my hometown? I had to find out for myself.
I decided to purchase the woom 3 for our four-year-old so she could learn how to ride a bike. Here’s my review of woom Bikes.
Why you should buy a woom Bike?
Equipping your child with the right bike goes beyond aesthetics and price tags.
1. Ultralight aluminum frame –
The bike experts at Two Wheeling Tots say that a child’s bike should be less than 40% of a child’s weight.
woom Bikes is one of the lightest bike companies out there, with their 14” bike weighing about 12.lbs and their 16” bike weight 13lbs. This is 5-15lbs lighter than many other children’s bikes.
Light weight bike companies claim the reduced weight of their products allow children to develop the balance needed to master the ride on two wheels more easily.
Although I was hesitant at first because light weight bikes cost significantly more than heavier bikes, I found that my kiddo was able to ride a bike much faster and easier with a lighter weight balance and pedal bike. Read my review here.
2. Easy to learn brake –
woom 1-3 (sizes 12″ – 16″ tires, rated for kids ages 1-6) are equipped with a green brake on the right handle. This rear brake only squeezes the back tires, allowing kids to begin learning how to use a brake gently without the risk of flying over the handlebars!
The woom 1 balance bike comes with one green brake, while the woom 2-3 have both a green brake on the right, and a black front brake on the left handlebar.
3. No need for training wheels –
woom 1 (sizes 12″ tires) is a balance bike and has no pedals. It is designed to teach your child how to balance on a bike first before you add pedals.
The woom 2 and 3 (size 14″ and 16″ tires) can also be balance bikes. Just remove the pedals and let your child learn to balance on the bike first. You can add the pedals back on once they’ve mastered pedaling.
Yes you heard me – you can teach your kid to ride a bike without training wheels – and it somehow is easier. Oh the things our kids will never know, like having one computer or TV in the house, and dial up, the list goes on…
Why woom Bikes are great for new riders
woom Bikes has many reviews from happy parents reporting that their kids learned how to ride a bike in a day, without the tears and stress of bike learning from my youth. A few of the reasons they claim their bikes are the easiest to learn on are because:
1. They are lightweight
2. They provide a lower center of gravity for riders
3. You can treat the bike like a balance bike.
No training wheels needed!
woom does not recommend that you use training wheels with these bikes. If your kid is learning how to ride on a woom Bike, the first step is to take the pedals off and ride as if it were a balance bike. Once your kiddo has mastered coasting on the bike without pedals for a certain distance or amount of time you can put the pedals and try riding and pedaling at the same time.
We tried this method while using a woom 3 and found that my kiddo started riding a bike in a day. We removed the pedals and counted how many seconds she could balance on the bike without having to put her foot down, and kept aiming to increase her balancing time little by little which quickly became a game. Once she was ready, the pedals went on and she rode away from me within minutes. No kidding!
Also, no training wheels mean no need for another transition or to relearn how to ride a bike without them. I am 100% sold on this bike learning method!
Why woom Bikes are great for early riders
Our four-year-old learned how to ride a bike on a woom 3. The lightweight bike helped her gain confidence on two wheels so she could start mastering the skills of balancing, braking, and turning.
woom 4 and 5 (20″-24″ tires, ages 6-10) introduce a 7 gear shifter to continue building your budding bicyclist’s skills on a lightweight, kid-designed bike.
Also, having a bike that weighs 5+ pounds less than many other less-expensive bike options out there meant that my kid would have better balance and more control as they learn to navigate roads and other bikers as well.
woom Bike Types & Reviews: Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Child
woom 1 and woom 1 Plus 12" Balance Bike for Toddlers ($249-299): For ages 1.5-3.5 years
woom’s balance bike is ideal for toddlers and is designed to be your child’s first introduction to cycling. Nurture your child’s balance, braking, steering, and confidence as they begin learning cycling fundamentals.
- Steering limiter to prevent handlebar wobbling
- Ultralight aluminum frame (6.6lbs)
- Wide wheel base for balance and control
- Color-coded rear brake
- Two sizes depending on your child’s height (Plus for taller toddlers)
Check out our review of three balance bikes and how to get started here.
woom 2 (14" for $399): For ages 3-4.5 years
The woom 2 bike is designed for young riders to learn the next step on their biking journey = pedaling.
Take off the pedals and use it as a balance bike, then add the pedals and see your child ride away! This bike supports young riders thanks to its:
- Lightweight aluminum frame (12-13lbs)
- Color-coded brake system
- Low step-over height
woom 2 also comes with coaster brakes in addition to the handlebar brake. This was a bit of a challenge for us when we were teaching our kid how to pedal…
woom 3 bike 16" ($449-499): For ages 4-6
The woom 3 takes your child’s cycling experience to the next level! With two options (single speed or the $50 more expensive Automagic), the woom 3 provides your new or budding cyclist a chance to sharpen their biking skills with:
- Color-coded brakes
- Lightweight aluminum frame (13.1-14.3lbs)
- 2-speed kid-friendly shifter (Automagic only)
- Low step-over height
If your child 4 years or older and has not learned how to ride a bike, this bike is a great option. Take off the pedals and treat the bike like a balance bike. See how our child learned how to ride on a woom 3 here.
woom Bikes vs. Guardian Bikes
Here’s how the 16″ woom 3 measures up to the other popular lightweight bike on the market – Guardian.
Overall, woom Bikes are lighter, which is good for newer riders, but much more expensive. Guardian Bikes are cheaper but heavier. I liked both the woom and Guardian Bikes but for different uses.
If I had to choose, I would start my kid who is learning how to ride a bike on a woom Bike because they are lighter weight and can help build confidence in riding. When my child had grown out of their woom, I would then purchase a Guardian Bike because they are an established rider, and can handle a heavier bike. They would then learn braking and shifting with the support of the Guardian Bike.
New rider = woom
Established rider or older kid = Guardian
That’s my opinion!
Are woom Bikes worth the money?
woom Bikes cost about $249 for a balance bike (ages 1.5-3) to $599 for a 20” bike (ages 6-8). I could have bought a big box store bike for $100 or buy a used one for $50. Those bikes, however, did not have the extra bells and whistles of woom, like a light weight frame and color-coded brakes– things that could make bike riding easier for newbees.
Depending on your priorities and budget, woom Bikes offer bicycles that are safer, easier to ride, and hold an excellent resell value! Just try to find a cheap used woom – it is impossible!
Having tried two of the most popular light weight kids’ bikes out there, woom and Guardian Bikes. I can confidently confirm that the lighter the bike, the easier it is for your kid to ride.
Our child was one of those kids that learned how to ride a bike in one day on a woom 3. It is the truth!
Thanks to that experience, every morning, my kiddo runs down the stairs to hop on her bike to ride to school, while I, her doting mother, ride happily alongside her with my youngest in a cargo bike.
We are officially a bike riding family, and I have woom Bikes, and my ever persistent patience, to thank.
Have you tried woom Bikes? What are your thoughts? Share in the comments below.
Happy biking!
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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