2 yr old and bikes

[Greenlea]

My son's 2nd birthday is on Saturday.  Originally my DH and I wanted to get him a bike, a two wheeler with training wheels.  We brought him to the store to try out bikes to get the right size, but he didn't know how to peddle.  Now I'm worried I'm going to get him a bike that he will never use. 

Does anyone here have a 2 yo that can peddle a bike?  Should I get him this bike assuming that he will learn how to peddle?  Or should I get him something else?

He does have a tricycle, but he was too small for it last year and couldn't even reach the peddles. 

[dejagerw]

My son is 2 and can peddle his trike. He also has a glide bike.

http://www.amazon.com/Glider-Mini-Glider-12-Inch-Balance-Training/dp/B001HX3CS6

He uses it a bit, but isn't quite proficient yet. (But spring just started, so he hasn't really gotten too much practice yet.) As of now, we're not planning on getting him a bike with training wheels. Just going from a glide bike to a regular 2 wheeler when he's ready. (unless he really wants one with training wheels I suppose.)

[Surfer Rosa]

A balance bike is perfect. DS got one for Christmas and he has been on it non-stop (he also has a trike, which he pedals, but only recently). A balance bike is a good compromise between a trike and a two wheeler. Developmentally, (with exceptions) kids aren't ready for a two wheeler til three or four, and it can be very frustrating for them. It is unbelievable how great his balance is!

We have a "Runners" brand bike which we're totally happy with (very sturdy, adjustable seat height, etc.), but there are other brands out there. Our five year old loves it too (even though she has her own two wheeler), so there's a wide range of use.

[Greenlea]

So for a balance bike, which I'm totally getting now, would a 12" be okay for a 2 yr old?  I saw one 10" one on Amazon, but it looked kinda small and had bad reviews.  Does he need the foot pegs and brakes, or are the brands with out it okay?

[LadyCatherine185]

we got the Strider balance bike for Liam for his second birthday. He loves is. He literally did not get off of the bike except for naptime and bedtime for several days. It has an adjustable seat so it "grows" with them

[Zyon'sMommy]

We had a strider for my older one..He's started riding a 14" bike at around 30 months without the help of training wheels. and my toddler, now 17 months is already on it ... like it was said before the seat is adjustable. This things are great for little ones!!!

[crunchy_mommy]

I think DS would love a balance bike but we can't afford one... would it work to just get a small two-wheeler (cheap one off CL or side of the road) and take off the pedals????

[ScreenTime]

We tried starting our 2yo with a bike (his brother's old bike) and after his first spill he didn't want anything to do with it anymore. I think at that age, a tricycle is a more manageable challenge for him to master and build confidence. Then slowly build up to a bike, imo.

[kayak32]

Yes this is a common way to get a balance bike. It was the only way to get one without spending a fortune when it was first discovered how much better a balance bike is for toddlers. Just make sure to remove the cranks and chain not just the peddles.