Balance bike questions

[MrsCaptainReynolds]

DS is first and so far only child...every new stage is an unknown minefield to me. So today can I ask some stupid questions about balance bikes?

He's 2 years and 9 months and I think just about ready to try a bike out, and I understand balance bikes are more the done thing now rather than bikes with stabilisers or trikes...

Can anyone recommend one for mainly off road use e.g. woodland paths, grass etc?

Also, is a helmet needed at this stage?

Thanks!

We have a Raleigh balance bike and my DD loves it, she is 2years and 10months and rides it all over, she has been using it for a few months now and balances really well on it. I know the Puky bikes are suppose to be brilliant as well as the tesco wooden ones.

My DD does wear a helmet when on hers, it's a habit I want her to get use to, she also wears one on her scooter.

Good luck!

Depends a bit on how tall he is.

I was very taken with the Ridgeback 'Scoot' but when we went to look at one it was already too small for very tall DS.

We went for an Early Rider Alley Runner mainly because it was big as balance bikes go. It has done for DS until now (3.8, 114cm) however he never liked it much and I think it was because the saddle was very hard. Given time again I would look for one with a much more supportive seat.

Also, you will end up carrying it so I would go for light aluminium frame over the wooden ones for that reason.

Have a look at isla bikes. Good and solid bikes and designed specifically for kids. Dd 3 has one and better I might suggest for more rugged use than some others.

And yes to helmet. Rule from the start was "no helmet no bike".

Yes a helmet is needed.
I would get the isla bikes rothan.

We have Puky ones - DS1 started riding when he was very small and the smallest one it suited him from 2 to 4( he is quite short). And also the no helmet, no bike rule. I think it's good to get them in that habit from the off

I meant to add, be careful if your ds is taller than average or you may not get much use from the bike (mistake made by me ). Always check measurements.

We have a Puky. Ds learnt to ride it inside the house. He's a very tall 2 year-old and it will still last him quite a while.

Oh and I live in the Netherlands and have never seen a child with a helmet on a balance bike. It's a lot safer for cycling here though.

He's extremely average! 50th centile from the day he was born :-) The advantage of this is I can usually rely on manufacturers recommended ages for clothes etc.

Take the point about going for light aluminium -I'm 17 weeks and don't fancy carrying something heavy when he gets bored. Will have a look at some of your suggestions, and check his height.

He does have a massive bonce though (huge centile discrepancy there which explained my forceps delivery). Should I be getting him specially measured for a helmet -if so where? Halfords?

I'm glad I saw this I had be we heard if a balance bike - said to dh he said oh they are all the rage.. Sounds interesting for my dss

Hello,

Regarding helmets - our DS is just under 50th centile (at a push) for height & weight but something like 91st for head circ.

We got him a Specialised bike (DH is a bike nerd and DS is short, and the seat goes v low on this one) and a Specialised toddler helmet. The helmet fits beautifully with growing room, it's a full back style so it looks like a bike helmet but but with the back like a skate helmet.

We also put him in knee and elbow pads as we're going to move him onto skateboarding at some point and want him to be used to wearing the kit. That and he's clumsy it's genetic!

All bar pads from cycle surgery at Snow + Rock.

Oh, and we got it for DS for his 2nd, but he's just turned 3 and only really got it in the last fortnight.

DS (3.6) loves his Puky bike - in fact I was just thinking that it was time to shift up to a bike with pedals, having watched him glide around the park with no feet on the ground. We need to sort out a helmet as haven't done so yet. I'm thinking a specialist bike shop is the way to for that

Puky come in lots of sizes - the smallest one LRM fitted small ds at 19months. Strider seat also goes low. LikeaBike Jumper is brilliant. Yes to a helmet.

Have fun

I've just got my 3yo a Puky. Can't remember the exact model but it has a stand. I also bought a little bag at the same time from Puky which attaches to the bike and contains a carrying strap, which is really handy. She's taken to it great as well. I've not put the seat up yet so she gets used to it but I think it'll last a good while height wise.

We have an Early Rider Lite which has so far suited 3 kids from the age of 2-3.5 when they have all been ready for pedals. Mine are all on the short side and when we first got it 5 years ago it was smallest and lightest on the market, though there are many more choices now. You can fix the steering to a small range initially so they can't turn too sharply, then free it up later.
I'd say yes to helmet, mainly to get them in the habit. You just need to measure head circumference then most kids helmets are adjustable within a certain range.
My youngest "got" pedal cycling in one circuit of the park a week ago and cycled off into the sunset, after 18 months of tremendous fun on the balance bike. I was so proud of him! It's the best thing we have ever bought for our children.

Main thing about helmet is to make sure it's the snuggest fit without being uncomfortable. Look for the type of helmet with a pad between clips & chin to reduce risk of ever pinching child. maybe a local bike shop would help with fit, but Lidl sells cheap version of very suitable helmets.

I had a wooden LikeABike I picked up for 25, liked it very much, although I was perfectly happy with DC on bikes with stabilisers, too, and would happily have little ones use stabs again.

The cheapest quality balance bikes have plastic wheels rather than pneumatic tyres. Plastic wheels are okay, but pneumatic is better if you can afford.

Thanks for all the tips. For everytime the AIBUs depress me, there's another part of the foru that proves invaluable.

Need to do some internet shopping research now, since we're in Highland and the in-person shopping opportunities are limited.

another thread on same topic here

I got this for my 5 year old, though they have smaller and larger sizes. brilliant - very light weight so he can carry himself.
www.glidebikes.co/

Yes you still need a helmet as they can go wizzing off!

Puky, with helmet

I have a Strider

It's fantastic. Lighter than light as well. I think 3kg

www.striderbikes.co.uk/

It says it goes up to age 5. the seat and handlebars are both easily adjustable with no tools.

You have a Strider, TravellingToad? I bet you have great fun on it

MrsCaptainReynolds, Depends where you are in the Highlands but there are some good bike shops in some areas :)

Oh you should see me on the hills! Weeeeeeeee!