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Original poster

bikes without pedals for toddlers to learn on.

16 replies

bumface · 11/05/2009 12:53

Hello,
I'm thinking about getting something like a like-a-bike for my averaged sized daughter for her 3rd birthday.
Any recommendations?

Thank you!

OP posts:
theyoungvisiter · 11/05/2009 12:58

we have an early rider and DS loves it. They are not cheap but look very cool.

We bought it for his second birthday and he grew into it around 2.5 (he is also average sized) so I am sure it would be fine for your 3yo.

It has an adjustable seat and (I think) adjustable handles (not 100% sure about that though). It also has restricted steering for when they are little and still learning which is useful.

PfftTheMagicDragon · 11/05/2009 13:01

DS has a puky, it's really good. Not cheap but very sellable or hand-me-down-able. We chose that one over a like-a-bike or others as some of them don't have foot rests which I thought would be useful and we really wanted one with brakes which a lot of them don't have.

dearprudence · 11/05/2009 13:02

You can take the pedals off any bike - and can adjust seat and handlebar height as they grow.

theyoungvisiter · 11/05/2009 13:05

How old was your DS when you got the puky Pfft?

We have been wondering about getting DS one with brakes but I don't think he was old enough when he first started riding (easier/safer to put his feet down).

I was wondering whether to make the shift now, or just go straight onto a proper bike in a year or two.

Original poster
bumface · 11/05/2009 13:36

I looked at the Puky on Amazon but one review was glowing but made me wonder if it might be too small for my daughter. Though thinking about it I can't imagine that being the case. Sorry I'm waffling.

OP posts:
PfftTheMagicDragon · 11/05/2009 16:07

DS has had it for about a year, he is 3.9 now. He's quite slow though, in the bike riding process, he wasn't very motivated to learn. There is still some adjusting that could be done in the seat I would say it would certainly fit him for another year.

You don't have to use the brakes, they can still stop with their feet.

HRHQueenElizabethII · 11/05/2009 16:09

We have the Islabikes Rothan - it's fab. Expensive, but holds its value really well - they sell for about 75% of the purchase price on ebay. DD is a tall 2.5 yo, and we're nowhere near the tallest seat height yet.

I dithered for ages because of the price, but am delighted with it.

smallorange · 11/05/2009 16:20

Alternatively go to John Lewis or Tesco Direct and get one for £30. DD1 was on hers for a year and then learned to ride a pedal bike in about 20 mins in the park.

Also - be wary of just taking pedals off a normal bike as balance bikes have a different shaped seat which makes it easier for the child to push themselves along.

Also they can get up to a fair old speed so make sure she wears a helmet.

hifi · 11/05/2009 16:41

itto small orange

Original poster
bumface · 11/05/2009 16:54

Wow thank you for all the info. That Isla one is very nice looking.
I think I am still most keen on the Puky one. It looks most comfy.

I will be interested to hear any other thoughts.
Thanks very much xx

OP posts:
Macdog · 11/05/2009 17:14

My dd has the Adams run bike.

It has really been money well spent. It is really sturdy, but still quite lightweight.

(we got one in Blue/red)

Worth having a look in your local cycle shop and seeing what they have/would recommend

theyoungvisiter · 11/05/2009 19:49

I would second the point about wearing a helmet. It's also easier then (I think) to get them into the habit of wearing a helmet when they go onto a "real" bike.

Also they can go very fast (faster than I can run with the buggy anyway) so a useful tip if you are near busy roads etc is to invest in a pair of reins. We have the Little Life rucksack with strap which works well.

3rdnparty · 11/05/2009 19:59

I really wanted my ds to start on this sort of bike ...but at 3 he wanted one with pedals......completely threw me and he would hardly use it just sit on it and ask when the pedals were coming..... guess he'd just seen other kids with them (hes an only) probably if I'd got when he was 2ish would have been less of an issue.. only used it a few times and had to change, grrrr ended up with stabilisers and he's more than happy.... so would be sure to try and get her on one first even if its in the bike shop...it's might not last her hugely long and Puky do a lovely bike for 3-5 too.......

flowerybeanbag · 11/05/2009 20:04

I just ordered an Islabike Rothan for DS who will be 2 on Wednesday, on the basis of reading back MN threads on the subject.

Original poster
bumface · 11/05/2009 21:47

Thank you all very much.

I have gone for one of these

www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=21476

I can't wait to see if she likes it! Her birthday isn't for nearly a month so I shall havbe to wait and see.

OP posts:
bodiddly · 11/05/2009 21:51

hi, if anyone is still looking for one I am just about to ebay a puky learner bike .. not sure if it is the Lr1 or Lr2. Let me know if anyone wants it!

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