LittleBig Convertible Balance Bike Review
If you’re looking for a true balance bike that converts into a real pedal bike (without the cheap gimmicks), the LittleBig convertible bike stands out. Built with quality components and designed to perform, it seamlessly takes kids from the balance stage to pedaling with confidence.
With three modes—small balance bike, large balance bike, and pedal bike—the LittleBig grows with your child instead of holding them back. Features like dual Tektro hand brakes, an aluminum frame and threadless headset give it the feel of a high-end kids’ bike, not a toy.
We put the LittleBig through its paces with several young riders and came away impressed by both its performance and durability. After testing plenty of so-called “convertible” balance bikes that felt more like marketing tricks than real bikes, the LittleBig was a refreshing exception. It’s a genuine 3-in-1 bike that kids actually want to ride.
LittleBig Convertible Bike
MSRP: $295
BEST FOR: Eager little riders ready for two pedals (or very close to it)
SEAT HEIGHT: 12” – 20″
WEIGHT: 10.2 lb. (as a pedal bike), 13.8 lb. (as a balance bike)
ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
BRAKES: Dual hand brakes (no coaster brake)
TRAINING WHEELS: Not compatible
FRAME: Aluminum Alloy
Cons:
Who is the LittleBig Convertible Bike Best For?
The LittleBig is ideal for families who want one high-quality bike that will last their toddler for years. Kids grow quickly between ages 2 and 4, often growing through at least two bikes in that span (a balance bike and then a small pedal bike). The LittleBig comes ready to grow with your child; there’s no need to buy conversion kits or add-on parts. It adjusts as your child moves from toddler to preschooler and beyond.
Because of its long fit range, especially the two balance bike modes, the LittleBig is also a great choice for kids who need a little extra time to “get it.” Some pick up running and gliding on a balance bike in days, while others take months. With 8 inches of seat height adjustment, an adjustment range unmatched by any other balance bike we’ve tested, kids have plenty of time to practice at their own pace.
It’s also a strong fit for kids who are more hesitant or particular about change. When they’re finally ready to pedal, they don’t have to take on the challenge of a brand-new bike, they can simply add pedals to the balance bike they already know and trust. Involving them in the process of installing the pedals can even help them feel proud of the transition and more excited to “buy in” to the idea of pedaling.
Who is the LittleBig Not Ideal For?
If you’re looking for a convertible bike that can be swapped quickly between balance and pedal mode for multiple kids, the LittleBig may not be the best fit. The conversion only requires a couple of bolts, but getting everything aligned takes some patience. It’s not hard—you don’t need bike mechanic skills—but it’s not something you’ll want to do often, and definitely not mid-ride.
The LittleBig also isn’t the ideal match for adventurous toddlers who love taking on curbs, jumps, and stairs. In small balance bike mode, its longer wheelbase makes it less maneuverable, especially for petite riders. While the air tires and dual hand brakes make it capable of handling rougher riding, the larger wheel and frame size (even at the lowest seat height) limits the quick, nimble feel that aggressive little riders often prefer.
What Size Child Fits on the LittleBig?
Thanks to its flippable frame, the LittleBig fits a much wider age range than most bikes. Our 2-year-old tester in 2T clothes had no problem riding in small balance bike mode, while our taller 4-year-old was perfectly comfortable pedaling the bike in pedal mode.
The three modes cover different heights and skill levels. The small balance bike mode uses the lower frame setup for a lower minimum seat height. The large balance bike and pedal modes both use the taller frame setting and share the same seat height range.
| LittleBig Mode | Seat Height | Child Inseam |
|---|---|---|
| Small Balance Bike | 12” – 17” | 13” – 18” |
| Large Balance Bike | 15” – 21” | 16” – 22” |
| Pedal Bike | 15” – 21” | 15” – 19” |
In the image below you can see just how much bigger the LittleBig gets when the frame is flipped. The minimum seat height jumps up 3” in height! You can also see how much bigger the frame of the LittleBig is as compared to the 12” Prevelo Alpha Zero balance bike.
