Balance bike for a cautious but very tall 3-year-old

[SweetApril]

Hi

DD will be 3 in a couple of months and we are planning on getting her a balance bike for her birthday. Problem is what size bike as she is very tall for her age, long of body as well as long legged, and growing at a superfast rate, it seems. She has tried a friend's Likeabike and got on with it fine but I was wondering whether she might outgrow it too quickly.

A bike shop person recommended an Early Rider Evolution which is slightly bigger but I'm a bit wary of getting anything too big as she is quite cautious and her height makes her a bit gangly and awkward so I don't want her to be put off by a too-big bike. And we don't live anywhere near any stockists so not possible to try it out first.

I have looked into the Islabikes which MNers seem to favour but having chatted to them at length on the phone they feel that their balance bike is really too small.

Anyone got any recommendations? Or anyone got an older child on a Likeabike or bigger Early Rider? Don't mind if DD looks too big on the bike, IYSWIM, just want her to feel safe and confident without having her knees either under her chin or dragging on the ground.

Thanks.

oh fgs what is with these bikes?
get a bloardy trike or make her learn a normal bike

have you looked at puky learners? thexl puky learner is the largest - my ds (nearly 3 and also tall for his age) has the size down and it still looks as though he will get plenty of use from it. fwiw i made the mistake of getting my dd 6 a 'normal' bike (with stabilisers) and she still can't balance without them. ds however has great balance and whizzes along on his balance bike.

Thanks, Mummydarlingsausage - I did look at the bigger Puky but thought the brakes might be a bit too much to cope with for a beginner. Also I love the smaller Puky, especially think the footplate is a good idea, but noticed people most often sell them on because children outgrow them fairly quickly (am looking to buy second-hand as can't afford new so becoming a bore expert at this!)

I remember really struggling with a "normal" bike as a kid, took me ages to learn to balance and pedal at the same time (no stabilisers on my ye olde bike). DD can't pedal a trike cos her knees are practically up by her ears and can't get the hang of a scooter even though she loves them - just wants to stand on the plate and have me pull her along. A few of her friends have little bikes with pedals and stabilisers and really struggle to move on them at all.

Anyone else got any advice/tips? DD is at least 1 metre tall, btw.

i haven't tested it yet but we have got a very sturdy looking Peppa Pig balance bike for when ds2 is a bit older.

It was from Additions/Littlewoods etc. Much cheaper than the proper ones as far as I can gather.

It looks like it would fit a four year old, to me.

hi we have just got ds one for christmas. it was an early rider classic and lasts from 2-5 years. ds is 19 months but can reach the floor with the seat on the lowest setting but he is tall. it has controlled steering for when he is learning and then can be changed to normal when he gets a bit more confident. it has an adjustable seat and handlebars and looks like he will get good use out of it. we looked at the skoot but he couldn't reach the handle bars from the seat!!

Thanks, Juillet - I did see a cute Peppa Pig one on ebay. I'll check it out more thoroughly. I am slightly wary of getting anything with a character on as DD gets utterly obsessed with character stuff. Am trying to limit the obsession to Thomas and a bit of Dora the Explorer at the mo!

Nicm - I like the idea of steering that can be controlled then changed to normal. Haven't heard of the skoot but I'll check that out too.
Hope your DS enjoys his pressie!

Any more ideas welcome.