Puky Balance Bike or Trike for 2.9 yo?

[elvislives]

I was planning to buy DD a Puky balance bike for Xmas when she'll be 2.9. Tried her on one in a shop but she was more interested in their trike. Anyone have either and have an opinion? Would she grow out of a trike quicker than a bike?

[elvislives]

nobody?

[BeehiveBaby]

Definitely definitely get the balance bike and I would have said Puky for this age. My DD1 had a cheaper one but was younger getting it and is petite and has grown out of it now at 4. Nothing could beat seeing her get on her birthday present of a proper bike on her 4th birthday and just ride off....all down to the balance bike.
I saw a Puky the other day and it would be fine size wise for her even now if she was still learning. I actually wish I had one for when we are taking trips with lots of roads as she struggles a little with the brakes with her tiny hands but is too big for her 'Run Bike'.
My best buy!

[elvislives]

Thanks Beehive. The trike was also a Puky.

[BeehiveBaby]

Sorry, never seen a Puky trike. T clarify I was talking about a Puky balance bike. I won't mince my words, the trike will be of the best quality but basically pointless! The bike will teach her to ride a bike....can you tell I can't even now

[midnightexpress]

Balance bike balance bike balance bike.

My two have both got one (they are now nearly 4 and 2.9) and LOVE them. DS2 got his when he was about 2.6 and he got the hang of it within days and the pair of them scoot around like loons. They are without question the best things we have ever bought for them. I always feel sorry for wee kids with stabilisers pedalling really slllllloooowly round the park when they could be zooming down hills and scooting about like scooty things.

And they are amazing at balancing, corners all that malarkey.

Do it.

[midnightexpress]

BTW we have got the likeabikes and they are fab (aluminium ones, don't rust or rot, v lightweight), but I've read on here that the Isla bike (I think that's what it's called is cheaper adn also v good).

[elvislives]

OK I'm convinced

[nappyaddict]

beehive why would the trike be pointless?

[scotlass]

DH was just reading aloud to me tonight from his cycling magazine about how balance bikes are much better for toddlers and can make them more intelligent in the future. Something about stimulating the balance part of the brain I think it was.

[blithedance]

Balance bike all the way.

I haven't looked at the puky ones, but...

On a balance bike, once she has got the hang of it, she will be able to scoot along so fast you will have trouble keeping up with her. She will have so much fun zooming around and learn great pre-cycling skills.

Trikes are slow, laborious to pedal, heavy, yes, it's easier for her to relate to now, but there's not really anywhere to improve on them.

Put it this way, my four year old spends all his time in the garden doing rapid laps on his nearly-outgrown tatty old balance bike. The shiny, big, lumbering plastic pedal tractor hardly gets touched. Appearance is no substitute for the lure of speed.

[nappyaddict]

That's why I like this tractor

[nappyaddict]

The scoot along tractor looks nice too.

[feedthegoat]

Ds has a Puky trike and it is a pita to push. I find it really hard and it really hurts my wrists. If you can trust her to steer then fine (Ds just steers in to wall for a laugh!) but otherwise I can only get it round corners by tipping it onto back wheels.

If you just want in for her to play in garden then fine. Also, ds has just turned 4 and was looking a little bit big on it this summer. Though I accept that he is quite tall for his age so might be fine if not so tall.