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Original poster

Thinking of getting DS aged 2.6 one of bicycle thingys with no pedals, are they worthwhile ?

24 replies

rookiemater · 18/10/2008 22:10

DS is getting too big to lug around in the pushchair. He can walk a reasonable distance, we did the shops and back the other day which is about 1.2 miles, but I brought his scooter which wasn't ideal as I had to carry it when he got fed up, and I could tell by the end he was getting tired.

So I have seen lots of children the same age on the bicycles with no pedals, and thought we could maybe get him one for christmas. They are however a bit pricey so want some recommendations before buying.

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snickersnack · 18/10/2008 22:17

I see children everywhere near us scooting around on them. Sadly dd has never got the hang of it. Hopeless, and it's gathering dust in the hall - she much prefers her micro scooter.

Sorry, not helpful - but I'm not convinced you need to get a v pricey one. Ours was quite cheap (wooden, can't remember the brand) but not the most expensive by a long chalk (it wasn't a Like A Bike, which from memory is the one most people round us have), and it's fine. She just doesn't like it.

If it wasn't for a lingering hope that ds might decide he's keen on using it in a year or so, you could have ours...

Kaplumbagadort · 18/10/2008 22:19

Get a normal small bike and remove pedals.
DD2 learnt very quickly on a small bike without stabilisers.(Pedals couldn't be removed but were on front wheel out of the way)

pippibluestocking · 18/10/2008 22:22

My DD likes her, an Early Rider, cheaper than a Like a Bike. If you can get one that is a more interesting colour than natural birch wood, it may be preferable because my DD's main complaint is that her bike isn't pink (although you can get them in pink now!)

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2HotCrossBunnies · 18/10/2008 22:25

A different view here - Ds1 loves his, was well worth the money. He got a micro scooter for his 2nd birthday and the LikeABike for the xmas when he was 2.7. Worked very well, as he loves both (although the scooter is favourite). His best mate got both the summer of his 2nd birthday and has riden the bike about twice. I think the scooter was too much fun, easier and faster in comparison plus 2 is too young for the bike.
The only thing about it is that whilst he's learn to balance really well, DS can't pedal so not sure ho easy the transition to a "proper" bike will be. he's 3.5 (almost!) now and envious of his friends with pedal bikes but he can't manange them yet.
Do you have a friend who can lend you one over a weekend to test it?

biscuitsmustbedunkedintea · 18/10/2008 22:38

Can't give you a review of how it rides, but have just purchased for DD's christmas present, a wooden balance bike off ebay, brand new for £30 (includes postage). Doesn't seem to have a brand name on it, but from a proper cycle shop. Have taken it out the box and very impressed with it, but as it's for Christmas can yet comment on wether it's a hit or miss. Thought the price was very good though

simpson · 18/10/2008 23:06

Got Ds one for his 3rd birthday and he loves it but can go quite fast so am running to keep up with him when we go to shops etc

We got his from tescos direct and it was about £30. His birthday was only at the end of August and already been well worth the money. He even wants to take it to bed with him

Pheebe · 19/10/2008 08:49

tbh I'd stick with the pushchair, if he won't tolerate a scooter a peddleless bike won't be much different. ds1 has one and loves it but its no replacement for a push chair.

Weegle · 19/10/2008 09:08

DS got one (Little Tikes from Tesco Direct £30) for his second birthday in the summer - he's used it most days since and is now getting quite whizzy on it. I would never take him to the shops on it thought it'd be much too hard work. Thinking of getting him a micro scooter for Christmas.

Nemoandthefishes · 19/10/2008 09:13

I have bought dd1 one from ebay which cost me £35 with the postage but ideal for her as it has pink wheels and stickers on it.She will be 3 the week before.

boogeek · 19/10/2008 09:16

I was thinking about getting one for my DD - but she'll be only just 2. Anybody tell me whether we should wait until next year? She's pretty agile but small (still in 12-18 clothes)

Weegle · 19/10/2008 09:41

if she's quite small then she may be too little. DS is over the 98th percentile for height and when he got it for his 2nd bday we had it on it's lowest seat setting and he could only just reach the ground with his toes.

simpson · 19/10/2008 10:43

Don't think my DS could have managed it much before his 3rd birthday TBH. He is also quite small and has it on lowest height setting.

boogeek · 19/10/2008 11:11

OK thanks - will put it on the list for next year instead!

