shortest balance bike?

[puffingirl]

DD is 2 1/2 and we want to get her a balance bike for Christmas but she is really short. We tried her on the Skuut the other day and it was way too big still. Anyone know the best one for a really tiny kid? I may have to wait until her birthday next summer, but she is really hoping for a bike for Christmas.

[katt]

Strider Bike
11" from seat to ground. we got it for my DS for his 2 year b-day and he rode it on the smallest setting from day 1. He's also not tall (he was in 18-24 mo. clothes at 2 years) So, she'll probably be able to ride it. It is also very lightweight and she'll be able to easily handle it.

Strider Bike

[ShyDaisi]

Haro Z10 (last bike on page) -- 10"

[katt]

nice to know there is an even shorter one in the same price range.
But, there is no foot rest. In the beginning I wouldn't have even noticed, but now after almost a year, I realize how much he uses it, even to the point of standing up and riding that way.

But, those Haros are very cool lookin'.

[tankgirl73]

We have the Haro (Canadian version, anyway, under the Norco brand name). Like it a lot! She's never used a foot rest so she doesn't miss it lol...

[katt]

I noticed they have the Z12, which looks like it'll fit my almost 3 year old. He needs/wants a pedal bike now and most pedal bikes are WAY too big and heavy for him. I gotta check that out.

[SweetTexasgal]

Was looking at these online today...but they seem a bit pricey

http://tykerider.com/bikes/early-rider-bikes/

[noobmom]

Another vote for Strider. We got it because it was the shortest one I could find easily. The Haro had to be ordered by the bike shop, the Strider is sold by enough places that I could shop around for the best price (found it on clearance for about $60 shipped!)

[puffingirl]

Awesome! Thanks for the tips! DD is also still in most of her 18 month clothes at almost 2.5, so glad to hear other little toddlers were able to do a bike! Can't wait for Christmas!

[Anastasiya]

Yup, Strider. My 20 month olds were riding it.

[HeatherB]

Any other input on this? I'm in the search for a bike to fit my 26 months old DS.

[SparklingGemini]

We have a Strider.

DD looooves it!

We got it for her second birthday and now she rides it relentlessly and fearlessly! DD is very petite; always in the 5th percentile for height and weight and she fit the Strider just fine. I think you'll find that while the listed seat height is 11" it goes a tad shorter.

Anyway, here she is. And sailing down a hill.

[ellairiesmom]

DD is 33" tall with an almost 11" inseam...it's between 10.5 & 11" right now. We went to all the stores in the area to try whatever bikes they had in stock which included only 12". We really, REALLY wanted to try the Haro Z10 in person somewhere to see if she was comfortable because on the others, she was too small, got scared right away & wasn't interested in even trying to see if she could sit on the seat. On the Specialized brand 12" w/ the seat that they sawed off part of to show parents it can go lower, we did get her to sit & she was so tippy toed which I could tell she didn't like at all.

One shop in our area can order a Haro but they are making it seem like we would have to buy it if they ordered it & would have to pay the shipping so it would come to $115 ish. I am hesitant because we can't get her on a 10" anywhere to try out.

So it sounds like folks are saying the Strider seat goes low enough for an 11" inseam to sit with feet flat? And you were able to see one in person somewhere?

We have 2 shops in NYC (We are in Northern NJ) to try & call to see about a Haro Z10 but I would like to see about trying a Strider in person as well.

[puffingirl]

We haven't seen a Strider in person but after looking at the website and doing some research, we're going with that one. Can't wait to see her face on Christmas!

[ellairiesmom]

Made a ton of calls this afternoon & found a local shop who has the Haro Z10 so we can go try that out. I emailed & called Strider to find out if there are any retailers in Northern NJ/NYC-hopefully they will get back to me soon.

I am torn between knowing that Haro has a better reputation than Strider when it comes to actual build & ability to last through more than 1 child combined with it's slightly smaller size VS the footrest on the Strider.

I might have to post a thread asking just about the footrest feature & how impt it is to everyone...

Hmmmmmmmm

[whoami]

Stephanie, just posted a reply to your other post. The shortest we found was the Early Rider, which we couldn't track down anywhere in our area. Here's a good post from a mountain bike forum my honey frequents that may be of help to you. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=512502

[L J]

I got the Strider for my son's 2nd birthday. His inseam at the time was 10.75 inchs, and he could ride it immediately with it adjusted all the way down.

I HIGHLY recommend this bike, and the company. When our bike arrived (purchased from an online retailer, not directly through Strider) one of the wheels had a "weird" spot. Contacted Strider customer service, and they sent a new wheel out immediately, even though they said the spot on the original wouldn't affect function. It did not, in fact, affect the function, but they told me to keep the other as a spare, no charge. Not even for shipping.

My rough boy and his friends have abused this bike, and it still rides as if brand new. I think its a good one.

[ShyDaisi]

Originally Posted by ellairiesmom

Made a ton of calls this afternoon & found a local shop who has the Haro Z10 so we can go try that out. I emailed & called Strider to find out if there are any retailers in Northern NJ/NYC-hopefully they will get back to me soon.

The following are dealers listed within 10 miles of Verona, NJ:
Bicycle Tech - Lincoln Park, NJ
Heino's Ski & Cycle - Pequannock, NJ
Cycle Craft - Parsippany, NJ
Bicycle Source - Pompton Plains, NJ
Diamond Cycle - Montclair, NJ
Allwood Bicycles - Clifton, NJ
Clifton Speed Center - Clifton, NJ
Bike Pad - Hawthorne, NJ
Sam's Bicycles - Elmwood Park, NJ

The website has a dealer locator. I wish you weren't so far away! I would let you try ours!

[ecoteat]

We got dd this one for her 3rd birthday. It was the smallest one we could find for our tiny girl. It has a footrest, but I can't say anything about it because she never really got into riding the thing. I'm hoping she'll use it more next summer!

[ellairiesmom]

Thx ya all!!!


ShyDaisy-I called every single Haro from that list & a couple in NYC. The NYC stores put me on hold & never came back to the phone....grrrrr. I decided I wasn't willing to give them my business after that. hehehehe. The shop closest to us (Diamond in Montclair) told me they would have one of the owners bring his son's in & that they could also order it. We made an "appt" with them, showed up & everyone acted like they didn't know what I was talking about & all they had were 12" ones in stock & of they ordered anything, we had to take it. Yesterday, I did get a great guy at another shop that is only 20 mins or so away who said no prob-they would order the pink Z10 & if we didn't want it, no worries, he could sell it.

I wish we lived closer to! You have been so helpful with the Z10