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Original poster

Likeabike/training bike? Are these any good?

28 replies

bodiddly · 13/07/2007 21:34

My ds is 2.5 and I wondered about getting one in a couple of months to try and help his balance etc. Im not sure whether it is worth getting one of the expensive ones in case he hates it but have seen some less expensive wooden and aluminium ones on ebay ... does anyone have one they can recommend?

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cazzybabs · 13/07/2007 21:37

Yes! We have aPuky and it is fab. dd had it when she was 2.3 and loves it. BTW pneaumatic tyres are a must.

Catilla · 13/07/2007 21:40

We have the one from Evans (Joey?) and ds (just 3) loves it. He has really got the hang of the balance etc. But we're having to push him to learn to pedal on his trike, saying he can't have a big-boy-bike until he can do that as well. Looks like we'll get a good year out of the balance bike though, so well worth the £50 (half the price of Likeabike).

Original poster

bodiddly · 13/07/2007 21:43

evans? is that an online company .. ive never heard of it!

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Original poster

bodiddly · 13/07/2007 21:44

does your ds wear a cycle helmet with one? did it take him long to get used to it ...

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Original poster

bodiddly · 13/07/2007 21:45

thanks cazzybabs will have a look at puky

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Original poster

bodiddly · 13/07/2007 21:49

do I need to get one with brakes? My ds doesnt seem to have got to grips with steering too well yet on his trike so maybe brakes will be beyond him!

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nooka · 13/07/2007 21:53

Evans is a cyling shop. My neice has a likeabike and it's fantastic. I wish I'd had one for my two, who still can't really balance at 6 and 8.

ChippyMinton · 13/07/2007 21:55

DS1(5) rode his proper bike for the first time today (hurrah!). He's been scooting about on a normal bike that has the pedals/gears removed, and got his balance well. So i'd say, yes, it's a good idea.

Seem to remember that Tchibo sell them sometimes. Might be worth a look on the website.

Catilla · 13/07/2007 22:00

Evans is a chain of shops and also is online. www.evans.co.uk I think

cazzybabs · 13/07/2007 22:01

No to brakes - to confusing (mind you we live on a fairly flat place) - dd does not go that fast. We insist on a cycle hat because it then becomes part of the cycling routine for when she has a proper bike.

pootleflump · 13/07/2007 22:03

DD (2.9) has a Likeabike Jumper (aluminium) and it's fantastic - well worth the money imo.

CalifrauniusFudge · 13/07/2007 22:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

bodiddly · 13/07/2007 22:13

so is the general consensus that aluminium is better than wood?

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CalifrauniusFudge · 13/07/2007 22:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TranquilaManana · 13/07/2007 22:22

we have two metal ones... one i got from ebay i think and 1 more recently, a puky.
the puky is adored and the side stand an unexpected hit.

but i reckon the other one is lighter and easier and thus more fun. personally.
so keep weight in mind (esp if for a little 2.5 yo)

also, brakes. not all of them have them, and i reckon they are A Good Thing.

halfords had ideal lightweight ones for 19 quid

Original poster

bodiddly · 13/07/2007 22:26

ooh £19 sounds amazing! just had a look on their web site though and couldnt see it ... did you see them in the shop or online?

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TranquilaManana · 13/07/2007 22:37

i found it online, via a link someone posted on here (another thread about same thing...from a fair while back.) and the link said 29, but when i clicked it more recently, it said 19. it also said out of stock, but when i phoned customer services they were tracking one down for me. at which point dp announced hed bought a puky (for ds2's birthday) so i cancelled the halfords one.

if you have no luck finding the link, i'll search for it and see if i can find it.

pigsinmud · 14/07/2007 08:19

I got one for dd1 from Lidl for .... £10! It's wooden and adjusts to two heights. She absolutely loves it and goes rather fast. If I was to get another one I'd get brakes - she's 3 and could handle the idea ok. She goes too fast sometimes! Can't see what an expensive one would have over this cheap one - even has a little basket at the front. Been admired by lots of parents at pre-school.

Vinegar · 14/07/2007 09:09

DD has a Puky one with brakes. It is great but very heavy, so I wouldn't recommend it for a 2.5 year old. I think a wooden one or a lighter frame one would be better for under-3's. Brakes don't make that much of a difference imo, dd does use hers, but also uses her legs to stop.

chopster · 14/07/2007 09:26

It is a lot cheaper just to buy a normal bike and take the pedals off to begin with. Then put them back on once they are ready.

Blu · 14/07/2007 09:37

YES!
DS was destined to have a bit more difficulty than other children learning to ride a bike as his legs are differnt lengths. We bought a small Puky bike, took the pedals off, he learned to scoot, balance and use his weight going round bends (the crucial difference between balancing and using stabilisers, apparantly), I put the pedals back on and he was away straight away - no wobbling, no back-ache for me.

But at 2.5yrs a real bike without pedals would be v heavy, and only expensive bikes have removable pedals. For using a 'real' bike without pedals, you also need one with quite a wide range of seat and handlebar heigt, as they must be able to put both feet flat on the ground for scooting. This will then be too low for pedalling.

At 2.5 I would get some form of likeabike to be going on with.

BettySpaghetti · 14/07/2007 13:42

Keep your eye open as they sell the wooden ones at Lidl every now and again -only £9.99 !

CalifrauniusFudge · 14/07/2007 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BettySpaghetti · 14/07/2007 19:53

lol Califrau -I read that as Buggeroo

Original poster

bodiddly · 14/07/2007 20:24

They seem to have a new bike/training bike combo in the next directory link they sent me .. but you may have a point about it being heavy! Im confused .. not sure whether it is better to buy something light now in timber or wait and get an aluminium one in a few months ..

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