A new bike?

[kheadi]

I'm wondering about getting my dd a bike for Christmas but not sure about what to go for. Should I get the smaller kind with the parent handle or the next size up which looks like a small bike with stabilisers. She will be one month over 2 and a half by Christmas. I'm worried that getting the smaller means it won't last her very long. Help please!

Both my DCs happily rode a 12 inch bike with stabilisers from the age of 2.
They found this easier than a tricycle type with a parent handle.

We're thinking about getting DS who will be almost the same age a balance bike, although we're not sure if he's a bit old for it .

I'd go for the size up - by the time the weather warms up she'll be out and about on it and will have grown a bit. But exercise caution so she doesn't lose confidence.

Have you thought about a balance bike? DS1 had one he rode all the time from two and a half or so onwards and was riding a big boy bike with no stabilisers by 3 and a half. As were all the other smallies who had em!

I would 2nd the balance bike suggestion. If you search them on here everyone raves about them. On mn recommendation I got ds one and at 4yrs 4mths he was riding a pedal bike without stabilisers. At the same time his sister age 7yrs 2mths also learnt to ride!! she didn't have a balance bike.

I really think they are great. We got ds' from halfords, it was £40, so not loads of money. We then bought his pedal bike from ebay for £1.04!!

what about a balance bike my ds loved his, its now waiting for dd, i got a wooden one from tescos

We got DS his balance bike when he was around 2.5 years old (it was a 'you've got a baby sister so here's a new bike' kind of present!) and we've never regretted spending the money - he's amazing on it, and it still gets loads of use (he's 4.5 now). Probably getting him a pedal bike for Christmas.

We got DS a islabike balance bike at 2.5 last christmas. He's getting the next stage this christmas

What about a small "proper" bike and take the pedals off? Then put them back on when you think he's ready. Best of both worlds and less expense.

Just s thought.

I don't think just taking pedals off is much good because the cranks get in the way, you need to remove the whole bottom bracket which takes specialist tools or a trip to LBS.

My toddlers were too small to ride even a 12" wheel bike at that age, OP. I suggest a trike or nice 3-4 wheel ride on instead. That you can allow in the house, too. Next Xmas better for some kind of bike.

Ooh, so 2.7mo is still ideal balance bike territory then. Hoorah!

my 5 year old still rides his when he gets the chance

Thanks for all the advice. I've never heard of a balance bike though. I'll have a look into it.

Definitely another vote for a balance bike, they are amazing - DS had one for his third birthday and graduated to a big boy bike with pedals a year later with no difficulty at all, he just hopped on and pedalled away!

Islabikes balance bike. They're fab! And they keep their value for when you come to get rid of it once outgrown. My DS had one and is now pedalling a proper bike (at age 4 and 1 week) without stabilisers, he never needed them

Oh, and we got it for him for his 2nd birthday and he was riding it easily at just 2 and a few days! Seat went down really low as DS is not tall

We got our DD a Puky Balance bike and they are brilliant.