Wishbone Balance Bikes

Buy a Wishbone balance bike at Kideo.store

A balance bike that lasts four years instead of one. That is the idea behind Wishbone: you start with a stable trike for a one-year-old, flip the frame into a low two-wheeler once the balancing begins, and raise the seat as the legs get longer. One bike, three stages — and still worth something second-hand afterwards. Order before 4 pm on a working day and your order ships the same day.

Which Wishbone suits us?

We stock eight models. The difference is in the material, the number of settings and the age at which you start.

• Wishbone Bike Original 3in1 — the classic, in FSC-certified birch plywood. Trike, low two-wheeler and high two-wheeler in one, for children from 12 months to 5 years. Seat height 28 to 46 cm, 12-inch pneumatic tyres. In natural, Pangolin and Penguin.
• Wishbone Bike RE2 3in1 — the same 3-in-1 principle, but made from 100% recycled plastic. Seat height 23 to 51 cm, also 12 months to 5 years. Lighter than wood and unbothered by rain. In black, red and grey.
• Wishbone Bike RE2 2in1 — the same recycled build with two settings: trike from 1 year, two-wheeler from 2 to 4 years. Seat height also 23 to 51 cm. Better value if you don't expect to need the highest setting.
• Wishbone Flip — also a 3-in-1, but a different one: rocker, push-along and balance bike, converted without tools. In FSC birch, 1 to 5 years, seat height 22 to 27.5 cm, and at 2.9 kg the lightest model we stock. Available in six colours, from vintage red to olive.
• Wishbone Cruise — inspired by 1950s custom bikes, on 14-inch tyres. No conversion system, but an adjustable seat from 31 to 40 cm. Suitable from 2 years, made from plantation birch and recycled plastic.
• Wishbone Mini Flip Walker — for the very smallest, just finding their feet. Converts in seconds from rocking horse to push-along to ride-on, with aluminium handlebars and skate wheels on a certified plantation-wood base.
• Wishbone Bike 2in1 Natural — a wooden two-wheeler from 18 months to 5 years. Turn the frame over and the bike sits higher, so it lasts years longer. Note: your child needs to be able to balance already, as this model has no trike setting.
• Wishbone Wagon — not a balance bike but a 3-in-1 wagon: hand cart, soapbox and Flintstones-style wagon in one, in plantation birch with WBP glue. For bigger children who want to ride and haul.

Wood or recycled plastic?

The question we get most. Wood — the Original, the Flip and the 2in1 Natural — looks better, feels warmer and is the bike you leave standing in the hall because it looks good there. Recycled plastic, the RE2 range, is lighter, can be left outside without worry, is easier to clean and is made from 100% post-consumer material. Neither rides better than the other; it is mainly a choice between looks and convenience. The Cruise combines the two: a wooden frame with recycled plastic.

2-in-1 or 3-in-1?

With 2-in-1 the bike goes from trike to two-wheeler. With 3-in-1 a high setting is added, which buys your child roughly another year. Not sure? For a child who has just turned one, 3-in-1 pays for itself; buying for a three-year-old, 2-in-1 is usually enough. Do note that the Flip and Mini Flip are also called 3-in-1 but do something different: those switch between rocking, pushing and riding.

From what age?

The Original, the RE2 3in1 and the RE2 2in1 start at around 12 months in the trike setting — as soon as a child can sit unaided and reach the ground with their feet. Real balancing on two wheels begins around two, and on the highest setting children keep riding until roughly five. The Flip covers 1 to 5 years, the Cruise starts at 2 years and the 2in1 Natural at 18 months. The Mini Flip Walker is meant for the stage before all this: standing up and the first steps. Every product page lists the exact seat height.

Accessories and spare parts

A Wishbone is built to last for years, so parts can be replaced and swapped: bells in eight colours, seat covers, grips, sticker sets and a stand. That is how a worn-out bike becomes a new one for the next child — or gets its own colour as a present.

Why we stock Wishbone

A balance bike is often the first vehicle a child is genuinely in charge of. Balancing, steering and pushing off lay the groundwork for cycling without stabilisers: children who have ridden a balance bike usually move to a pedal bike without much fuss.

What sets Wishbone apart is how long it lasts. Most balance bikes fit for one season; this one grows from trike to high two-wheeler, can be repaired part by part, and holds a second-hand value that justifies it. For a family with more than one child, that adds up differently than the purchase price suggests.

Frequently asked questions about Wishbone

What does 3-in-1 mean?

On the Original and the RE2 the bike converts in a few steps from a stable trike to a low two-wheeler and then to a high two-wheeler. On the Flip and Mini Flip, 3-in-1 means something else: those switch between rocker, push-along and ride-on.

From what age can my child use one?

Most models are suitable from around 12 months and last until roughly 5 years. The Cruise starts at 2 years and the 2in1 Natural at 18 months. Check the product page for the seat height and the exact guidance.

What is the difference between the RE2 and the wooden Original?

The material. The Original is FSC-certified birch plywood, the RE2 is 100% recycled plastic. The RE2 is lighter, adjusts over a wider range (23–51 cm against 28–46 cm) and copes better with the weather; the Original simply looks better.

Is a balance bike better than stabilisers?

For learning to cycle, yes: on a balance bike a child practises balance and steering at the same time, which is exactly what stabilisers postpone. The move to a pedal bike is usually quick as a result.

Can the bike be left outside?

The RE2 models cope well outdoors. For the wooden models: an afternoon in the garden is fine, but store them dry. For the Cruise the manufacturer says so explicitly — bring it inside at night.

Can I order spare parts separately?

Yes. Grips, seat covers, bells, stickers and a stand are all available separately, so you can refurbish or personalise the bike instead of replacing it.