For young children, bicycles are essentially gateways to an entirely new world of freedom. As youngsters, many of us remember our first two-wheelers. In our minds, they could be anything from cars and trains to motorcycles and rocket ships. They could take us anywhere our imaginations wanted to go.

Of course, the main issue holding us back was always learning how to balance and ride those bikes properly. Training wheels were a huge help, but they had their limits. Learning how to work the hand brakes was yet another challenge. Things haven’t changed much now that we’ve all grown up and started introducing our own little ones to the world of two-wheelers. Or have they?

A Cycling Revolution

As a matter of fact, the Stacyc Electric Balance Bike may very well revolutionize not only the transition from tricycles to two-wheelers but the evolution from bicycles to dirt bikes. Many parents who have introduced their youngsters to these bikes have found that their toddlers are actually becoming proficient at balancing on two wheels by the time they’re 2 or 3 years old. The Stacyc is also helping youngsters master throttling and braking.

Exploring the Stacyc Electric Balance Bike

Before delving into the features of the Stacyc Electric Balance Bike, let’s take a look at the common alternatives. Obviously, many children start off with a standard bicycle equipped with training wheels. At first, the training wheels provide a crutch to help children learn to balance and ride their bikes. Eventually, the training wheels come off, and little ones grow accustomed to balancing on their two-wheelers without the crutches.

On the other hand, you have balance bikes. They’re made like regular bicycles, but they don’t have pedals or chains. Kids simply push the bikes along with their feet on the ground. Over time, they branch out and learn to balance themselves while rolling. Once they master the balance portion of the learning process, they can coast down hills with their feet up and put their feet down to stop. One common brand of balance bikes is Strider.

With either of those options, learning balance and control is a slow process that’s riddled with trial and error. The Stacyc Electric Balance Bike is a bit different. It combines the benefits of a balance bike with the throttle and brake components of a dirt bike. It has been described as the perfect intermediate stage between a balance bike and a full-blown dirt bike, but it’s also an impressive alternative to a bicycle with training wheels.

Looking at the Models and Features of the Stacyc

The Stacyc Electric Balance Bike is currently available in two original models, the 12eDrive and the 16eDrive. The 12eDrive has 12-inch wheels whereas the 16eDrive has 16-inch wheels. As you might imagine, the 12eDrive is designed for smaller children and has a seat height of 13 inches. It’s recommended for children ages 3 to 5. The 16eDrive has a seat height of 17 inches and is geared more toward 5- to 7-year-olds. Both models have a maximum weight capacity of 75 pounds.

Stacyc also has 18 and 20 inch bikes newly available. The 18eDrive has a seat height of 21 inches and is for 8-10 year olds. The 20eDrive has a seat height of 23 inches and is for 10-12 year olds. Both have a weight capacity of 115 pounds.

The 16, 18 and 20 inch versions all feature a brushless motor that delivers extra power for more aggressive riding, which is great for rough terrain.

Varying Power Levels for Learning Riders

For many parents, the thought of placing their youngsters on a motorized bike is certainly scary. With great power comes great responsibility, and many of us feel our little ones just aren’t quite responsible and coordinated enough to handle power and speed. Fortunately, the Stacyc Electric Balance Bike allows us to control how much power our children have access to. As such, the Stacyc can be tailored to your child’s skill and comfort levels.

Both smaller models of the Stacyc Electric Balance Bike have three power modes. Their low/training mode is designed for beginners with a top speed of 5 miles per hour. Once your children are comfortable with that, you can bump them up to the standard mode that has a top speed of 7 miles per hour for the 12eDrive and 7.5 miles per hour for the 16eDrive. In high/advanced mode, children can bike at up to 9 miles per hour on the 12eDrive and 13 miles per hour on the 16eDrive.

The larger models also have three power modes. For the 18eDrive, the low power mode tops out at 9 miles per hour, the intermediate at 13.5, and the advanced at 18. The 20eDrive allows slightly more speed with the low power mode at 10 miles per hour, the intermediate at 15, and the advanced at 20, which explains the reasoning behind the longer required charge time.

Construction

If you’re concerned about sturdiness and longevity, the Stacyc Electric Balance Bike is built to handle the hardships of carrying upcoming riders. All models feature aluminum, TIG-welded frames that can handle different types of terrain as well as tipping over from time to time.

Keep in mind, their aluminum construction also makes them light enough for small children to be able to handle on their own. With the battery in place, the 16eDrive weighs in at 20 pounds, and the 12eDrive maxes out at 17 pounds. The 18 weights in at 31 pounds, and the 20 is 33 pounds. As long as you choose the right size for your child and he or she can place his or her feet firmly on the ground while seated on the bike, it’ll be a breeze to hold up and balance.

Extra Features to Consider

The 12 and 16 models of the Stacyc Electric Balance Bike come with a 20-volt lithium-ion battery and a charger. Their batteries can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the speed and terrain your child is riding on. Those batteries generally take between 30 minutes to an hour to recharge. The 18eDrive features an all new 36V battery with a 30-45 minute run time and requires 1.5 hours of charge time. The 20 also has the 36V battery that can run for 30-60 minutes, but the charge time jumps to a 3 hr wait period.

All models are also equipped with durable pneumatic tires, hand brakes, and twist throttles. They can even be used without their power much like a standard balance bike for those who prefer to transition their children into bicycling and dirt-biking a bit more slowly. They run quietly, too, so riding in the back yard in suburban neighborhoods isn’t a problem.

The Stacyc Electric Balance Bike in a Nutshell

Learning to ride a bike is a right of passage for children. At the same time, an ever-growing number of youngsters are becoming interested in dirt bikes at younger ages than ever before. Simply learning to ride a standard bicycle can be a challenge for many little ones, and figuring out the complexities of hand brakes and throttles on dirt bikes is certainly a hurdle.

In either case, the Stacyc Electric Balance Bike simplifies the situation. It provides a middle ground to help ease children into balancing, working the brakes and throttle, and becoming comfortable with extra speed. It’s also a safer solution than simply placing them on a full-blown dirt bike and hoping for the best. Make sure to watch reviews to see which bike will suit your child the best.

There may still be falls, bumps, bruises, and setbacks on the Stacyc. After all, riding a two-wheeler is always a learning experience. Still, children from the age of 2 on up to 12 years old or so can build their confidence and boost their bicycling and dirt biking skills on the Stacyc. Make sure to choose a Stacyc bike based on the height and weight of your child. Head to our website to grab some graphics to go with your new bike!