Likeabike or bike with stabilisers?

[chrissiejames]

I am about to buy a bike for my 3 year old. Should I go for a traditional bike with stabilisers or the bikes without pedals? I have heard people rave about the Likeabikes and others with no pedals (brand called Puki is popular). I heard that the kids learn to balance really well on the pedal-less bikes so they go straight onto bikes without stabilisers!
Any advice?
Thanks!

oh oh oh ... chrissiejames - that is EXACTLY like us

after investigations into this dilemma we are getting dd (3 in 3 weeks) a likebike ( reputable brand ). As you have said they teach the children balance (Which is a major factor) and, yes, they can go straight onto a bike with no stabilisers.

DD however, has kept asking for a pink bike with pedals, so for a while there we were ummm-ing and ahh-ing over whether just to get her what she wants. However I explained to her she will be able to go much faster on a like bike than one with pedals, and I think that has swung it that she would like a likebike now ....

We got DD this one

when she was 2.5

and she loves it...

I personally would go for the bike, as I know that DD wanted a bike just like the older children have, and I think that likeabike looks a bit more babyish...

She keeps asking for the stabilisers off, which makes me larf, (little bit ahead of herself I think)..

TMP - go and read my email...

We have just used bikes with stabilisers and my dds have had no problem moving easily on to having the stabilisers removed. My dds all practised balancing on scooters, as well as cycling on bikes with stabilisers, from the age of about 2.5. The dds are very good cyclists now (aged 7 and 5) and my just 3 year old is very confident too (with stabilisers but looks as though she'll have them off fairly soon).

So for us, the Likeabike seems a bit unnecessary, though I know other people rave about them.

((((read the e-mail heifmeister - and replied ... you norty thing you! norty))))

now this bike business ...hmmmmmmm, yes...

it certainly isn't cut and dry is it!

DS has just learned to ride his bike using the 'no pedal' method, and having become expert at balancing and scooting along at a great rate, when I put the pedals back on he whizzed away straight away.

We have the smallest PUKY bike and simply removed the pedals. The advantage of this is that you only have one purchase - the disadvantage is that a proper bike is heavier than a likeabike and might be heavy to manage for little ones.

PUKY make a metal Likeabike that looks v much like a 'real' bike, and has a brake - which I think wooden ones don't.

The one time ds2 used a likeabike he fell off immediately and split open his scalp, leading to gushing blood, panic-stricken mummy etc. he was fine now but has two big scars which you can see through his hair when it's very short. The incident has coloured my view of them.