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Original poster

wooden balance bike

28 replies

nicm · 22/11/2009 23:21

hello,

we're looking at getting ds 20 months a bike for christmas. have looked at the like a bike but a bit at the price. i've spoken to a friend who had the like a bike for her ds and says they're great but there may be other ones out there now that are just as good but to look for one with controlled steering.

so does anyone have any recommendations please?

thanks

OP posts:
JuanMoreTime · 22/11/2009 23:21

get him a trike and be done

thisisyesterday · 22/11/2009 23:22

i've just ordered a puky one for ds2. it isn't wooden though

Original poster
nicm · 22/11/2009 23:32

have a trike!

thisisyesterday is the puky bike good and does it have the controlled steering? what age is your ds?

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 22/11/2009 23:33

it looks good! he is just 2

what is controlled steering exactly?? lol

FluffyPumpkins · 22/11/2009 23:34

oh how annoying have just sold our likeabike would of been perfect.

Original poster
nicm · 22/11/2009 23:43

thisisyesterday will be interested to hear how you get on or is it for christmas too? the controlled steering is so that the handlebar doesn't turn the whole way iykwim so more control for smaller kids.

FluffyPumpkins it would have been. did you sell it on? if so can i ask how much for? i'm trying to convince dp that we might be able to sell it on after at a good price so worth the money! don't think i'm too convincing...

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 22/11/2009 23:46

ahh i'm not sure about the steering.
but yes, it's for christmas, so can't give a proper review until after then

we chose it partly because we were getting a puky bike for his older brother so got it from the same place, and also because it was one of the smallest ones we could find

it's this one

BeehiveBaby · 22/11/2009 23:52

As my day dad says, 'wooden bikes...never really caught on did they?'. Get the same sort but in metal or composite so you can carry it home or balance on the buggy hood when they tire. Brilliant concept though, DD just got on her first pedal bike and rode off, I cried

Original poster
nicm · 22/11/2009 23:57

thanks thought it was for christmas! beehive which one did you have? i'm torn between this and the scooter as he loves my mindees scooter but the like a bike says from 18 months and the scooter is from aged 2. hmm...decisions decisions!

OP posts:
BeehiveBaby · 23/11/2009 00:05

DD had a 'RunBike' (£50) but it is quite small, she was able to start on it before 2 but had grown out of it completely by 4 and she is petite. She could ride the proper bike by then but the balance bike would still be useful for getting for A to B. The Puky version is a lot bigger.

Fizzylemonade · 23/11/2009 13:15

We are getting a Zooom balance bike

this one

we wanted one with a brake on it. Ds2 is 3 1/2 though.

We already have a 3 wheeler scooter but want him to be able to sit down and "walk" with his feet rather than standing and scooting with one leg. He can't peddle forwards only backwards so doesn't move on a traditional bike with stabilisers.

Fizzylemonade · 23/11/2009 13:18

Have a look on youtube, lots of very little children on balance bikes, it doesn't technically require a lot of balance which a scooter does surprisingly.

The Zooom bike is £90 on the link above but £80 on ebay.

We looked at like a bikes too but were shocked at the price.

Measure your son's inside leg, stand him against a wall, put a book between his legs then measure up to the top of the book. Then you can see if he will fit a balance bike.

nappyaddict · 23/11/2009 13:35

We got the one that is £24.99 in Toys R Us. It's a 10 inch wheel which just about fits DS and he is 3.4 and I think about 92cm tall. There's no way he would have been able to fit at 20 months.

Original poster
nicm · 29/11/2009 22:23

thanks all, we ended up with the early rider classic. it has controlled steering for when he's smaller and then can be moved to normal steering when he gets a little bigger and also has height adjustable seat and handles! can't wait to see him at christmas on it as he loved playing on it in the showroom.

OP posts:
treedelivery · 29/11/2009 22:28

We got a like-a-bike when dd1 was about 2. We added the wooden basket and little side bags etc over the years.

