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Original poster

Crisis of confidence - is a balance bike too "young" for a 4.4 yr old

60 replies

BumgrapesofWrath · 23/12/2014 21:01

Bought DS1 a balance bike for Christmas. At the time I thought it might be a bit "young" for him (he was 4 in September), but ultimately thought it would be a good start to him learning to ride a bike.

I've had a bit of a crisis of confidence. Some of DSs friends are getting "proper" bikes for Christmas, and some of them are quite a bit younger than him. I'm wondering when he go out with his friends whether he'll wonder why his doesn't have peddles!!

I'm tempted to give the balance bike to DS2 (who is 2) instead, and make a last minute dash to Halfords or somewhere to get a bike tomorrow...

Maybe I'm just succumbing to peer pressure - gah - and I hate to do that!

So, what do we think?

OP posts:
usefully · 23/12/2014 21:52

I think so.

I bought DS one for his 2nd birthday....

usefully · 23/12/2014 21:55

Btw he was riding a balance bike proficiently from about 21 months.

EhricJinglingHisBallsOnHigh · 23/12/2014 21:57

DS had his first proper bike with stabilisers around that age and learnt to ride without within 3 months so I'd say yes it's a bit young. You might as well get him on the path to proper riding sooner rather than later.

usefully · 23/12/2014 22:00

But stabilisers isn't "proper" riding. If he can't ride any sort of bike he'd learn quicker on a balance bike than with stabilisers.

Ohnodisaster · 23/12/2014 22:03

If you can afford it then yes, I'd give the balance bike to your younger son (in the full knowledge that ds1 will prob use it too to practise) and get him a 'proper' bike-maybe just a tesco one or something?

ThreeQuartersEmpty · 23/12/2014 22:11

Catsofa has it. I register the kids races for a local cycling club. 4 yo are well able on bike bikes in the under 6 age group, but I realise this is because they have parents in the sport and started young.
He's too big for a balance bike, but buying him a bike, taking the pedals off and no stabilisers, lowering the seat, he will get the hang of it very quickly. You'll be able to use the same bike by putting the pedals on and upping the seat.
You don't need a balance bike. Nobody does new fangled thing

nappyaddict · 24/12/2014 02:24

have you tried him on the size of balance bike you have bought. as long as he's physically small enough i would stick with it. he would only be too old for one if he had previously had one and could progress onto a proper bike imo. no matter what age a balance bike is the best way to learn over stabilisers. my ds is 8.6 and prefers using a balance bike. we ad had to remove the pedals from a noral bike as 16" was the biggest I could find.

thegreylady · 24/12/2014 08:07

I would be off to Halfords today. Dgs both got balance bikes at 2 and 'real' bikes at 3.5.

TenMinutesEarly · 24/12/2014 08:14

Sorry I think it's too young. Go to a local bike shop today to get him a pedal bike. Ds was riding without stabilisers confidently at 4 and a half after a good 2 years on a balance bike. Don't panic but I would change it.

LePetitMarseillais · 24/12/2014 08:23

Try your independent bikes shops,often have a better range.

GoogleyEyes · 24/12/2014 08:23

If he's good at balancing he can go straight to a pedal bike.

If not, check the balance bike is big enough, give it to him for long enough for him to learn to balance, then upgrade and pass balance bike on to his brother.

The problem with a pedal bike minus pedals is that it may be too heavy, not quite small enough for balance biking etc. And ime, kids are much faster on a balance bike than a pedal bike with stabilisers.

Ignore all the pp saying their children went on to pedal bikes v young - they probably had balance bikes from age 2, and that makes a huge difference.

DixieNormas · 24/12/2014 08:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LePetitMarseillais · 24/12/2014 08:28

All 3 of mine were on proper bikes at 4 and without stabilisers within a couple of weeks,no balance bikes here.

I actually didn't want my under 4 year olds whizz ing round on a balance bike as think they're pretty dangerous.2-4 year olds have no road,speed sense,lost count the amount of times I've seen tiny tots hairing off down hills,along pavements going too fast with little control.

Op you could get him a lovely helmet,bell and accessories with a pretend going to choose your new bike voucher if you don't find a bike.

westcountrywoman · 24/12/2014 08:31

I would stick with a balance bike if he's never had one. They make learning to ride a real bike sooo much easier. DD had balance bike from 2.5 then went straight to pedal bike with no stabilisers at 3 yrs 10 months. Other kids we know who didn't have a balance bike are still struggling to ride a proper bike at 5.5 years, a year after getting their bikes.

DixieNormas · 24/12/2014 08:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LePetitMarseillais · 24/12/2014 08:35

They're not out on their bikes enough then or there are other issues.

Sorry speaking as a 70s kids balance bikes just aren't necessary and does anybody actually want an under 4 year old sans stabilisers?Don't get the rush.Ours were out and about on their bikes all the time and I was glad for something to slow them down before 4 to be frank.

RoganJosh · 24/12/2014 08:37

What size is it?
If he'd be using it on the biggest size for the seat I would give it to him and then once he's learnt to rise it, in a few months, pass it down to your younger.
He will learn much quicker on a balance bike than one with stabilisers.
Mine are 4 and 6 and few of their friends are riding without stabilisers.

LePetitMarseillais · 24/12/2014 08:37

Anyhoo don't panic op.Has he got another present to tide him over if you can't get a bike should you go down that route?

RoganJosh · 24/12/2014 08:41

Ride it I mean.

LegoSuperstar · 24/12/2014 08:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SanityClause · 24/12/2014 08:46

Get a proper bike if you can, but get him riding it with the pedals off for the first little bit. When he says he is ready put the pedals on for him.

My DC all learnt to ride like this, and the pedals were on the bikes on the first day of learning to ride.

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 24/12/2014 08:52

Stick with the balance bike for now. A proper bike should be measured for and tried out in store. Pass the balance bike on to your younger child and get the older one a bike in the summer.

Unescorted · 24/12/2014 08:54

Kids bikes can be heavy and therefore more difficult to balance at first. There are lighter ones - Moda and Isla are both manufacturers who make well speced bikes for kids. Tellingly they both hold their value on the second hand market. Cheaper bikes can be made lighter by removing everything except the back brake and changing the handle bars to cut down adult ones. Also avoid the ones that are made to look like they have suspension.

We found with stabilisers that unless the riding surface was flat that they tended to catch and pitch them off very suddenly - for the younger one we took the pedals & stabilisers off after his older sister did herself damage by clipping a root at speed. In retrospect I wish we had started with balance bikes, although it doesn't seem to have done his riding career any harm very proud mummy

ClashCityRocker · 24/12/2014 09:02

Personally I would have thought a four year old too old for a balance bike - and I suspect that if his friends are getting 'proper' bikes, he might be less keen on it.

LuckyCharms · 24/12/2014 09:05

My DD was on a balance bike until she was 6. All children are different.

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