Woom 3
Best: Overall
Score: 10/10
We hadn’t heard of Austrian brand Woom before we tried out this bike and now we cannot stop raving about it. Set up in 2013 by two bike-mad dads, every little detail has been designed with kids in mind.
The 16in Woom 3 is incredibly lightweight, coming in at just 5.5kg. Aimed at four- to six-year-olds (but, as we’ve mentioned already, match to your child’s measurements rather than age) the chain is safely hidden by a chainguard, the seat and handlebars are comfy and pleasingly tactile, and even the brakes are designed for small hands to reach easily and, as a bonus, are colour-coded – it’s so much easier to shout out to use the green gear, rather than the left or right.
Our five-year-old tester ditched the stabilisers just a few months ago and has been doing well so far, but the moment they started using the Woom 3, their cycling skills shot through the roof. The light aluminium frame has helped to improve their balance – so much so they can now cycle at a slow pace to match the dog without a hint of a wobble.
The Woom 3 was a dream along cycle paths and uphill (even without any extra gears), but equally had no problems tackling bumpy ground thanks to its slim but robust, deep-tread tyres. We opted for a kickstand to be added to the bike, for an additional £14, which was worth every penny. If the sizing isn’t right for you, Woom also stock everything from balance bikes to 26in kids’ bikes. We’re completely won over.