Single best thing we bought ever. It meant that as a toddler we got to the shops in a fair amount of time as she just flew along. At 5 she stil uses it a few times a week at least.
It is light and small enough to pick up and carry if needs be.

Peddling bike [much nagged for birthday pressi] is in garden going rusty.

SweetApril · 30/11/2009 09:34

Treedelivery - do you happen to know roughly how tall your DD1 is? I'd was thinking of getting a Likeabike for my 3yo DD who is easily 1 metre tall but I'm wondering if she'd outgrow it too quickly. Did you get the seat extension for your DD? TIA

treedelivery · 30/11/2009 10:02

Hmm, she is 5 now and about 1.6cms. I'd have said she was under a metre at 3. I think she got good use out of it and could use it comfortably to about 1-103 say. She still uses it but maybe the pushing along movement isn't as fluid if that makes sense.

That was on a regular seat on mas - we haven't bought anyextra extension. In fact we didn't know there was such a athing!! Had a look on the site though and will certainly invest. Brilliant! We have the classic mountain, it appears to be indestructable.

This guy in Tadcaster/Weatherby is the origonal importer and distributor - ring and ask. He's a lovely man wh.o really knows the bikes. here

Apologies for all typos and spelling - wild baby here!!

treedelivery · 30/11/2009 10:05

btw - no brake but dd has always used her feet like they are supposed to. The guy had some reason why this was good, though can't remember now.

It took her maybe 3x5 min goes to get the balance. Then she was off!!

RorysRacingMa · 30/11/2009 10:09

there are lots of similar makes that are a lot cheaper than the likeabike. I got one for dd when she was 2.5 yo. To be honest it turned out to be a bit big and heavy for her but since the summer she's really taken to it.( she's 3 3/4 now )

We got one from a place called tvdeals.tv for about £30

SweetApril · 30/11/2009 10:33

Thanks for the link Treedelivery. I'll give the guy a call. Yeah, I know what you mean about the movement not being as fluid - I suspect DD will get to that point sooner rather than later.

treedelivery · 30/11/2009 11:06

Sounds like the extension could be the way to go, for us too. Perfect in fact. They seem to do a larger bike aimed at over 4. Might be a good thing too.

SweetApril · 30/11/2009 11:46

Ah, I just phoned the guy you recommended and they do do a larger bike, it's called the Midi and it sounds like it might be perfect for DD. He was very helpful. We will be passing near Wetherby fairly soon so think we might make a detour and visit the showroom. He said there's loads of space to try out all the different bikes. I'm stupidly excited about it.

RorysRacingMa - I wanted a really lightweight bike as I suspect I'm going to be carrying it (plus shopping and who knows what child paraphernalia) a fair way when DD gets tired/bored.

brimfull · 30/11/2009 11:50

what is the point of them being made of wood?

is it to appeal to the wooden toys only brigade?

balmy imo

treedelivery · 30/11/2009 11:55

Oooo we went and they let you them barney about on them, and you end up going home with a bike, the little bags, and either a trailer or the wooden basket.

You have been warned

Obviously we also had to have the gloves as dh is mad about mountain biking/cycling.

He's really young, the like-a-bike guy. He has made his fortune importing them. Its a lovely story really.

It is great for carrying, it is really light. They probably all are though.

It is expensive, but if she likes it you will get so much use out of it is is untrue. She won't get tired on it, as it is less tiring than walking really. They push off a few times and skoot. Great to see

If you are on a big journey I think there is a soft play thing around there somewhere, to have a break from the car and grab food.

SweetApril · 30/11/2009 12:47

Oh, God, I'm a sucker for a bit of showroom banter. Thanks for the warning. We will be on a major road trip so the car will be stuffed full with no room for a bike so we are sort of hoping we will just be able to test drive then and buy later. A cooling-off period may prevent the purchase of many 'must-have' accessories! Or maybe we can find the nearest Halfords and buy a roof rack and strap it all to the top...