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

[Summerdays2014]

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.

The theory is that stabilisers are actually counter productive to learning to balance so once he has learned to balance on a balance bike I wouldn’t introduce stabilisers! He has mastered the tricky bit: balancing!

My Dc went straight from balance bike (Puky with the pedals off ) to cycling independently. They had had pedalling practice on a trike though.

As others have said.
Dont let them see stabilizers.
Lightest bike you can afford - islabikes are expensive but hold their value v well. Even better value if they go through 2 children.

Yes, made the change over when he turned 4. Balance bike to an Isla bike.
He was riding within 5 minutes.

Yes straight from balance bike to proper bike without stabilisers. But you have to make sure they're really good on the balance bike first. Like so they can go for a while with their feet off the ground easily

My eldest had stabilisers and needed a lot of running up and down holding on to him but my youngest went straight from his balance bike on to a normal bike. They were both about 4. Always bought second hand bikes as they are usually in good condition (not after my two have finished with them though!)

Definitely look at eBay etc. for on of the lighter brands. For DC2, I bought a reconditioned Frog from eBay (seller was a bike shop) - it cost me £145 at the time - I sold the same bike on in the summer via eBay for £170. So the brands do hold their value on the second-hand market.

Mine both went to normal/relatively cheap bike straight from balance bike. Hold dc at shoulders lightly rather than holding back of saddle as it is easier to reach and easier to gently let go and run along beside.

Took a couple of attempts for my youngest to be brave enough to try, but once he tried it was really quick.

I've just bought a Strider balance bike for my DS (age 2) for Christmas.

I did my research and several people recommended Strider bikes - they're light and seem much better value than the more expensive brands.

I think Strider do bigger bikes with pedals too.

I would say we just went straight from balance bike to 'normal' bike. Didn't have one of these light bikes or special brands

Just in case you're thinking you need to get a particular bike

My son has also gone from a balance bike to an Isla Bike. We went to a go ride session and they advised removing the pedals to start with so he could learn to handle the larger bike. The last session last weekend they put the pedals back on and he was cycling on his own. Definitely needs more practise but so pleased we didnt go down the stabilizers route.

Mine never really got the hang of a balance bike and did have stabilisers for a while as he couldn’t reach the floor of the ‘big boy’s bike’ he was desperate for.
But once he could he picked it up in one or 2 sessions of me holding onto the back of the seat. He was 3. Has loved cycling ever since

Yes, no stabilisers after balance bike at 4. The weight of a bike makes such a difference though at the beginning - mine found it so hard on heavy halfords model, but was flying on second hand isla from gumtree.

Yes my two pretty much did.

You’ve definitely convinced me to buy a lighter model and then I’ll pump it up with Spider-Man stuff 😂

Has anyone had a go outdoors wild bike? Would you recommend? Also what size did you get for a 4 year old?
Thanks so much for all the helpful comments so far!

Would renting a bike help? The bike club rents out frog bikes for £11 a month and allow you to upgrade to the next size when your child is ready.

My ds went from a balance bike to a heavier bike that he really wanted. He used stabilisers for a few weeks while he got the hang of it then he was away. I am not sure why using stabilisers is so bad.

Steering a trike/bike with stabilisers is very different to steering a bike. With a balance bike they learn to steer by leaning and shifting their weight, then if they go on a trike or stabilisers they have to unlearn that (leaning on stabilisers isn't terribly safe!) and steer with handlebars, then the stabilisers come off and they have to learn balance again. (Even if they've learned it previously it's harder to get their bodies to remember it if another method has been thrown into the mix) With a balance bike, one they can coast for a good distance, adding pedals is nothing at all and can be done in a few attempts. They need a bit of assistance setting off on a pedal bike for a little while but pick it up quickly.

@Summerdays2014
My dd has a wild 20” bike. I’m so pleased we got it.

In all honesty we looked for a second hand Isla or frog because we felt like those were the names we should be looking for, for several months but none came up local enough for it to be sensible to purchase. She had a frog before 16” and I can honestly say it’s no different. And A big plus for me is, I felt happier buying new as I’m no bike expert and I wouldn’t know what to look for. A wild bike meant we could afford to do that and still get a light bike.

I don’t know if they hold their price well but mine will be doing 2 kids and then probably be handed down so I don’t really mind!

My boy got his first balance bike at 18months. Mastered it by age 2 and at 3 and a half was riding a pedal bike without stabilisers. I 100% recommend a balance bike for little ones.