what age to get a first bike ?

[throckenholt]

Not sure where to put this ....

My DS1 was 3 in July, and is on the small side - about 95 cm I think - long back, short legs.

How big do they have to be to able to ride a first bike ? Is it worth looking round for one for christmas or wait a while ?

In my experience, you would be better of getting a bike as opposed to a trike (I know that wasn't the question) both my dd and ds found it tricky to ride a trike as their legs have to be longer as the pedals are out in front as opposed to down. At 3 they were both riding a bike, so there should be no reason why he should have difficulty. Take him round the bike shops, sit him on them and see how he gets on. HTH

thanks - will talk it over with DH and see if we can visit a few bikes shops soon !

You are right about trikes - he has only just figured those out (but then we have only grass no paving to ride on which makes it harder).

I'm not so sure that it is so much a matter of height as motor skill development. Friend's dd has been riding a small bike (10" or 12" I think) since she was 3 and is pretty competent 6 months on. There is no way ds could have done it at that age but dd who has just turned 3 is already interested but proves too small for 12" bikes she tries in shops (she is only just over 90cm tall). How about going to a large retailer like Toys r us or Halfords and letting him have a go ?

I would agree with LizS but recommend that you go to a proper bike shop (not a toy shop or Halfords)where you have a better chance of being helped by a good salesperson who's used to fitting bikes on kids. I'd also buy the best and sturdiest bike and accessories you can afford. DS (now 3 and a half) has a PUKY bike (bad name, great bike) which we bought for £100 after wasting 30 quid on a Bob the Builder trike from John Lewis, which got trashed after less than a fortnight. The PUKY has been ridden every day since January, and put through severe punishment but is absolutely as good as new and the bike shop are happy to check it over every few weeks for no cost at all. They come in different frame sizes and are fitted with stabilisers--DS was only 2yrs 9months when he started riding it and was probably about 95cm. I sound like an advert don't I? But we really are very happy with it.

We bought ds a bike for his second birthday. He couldn't manage to pedal all the way round at first - did forward then back, but this was very effective. he soon got th hang of it.
This bike lasted until his fifth birthday when he got a new one.

T'holt! We have SEVERAL SPARES. Come get one when you come for DS1's Birthday party. You can choose... little mermaid? Bright pink? Plus something That FIL is bringing this Monday.

DS1 could handle them at age 2.5y (and you know he's no bigger than your DS1) but DD is uninterested, as yet.

Else you can pick them up cheap at Carboots.

We bought ds his first bike at 20 months, when he surprised us all by climbing on to one belonging to a neighbours child, and pedalling off down the street on it

thanks Zebra - will do that !