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Original poster

Recommend a first bike for my 2 year old please

24 replies

Dalesgirl16 · 11/03/2019 22:14

My two year old daughter has decided she wants a bike for her special present from her new baby brother. Can anyone recommend a good first one to start with? She's tall for her age of that matters?

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Original poster
Dalesgirl16 · 12/03/2019 08:00

Bump?

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Downhillrider · 12/03/2019 11:37

I would recommend a balance bike if you haven't got one already

Original poster
Dalesgirl16 · 12/03/2019 19:23

Thank you for the reply. I don't know what they are. Will have a look

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2 year olds Behaviour & development Cycling General parenting
Dermymc · 12/03/2019 19:24

Balance bike. Halford sell them for about £25

BikeRunSki · 12/03/2019 19:24

Definitely a balance bike.

Mrsbclinton · 12/03/2019 19:27

Balance bike would be ideal for her or a tricycle.

3out · 12/03/2019 19:32

My nephew got a balance bike for his 2nd birthday and when he turned 3 he got a bicycle and was cycling independently within ten minutes. (I wouldn’t believe it if I read it either, but it’s honestly true)

BikeRunSki · 12/03/2019 20:10

My nephew got a balance bike for his 2nd birthday and when he turned 3 he got a bicycle and was cycling independently within ten minutes. (I wouldn’t believe it if I read it either, but it’s honestly true)

Both mine did this too.

Snowoctopus · 12/03/2019 20:12

A balance bike.

Iamnobirdandnonetensnaresme · 12/03/2019 20:16

Balance bike
My dd was also riding a 'proper bike' without stabilisers before 3 after mastering a balance bike.

NannyR · 12/03/2019 20:30

The kids I look after have one of these balance bikes Cruzee. It's super lightweight, really robust and easy to ride. It's been passed through two very energetic boys playing with it and riding it to school and back on a daily basis for the last four years and it's about to be passed on to their little sister. It's a bit pricy but well worth it.
The advantage of getting them started on a balance bike is that they learn to balance without stabilisers, transitioning to using pedals is a fairly easy process if the can already balance.

Carpetburns · 12/03/2019 20:47

My son had a Strider balance bike when he was about 18mo, and was riding a pedal bike without stabilisers before his third birthday.

Original poster
Dalesgirl16 · 12/03/2019 21:44

Up to what age can a child ride a balance bike? She's a tall two year old. Thanks for the recommendations and links

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NannyR · 12/03/2019 21:59

The child I look after has just moved up to a pedal bike from the balance bike - he will be four in June.
Another option that I've seen some parents do is to get a normal kids bike and take the pedals and chain off to effectively turn it into a balance bike - this would give you a longer lasting option. It wouldn't be as light and easy to handle as a balance bike though.

Downhillrider · 12/03/2019 22:33

All frame sizes are different and wheel sizes you can get 10,12 and 14 I believe. You'd have to shop around. My son is 5 and is happy on a 12 wheel balance bike :) he can ride a proper bike but loves flying around on a balance bike

Downhillrider · 12/03/2019 22:41

Same but we upgraded the seat and wheels. We used to strider racing so you don't really need to upgrade the wheels

Recommend a first bike for my 2 year old please
BikeRunSki · 13/03/2019 07:03

DS had an Islabike balance bike for his second birthday, rode it constantly for a year, and got an Islabike with pedals when he was 3. DD got the same balance bike for her second birthday, rode it constantly and got a pedal bike when she was 3. Then we sold the Isla balance bike - still in excellent condition - for £10 less than we paid for it. It was a big investment to start with, but the bikes are excellent and the second hand market is huge.

Original poster
Dalesgirl16 · 13/03/2019 07:31

Thank you all. Looks like we need to get a balance bike.

OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 13/03/2019 07:33

Get the lightest one you can find - you WILL end up with it slung over your shoulder and / or balanced across the buggy handles.

Can't remember the make but ours was aluminium and weighed nothing.

Most online descriptions will include a box for weight.

Mine both rode it until 3.5 when they moved up to a normal bike,

Stayawayfromitsmouth · 13/03/2019 07:35

Decathlon do some excellent and cheap balance bikes. Or Evans cycles.
Ds2 has been on one since he was 18mo. We're gonna move up to a deal bike on his 3Rd birthday. Ds1 had the same balance bike and was pedalling in about 3days of getting his pedal bike (3rd birthday).

OhHolyJesus · 13/03/2019 07:37

Balance bike from eBay

BikeRunSki · 13/03/2019 07:50

Get the lightest one you can find - you WILL end up with it slung over your shoulder and / or balanced across the buggy handles

I’d also advise proper metal spoke wheels and rubber/air tyres, as these will be stronger for bashing into kerbs and will be reapairable. A brake is useful and good practice too.

Islabike, Frog, Easy Rider and Stryder are always mentioned in these threads. They are all great bikes with great resale value, but the initial outlay can be high. Decathlon bikes are more budget friendly and are great value for money. The Cyclesprog link I posted yesterday has balance bikes at all price points.

Kabloom · 13/03/2019 08:01

We used bikeclub.co You pay a monthly subscription and you can upgrade as they grow. They provide Frog bikes. We just did our first upgrade and it was really straightforward.

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