likeabike/runbike - is it better to get one with brakes??

[babydriver]

I'm thinking about getting a likeabike or similar for DS. The wooden ones look lovely but don't have brakes and are expensive (tho' ebay have ones from Germany that aren't too bad), but I've also seen metal runbikes which look more like real bikes and also have brakes. Reading what I've just written it looks a bit of a no-brainer, but any thoughts on metal vs wood, brakes vs none??

I think the metal ones are heavier. And you do end up carrying them sometimes, so I'd go for wood.

The brakes could be useful, getting them used to real bike brakes for when they have a real bike, but you certainly don't need them. DS1 has a likeabike, and manages fine without brakes.

we have a puky(!) which is a metal one without brakes. It has been really good. I've never seen the wooden ones but what I like about the puky is that it is very similar in feel to a 'real' bike. Its not very heavy either.

Apparently some Lidl's had them for 29.95 this week and Tchibo do one from time to time at a similar price. As to the brakes, they'll wear through shoes more quickly without- lol !

Yeah, I'd think they'd wear through shoes quicker, but DS1 still gets too big for his shoes first. And he has gone through phases of using his bike every day, for the school run, which is about 15 minutes of brisk adult walking, each way, plus other outings.

we got some form Lidl a week or two back - I think they were £15 each.

Thanks for thoughts - sounds like metal ones with brakes are winning out unless I find an amazing bargain on a wood one. Annoying that lidl had them - I look in there from time to time but haven't made it in the last few weeks!

you could also get one of the like a bike things that convert to a real bike, save you having to buy 2 things

ernest, haven't seen one of those but it sounds like it's worth checking out. Do you know what they're called or where I could look?

here's a German site (in english) that demonstrates what I mean. They may do a link to a uk distibuter or even deliver? i have 3 neighbours with this exact bike & all very happy with it.

We got a likeabike after I won a Mumsnet comp lasy summer. Its fab.

Thing is, brakes are heavy. My ds is 2.4 and cannnot pull the brakes on a normal bike. I think its just an extra thing to worry about. I'd go for the tchibo/lidl copy (am looking out for one for baby dd, they are so fab)

they ebay ones are excellent btw.

If you want one as a way to encourage a child to learn to ride a bike, save money, get a bike and take the pedals off! (make sure it's one you can).