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Original poster

Where to try balance bikes?

35 replies

JoanPlaysTheAccordian · 14/06/2010 22:40

I'm hoping to get a balance bike for my dd's second birthday, but am loath to buy online without her having tried a few first. Any ideas as to where to go with her to try a few out before buying? I'm within easy reach of a few retail parks, but would love a few pointers to save us a bit of time. Thanks in advance.

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thisisyesterday · 14/06/2010 22:43

tbh they're all much of a muchness! so if you know roughly what size you want i wouldn't worry about trying them out

CarmelitaMiggs · 14/06/2010 22:52

Also bear in mind that her first tryout will be a disaster; she will throw it on the ground, shouting, 'I hate it, I don't want one of these stupid things.'
Takes several attempts for them to get it and after that it's plain sailing.
Mind you, two is pretty weeny for a balance bike, isn't it? [waits to be corrected]

ruckyrunt · 14/06/2010 22:53

a bike shop will sell them and you would be able to try int he shop before buying

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Elgoogreven · 14/06/2010 22:54

there's a bike shop near exeter where you can try them in their enclosed tarmac area outside.
guess it depends where you are?

JoanPlaysTheAccordion · 14/06/2010 22:54

Fair enough. They do seem to vary quite a lot in price, and would like to see the quality (or lack of) in real life - will probably try and get to Toys R Us and John Lewis unless I get told otherwise. Thanks though.

thisisyesterday · 14/06/2010 22:56

we have a puky one which is fabulous in terms of quality

BikeRunSki · 14/06/2010 22:59

I think a local bike shop would give you advice based on experience rather than marketing.

I think 2 might be a bit wee for a balance bike though. I am a cycling mother of a nearly 2 year old, but based on other people's experiences, I think we will wait another year.

ruckyrunt · 14/06/2010 23:00

just a note - don't go on a saturday afternoon...best to go in the week when it will not be as busy

ruckyrunt · 14/06/2010 23:00

just a note - don't go on a saturday afternoon...best to go in the week when it will not be as busy

UniS · 14/06/2010 23:02

bike shop. either in flesh or on line. NOT a toy shop.

or Islabikes if you want to buy over the phone.
Puky, Isla bike and Ketter are all good makes. The Scoot is OK and there is another made by one of the mountain bike companies, Giant maybe?

UniS · 14/06/2010 23:03

ohh, Isla bikles Rothan is one of the smallest, only a 28cm saddle height at lowest. Boy had one for his 2nd birthday and it fitted. Lasted till he was 3.5 and he transferred to pedal bike in minutes.

JoanPlaysTheAccordion · 14/06/2010 23:04

Wow, first time posting on here, so was only just replying to thisisyesterday.
Cheers for all the replies, I'm in SE London. I was wondering about proper bike shops, but as I'm looking at the cheaper end (ideally no more than 50 quid) I thought they may be too expensive.
Oh, I'll definitely bear that in mind CarmelitaMiggs, although she is desperate to ride her older sister's bike, so I think she'll be quite keen. Although obviously, at nearly 2, who knows?! Could be the worst idea ever!
We shall see, we have the morning free tomorrow to do a bit of shopping, I'm sure she'll let me (and the rest of the shop) know in no certain terms how she feels about balance bikes...

Blu · 14/06/2010 23:09

If you are in SE London, could you take her to Dulwich Park, where they hire out a whole range of bikes, trikes and (I think) balance bikes?

JoanPlaysTheAccordion · 14/06/2010 23:13

Just had a quick look, Kettler and Puky both have bikes in/close to my budget. Will probably just try her on any old balance bike in a shop and then get one of those online, will just read a few more reviews.

Cheers everyone, appreciate your help.

thisisyesterday · 14/06/2010 23:15

we got the smallest puky one for ds2 for his second birthday and he LOVES it. he goes soooo fast on it

JoanPlaysTheAccordion · 14/06/2010 23:15

Blu, that is where I have seen a million and one kids about her age whizzing around on balance bikes, but never it never crossed my mind that they were from the bike hire place. Will check that out, thanks for the tip!

Blu · 14/06/2010 23:18

If you go at a non-busy time (i.e not w/e) the peple in the bike hire centre can be v helpful indeed.

The smallest 12" Puky bike can have the pedals removed to be used as a balance bike and then replaced when they are ready to learn to ride - but I think that would be a bit heavy for a 2 yo.

thisisyesterday · 14/06/2010 23:19

this is the one we have

ds2 has quite short legs and it was just right for him on the lowest setting. need to put it up a little bit now though

JoanPlaysTheAccordion · 14/06/2010 23:23

Oh, yes, would definitely rather not attempt any of this at the weekend, I agree. Again, had no idea that you could even remove pedals, thanks for all the ideas.
Good to hear positive recs for the puky, fast is definitely her thing. Am excited for her, lucky girl!

JoanPlaysTheAccordion · 14/06/2010 23:25

And you rate the quality, thisisyesterday?

bebumba · 15/06/2010 14:04

Have you got a toy library near you? You may be able to borrow one for a while to see how it goes.

tyler80 · 15/06/2010 18:04

It's worth remembering that some of the more expensive makes, e.g. Islabikes retain their value well.

I know a lot of people who have bought and then sold on so the 'cost' was only 50 pounds. An option worth considering for some.

thisisyesterday · 15/06/2010 18:37

yes, definitely very good quality. we got the balance bike for ds2 and a proper bike for ds1 and they are both really well built.

GraceK · 15/06/2010 18:58

Our DD had a balance bike from just over 2 years old - we wouldn't have thought of getting one this early but it was a hand-me-down from a work colleague. Then started riding a pedal bike (with stabilisers) just before her 3rd birthday. Kept swapping between the two & became very good at balancing / correcting her balance using the balance bike. Removed her stabilisers at 3 and half (after much begging) and she was cycling quite confidently & with no major crashes by the end of the first day - I think because she only had to concentrate on remembering to pedal & not worry about the balancing. She has only had two major crashes since (5 months on) & they were only when she was distracted. It's great fun to watch the double-takes of adults & the surprised respect of teenage boys as she zooms passed on her tiny bike.

I would recommend a metal frame balance bike with an adjustable saddle as DD is quite short & can only now (at almost 4) reach the floor on her friend's fancy wooden one. She still swaps between the balance bike & the pedal bike depending on her mood. So very good value

UniS · 15/06/2010 19:17

2nd in g the re-sale tale. Our Rothan was 75 quid new and sold for 50 2nd hand 18 months later.
The double take people give a kid on a tiny bike is fab. DS is riding to preschool most days now and he pedals up the village hill faster than most adults can.

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