Balance bike - should we get one?

[edanna]

Any thoughts on balance bikes? Are they good? Any models any better than others? Thanks in advance.

[Fidgetsmum]

We got one and unlike most, we hardly used it - literally it's been out twice! Not because the bike we got wasn't good (it came highly recommended) but just that our daughter preferred her scooter so much and I wasn't prepared to make her use the bike if she didn't want to. Learning to ride should be fun, but she just wasn't interested at the time. Now she's much bigger she's going on a normal bike with stabilisers.

Ours cost ?70. If you decide you do want one, then let me know. I'm selling ours and happy to consider offers!

[Saffron]

Living in Switzerland for a few years, I noticed that balance bikes were very popular. Everyone cycles there, and children learn to cycle from an early age. Children were all going straight from balance bikes to regular bicycles. Perhaps this is because everyone cycles so frequently there that children learn very quickly? It's a bit too early for Little Saff to have a balance bike. We'll probably be looking for one next year. Like-a-bike was the one that was recommended to us. http://www.likeabike.co.uk/

[legalalien]

We had a likeabike and DS didn't use it at all (he was an enthusiastic walker/runner). Ditto the 12" bike with stabilisers. But at age 4 and a half I decided it was bike riding time, took the stablisers off (he'd never ridden with them) and after a couple of one hour sessions over two days he was away laughing and now loves bike riding. So I think it depends on your child - if you can, borrow one for a few days and see whether they show interest.....

[jimbo1964]

My son loves his and I think they're good things. It's a First Bike (German brand). I wouldn't bother with stabilisers. He's growing out of it now so think of getting a pedal bike now.

[Coach Beth]

My son went straight from a balance bike to a normal bike without stablizers. When we bought the bigger bike, I didn't think he would really be able to ride it without stablizers but he hopped on it and off he went. What I've noticed is that kids who use a balance bike do get the idea that they need to be able to push off with their feet first, balance and then pedal. Whereas I've noticed if they get used to stablisers, it takes awhile to get that they can't just pedal from standstill. Balfe bikes have a range of balance bikes on sale.

[njc97]

my sone loves his balance bike - he would go everywhere on it given the choice. We got it from decathlon and it cost c?30. If you go down you can have a go on one around the shop to see if they like it. They do 2 versions, one is plastic (and looks ugly) and one metal, which looks like a normal bike.

[The Nappy Lady]

We've had one for C since she was 2, she turns 3 in October & is now really good on it, I'm confident she will move straight on to a pedal bike without stabilisers at some point.

We have a Likabike(sp?) but BC Bikes have since told me you can buy a regular bike from them & they can take the pedals off completely then put them on later when you want them. This seems a very sensible option to me!

[Goodliz]

This site has some discounted balance bikes

www.newitts.com

I would recommend getting one.

[chantelle]

we just got our 3 year old an Isla bike, with the idea he'd use it as a balance bike and then we'd eventually put the pedals back on. unfortunately his legs are a little too short so we had to run out and buy stabilisers! he's loving pedalling it around, and I reckon we can try again in a couple of months to make it a balance bike until he's fully ready to put the two actions together.