like-a-bike or other - recommendations please

[pavlovthesmugcat]

I want to get DD a balance bike of some kind for her 3rd birthday, what make would you recommend?

I recently went on a cycling training course and the organiser (a hard core cycling expert) suggested just buying your child a normal child's bike and taking of the pedals to being with to create a balance bike, then once they have mastered that, putting them back on.

DS will be four soon and I want to buy him a bike and am planning to get one with pedals and take them off - am not sure how easy it is though!

I just worry that at 3 or 4 they will soon be bored of a balance bike and want pedals, I only have one DS so that is more of an issue for me, I guess if you have more DC then not such a problems as you can hand it down!

I have another on the way. I think DD would love it personally but I get what you mean about getting bored. She has not had much experience of being on a bike or on a trike etc as she did not enjoy the pedals being in the way!

DS loves his LaB, has had it for a couple of years, and has an older friend who still takes his out and about town and to the parks. Once dc get good, the balance bikes become somewhat like a push scooter, so I don't expect boredom anytime soon. And with the LaB, like some other balance bike makes, you can add saddlebags, trailers etc. We're very pleased with our LaB, will find a second for DD soon. I often see different makes in shop windows with nifty attachments as well.

any others?

DD has a Scoot like this and loves it. She has just got the hang of it (aged 2.6) and can't be parted from it at the moment. I'm actually surprised at the paths she can use it on when I'm walking the dogs, it seems to go offroad fine as well as parks and pavements.

I'd recommend the Scoot as it seems really robust and should last for a while as it comes with a longer seat post for later on. And being robust, I'd thought of selling it later on Ebay as it should still be in good enough condition.

DS has one of these. Got it for his 2nd birthday and 2 years on he still loves it and rides it even though he got a "proper" bike for Christmas. Still looks brand new too.

We just bought a cheap wooden running bike from ebay - was about £45, no particular make. I would say it has been fabulous - I now have a confident 4 year old cyclist (had just a week of stabilisers) and a 3 year old "runner" to whom it was handed down. One of the best toys we ever bought.

After 2 years in/out of the garden it's looking sorry for itself though (wood doesn't weather well). Suspect that's why you dont' see many used ones for sale.

DS1 has a Puky which we got him for his 2nd birthday. He's now 3.6 and just loves his bike.

I'm starting to look for a peddalled bike for him, but I think there's a lot more miles in this one yet - it just depends whether his 16 month old brother pinches it!

We got dd1 a LaB 'Jumper' when she was 2, she used it every single day and progressed to a pedal Islabike when she was 3.

Some of the cheaper balance bikes are quite heavy so it depends whether you'll have to carry it to park etc, if so then this one is perfect as it's so light.

Keep an eye out in Lidl; I got dd's wooden balance bike there for £10.

[smug emoticon]

DS had a Rothan Isla Bike...it was great. He moved from that to a 'real bike' a few months ago and DD now has it. It looks like a real bike and it takes a bashing.

here it is Worth every penny in my view. DD loves it too.

That's a lovely wee bike Mung. I can definitely vouch for Islabikes- they're awesome, in a completely different league from 'normal' kids bikes.

I have the same as Mung for DD2 and its fab

they buy them back depending on condition as a trade in for the next step up if thats a consideration?

Of course cost is a factor, hence the reason we are not getting an actual like-a-bike! But, we have another on the way, and this will get handed down to the next child so robust is good and it will be value for money if we spend a little on it.

I love the Isla Bikes, I have seen them before but could not remember their name! I really do like them. I also like that they will part trade in for another bike, so we have the option of either keeping for next child or upgrading DDs, whichever seems most appropriate at the time.

you'll love it Pav, we love ours

Thats it. We are sold on the Isla bike. DH loves it. We live in a flat so it will be kept outside from time to time, so being able to sustain a bit of rain is good too, unlike the wooden ones (which i love the look of).

Now...helmets...

take DD in to get her head measured at Halfords or summit, if she's anything like DD2 she'll need on much larger than her age

Yes, we are going into a shop for helmet, she is actually quite small for her age, but has a big head , I am sure I would get the wrong size online!

Now. All we need, is for her birthday to arrive. I want to buy it and give to her NOW!!!

I would give them a phone, they're lovely on the phone bless them, to make sure its in stock etc - wouldn't want to disappoint you her

thats a good idea. Birthday is in just over a month, so should be enough time to arrive!

they had mine here within days but I think he mentioned that was because it was in stock - worth a check just incase

Yes, get onto them straight away - I had to order mine and it took about 6 weeks.

Weepootle I best order it now, her birthday in 5 weeks!