The best way to determine how your child will fit on any bike, including the LittleBig, is to compare their inseam to the bike’s seat height. On a balance bike, the seat should be set about 1” lower than your child’s inseam so they can run with a slight knee bend. For new pedalers, the seat should be level with their inseam so they can start and stop safely with their feet flat on the ground. Once they’re pedaling confidently, raise the seat 1–2” above their inseam for a more efficient pedal stroke.
LittleBig Convertible Bike Review – Results of our Test Rides
We had several kids try out the LittleBig, and every one of them left with a smile. Since one of the main selling points of the LittleBig is its pedal bike mode, we started with our 3- and 4-year-old riders who had just recently learned to pedal. To really test it, we had them ride the LittleBig back-to-back with other high-end bikes, including woom, Prevelo, and Biky.
I expected them to notice some limitations in the convertible design, but much to my surprise, they didn’t. From the very first pedal stroke, they were hooked and happily kept riding it around the bike park and the neighborhood.
Our tall 4-year-old tester, who typically rides 16” bikes, preferred the extra room of his bigger rides but still had no issues on the LittleBig. It pedaled, braked, and cornered with confidence. With its no-coaster-brake setup, it would still be a fantastic first pedal bike for kids his age.
Our smaller, just-turned-3-year-old tester eagerly rode the LittleBig around the pump track and bike park. With plenty of bike choices available, he seemed to enjoy the LittleBig just as much as the other high-end bikes, and it held its own on every ride.
In balance bike mode, our 4-year-old tester loved scooting and gliding. The wheels rolled smoothly, he could lean easily through turns, and the dual hand brakes gave him quick stopping power whenever he needed it.
For our youngest tester, a 2-year-old in 2T pants, the large balance bike setup was a bit too tall. She enjoyed walking around with the bike and standing over it, but once we switched it into the small balance mode, the fit was much better for her size and could sit and run on the bike.
LittleBig Components
There are plenty of convertible balance bikes out there that look good on paper but fall short in real life. The LittleBig is different. With its thoughtful design and high-quality components, it’s built to last through multiple kids and deliver a real riding experience, not just a flashy promise.
Flippable Frame
The LittleBig has a unique aluminum frame with two settings: small bike and large bike. Switching between the two involves removing two bolts, flipping the rear half of the frame, and reinstalling the bolts before moving the seat post and saddle. It’s not complicated, but it does take a few minutes—this isn’t something you’ll be doing mid-ride, but it’s straightforward once you’ve done it once.
In the small bike setting, the rear brake caliper and extended seat tube sit on the lower part of the frame. The minimum seat height is 12”, which is average for a balance bike. Compared to other models like the Prevelo Alpha Zero, the LittleBig’s small setting has a taller minimum seat height and, more noticeably, a much longer wheelbase.
That longer wheelbase makes the bike less maneuverable for aggressive toddlers who want to whip through turns or launch off curbs. The bike is capable, but it’s not quite as nimble as smaller options like the Alpha Zero. For petite riders, there’s also the potential for the low rear brake caliper to bump into their stride, though our testers didn’t experience this.
In the large bike setting, the rear portion of the frame flips up, raising the seat tube and brake caliper to the top of the frame. This flip also increases the minimum seat height. When reinstalling the bolts, it’s important to make sure the black plastic insert between the two frame pieces is seated correctly—if it isn’t flush, the bolts won’t slide in all the way. Once everything is aligned, the process is quick and secure.
In this larger setting, the LittleBig can function as both a bigger balance bike and a pedal bike. In pedal mode, its size and seat height is similar to the Prevelo Alpha One 14”. The key difference: the LittleBig’s adjustable frame gives it more versatility, while the Prevelo Alpha One keeps the same seat height whether it’s in balance or pedal mode.
Weight
Considering the LittleBig has a flippable frame and dual hand brakes, it’s impressively light. It weighs 10.2 lb. in both balance bike modes and 13.8 lb. in pedal bike mode.
