Add-on pedals and refined ergonomics make a new children’s bike from Strider stand out. Our preschool-age tester gives his first-look review.
![Strider 14x balance bike with pedals](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2017/10/14-x-strider-bike-700x467.jpg)
Levi was the king of the scoot-bike. He would shred neighborhood sidewalks and the skate park at a nearby school. But until last month, pedal-equipped bikes eluded my 4-year-old son.
Enter the Strider 14x. A new take on built-for-kids bikes, the Strider 14x is more than an upgrade; its design is a solid leap ahead. See details in our review of the Strider below.
We got an early-release bike from Strider a month ago. Since then, Levi and other little testers have put it through a thorough review. The bike goes on sale today for $210 MSRP ($199.99 on Amazon, with free shipping).
Review: Strider 14x Children’s Balance Bike
Strider touts the 14x as “the only first bike your child needs.” That “only first” clause nods at its selling point of doing double duty as a balance bike and a mini pedal-equipped ride.
![Narrow, kid-feet-friendly pedals](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2017/10/pedal-kid-bike-700x467.jpg)
The company has long been a standard in the category of the scoot/balance bike. My kids all learned to balance and coast on these kinds of bikes, and none of them needed training wheels when it came time to try pedals.
A new design, the 14x gives both options: A kid can learn to balance and steer without pedals. Then, once ready, a parent attaches the pedals, gears, and chain.
It’s an easy add-on. Strider ships the drivetrain as a kit, pieced together and ready for attachment with a single bolt. It mounts in the place of a removable footrest that comes stock on the bike.
Seat and handlebar heights adjust to accommodate kids from age 3 and up. A chain guard is standard, giving a shield to prevent kids contacting the moving parts or smudging grease on their leg.
![kid handle grips on bike](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2017/10/kid-bike-handle-grip-700x469.jpg)
Details: Strider 14x Sport Balance Bike
![strider 14x balance bike with pedals](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2017/10/14x-scoot-strider-700x469.jpg)
![Bike seat made with kids in mind](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2017/10/kid-bike-seat-700x467.jpg)
![kid riding pedal bike](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2017/10/strider-bike-2017-700x467.jpg)