SuperSillyus · 19/10/2008 11:26

My three year old loves his. He goes on it to nursery and dd on her scooter and they are so fast I have to practically run to keep up
I got it on ebay for £30 including postage.

Original poster

rookiemater · 19/10/2008 11:50

Thanks folks, will have a look for a cheaper version on Ebay or Tesco as I do like the concept. DS has a bike and can actually just about do the pedals, but we are talking about cycling round the cul de sac, would be no use to go anywhere, and too heavy to carry.

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UniS · 19/10/2008 18:46

Boy has had an Islabikes Rothan Balance bike for 6 months ( since his 2nd birthday) he is now a very confident rider, getting quite fast and freewheeling lots. Its becoming a practical form of transport. He will push it down hills he thinks are "too steeeeep" but seems happy to ride it up the same hills on the way home. Hes a demon off road.

The Rothan isn't cheap cheap - about 80 quid. but it looks like his daddies bike ( black) and is lovely and light. Avaklible direct from Islabikes rather than bike shops.
Puky and kettler are both good names to look for at proper bike shops. Lidl or Aldi occasionally have a likeabike alike from Germany in store.
For a 2 yr old avoid brakes, they don;t generally have the hand reach or strength for brakes to work. the balance bikes with brakes are for older children.
For a 2 yr old look at their inside leg measurement and check teh bike you buy goes low enough for them to straddle with both feet flat on floor. start at that height, till they are using it as sit and ride happily,then gradully raise saddle till they are pushing with ball of foot.
Getting from sit and ride style to freewheeling can take a while. relax and enjoy.

Blu · 19/10/2008 18:52

I don't know if it will suit your Ds for the journeys you need to make, but these bikes are brilliant for getting them to ride a 'real' bike without using stabilisers. We had a 12" Puky bike, took the pedals off and DS used it as a balancing bike - then when he was v confident we put the pedals back on and he was away immediately.

littlemisschatalot · 19/10/2008 18:59

we had both a likeabike mini and a islabike rothan for our 2 boys. totally well worth the money.
17mth old started on the likeabike mini, started riding a bike with pedals no stabilizers at 2.6. is now 3 (just) and is an expert on his bike..is safe on quiet roads. older son got rothan at 2.9, after wanting younger brothers likeabike, and was riding pedal bike at 3.2. now is 4.6 and races bmxs.
personally they have been a godsend in our house

quaranta · 19/10/2008 19:02

likeabike the german ones? BRILLIANT. they are amaxzing. ours was very pricey around 140 but so worth it - grows with him - he is 3.4 and loves it very much.

Fennel · 19/10/2008 20:46

I don't really get the point of those likeabikes. All of my 3 dds have had small bikes with stabilisers from about 2.5, and they all learnt to ride really easily first with and then without stabilisers. No problems at all and they were all quite young. I don't really see what the likeabike would have added for us.

For me it's in the (large) category of More Things You Don't Really Need To Buy.

spookyrookie · 19/10/2008 22:09

Well I think the reason I was looking at them is because the bike we got DS at the NCT sale is quite heavy so I'm reluctant to go out with him on it for any sort of distance because its far too heavy for me to carry if he decides that he doesn't want to pedal any more. That means we use the scooter instead, but when DS gets tired he tries to sit on it, or as happened today I end up carrying DS on my shoulders and carrying the ruddy scooter as well.

latermater · 19/10/2008 22:15

Like a bikes have been great for our two though DS didn't really get the hang of it until about 2.10. Now he speeds everywhere and enjoys it. DD now 4.5 is ready to move on to a bike without stabilisers now, but they have been well worth while as an alternative to trikes or stabilised bike. Resale value on ebay is good too....

UniS · 19/10/2008 22:32

the rothan balance bike fits over the handles of the buggy and it only weighs 4 kg or so. LOTS less than his friends bike with stabilizers. also fits in V small space in car so we take it places more than friends families do.
Our intention to not give boy stabilsers at all. just move on from the rothan once he is big enough to have a "proper" bike.

simpson · 19/10/2008 22:44

UniS - thats my aim too, no stbilisers at all. DS has just turned 3 and got balance bike for his birthday. Its incredible how fast they can go I nearly had a heart attack attempting to take him to shops worrying about stopping at kerbs etc!!!

Have learnt my lesson, its for going round block and for park

Definitely only takes up small space in car though. It is by FAR the best thing we have bought DS yet!!! He prefers it over his Lazy Town scooter even!!

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