bike for 4 year old

[PinkDaydreams]

Morning all!
I'm looking to buy a bike for my just turned 4 year old. I've read that Isla bikes and Frog bikes are meant to be lightweight and good. Should I get him a balance bike first or go straight to a pedal bike? He uses a trike with pedals at nursery.

I bought him a micro scooter last year as he was taking alot of interest whenever he saw other children in the park playing with one. Now he's got his own he isn't interested at all!

I'd love to hear recommendations for bikes please! Also stabilisers or not?
Thanks all

Strider balance bike with pedal conversion kit Starts as a balance bike to let then get the weight and balance and the put the wheels on and away they go. They're incredibly light weight and worth the money.

I haven't heard of Strider, thank you!

My ds is 6 now. He started on a fairly cheap balance bike at 2/3, when he was 4 he went to a pedal bike. Isla and frog bikes look great but they are really dear. We got him a Carerra Cosmos bike (around £170 i think) from Halfords which has lasted well and will be passed on to his little brother. He's just progressed to a Rockrider from Decathalon, which was about £200.

Would definitely suggest starting with a cheap balance bike, then going to pedal bike at his age, rather than using stabilisers. Balance bikes are better for developing balance.

I've been really shocked at how expensive kids bikes are!

Don't do stabilizers.
Personally, I'd go for a second hand frog or Isla. If they give up riding it, and you have to carry it home, you will be thankful it's light! You Then sell it on for about what you paid for it!
We did balance bike from about 2.5, then pedals from 4.

To be honest I'm considering second hand as I paid £120 for a new scooter and it seems like a waste as he isn't interested in it at all.
Is he too old/tall for a balance bike? Can pedals be removed from a 'regular' bike so it can be used as a balance bike then put back on when ready to pedal?

Just to warn you, my DS was bike mad from about 18 months, got him a cheap one from Smyths, for his 4th birthday he had a strider bike and was riding confidently with pedals after 45 minutes, which means I've been jogging after him ever since

Don't do stabilisers ok, I remember learning with stabilisers when I was little,many many years ago now!!

@CorneliusBeefington

Just to warn you, my DS was bike mad from about 18 months, got him a cheap one from Smyths, for his 4th birthday he had a strider bike and was riding confidently with pedals after 45 minutes, which means I've been jogging after him ever since

😂😂

Lots of people rave about balance bikes. My eldest was away within seconds, learnt to ride with pedals at 4 no problems. Totally worked for her.

Younger DD could never get a hang of a balance bike, but was riding around with stabilisers at 3yo. Took longer without stabilisers, but mastered it at 5. So the method isn't infallible.

I would take him somewhere he could try both and see how he gets on really.

Mine never had a balance bike. By 4 she was cycling perfectly. I taught he by removing the pedals and getting her to use it as a balance bike for a couple of hours. Then added the pedals and off she went. For a while (while she was growing quickly) I rented frog bikes. Essentially paid £15 a month for a bike and swapped for bigger every time I needed to. Now she has slowed down I bought her a secondhand frog bike from eBay.

Yes you can buy him a regular bike and take the pedals off. Ds is currently doing this because despite the fact he can ride with pedals he is too nervous to do it. I’m going to try again in a few months rather that push the issue.

There's a FB page for pre owned frog bikes (probably an isla bike one too)
Yes they're expensive (frogs) but very light.
Mines on their 4th frog now, - we sold the last one (bought new) on FB and bought the current one for the same price.

Not on FB but was going to look at eBay.

Do I just need inside leg measurement to ensure correct size bike?