How old for first bike? - Page 2

[5terre]

Thanks for the idea of the balance bike. Maybe that's what we need. And she could use it indoors right now, too. Too bad they are so expensive (Like-a-bike almost $300, Kettler etc $100+)... I will try Freecycle, are there any affordable options (other than the plastic versions)? I think I would prefer metal over wood.

[lerlerler]

Originally Posted by ladybugsea

Thanks for the idea of the balance bike. Maybe that's what we need. And she could use it indoors right now, too. Too bad they are so expensive (Like-a-bike almost $300, Kettler etc $100+)... I will try Freecycle, are there any affordable options (other than the plastic versions)? I think I would prefer metal over wood.

Here are some other options
LikeaBike
Gliderrider.com
FunOne
Skuut
Bino
Kettler Sprint
goabikes.com
runbikes.com
target was selling one but I think based on the measurements people were giving, it would work better for older/taller kids.

and if you go here:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin...isplay.php?f=3 and search under "balance bike" you'll get LOTS of opinions.

[aussiemum]

My kids have had so much enjoyment from Razor scooters- I'm pretty sure that's generic brand & not too expensive. We do have a patch of cement (3m x 5m-ish) that they can use as well.

DS loves his skateboard,too- I am sure one day we will all have to talk about building a wood half-pipe to go along with the cement wall pool...

[marieangela]

I think we got my five year old a bike (with training wheels) when he was 3 1/2. He now has a larger bike (still with training wheels), a scooter and a skateboard. Can't wait till the weather gets nicer around here!

Just yesterday my 2.5 year old tried out ds1's first bike. It is a 12" one, I think. My 2 year old was able to pedal it and did well with it. I'm going to have to get him a new helmet and some pads so he can start riding with his big bro at the park. Last year he could barely reach the pedals on his tricycle, but he has grown a lot.

[nancy926]

We got DD1 a Kinderbike (do a Google search - all one word), a balance bike that was $40 (from their online outlet). She was 3 at the time and wasn't all that into it, but learned how to ride a two-wheeler last fall after using the K-bike for a couple of months. DD2 will get it this summer (if she's tall enough - it says kids can start using it at 2).

[emaye_to_2]

DS got his first bike with training wheels for his third birthday. He is still riding it (4.5 yo) with the training wheels. I think this summer he will learn to ride without them.

[hottmama]

I got my oldest son a bike when he was 3.5, he really wanted one. He had a trike before that. We took the training wheels off when he was 4.5, I think he could have ridden without them sooner if we'd bought a smaller bike (his is 16").
My littlest got a bike with training wheels for his 2nd birthday, but still prefers his trike. I think he'll be closer to 3 before he really likes the bike.

[LynnS6]

Well, apparently I'm the lone hold-out here, because there's no way at all that my son would have been able to ride a bike before 6, and we're just going to get him one at 7. Dd will probably be ready at 5.

Part of it might be where we live - it's mildly hilly and it's impossible to get a bike with training wheels up the hills. So, I'm holding off until they can balance well enough to ride a real bike.

Alternatives to a balance bike:
1. A scooter. My kids whip around on theirs, and they are really good at promoting balance.

2. A regular bike but take the pedals off! All that takes is a screwdriver/wrench and voila, your own balance bike. Then when she's ready to actually ride, you just put the pedals back on.

[nicole lisa]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

Well, apparently I'm the lone hold-out here, because there's no way at all that my son would have been able to ride a bike before 6, and we're just going to get him one at 7.

Nope, not the lone hold out. DS actually has a bike (he's 7.5) but no interest in learning to ride it. He's had it for a couple years. He's much more a scooter and skateboard guy which is fine with me cause this way I can scooter and skate along side him and on the sidewalk in stead of behind him on a bike on the road. We live in the downtown core and bikes have to be on the roads which are bumper to bumper and leave no room for mistakes so his disinterest in bike riding works for me.

[philomom]

Another "late" bike family here. My friends had their kids on bikes at four. I saw the crashes and the tears, I wasn't ready for them to go through that. My kids got bikes around the age of 7 and were motivated to learn them, very little crashing or tears, thank you very much.