Straight out of the box the AIRO's simplicity is clear; you just remove the packaging, straighten the bars, tighten the stem with the included 5mm allen key, and adjust the saddle. Fun colors, sturdy frame, and a super sleek design make AIRO a great balance bike pick for kids who love to cruise along.

As soon as our little guy got on the bike, he immediately grabbed the handlebars, picked the front end off the ground and started doing his version of wheelies. We loved the carry handles, cut out of the bike frame – a thoughtful touch that will be appreciated by parents who will inevitably end up having to carry the balance bike at some point.While not strictly needed, as the bike is controlled by feet, many balance bikes do include one for added safety, and for familiarity and practice. We feel this is better suited to smaller children (two to three years old seems about right), as the handlebars can‘t be adjusted and the built-in footrest is very narrow, but the motorbike sounds are very likely to extend its appeal beyond this age range. With its classic, timeless design and chic matte paintwork, this Little Dutch balance bike won us over with its good looks. With wider set hands, minor movements on the wider handlebars won’t affect the overall steering and control of the bike as much as movements on a narrower bar.

The handlebar – although non-adjustable – has easy-grip, rubber handles which our older tester found easy to steer. The magnesium alloy frame comes in a range of 6 lively colours, and it is fitted with a footrest for when your Cycle Sprog picks up speed.That means, you’ll have to have the correct hex wrench with you should you need to remove the wheel at any time. Most other similarly-specced competition seems to be closer to 4kg and above, and that extra 1kg makes quite the difference for a toddler when it comes to handling the bike and slinging it around in the back garden. If you’re after a balance bike that offers more than just a cool ride, the BMXie by Chillafish has some fun interactive details that will keep your child hooked.