Can children learn to ride on a basic (cheap) bike??

[Beeperbird]

So my eldest is about to turn 5, and we got him a basic Halfords pedal bike for his birthday that arrived about a month ago - we didn’t spend a lot as we don’t have a huge amount but had the cash at this point so wanted to get him something.
He’s been a pro on his balance bike (that I proudly got from a rummage sale for £3!) so after doing some reading I assumed he’d move easily to a pedal bike.
Anyway, he’s been struggling to find his balance on his new bike - so I asked some friends from various places.
The overwhelming answer is that the bike we bought is too cheap... we should have bought one of the brands that are more like £300 for a new (or over £100 second hand)... eeek!
I mean I get more expensive can equal easier to use but surely they can still learn on a basic bike? Or have I completely wasted my money?

[ChaoticCatling]

If I could afford a lightweight bike I'd buy one once my child was big enough for a 16 inch so it would last for a bit, and resell it on when outgrown.

DS learnt to ride on a £5 secondhand 10 inch bike at just turned three, so I don't think it's actually necessary to spend much though.

[Runnerduck34]

It takes a while to master pedals and balance and lots of back breaking, saddle holding, encouragement from mum and dad! Mine all learnt on cheap bikes from Halfords, definitely don't need to spend £300 on a kids bike! As pp have said the weight of a bike can be a factor, lighter bikes are easier for kids to manage but practice, patience and encouragement are the most important factors.

[Beeperbird]

@PeppaisaBitch yep he’s got stabilisers and loves riding it with them, but struggles up hills as it’s heavy! He’s seen lots of his friends without stabilisers now so wants to be the same but is getting pretty frustrated poor lad!

[Beeperbird]

@Thesaltandthesea ah very good point! He is reeaally anxious child (about life in general poor lad) so that probably plays a big part! My youngest also seems to be without fear and he’ll probably be riding the bike before my eldest at this rate

[metronome1]

Never heard of this.
All the kids round here cycle everywhere from very early and I can be sure they are not in expensive bikes. Often they ride round on bikes that a clearly the wrong size but they manage and just get on with it.

[Thesaltandthesea]

@beeperbird they are also very different children. DD is a walking disaster (2 broken bones in 2 months kind of child...) whereas DS is fearless, throws himself into everything and just seems to bounce. I swear that played a part too.

[PeppaisaBitch]

Does it have stabilisers? My daughter has a cheap as chips toys r us bike with stabilisers and is great on it. She's 4. Going to try without stabilisers once she's mastered hills properly as we live in a hilly area.

[concernedforthefuture]

Cheap bikes (Halfords) tend to be really heavy and cumbersome. If you can stretch to the cost of a second hand Islabike or Frog Bike, he will find it so much easier. They hold their value well too so when outgrown and you go to sell on, you'll get your money back (or possibly more!).

[Beeperbird]

@Thesaltandthesea don’t be sorry! Seems to be a recurring theme that they “get it” much earlier on the more expensive lighter bikes

[DobbyTheHouseElk]

Bet you are talking about a frog bike. Bloody expensive and seem to have created the idea a bike has to be expensive and lightweight.

Bollocks to that. Get a cheap second hand bike.

[Thesaltandthesea]

My 3yo has just transitioned from a balance bike to a frog bike in less than a day. DD has a heavy Halfords bike and stabilisers and only mastered it at 6ish. Sorry!

[ProseccoBubbleFantasies]

I've never heard of it being essential that a bike is expensive. And I live in a place where EVERYONE cycles.

Stabilizers are a big help, though

[Alanna1]

I think it depends on the child. If you have a weak, slight child then they may not be able to push their body weight! You can buy good bikes second hand and sell them on when you’ve finished with them, if you take care of them.

[Beeperbird]

Thanks for the reassurance and tips everyone!

[Beeperbird]

@HopeClearwater I dunno, took a lot longer to learn perhaps?
Maybe I phrased my question wrong, I didn’t mean to offend you! I was just looking for some reassurance and trying to figure out what I should do next...

[Itsmemaggie]

Yes, of course he can. Agree that taking the pedals off may help him get used to the extra weight.

[NothingIsGoing2GetBetterItsNot]

My eldest did and it certainly wasn't an impediment to her learning but what changed it for me was having to carry the bloody thing if she got fed up or fell off (both of which seemed to happen often).. We got her a 14" Halfords carrera 2nd hand - they're super light, on a par with isla and frog but a fraction of the price - and it actually did make a difference to her riding (she learnt to ride standing up on it as the lighter weight didn't over balance her) plus she was happier to push it herself when she got fed up so, win-win!

Got ds the same when he started riding and I do think it helped 🤷‍♀️

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

They can ride on cheap bikes but usually need to be a bit older and stronger to ride without training wheels, often 6 or more, whereas a 4 year old can often learn on a light and well balanced one like a Frog. Most of us learned on cheap heavy bikes, it's fine.

[superking]

My DS has just learnt on a cheap hand-me-down bike that is too big for him and very heavy. We do want to get him a better one at some point but I'm hoping that now he's ridden that, he'll be able to ride anything!

[rach2713]

My 3 year old learnt to ride her big sisters peppa pig bike from Argos. When she got the hang of it her granddad bought her a 90 quid halfords bike and she loves it..

[Digestive28]

Start with recreating balance bike if he can do that, pedals off seat low, and then add pedals when more confident. Cheaper ones are heavier so harder to get momentum on to then begin peddling but should be fine

[Beeperbird]

@helia it’s 9kg (according to the manual)... it does feel heavy! I’ll try taking the pedals off so he can use it like his balance bike I think before giving up on it

[HopeClearwater]

This is a crazy question. Of course he can. What do you think children did before there was all this balance bike / £300+ bike stuff?

[Crikey0000]

I learned in the 1970s, I'm sure the bike was an old second hand one and very cheap. My kids learned on a second hand bike. Its not about how much the bike cost , more about them wanting to learn & being able to naturally balance.

[CharlieandLolaCat]

Make sure the seat is nice and low. Personally I would say if he can do a balance bike you don't need to remove the pedals - he can do that already.