Balance bike or stabilisers?

[RidingMyBike]

DD will be four just before Christmas and we were thinking of getting her a bike. I'd always intended to get her a balance bike but we seem to have missed the boat as they seem to be aimed at younger kids?

She had a smart trike for her second birthday which she enjoyed and she is confident pedalling and steering that and trikes at nursery. But has never been on a balance bike. She got a scooter passed on last year which is why we didn't get a bike last year!

Any tips or recommendations?

[Madwomanuptheroad]

I would definitely get a balance bike. We had the likeabike, it lasted four children and provided endless fun. They are shockingly expensive but worth every penny. Much better than the metal ones. And they come in a larger size.

[differentkindofpenguin]

My eldest never got the hang of a balance bike, so had a trike for a bit, and can ride really well now despite DCD

DD had a trike too, learned to ride without stabilisers before she was 5.

So I might be biased but I'm not sure balance bikes make much difference in the long run!

[Digestive28]

Balance bikes make transition to peddles easier. But if balance bikes too small get a normal bike and take the peddles off to make a balance bike. Its fairly easily done and just reattach them once she’s got the hang of it

[xyzandabc]

Get a regular bike. Take the pedals off. Once she has mastered whizzing about with no pedals, pop them back on and she'll be off in no time.

[cactusthief]

Second the idea of taking the pedals off a regular bike, much better value for money.

[Beerandpancakes]

I agree with the above posters, regular bike with the pedals taken off. If you can afford it then worth going for a brand like islabike or frog which are lighter and with smaller pedals/brakes so easier to ride. Both expensive but hold value really well (we have sold outgrown ones for the same price we paid for a second hand one).

[RidingMyBike]

Thank you! Don't know why it hasn't occurred to me you could just take the pedals off!

[MindfulBear]

Balance bike all the way