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Parenting

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Original poster

Did your child go straight from a balance bike to a real one without stabilisers?

69 replies

Summerdays2014 · 21/11/2019 12:53

My almost 4 year old is a whizz on his balance bike and I’d like to get him a real bike for Christmas. If your child had a balance bike did you still need stabilisers? Not sure what to do!
Many thanks.

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OytheBumbler · 21/11/2019 13:03

We took the pedals off the real bike for a while which seemed to help. By the time they're ready for the pedals they can usually coast along on the bike without needing stabilisers.

WaterWalter · 21/11/2019 13:05

Yep. Same, he was great on the balance bike at 4 and got straight on the pedal bike without stabilisers and zoomed off without a second thought.

maidenover · 21/11/2019 13:06

Yes, I had to hold the back of the seat whilst he got used to the pedals but both of my children were riding a bike within about half an hour with no need for stabilisers.

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pollyputthepastaon · 21/11/2019 13:06

yes straight from balance bike to and Isla bike with pedals and no stabalisers (they're the best IMO as so light) age 4 for the first child and age 3.5 for my other two children.

bluebluezoo · 21/11/2019 13:07

Yes straight from balance bike to pedal cycle.

Stabilisers are an utter pita. Avoid if possible!!

WhenDoISleep · 21/11/2019 13:11

Yes - DC2 was an absolute whizz with his balance bike. We gave him a bike with pedals and no stabilisers and with 30 mins he was confidently riding around the garden, and went out the same afternoon on a ride around the park.

mindutopia · 21/11/2019 14:27

Yes, went straight on a normal bike without stablisers. I don't actually remember how old she was, maybe 4? She's 6 now and I'm sure has been on a normal bike for 2 years already. It didn't happen straight away. It took a few months of trying to get the hang of pedaling because she didn't quite have the confidence at first, but then one day, it clicked and she was off. I definitely wouldn't bother with stablisers.

GymSloth · 21/11/2019 14:30

Yes, straight from balance bike to pedal bike, no stabilisers.

If he's a whizz on the balance bike, get him a normal bike and go for it! Am sure he'll amaze you with how quickly he gets it!

And whilst you may be horrified at the price, I have to say that the lighter bikes (Islabike, Frog, Squish etc) are all brilliant and make a difference compared with the heavier, cheaper ones.

Sewbean · 21/11/2019 14:32

No stabilisers here either. Ds got a pedal bike for his 3rd birthday. I think he would have quite liked stabilisers at first but we persevered without them, it was only the first few times he wasn't sure.

TheFormidableMrsC · 21/11/2019 14:34

Yes. I couldn’t believe it. He was 3!

Kaykay066 · 21/11/2019 14:34

Sisters kids did, they were amazing in balance bikes and neither needed stabilisers
My eldest just got on and rode after we took his off, before the time of balance bikes being popular.

ColdRainAgain · 21/11/2019 14:36

Two more kids without stabilizers here.
DS1 was just off. DS2 needed a little encouragement, and adult hands under armpit for a couple of goes.

As above, dont put the pedals on initiallynif you are worried - get him used to the ones size, then add in the pedals.
Yes to the lightest bike you can afford.

BackOnceAgainWithABurnerEmail · 21/11/2019 14:37

Yes but they need to have been peddling something too prior too.

Pollaidh · 21/11/2019 14:38

Yes. DD did the trike-bike with stabilisers route and it was a nightmare to get her off the stabilisers, took about 3 years.

DS had a balance bike and went straight to a normal bike, in one day. In fact remembering now, we finally got DD onto a proper bike by letting her go on her little brother's balance bike (he'd already graduated by then!).

TheABC · 21/11/2019 14:38

My three year has transitioned with out stabilizers. The main difficulty is balancing when you push off, so I agree with the above posters in getting a light bike and bring prepared to help them for a while to get started.

Bubblysqueak · 21/11/2019 15:15

Yes both went straight from balance bike to normal with no stabilisers, one at 3 and the other at 4. I was really surprised with 4 yr old as he has asd and balance and coordination problems but was still able to.

Original poster

Summerdays2014 · 21/11/2019 15:16

Thanks everyone! I’d heard that you don’t need stabilisers after a balance bike but didn’t quite believe it!

He is adamant that he wants a Spider-Man bike - so not very light! I’ll have a look at the ones mentioned though to compare.

OP posts:

Youhavenoidea · 21/11/2019 15:17

Yes, but only once we got one of the light bikes.
Highly recommend getting a frog, Isla or wild bike.

lazylinguist · 21/11/2019 15:18

Yep. DC1 never had a balance bike, and had to have stabilisers for ages. DC2 had a balance bike and went straight to a proper bike with no stabilisers fairly effortlessly.

Sunshinegirl36 · 21/11/2019 15:20

Yes within 30 minutes but on one of the lighter bikes mentioned as in the other posts

GaraMedouar · 21/11/2019 15:26

Yes, definitely don't use stabilizers, he'll be fine. With my DD I refused to use stabilizers, but I did have to run behind holding her seat a bit but hardly at all. She did start on the tiniest bike possible so she could put both feet down flat.

Original poster

Summerdays2014 · 21/11/2019 15:28

Isla bike is so expensive!!! Did anyone’s child go straight to a ‘normal’ bike without stabilisers? Or do I have to re do my Christmas budget?!?

OP posts:

Autumntoowet · 21/11/2019 15:33

I was wondering this. DS is outgrowing his balance bike so we were going to get one for his birthday but he will only be 3. No way he will handle pedals then will he? But to invest on another balance for just 1 year...

Youhavenoidea · 21/11/2019 15:33

Wild bikes from go outdoors are the same thing but half the price.
DS got a hand me down frog but several of his friends have the wild one and it is pretty much the same bike!

dontlickthelamp · 21/11/2019 15:36

Yep, DD2 was the only one to have a balance bike but she learnt much quicker to ride without stabilisers. She went straight from the balance bike onto one without stabilisers, although I had to hold the back for her at first.

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