Review: Hornit HERO 14" Kids Pedal Bike

Your child’s first pedal bike is a big deal – and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want something that’s light, easy to handle and won’t destroy your back when you inevitably end up carrying it home while your child disappears in search of snacks.

I recently tested the HERO 14" kids’ pedal bike from Hornit with my three-and-a-half-year-old son, Reuben. After loving the Hornit AIRO 12" balance bike, this felt like a natural next step.

Ready to roll

I’ll admit it: I’m not exactly the handiest person. If Ikea instructions defeat me, bike assembly usually isn’t far behind. So the fact that I managed to put the HERO together without even looking at the manual is nothing short of miraculous. All it took was a couple of Allen keys and a Phillips head screwdriver. No swearing, no YouTube tutorials, no spare bolts left over.

We really enjoyed the AIRO balance bike, and Reuben has reached the point where he’s ready to graduate to pedals. This is partly because he’s convinced he’s “really tall” – in reality, he’s on the shorter side for a three-and-a-half-year-old.

The HERO 14" is designed for kids aged 3 to 5 years old, with an inside leg measurement of 34-41cm. It weighs just 5.33kg, which means it’s super light – something I immediately check for when choosing kids’ bikes. As a parent with two children and a spine worn down by years of carrying scooters and bikes (plus a child or two on my shoulders), weight really matters.

Designed with children in mind

With Isla bikes no longer in production, there’s a bit of a gap in the market for high-quality, lightweight first pedal bikes. Hornit is well placed to become the new go-to for parents hunting for that milestone purchase.

Like the AIRO, the HERO delivers on both design and practicality. The premium aluminium frame, upright riding position and child-sized cranks make it easy for little riders to control and build confidence quickly.

The frame geometry is cleverly thought out, with a leaned-in position and a narrow Q-factor to match children’s narrower hips. This makes it easier to pedal uphill and improves handling and balance.

It also features short-reach, adjustable brake levers, child-friendly handlebars and contoured grips, so little hands can easily control the bike. There’s a fully enclosed Hebie Looper Chainguard, which protects fingers (and trousers) while keeping everything clean.

The bike comes with everything you need in the box – pedals, reflectors and a bell – and meets the Pedal Bicycles Safety Regulations (PBSR) standard. Hornit also offers a lifetime warranty on the frame and forks for added peace of mind.

One thing to flag: the HERO 14” doesn’t come with a kickstand. Reuben has already requested one – apparently all “proper bikes” (read: the rest of the family’s) have kickstands – so we’ll be adding the HERO 14" Kickstand (about £11.99). Not a deal-breaker, but worth budgeting for if your rider likes to park neatly.

Learning to ride

I didn’t learn to cycle until I was about 7 or 8 - and I vividly remember falling off more than once. By contrast, my daughter mastered it at four after using a balance bike. It’s now completely normal to see three- and four-year-olds zooming around parks while parents puff behind them.

Reuben is a confident little rider, and my main concern was that he’d pedal off into the distance without looking back. To refresh my memory, I watched Cycling UK’s ‘Teach a child to ride a bike’ video, which was just as useful the second time around.

After some gentle encouragement and guidance, he was away – and now looks for any excuse to take his HERO to the park.

Verdict

The HERO 14" is an outstanding first pedal bike. It’s light, beautifully designed and clearly built to last. More importantly, it’s confidence-boosting for children and easy on parents’ backs.

If you’re looking for the perfect next step after a balance bike, the HERO 14" should be right at the top of your list.

First published in October 2025. All information correct at time of publishing.