That said, weight can mean different things depending on the mode. In small balance bike mode, the LittleBig is heavier and longer than many other balance bikes, which may feel like “a lot of bike” for timid or petite toddlers, but our strong 2-year-old had no problems picking it up.
Once in pedal mode, however, its weight is actually lighter than many comparable 14” pedal bikes. Here’s how it stacks up against a few familiar models:
| Bike | Weight | Type |
|---|---|---|
| LittleBig Balance Bike | 10.2 lb. | 14” Balance |
| Prevelo Alpha Zero | 6.8 lb. | 12” Balance |
| Guardian Balance | 8.5 lb. | 12” Balance |
| LittleBig Pedal Bike | 13.8 lb. | 14” Pedal |
| Prevelo Alpha One | 12 lb. | 14” Pedal |
| Guardian 14 | 16 lb. | 14” Pedal |
So while it isn’t the lightest choice for very young toddlers just starting out on a balance bike, it’s definitely lightweight compared to most higher-end 14” pedal bikes.
Dual Hand Brakes
The LittleBig comes equipped with dual hand brakes that provide plenty of stopping power in both balance and pedal modes. The short-reach levers are easy for little hands to grab, though most kids won’t have the coordination to use hand brakes consistently until around age 3. Until then, expect your toddler to rely mostly on their feet for stopping.
Once kids are ready, it’s helpful to teach them to primarily use the rear (right) brake. While uncommon for very young riders, braking with just the left hand front brake can cause a sudden stop that might send them over the bars. A simple trick is to place a sticker or small piece of tape near the right-hand grip as a reminder to “use this brake first.”
One of the biggest wins with the LittleBig is what it doesn’t have: a coaster brake. For kids transitioning from balance bikes, coaster brakes can be incredibly frustrating. New pedalers almost always backpedal at first, which instantly locks up the brake, brings the bike to a halt, and can even tip them over. Without a coaster brake, the LittleBig lets kids backpedal freely without stopping, giving them the chance to correct their motion and keep their balance as they learn.
Tires
The LittleBig comes with quality air-filled tires with a smooth street tread. They roll quickly and quietly on pavement and handled well on compact dirt during our tests. If you plan to ride mostly on dirt trails, the 14” wheels can easily be swapped for knobbier tires for extra grip.
Stem and Handlebar Height
In line with its high-quality build, the LittleBig uses a threadless headset. The steerer tube has a larger spacer above the stem, which means the handlebars can be raised as your child grows. By loosening the headset and stem and swapping the stem and spacer positions, you can give taller riders a bit more room.
LittleBig vs. Other Convertible Options
There’s no shortage of convertible bikes on Amazon, but most are designed to look good rather than actually perform well. The ones we’ve tested often have very wide Q-factors (the distance between the pedals), which forces kids to splay their legs and results in an awkward, inefficient pedal stroke. They’re also typically heavier, harder to pedal, and rely on coaster brakes—making them more frustrating than helpful for beginners. Some even come with training wheels, which shows the designers don’t really understand the purpose of a balance bike in the first place.
The new Prevelo Alpha 14” and 16” pedal bikes are another type of convertible, but they take the opposite approach: they start as pedal bikes that can be turned into balance bikes. These are a great fit for kids who’ve outgrown a 12” balance bike but aren’t quite ready to commit to pedaling.
By contrast, the LittleBig is primarily a balance bike that converts into a pedal bike. That difference matters. It gives younger kids a lot more room to grow in balance mode before making the transition to pedals, something the Prevelo Alphas don’t offer to the same degree.
LittleBig Convertible Bike Bottom Line
The LittleBig is one of the few convertible bikes that truly delivers on its promise. It performs as a real balance bike and as a real pedal bike, with quality components that will last through multiple kids. While it’s not the nimblest option for fearless toddlers or the quickest to convert back and forth, it shines as a long-term solution for families who want one bike to carry their child from the balance stage through their first years of pedaling.
If you’re looking for a single investment that can grow with your child—and skip the cycle of buying a new bike every year or two—the LittleBig is a standout choice.
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