Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike review

The Early Rider Charger 12" balance bike is the ideal balance bike for children

How we tested the Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike

• Tested over a period of four weeks

• Tested primarily with a two-year-old as well as an almost three-year-old and a four-year-old

• Used on different terrain, including grass and tarmac at the park

• Taken on short car journeys for days out and family visits

• Used in a variety of real-life settings

Our two-year-old Emily started off riding the Early Rider Charger 12" in our garden to get used to it, and once she found her confidence, we began taking it on weekend trips to the park. We also packed it into the car for a visit to her cousins’ house, where it quickly became a firm favourite. All three children took turns zooming around their garden, and it was a great chance to see how the bike handled with different ages and abilities.

Across all our testing, the balance bike performed consistently well, earning an overall score of 86 out of 100, which translates to a five-star rating (as evident in the ratings above).

The Early Rider Charger 12" balance bike has everything you need for quick assembly

Early Rider Charger 12" balance bike: what's in the box?

• Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike frame

• Handlebars and front wheel (partially assembled)

• Three Allen keys for assembly

• Required bolts and fixings

• Instruction manual with clear diagrams

Is the Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike easy to assemble?

Yes- the Early Rider Charger 12" is very straightforward to put together. It arrived mostly pre-assembled, with just the handlebars and one wheel left to attach.

It took me around 20 minutes from start to finish, and the only extra thing I needed was a pair of scissors to remove some of the packaging. The whole process felt simple and stress-free, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to get a new bike ready for an excited toddler.

The Early Rider Charger 12" balance bike is ideal for children ages two to four

What age range is the Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike suitable for?

The Early Rider Charger 12" is designed for toddlers roughly between two and four years old, with a recommended minimum inside-leg measurement of around 33cm. It’s built to give young riders a proper “big kid bike” feel while still being simple and safe enough for beginners, thanks to its lightweight aluminium frame and low-slung geometry.

Emily is just over two years old, so she’s only just within the lower end of the recommended age range. She’s also quite petite, which meant she found the bike a little heavy to keep upright on her own, and the jump from her trike was bigger than I expected. It feels like a better fit for toddlers who already have some confidence with balance bikes rather than complete beginners.

Her cousins, almost three and four, handled it with ease and seemed much more suited to its size and weight. Both were able to hop on and ride comfortably straight away, which really showed the bike’s potential once a child has that bit of extra strength and balance.

The seat is fully adjustable using an Allen key, which is great for growing children or for families who want to share the bike between siblings of different ages. That said, adjusting it on the go isn’t the quickest - a tool-free or quick-release mechanism would make life easier when swapping between children.

The Early Rider Charger 12" balance bike is available in three colours

How does the Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike look?

The first thing that stood out to me was just how high-quality the Early Rider Charger 12" looks - it genuinely has the feel of a miniature adult bike. The aluminium frame has a clean, minimalist design with no loose wires, chains or unnecessary parts, which not only makes it look sleek but also gives me confidence that it’s safe and fuss-free for a toddler to use.

I really love how “grown up” it looks in general. That more mature style seemed to give Emily a real boost of confidence and independence, almost as if she’d skipped straight to a proper big-kid bike.

While there are only three colour options: Brushed Aluminium, Sage Green and Violet Haze, the ones available are beautifully chosen and feel very considered. We tested the Violet Haze which made a strong impression – it’s bold without being garish and the brushed aluminium elements give it a lovely, modern finish.

The 12-inch tyres are also worth mentioning - the wide, air-filled design adds to that authentic bike look and gives the Charger 12" a much more solid, capable feel. They’re smart, chunky and look built to handle plenty of weekend park trips.

What is the Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike like to use day-to-day?

Day to day, the Early Rider Charger 12" is a sturdy, confidence-building little bike, but how well it works really depends on the child’s age and strength. Emily found balancing a bit tricky at first, mainly because of the weight, and she did take a few tumbles while getting used to it. That said, she absolutely loved being pushed around while holding onto the handlebars, and her delight made it very clear she still enjoyed the bike even before she could ride it independently.

Her older cousins, who are almost three and four, had a completely different experience. They hopped on and started steering around the garden with ease, weaving around flowerpots and garden toys without any help. They made it look effortless, which showed me that the bike is better suited to children who already have a little strength and balance behind them.

In terms of surfaces, the Early Rider Charger 12" handles most everyday terrain well. We mainly used it on grass, pavements and even in the house. The 12-inch air-filled tyres give good grip and make the ride feel smooth, even on slightly bumpy ground. We didn’t try it on any hills, but because this version doesn’t have brakes, I’d definitely be cautious on steeper slopes.

Comfort-wise, the kids all seemed happy once seated, but interestingly they tended to prefer pushing the bike along while standing. This might be down to the seat not being perfectly adjusted and getting that right was a bit fiddly. A quick-release system would make a world of difference for on-the-go tweaks.

One thing to note is the weight. For such a small bike, it’s on the heavier side, understandable given the high-quality build, but still noticeable when your toddler decides they’d rather walk instead. As with Emily’s previous bikes, there were definitely moments where I ended up carrying it, along with the changing bag and half the contents of the park. The upside is that the frame is easy to grab and lift, and its compact size fits neatly into the car boot, making it a good option for days out.

The Early Rider Charger 12" balance bike is suitable for boys and girls

Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike: is it easy to store and clean?

Yes! As it’s so small and lacking stabilisers, the Early Rider Charger 12" is very easy to store alongside other family members' bikes. With no gears or exposed wiring, it’s also very easy to clean with a wipe or hose down after muddy adventures. It is also useful that the tyres are easy to remove for deeper cleaning

Would you recommend the Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike to other parents?

Yes, I would definitely recommend this bike to other parents with a child already confident on their trainer bikes or smaller balance bikes. It’s not cheap (between £180 and £200), but the quality and design make it worth the price. This could easily become a favourite and last for years.

Is the Early Rider Charger 12″ balance bike good value for money?

Although the Early Rider Charger 12″ sits at the pricier end of the balance-bike market, the build quality really does justify the investment. The aluminium frame, smooth-rolling air tyres and overall sturdiness feel a step above many cheaper models. The adjustable seat also gives it decent longevity, though adjustable handlebars would have been a welcome bonus.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, something like the BTWIN Balance Bike Runride 100 (our best budget buy featured on our best balance bikes buyer's guide) offers a much lower price point. It’s lightweight and simple, but you do miss out on the premium materials, comfort and durability that set the Early Rider apart.

At a similar price bracket, the Hornit AIRO range is the closest comparison. The AIRO 14″, for example, is also lightweight, stylish and built to last, though it’s aimed at slightly older or taller children. Both feel solid and thoughtfully designed, ideal for confident little riders who are ready for a high-quality bike that can keep up with them.

Overall, if your child is enthusiastic about biking or ready for a more independent ride, the Early Rider Charger 12″ is a smart long-term purchase. With proper care, it’s the kind of bike that could easily be passed down through siblings or even generations.

About the author

Rachel Best has worked at Mumsnet for over a decade and specialises in digital content as a senior developer and parent-focused product testing. As a mum to a toddler, she brings real-life insight to her reviews, helping parents choose reliable, well-designed baby and kids’ products. She’s also a strong advocate for accessibility and is currently learning British Sign Language. Outside of work, she enjoys crocheting for her family and local baby groups.