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Original poster

Bike for a two year old?

14 replies

DoodleAlley · 30/04/2010 13:54

DS is nearly two and is fascinated to the point of obsessino about bikes. He's very able physically and certainly not short and so we were thinking about getting him a little proper bike with stabilisers. We've seena few twelve inch bikes that he could try in a shop but I was just wondering if anyone had got their DC a bike so young and whether they'd recommend it?

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 30/04/2010 14:11

Started ds on a balance bike at a bit younger - he broke his first (wooden) by running into a tree rather hard - his second (metal) has lasted him until he was 4ish (although he still sometimes uses it aged 5) and he learned to use a pedal cycle (no stabilisers) in a weekend.. He now has an 18" bike (5th birthday present) and is a very confident and competent cyclist. In contrast, I see people wtih older children still with stablisers - and also desperately trying to help with balance for their children when they first come off stabilisers (when he started on a proper bike, we could just push his back as he already could balance himself and the bike). Balance bike every time....

paisleyleaf · 30/04/2010 14:12

If I'd known about those balance bikes at the time of getting my DD her first bike, I would have definitely gone for one of them . They look a great idea.

Original poster
DoodleAlley · 30/04/2010 14:17

Thanks. I'd been looking at the balance bikes too. We're thinking about nipping to Halfrods and seeing if he's big enough and I know they do balance bikes too.

He's had a little trike to puch along and hasn't loned that but loves bikes so I don't know how impressed he will be without the pedals!

OP posts:
Original poster
DoodleAlley · 30/04/2010 14:17

meant to say loved, sorry!

OP posts:
amidaiwish · 30/04/2010 14:19

we have this one in pink for DD2 and it is great. on special offer here, plus if you use code FRIENDS you get an additional 20% off
here

paisleyleaf · 30/04/2010 14:22

I think a normal little bike - but you can take the pedals off, would be the same. You can put the pedals on later when he's ready.

xkaylax · 30/04/2010 14:27

Im also debating getting one for my ds who is just 3 hes become obsessed with them also but dont know where to start?
Im thinking of getting a 12inch thomas one but not sure?

xkaylax · 30/04/2010 14:27

Im also debating getting one for my ds who is just 3 hes become obsessed with them also but dont know where to start?
Im thinking of getting a 12inch thomas one but not sure?

mistlethrush · 30/04/2010 15:07

Ds did manage to break his wooden one... and he was only 2.8 when he broke it, but it was probably down to him being a typical boy and going everywhere rather fast and bumping into things rather hard.... I do recommend the full safety gear though, even if they're small - we found some small cycling gloves that protected his hands when he fell off, and he has always worn a helmet when on the bike, even when going really slowly to start with.

But they do mean that (at least once they get going) you can go round a park at a reasonable rate - so much faster than a bike with stabilisers.

Original poster
DoodleAlley · 30/04/2010 15:15

xkaylax - do you have somewhere like Halfords near you so you can sit him on one? Some of the websites suggest a three year old has a fourteen inch bikes and others say that's only suitable for a four year old. Obviously kids come in all sizes so maybe trying one outwould help? In terms of normal bikes I know they should be able to put their toes down while sitting on and not have their knees hit the handlebars when peddling.

DS is v slow on his little push along one but then it might be way too low for him. Have been encouraged by these posts to try a balance bike as well as normal one at halfords. Not going to buy from there but reckon they'll have the stock and space to try out stuff without being bugged too much by a sales patter!

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 01/05/2010 10:38

A balance bike does take a bit of getting used to - ideal if you can find someone else to ride alongside them on theirs and show them how to do it...

Its when they start running, downhill, and then pick feet up.....

Piffpaffpoff · 01/05/2010 10:44

Another vote for the balance bikes - DS got his at 2 and got a 'proper' bike for his 3rd birthday and learnt to ride it in one afternoon.

What I would say is try and get a balance bike that has a brake - they really do get very fast on them (!!) and plus by learning how to brake on the balance bike, it's one less thing for them to think about when they are learning to pedal.

And I'd second mistlethrush's comment on the safety gear - DS had his hat from the outset and we got him teeny cycling gloves when he was 2.5.

xkaylax · 02/05/2010 09:10

I got the 12 inch one after trying it our ds has small legs anyway so should last a while. Got the matching helmet though and its tiny so i'll have to find another one.

The balance bikes do look great but i like the idea of my ds learning to ride a bike now as he has a micro scooter and is great on it

xkaylax · 02/05/2010 09:10

I got the 12 inch one after trying it our ds has small legs anyway so should last a while. Got the matching helmet though and its tiny so i'll have to find another one.

The balance bikes do look great but i like the idea of my ds learning to ride a bike now as he has a micro scooter and is great on it

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