2 year old - woom 1 balance bike?

[Caspianberg]

Looking for a first balance bike for Ds 2 birthday shortly.

I see islabikes and frog get good reviews for balance bikes, but I can’t easily get one where we live

So I have narrowed it down I think:
Woom 1 - 12 inch
Puky lr light

Are they suitable, or too big? I see puky do an 8.5 wheel for example. And both not the cheapest, but happy to invest if worth it

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MNHQ

Tbh I would just get a my first bike.

I investigated for ages bought a decent quality one but he didn't like it (slightly too big) borrowed his cousins my first bike and he's off. So get a cheap one to start and see if he's interested then upgrade if he likes it don't forget the helmet

Go for the lightest possible. When DS was that age (5 now) he had a cruzee - it was the lightest. I think Vitus is exactly the same. At that age the weight is critical (think about how much your child weighs).

The cruzzee had no brake (the Isla does) and where we live is super hilly. He just learnt to put his feet on the stays with his heals on the back wheel.

He was balance biking at just over 2.5 and had outgrown the bike within 10 months. He transitioned straight to peddles (woom 2!).

Have a look on two wheeling tots and cycle sprog websites. They both offer fab advice and do all the work for you (eg listing balance bike weight).

@morningstarz - how do you rate the woom2 for lightness and quality? Would you say the woom 1 is worth getting?

Woom2 was incredible! I got it as it was lighter than the equivalent Isla. Build quality was excellent, componentry was fab. Quality wheels, tyres and hubs. DS now has an Isla Beinn 20 and I’m equally impressed with that. We skipped out the size in between and he went straight to gears at just over 4 (like I said it’s hilly here!)… plus I didn’t wanna spend loads on something that’s last a year. I know that isn’t what you asked, but worth bearing in mind when the time comes.

I’ve no reason to doubt the Woom1… I’d just go with the lightest though. That really is the most important thing at that age. If it’s lighter than the Cruzee then go for it.

Here is a list I made on my phone when I was searching. In my experience, weight is the most important thing. Brakes and rubber tyres aren't vital for balance bikes, mine managed skate parks on theirs expertly without.

12 inch Balance Bikes
Vitus Nippy 1.9kg
Chico Bullet 1.75kg
Strider 2.4kg
Woom 2.94kg
Isla Rothan 3.1kg

Blimey the Vitus is only £45 n’all! I remember it came out after I’d got the cruzee and I thought it looked identical.

I’d definitely go for it. Don’t waste your money on the Woom.

The foam tyres which both the Vitus and Cruzee have were fine for DS. He literally rode that bike everyday, everywhere for 10 months. So on tarmac roads (no pavements here), disused railway cycle trail gravelly surface, wooden skatepark, mud and grass. All were fine. It got ridden in all conditions too (not ice obviously).

As I mentioned earlier they don’t need brakes (very hilly here), he just used his heals to moderate his speed downhill.

The other great thing about having a light BB, is, you inevitably end up having to carry it at points and carrying child!! So the lighter the better on those grounds too.

For an older child (3+) I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a Cruzee/Vitus, but for age 2, definitely! DS was away on his at 2.5.

Thank you. I think we are going to go with the woom1.
Many of the other brands listed I can’t easily get delivered to where we live.

Also it’s being bought by money given by great grandparent who would like to get the bike, he’s mid 90s, and not long left now so hopefully this will last him a couple of years as memories from him as it were.

Are you in a rush? I turned on a local search alert on ebay for a frog bike, about a month later, one came up. Am happy with it

I would like for birthday in about 6 weeks time.
There really isn’t a secondhand market here at all I’m afraid (not uk)