Hornit AIRO 12" balance bike review
Best for: Toddlers learning balance · Mid-range
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Pros
- Only 2.95 kg, easy for a toddler to handle
- Fits from about 18 months to 5 years
- Air-filled tyres give grip and a smoother ride
- Warranty can be extended to lifetime
Cons
- No brake, so older children outgrow it for faster riding
- Costs more than a basic wooden or steel balance bike
- Brand does not publish a recommended height
Full review
The Hornit AIRO 12 is built around one idea: a balance bike should weigh so little that a toddler can pick it up after a fall and steer it without effort. At 2.95 kg it is among the lightest balance bikes you can buy, thanks to its magnesium alloy frame and fork.
Fit is based on inside leg rather than height. Hornit lists 30 to 46 cm, with a saddle that moves between 29 and 44 cm from the ground, which means many children can start from around 18 months and keep using it until about five. The air-filled 12.5 inch tyres grip better and soak up bumps in the park or on gravel better than the solid foam tyres on cheaper bikes.
It has no brake. For a first balance bike that suits most toddlers, who slow down with their feet, but a child who is getting quick may want a model with a hand brake, and Hornit offers a separate AIRO 14 for older riders.
The warranty is three years on the frame and fork, upgradeable to lifetime when you register. A balance bike is the best preparation for a pedal bike, because children who can already balance usually move straight on without stabilisers.
Full specifications
| Type | Lightweight balance bike |
|---|---|
| Wheel size | 12.5 in (sold as 12 in) |
| Recommended height or inside leg | Inside leg 30 to 46 cm (height not published) |
| Recommended age | 1.5 to 5 years |
| Weight (brand) | 2.95 kg |
| Frame | Magnesium alloy frame |
| Brakes | None |
| Gears | None |
| Fork | Magnesium alloy, rigid |
| Tyres | 12.5 x 2.25 in air-filled |
| Saddle height | 29 to 44 cm, ground to top of saddle |
| Warranty | 3 years on frame and fork, upgradeable to lifetime by registering |
Spec check note: Hornit's page does not state a recommended height or a maximum rider weight, so we show inside leg only. Some retailers list the wheel as 12 inch and others as 12.5 inch; we follow Hornit's tyre size of 12.5 x 2.25 in.
Specifications checked against: Hornit AIRO 12 product page
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | Hornit AIRO 12" balance bike | woom GO 2 (14 inch) | Hornit HERO 16" kids pedal bike | Frog 53 (20 inch) | Trek Precaliber 24 8-Speed Suspension | woom OFF AIR 5 (24 inch) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Toddlers learning balance | Children moving up from a balance bike | Good quality on a sensible budget | First gears and longer family rides | Older children on mixed paths | Keen young trail riders |
| Price band | Mid-range | Upper mid-range | Mid-range | Upper mid-range | Upper mid-range | Premium |
| Type | Lightweight balance bike | First pedal bike with hand brakes | Lightweight 16 inch pedal bike | Lightweight 20 inch geared hybrid | 24 inch kids' mountain-style bike with front suspension | 24 inch kids' mountain bike |
| Wheel size | 12.5 in (sold as 12 in) | 14 in | 16 in | 20 in | 24 in | 24 in |
| Recommended height or inside leg | Inside leg 30 to 46 cm (height not published) | 95 to 110 cm height | Inside leg 40 to 51 cm (height not published) | Inside leg 50 to 65 cm (height not published) | About 130 to 150 cm height | 128 to 145 cm height |
| Recommended age | 1.5 to 5 years | 3 to 4.5 years | 3 to 6 years | 5 to 7 years | 8 to 12 years | 7 to 11 years |
| Weight (brand) | 2.95 kg | 5 kg (without pedals) | 5.55 kg | 8.15 kg | 11.90 kg (dealer listing) | 10.3 kg (without pedals) |
| Frame | Magnesium alloy frame | 6061 aluminium | AL6061 aluminium | 6061 T6 aluminium | Alpha Silver aluminium | 6061 T6 aluminium, butted and hydroformed |
Prices in every region
We haven't confirmed prices for this product yet. Use the links to see today's price at each shop.
Prices include VAT where the shop shows it and may have changed since we checked. Delivery costs and stock vary by country, so check on the shop's site before you buy.
Prices in Ireland and United Kingdom
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Decathlon | – | Visit shop → | |
| United Kingdom · GBP | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Argos | – | Visit shop → | |
| Evans Cycles | – | Visit shop → |
Other countries
Rest of Europe
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| BIKE24 | – | Visit shop → | |
| ROSE Bikes | – | Visit shop → | |
| Austria · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| BIKE24 | – | Visit shop → | |
| ROSE Bikes | – | Visit shop → | |
| France · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Alltricks | – | Visit shop → | |
| Belgium · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| Bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Netherlands · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| Bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Spain · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Italy · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Portugal · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Poland · PLN | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Sweden · SEK | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |