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Bikes for toddlers

(34 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by Neil
  • Latest reply from chdot
  • This topic is resolved

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  1. Neil
    Member

    We bought my son a balance bike for his 2nd birthday- he likes the idea of it, but has never really taken to it. He's generally a bit timid- I could see his crazy little sister taking to the balance bike with typically frenzied abandon once she's big enough but now we're wondering whether he might get more out of a bike with pedals + stabilisers, or trike. I can see the benefit of the balance bike route if it works for the kid but it doesn't seem to be in this case.

    So- any thoughts, experiences and/or recommendations for bikes, things to look out for etc...?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. wingpig
    Member

    Eldest had a wooden Hudora Joey, which he was too small for until he was 3. Heavy to lug and slightly twitchy steering but it set him up well for immediate transition to a two-wheeled pedal bike. Just-gone-2 smallest is still a bit too small for the can't-remember-the-brand tiny-wheeled thing found on Gumtree, so will probably also wait until he's bigger and we get the Joey back from one of his colleagues.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. SRD
    Moderator

    @smashface

    how big is he now? 2 might just be a bit young? so much of these things are individual to the child (as you suggest).

    our kids never got the hang of pedalling their trikes until they could actually pedal their bikes. that's why you see parents pushing them around. pedalling is tricky! and trikes can be heavy/awkward things.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. Darkerside
    Member

    Toddlebike is highly recommended. Very light, cheap, washable, no sharp edges.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. Neil
    Member

    Thanks. Forgot to mention- he's almost 4 now. Crazy sister is just gone 2

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. SRD
    Moderator

    yup. toddle bikes particularly good for younger siblings who want their own bikes just like everyone else in the family, and they cope with outdoors and indoors, unlike a lot of similar toys.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. Neil
    Member

    The toddlebike looks like a good idea for his sister though, particularly if he get's a new bike! Thanks!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. Morningsider
    Member

    +1 for the toddlebike for little 'uns. Can get up to warp speed on wooden floors though!

    Small pedal bikes can be surprisingly heavy, even those with aluminium frames, and might be a bit of a challenge for a two year old. Might be best to see if you can get junior to test out a friend or relative's bike first, before splashing out on anything.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. algo
    Member

    I am a big fan of the (locally built) boomer bike:

    http://boomerbalancebikes.co.uk/

    detachable pedals which stick on the frame once they're good at scooting along on the balance bike alone.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. Neil
    Member

    I wrote my original post in haste and can no longer edit to say he is now 4 :P

    Boomer bike looks interesting! Any way to put stabilisers on it if required?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    'Conventional wisdom' these days is to avoid stabilisers (unless absolutely necessary...)

    Pedalling is obviously a skill to be picked up, but for riding a bike balance is more important.

    It's a pity that he's got to 4 without getting along with his bb - but everyone is different!

    Does he have a scooter? Even with a three-wheelers he'll have a good idea about balance. If he is confident on a two-wheeler then a bike with stabilisers might be a good transition.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  12. chdot
    Admin

    Hadn't come across boomerbikes before - looks like a very neat idea.

    Was told about these today.

    http://www.striderbike.co.uk

    The smallest is smaller than most other makes of bb and there are even ones for very big kids!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  13. algo
    Member

    Striders are great but beware the lack of brake on a hill!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  14. Neil
    Member

    It came down to a choice between the Strider and First bike after typically obsessive researching by me- went for the first bike in the end but can't remember why. I don't think there was much in it.

    Yup, we got him a scooter too and he's similarly not taken to it. His sister has though and if it wasn't for that we'd be certain it was something we've been doing wrong with him.

    Perhaps timid is the wrong word - more a tendency to overtime things, and I think that gets in the way of making the necessary leap of faith and try balancing.

    "Conventional wisdom" is what we've been following I guess. As part of that I'd read to not push it and if there was resistance/fear to just put it and try again in a few months.

    We wonder now whether pedalling around on something that didn't require stabilisers would be a better way to get him interested.

    I see the logic in the current thinking, but ultimately, I can cycle ok and I went through the stabilisers coming off trauma ;-)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  15. steveo
    Member

    My laddie is a demon on the balance bike but can't manage to pedal. He's too big for the balance bike now so we got him a pedal bike. It's not adjusted correctly though and the back wheel is only just in contact ground so going up hill he just wheel spins but at least he's learning the pedaling motions.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  16. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    +1 for avoiding stabilisers

    In my experience (and I've taught many dozens of young kids to cycle now) the only real benefit of stabilisers is allowing a non cyclist to be included on a family ride. Even then, I'd advocate a tag along over stabilisers.

    Scooting and gliding on a balance/pedal-less bike is my most successful method. Once their gliding (coasting/freewheeling) is proficient, then a bike with pedals is next. Initially, I encourage the use of the pedals as a foot rest and its surprising (or maybe not)how many wee folk just naturally seem to know to pedal. Often no more than a little guidance/encouragement is needed at that stage.

    If anyone wants to ask an off list question, I'm happy to be PM'd.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  17. Neil
    Member

    @bikeability so would you suggest just holding off and trying him again with the balance bike at some point in the future, or looking into lessons?

    What age do you start lessons at?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  18. sallyhinch
    Member

    There was a tiny wee girl who came along to our family rides in the summer with a pedal bike in a tagalong arrangement. She was apparently a demon on her balance bike but wasn't taking to the pedal bike that well. I did notice that she would enthusiastically pedal *backwards* behind her dad. Might make for an interesting transition ...

    Posted 8 years ago #

  19. Neil
    Member

    It would be if you put her on a fixie

    Posted 8 years ago #

  20. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    I wouldn't push a kid at all. I've seen kids have no interest or desire at all to cycle until 10/11 y.o! I've also seen kids of 4 cycle around like they've been handling a bike for years!

    Trying earlier (pre school) is probably better. Fear of falling and getting hurt is less likely to be an issue.

    Lessons are better with older (primary) kids, as teaching a kid to ride can be as fraught as teaching a teenager to drive. Thats not usually the case with really wee ones, so parental teaching is probably easier!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  21. Mandopicker101
    Member

    We skipped the whole balance bike thing and, about age 4, we bought my daughter a suitably sized bike with stabilisers and trundled to and from nursery. The scooter we had at the time didn't see a lot of use but her interest was caught by the idea of having a bike.

    Just in case the whole notion didn't take off, we bought secondhand via Gumtree. As friends cast off stabilisers, we progressed to learning how to ride on two wheels. By P1 she'd got the balance aspect and it was simply a case of building up confidence.

    I found that incentivising the whole experience kept her interest alive, despite the odd bump or tumble. Early on I bought her a good pair of cycling gloves because she was worried about trashing her hands if/when she fell (not unreasonable). We also acquired little bits and bobs from places like Decathlon when we made progress or felt good effort merited a reward. It seemed to work.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  22. cb
    Member

    Decathlon balance bikes are very good value (is there a cheaper option anywhere?) and seem to be quite well thought out: simple drum brake operated by easy plastic lever. Sensible sized hand grips. limited steering lock. No jaggy bits. All for £30 or £35 or something like that.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  23. Neil
    Member

    Thanks everyone- very helpful.

    He was actually out on the bike yesterday with grandparents so we'll see if he expresses interest or resistance next time it's suggested (in the past he's seemed to enjoy it but the next time it it was suggested he's been, surprisingly, extremely resistant).

    I wonder if the saddle is set at the correct height.... To be honest, I don't really know what you're aiming for saddle height wise? Any pointers on how to best set it up appreciated.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  24. chdot
    Admin

    Probably best to start so that both feet can be firmly on the ground, then raise gradually without him knowing.

    When you think he's 'nearly got it' - aim is to be able to roll down a gentle slope with both feet off the ground - make a big deal of 'oh you've grown, I think we need to put the saddle up.

    Grandparents have different levels of expectation/patience etc. (can be good/bad!)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  25. davidsonsdave
    Member

    Our 2yo had varying levels of interest and never quite got the hang of her Puky balance bike until her 3yo cousin came to visit in the summer. After a couple of outings at Cramond and Portobello she had it sussed.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  26. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    +1 for what chdot said

    Posted 8 years ago #

  27. Neil
    Member

    Ok, thanks everyone- we're decided- no pedals or stabilisers for now at least. Will look at the seat height on the balance bike and just see how it goes. I think incentivising like Mandopicker suggests is a good idea- he LOVED his new helmet when he outgrew the first one! I think his sister would love the Toddlebike and it's cheap; also, I wouldn't be surprised if seeing her on that encouraged him to ride his own bike ;-)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  28. Beano
    Member

    @smashface - just wanted to add that we are in the same boat as you and looking for a bike for Xmas for my 3 1/2 year old. He has been 'ok' on the balance bike but loves his 4-wheeled scooter (haven't got him on a 3 wheel yet)

    I don't see it mentioned above so sorry if it has (plus I'm no expert) but we were looking at the Frog bikes which seemed nice and light (not like a Spiderman/Superman/Batman/Police one if you know what I mean) one of the sales guys at EBC said we could buy it and take the pedals/chain off (or not put them on) and then use it as a balance bike to get him confident then pop the pedals on??

    as I say I'm no expert so that might be a daft idea...

    Posted 8 years ago #

  29. twq
    Member

    I'm looking for a balance bike for my 2.5 yo nephew - anyone with kids that have outgrown theirs?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  30. wingpig
    Member

    @Beano When my oldest one moved up to his pedal bike from the balance bike he scootled round the house and down to the park with the pedals off to get used to the handling (and presence of brakes) before we fitted the pedals.

    Posted 8 years ago #

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