Balance bike/ bike without stabilisers

[youremindmeofthebabe]

Hello! My ds will be 4 in November and has had a balance bike since he was 2, which he adores. I was going to get him a normal bike for xmas, as he has nearly outgrown the balance bike. Is he old enough to make the trransition without stabilisers, do you think? I think he should be ok, but i remember learning to ride a bike at around 7, so not too sure!

I think it really depends on the child IMO. I've two girls, the first was around 4 when she swapped to a 'big girl' bike and has been fine, the other is now 6 and still can't. However the second has trouble with glue ear, which I think can affect balance so maybe she is a little later than normal?

When he is riding and you watch does he look as though he is depending on the bike to balance him? That's how I decided with mine :)

My DS had a Balance bike from 2 and when he was wheeling it down hills and round corners with his legs in the air it was obvious he had the balance thing down pat! so I changed him on to a pedal bike when he turned 4 and he was away.
My DD was nearly 7 when she rode hers, but she is nervos of new things and had been on stabilisers, never on a balance bike.

I am a big convert to balance bikes now! I suggest that if your DC can
a) balance well on the balance bike AND
b) pedal a tricycle or something similar - basically demonstrate that s/he has the leg strength to use pedals
then they should be ready for the transition whether that is at 3, 4, or 7

Good luck - and get a camera at the ready :)

Hello! Thanks for your replies, he can balance on the bike with his feet up for miles going down a slight incline, and can use his friends bike with stabilisers to turn the pedals and ride. He's quite a daredevil, and I think he is ready, I just didn't want to put him off if it was too early and he struggled, iyswim.

Ooh, am excited now! Thanks.

He will transition just fine if hes had a balance bike from 2.

Stabiliers will only make him lazy and undo teh learning from his balance bike. Just go for it with a proper bike that fits him.

Our boy went from balance bike to proper bike in under 100 meters at age 3.3 . We changed him over once he was standing up on the rear stays of his balance bike going down hills! Now age 4.6 hes out growing his first "proper " bike and we will be looking for a bigger one for his birthday.

My son had a balance bike from two and transitioned at 3.5 to a 'real' bike with pedals with no problems at all. If your son is balancing well and has learned to pedal, he'll be fine.