Balance Bike for a 2 yr old

Look at what he rides at daycare. Or if he doesn't go to one. Ask if he could try them because you want to buy one for home.

You can always donate to the day care with your used one after but make sure they know you are allow to take it back anytime you have another two years old.

My boys loved their Runners metal balance bikes and started using them at 2yo. They are especially great on rough terrain and would ride them when hiking. My 8yo (despite outgrowing it) sometimes prefers his balance bike over his gear mountain bike when going into some areas. Whether used on pavement or trails, both boys ended up learning how to use a pedal bike within a couple of days of trying because of their confidence from using the balance bike. We had a wooden balance bike handed down to us first, but that didn't last long when it was left out in the rain. If you, or your kids, are likely to leave the bike outside, get a metal one.

Strider or Evo Beep Beep

Costco?
https://www.costco.ca/30.48-cm-(12-in.) ... 84230.html
https://www.costco.ca/Bellelli-Red-B-Bi ... 97891.html
https://www.costco.ca/Bellelli-Green-B- ... 97121.html

Can you adjust the height of seat and handle bars on all balance bikes?

Also, Helmet is a must, but do you insist on putting elbow pads and knee pads on your kid?

Whatever happened to just getting a little bike and training wheels? If your worried about the pedals smacking them, just take them off.

I don't think it's a matter of the pedals hitting the child. With a balance bike, the kid is suppose to master the art of balancing first and then add on the pedaling after. Apparently, it slows down the learning if they have to learn to pedal AND balance at the same time.....

TheMaterial wrote: ↑ Whatever happened to just getting a little bike and training wheels? If your worried about the pedals smacking them, just take them off.

my kid went from balance bike directly to regular bike. no training wheels needed as they learn to ride without that middle step.

the MEC one was wonderful for us

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5021-258/ ... sh-Bicycle

what about something like this:
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/movelo-12- ... 0197535537

it's like @TheMaterial had suggested.... a balance bike is just a bike without pedals. I'm thinking about something like that for my little one and my coworker mentioned that he just took the wheels off a regular bike for his kid. When the kid was ready for the pedals, just add them back. That way, it felt like the same bike (it essentially is) and seemed easier for the kid to learn how to pedal afterwards.

My concern with an actual balance bike is the fact that you buy a balance bike and then another bike down the road. Honestly, as parents, we already accumulate way too much stuff at home. Why not combine the two... it just kind of makes sense.

Just to add my 2 cents, my son went from a tricycle to a regular bike with training wheels. We didn't have a balance bike. Balance bike or not, I think it's all a matter of how much enthusiasm the child has with learning to ride. If I recall, my son started with the training wheels between 2 and 3. Then the training wheels went off around 4 and a half when he was riding competently on two wheels. Good enough for me.

Any tips on how to get your kid to “ride” the bike?

Got him the Strider balance bike, so far he rode it about 5 times and every time he just does the walking motion on the bike instead of using his two feet to push off. I guess it takes time for them to learn?

Bebo123 wrote: ↑ Any tips on how to get your kid to “ride” the bike?

Got him the Strider balance bike, so far he rode it about 5 times and every time he just does the walking motion on the bike instead of using his two feet to push off. I guess it takes time for them to learn?

He's only 2, give him some time. My 2 year old does the same thing. That's the point of a balance bike. They'll get the feel of sitting on a bike and moving it slowly with their feet. Eventually they'll lift their feet up and try to balance. That in turn will lead to them coasting. After that, they're ready for a regular bike. But it takes time. You shouldn't expect a 2 year old to be anywhere close to riding a bike and a balance bike is just a bike without pedals.

Bebo123 wrote: ↑ Any tips on how to get your kid to “ride” the bike?

Got him the Strider balance bike, so far he rode it about 5 times and every time he just does the walking motion on the bike instead of using his two feet to push off. I guess it takes time for them to learn?

One of the ways that children learn is mimicing. Have you used your bike similar to a balance bike to show your child what to do?

Every child develops at a different pace, but one reason for that is also what they are exposed to. I don't think you should push your child to do something they are not interested in, but at the same time you can help convince them by showing them how to do it and that it's fun - this will potentially sell them on the idea. Kids just want to do what you're doing.

Have to say I thought this would have been a great idea, we tried with our son who turned 3 last year (he got the balance bike last summer) and will be 4 this year. He absolutely hates his balance bike and would only ride his tricycle. Now he's gone straight to his two-wheeler with training wheels (left over from a big brother). But that's just our experience. Big brother went from tricycle to two-wheeler with training wheels to no training wheels the summer he turned 4 (Which I think is a little young, but that's just how he did it).

To choose the best balance bike you should consider size, weight, geometry, tire type, brakes, turning limiters, footrests, bearings, frame materials, hand grips, and bolts. WOOM1 offers good balance bikes overall, if your son is lightweight, consider Yedoo Too Too bikes.

I think the balance bikes are great and way better than using training wheels, they learn to properly feel how the bike behaves. I also think they are safer (kids do tend to tip over turning too sharply / going off curbs / etc with the training wheels).

Shaner wrote: ↑ He's only 2, give him some time. My 2 year old does the same thing. That's the point of a balance bike. They'll get the feel of sitting on a bike and moving it slowly with their feet. Eventually they'll lift their feet up and try to balance. That in turn will lead to them coasting. After that, they're ready for a regular bike. But it takes time. You shouldn't expect a 2 year old to be anywhere close to riding a bike and a balance bike is just a bike without pedals.

Thanks for the advice.
Yeah, after a few more rides he is getting much more comfortable with it. He’s still walking with it, but walking at a much faster pace lol. Also, he is on the bike much longer now...close to one hour straight last time out. Surprised he wasn’t tired but he just wouldn’t let me take him off his bike lol

Just a few more comments to other people who may find this thread.

The good balance bikes are lightweight. So when you go for a long walk and the kid gets tired/annoyed/fedup with riding and you have to carry the bike, balance bikes are extremely lightweight compared to a normal bike that you've taken the pedals off of. Is this necessary? no. But it is a nice perk.