Bikes and Trikes - any recommendations?

[ILovePie]

My DS (23 months) is getting a Strider balance bike for his birthday next month.

I had also had a tricycle on his wishlist, just so if family thought the balance bike idea was "wierd" they'd have another option - and if we ended up with both and DS wanted to practice pedalling on a trike while learning balance on the Strider, that would be fun as well.

I wondered if anyone had a recommendation for a tricycle to put on his wishlist. I'm debating whether to get a parental push/steering bar or just help him learn to steer himself (which he'd be doing with the Strider). I was looking at some Kettler models, and it looks like you have to pay a pretty good chunk of money to get a trike that lets you free wheel - which would be much of the point of the push bar...

[Materfamilias]

With DS we just kind of skipped the whole trike thing. We did a balance bike and then a two-wheeler with training wheels, and he took those off at 4-ish, if I remember correctly. I think we're going to go the same route with DD. Sorry not to help on the trike rec.

[tankgirl73]

If you know for sure he's getting a Strider, I'd just go with that and not worry about the trike. He'll have more fun with it, and "learning to pedal" is NOT a difficult thing they need to practice... it's all about the balance.

DD has a hand-me-down trike, and gee... while I remember LOVING my trike when I was little (and even when I was bigger teehee), I just don't love this thing. But we love her balance bike.

[SparklingGemini]

We have a Strider and a tricycle and the Strider gets wayyyyyyyyyyy more usage.

DD got the trike for her first birthday and the balance bike for her second.

Just push for the Strider.

[crittersmum]

We got both, as well. DD desperately wanted a red RadioFlyer because her BFF has one and it gets some use -- mostly inside! The only recommendation I would have is to make sure the tricycle is large enough that it'll get years of use.