Aibu to buy 2.5 year old bike for xmas

[Sothisisshizxlemas]

Livid! Mil said I was rediculous for buying 2.5yr old a bike this Xmas.

Why are posters saying depends where you live etc

@Sothisisshizxlemas

No regular bike

Just take the pedals and stabilisers off and it's a balance bike that converts for when they're ready for pedals! Make the seat low and just make sure your dc can manage the weigh of it.

I don't know how lmao

Sounds like a perfectly normal present. You are, however, unreasonable to be livid at MIL’s comment!

I think it's slightly weird/pointless to buy a pedal bike with stabilizers at that age - balance bikes are lighter and faster.

Balance bike though 2.5 is the perfect age! DD had one for her 2nd birthday and lives on it.

Both mine transitioned from balance bike to pedal bike at 3, but those who didn’t have a balance bike could have coped with stabilisers at that age if it was a lightweight one!

Depends on the child DD got a bike on her 3rd birthday and could ride it a couple of weeks later.DS struggled to ride until he was nearly 5.

@PieMistee
Yes mine seems to be struggling at the mo

And having a tantrum cos it's raining outside

DS has just got a little big bike for Christmas, converts two sizes of balance plus the addition of pedals later, as we wanted him using brakes from the outset. He was zooming around write happily in the drizzle yesterday and wants to take it to PIL today, there is a park in their village so DH and I will walk there with him at some point during the day (or I might stay in the warm and drink port with MIL while DH and FIL go as I was designated driver yesterday).
If he can't get the pedals take them off and lower the seat until he gets used to the balance

@Sothisisshizxlemas

I don't know how lmao

Just YouTube 'converting child's bike to balance bike' or 'take pedals off child's bike' and there's plenty of tutorials.

You'll probably need an allan key/wrench. One will have probably come with the bike to adjust the seat and handlebars.

Great present, great life skill

Our 2.5 year old got a bike for Christmas, we have a parent handle for longer walks

@Sothisisshizxlemas

No regular bike

If you can I would remove the peddles so he can use it as a balance bike. Most 2 year olds will not manage a regular bike but a balance bike is perfect for this age.

Fgs now dm says it's a bad present!

Is it a bike with stabilisers? DS got his first proper bike last year at Christmas when he was 4 (16inch, Woom 3, so quite light). He's never been someone, who loves going out with his bike, so he took a little while to get the hang of it.

Before that, he had a 12inch balance bike from around 2, then a 14 inch BMW convertible bike (you can either use it as a balance bike or attach the pedal unit). Just before Christmas this year, he got a 20 inch Cube bike, which is more useful round our parts. We live in an area with lots of farm and woodland tracks, so he's doing better on a more "sturdy" bike. He's doing pretty well on that one by now. Weather-wise, we've got -4 degrees and snow here at the moment, so no good for cycling. However, we are predicted to get 14 degrees next week.
I don't think it's a bad present at all. As long as it's something your child can actually use. I've seen other kids Zoom about on a Woom 2 at the age of 2.

It's not a ridiculous present. Nor is there any reason to be livid. Just laugh it off.

@Dizzyhedgehog no stabilisers

@steff13
But both dm and mil said it is

Neither of mine could manage a bike without stabilizers at that age - both still scooting around on their balance bikes. I think they were fully cycling by about 4/5yo.

I've no idea what is average in terms of pedal bikes though.

As long as he is able to use it, then it's not a waste.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz
Bets on it just sitting in the shed

So it is a waste?

I'm hoping not!

My DS was riding a two wheeler pedal bike without stabilisers at two and a half. It's not ridiculous at all.

I think a balance bike is probably better but never mind, she/he can practice!