- Adele, parent tester
How does it look?
Sporty and built to look like a classic mountain bike rather than a ride-on toy, the Carrera's style certainly matches its function. The pattern is almost Jackson Pollock-inspired – splattered multicoloured paint which you’ll either love or loathe – but it has the added advantage of camouflaging dirt, which also isn't noticeable on the bike's black wheels.
The seat did show some wear and tear during testing, with a patch of the cover rubbing off. Other than that, the bike appeared very durable and could be easily be cleaned with a damp cloth when necessary.
While our two-year-old tester didn’t seem to mind the bike's bright aesthetic, her five-year-old sister really wasn’t keen on the colours and, unfortunately, the bike only comes in one design.
What’s it like to use day-to-day?
Since you’re likely to be lumbered with the role of carrying the balance bike when your toddler gets tired, the lightweight frame makes it relatively easy to transport the Carrera one-handed back to your car boot, as long as you're not carrying anything else.
As with all the bikes we tested, the bike was ridden on pavements around town, taken to the skatepark and taken on a lengthy trail ride.
One downside is that the bike’s bolts do protrude and aren’t fully rounded. In time, this may mean that the bolts could get damaged, which would present a leg scraping risk, but a long wheelbase keeps them well away from where your child’s legs are likely to be.
Still, this is worth noting as it’s something that other manufacturers take into account – rounded bolts or cushioning within the frame are additional safety features that the Carrera simply doesn't have.
Also, because it's one of the bigger balance bikes we tested, it will take up some room when storing, but the steering limiter allows enough movement to stop it becoming too bulky. As such, it won’t hog much space in an average-sized car boot.
Final verdict?
The Carrera Coast is a simple bike that does what it says on the tin. As it's not worlds away from its more expensive counterparts in terms of design and components, we think it offers good value for money, particularly as it seems to be perpetually on sale.
It isn't a bike that holds its value well though, which won't be great news if you're looking to sell yours on after use. But, if you're keen to buy second-hand, then this bike is well worth considering.
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