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Original poster

Would I be stupid to buy a nearly 3 year old a bike?

21 replies

Clayhead · 22/04/2006 18:57

My ds will be 3 at the end of the summer, dd, 4, has a 14" bike and rides on it lots, ds is desperate to do similar; he goes on her bike with me helping and tries to pedal but his legs just aren't long enough. Has anyone else bought a small (I was thinking 12") bike for a child this age? Or do you think I'd be wasting my money?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Detta · 22/04/2006 19:03

We bought DS a bike for Christmas, when he was 3 and 2months. It's been the best thing we've ever bought him. He plays on it most days, and also rides it to pre-school. I think it's a great idea. I think there are some things to look out for, such as not buying one with plastic tyres (pump up ones are much better) but I'm sure some basic research on the Net would tell you.

Original poster
Clayhead · 22/04/2006 19:05

Thanks Detta, good to hear.

We got dd a Rayleigh and it seems to be a lovely bike.

OP posts:
rummum · 22/04/2006 19:39

we got my ds one when he was 2... it had fixed wheels and he could go back and forwards on it... this was good as he couldn't reach the breaks and could pedal backwards to stop...he loved it

threebob · 22/04/2006 19:42

Ds has a trike which he has had from the same age - he can go really fast on it (I have to run to keep up), and it's centre of gravity is low - so if he topples off there are no breaks. Most children here in NZ would use a trike first.

Wallace · 22/04/2006 19:52

We got ds a bike for his 2nd birthday and he loved it. I think it wwas a 12" one. He couldn't manage to pedal it all the way round, but managed fine pedalling as far as he could then back to have a nother peadl (wouldn't have worked if it had been a fixed wheel bike like rummum's ds!)

We took him to Halfords just before his birthday so he could have a try. Then went back and got it.

rummum · 22/04/2006 19:55

I know what you mean Wallace... thats why at first he just went back and forwards... then he learnt to go all the way round...
how did he cope with the breaks....

busybusybee · 22/04/2006 20:08

I have seen "likeabike" highly reccomended by other mnetters - tchibo do them I think

We need a bike for a huge four year old - I have no idea where to start!

busybusybee · 22/04/2006 20:08

I have seen "likeabike" highly reccomended by other mnetters - tchibo do them I think

We need a bike for a huge four year old - I have no idea where to start!

GarfieldsGirl · 22/04/2006 20:58

I thought my mum was mad when she said she was getting ds1 a bike for his 3rd birthday, but we all ate our words cos it was great, he got the hang of it really quickly, and we've just taken the stabilisers off of it.

galaxy · 22/04/2006 21:00

dd got a bike for her 3rd birthday which was 5 months ago and still hasn't learnt to ride it ! But it'll last a while so not that worrried

Wallace · 22/04/2006 21:18

Hmm...as for the brakes Grin That took him ages! LOL at the memory

tassis · 22/04/2006 21:21

ds (just 3) was given a hand on bike 2 months ago.

I'd have thought he was way too wee, but he loves it.

Still can't really ride it, but is getting there.

I'd have never have thought of getting him one yet, but it's a HUGE hit.

A scooter could be another idea. Ds can failry whizz around on his.

Ledodgy · 22/04/2006 21:24

We got my dd a bike for her 3rd Birthday (a couple of weeks ago), she loves it and can use it really well. We got her the 14 inch daisy chain one from halfords because she is tall and we already need to higher the seat!

Hattie05 · 22/04/2006 21:35

My three year old is addicted to her bike at the mo, she's out there before breakfast, most of the day, and i have to drag her off it to go to bed!

Wembley · 22/04/2006 22:01

My little girl got a 12" bike for Xmas and turned 3 in February - she loves it and won't grow out of it for some time. Took her a couple of weeks to get used to the pedals but is a pro now and will be riding it to Pre-School when she starts next week. Not so good on the brakes though! Good job we live on a military camp where the roads are very quiet!!

mistressmiggins · 22/04/2006 22:26

my DS had a second hand 12" from his cousin for his 2nd birthday
started riding it at 2 yrs 4 mths

its his 4th birthday on Tues and my parents have bought him a 16" brand new bike !!

I say go for it

if you are confident & willing to help, then your child will manage it

Alipiggie · 22/04/2006 22:28

Go for it. My ds2 got his first proper bike at 2.5 and loves it. He's on a 12" and zooms around our cul-de-sac following ds1(4) on his 16". They think it's marvellous and I love the fact they're so active.

hulababy · 23/04/2006 20:37

DD got a 14 inch bike for her 3rd birthday and loved it.

beckybrastraps · 23/04/2006 20:40

Bought ds's at 2.7 and at 4 he is now a demon cyclist. The small wheels come in handy when they're learning to lose the stabilizers as well.

Milliways · 23/04/2006 20:48

DS had his at 2.5 & by 3.5 was stabilzer free! It was a tiny bike btw with lightweight plastic wheels though.

jamese · 23/04/2006 21:54

Got DD (2.4) only last week and she is loving it. We got a Raleigh 12", thought that she would just sit on it for a few months, but she was able to peddal it straight away. Took only 1 or 2 trips to learn to stear, but can't reach the break so I have to jog along next to her. I had to go and buy her a helmet the next day as she was going so quick.

Even if he doesn't take to it straight away, she will probably play with it etc.

Go one, great fun and at least you won't have to decide between a pink or pink one!

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