Balance bikes?

[R.P.M]

I have seen a few different makes of balance bikes and this one impressed me the most.

http://www.likeabike.co.uk/likeabike_models/likeab...

FWIW I would get one that a simple front brake could be fitted, helps teaches them extra control before they move on to a pedal bike.

[Dino D]

R.P.M said:

I have seen a few different makes of balance bikes and this one impressed me the most.

http://www.likeabike.co.uk/likeabike_models/likeab...

FWIW I would get one that a simple front brake could be fitted, helps teaches them extra control before they move on to a pedal bike.

That is lovely but at 150quid a bit steep - it seems like it could easily take brakes and pedals and chain alter in life if they designed it in - then it would make it a bit more worthwhile as then you can use it a normal bike later on..

Edit: Surely someone has designed a balance bike that can be made into a normal bike later on at a reasonable price?

Edited by Dino D on Wednesday 29th September 14:14

[Davi]

R.P.M said:

I have seen a few different makes of balance bikes and this one impressed me the most.

http://www.likeabike.co.uk/likeabike_models/likeab...

FWIW I would get one that a simple front brake could be fitted, helps teaches them extra control before they move on to a pedal bike.

Looked at that. Couldn't see anything at all it had over the Ridgeback Scoot at half the price, other than the fact it's missing a front brake that the scoot already has!

[Mr Will]

Dino D said:

Edit: Surely someone has designed a balance bike that can be made into a normal bike later on at a reasonable price?

You can take the pedals etc off a normal bike, but the downside is that the saddle will still not go as low as a purpose built balance bike, so your child will need to be quite a bit older before they can use it.

[Davi]

Mr Will said:

Dino D said:

Edit: Surely someone has designed a balance bike that can be made into a normal bike later on at a reasonable price?

You can take the pedals etc off a normal bike, but the downside is that the saddle will still not go as low as a purpose built balance bike, so your child will need to be quite a bit older before they can use it.

There are a few around that will go pretty much as low - I think Trek made one I saw that with a bit of tinkering could be very low.

[R.P.M]

Davi said:

R.P.M said:

I have seen a few different makes of balance bikes and this one impressed me the most.

http://www.likeabike.co.uk/likeabike_models/likeab...

FWIW I would get one that a simple front brake could be fitted, helps teaches them extra control before they move on to a pedal bike.

Looked at that. Couldn't see anything at all it had over the Ridgeback Scoot at half the price, other than the fact it's missing a front brake that the scoot already has!

Admittedly its dear, however the rear is suspended by a rubber wedge, which offers a surprising amount of 'spring' which enables them to gather a fair rate of speed!

[OneDs]

I've been thinking about 12" pedal bikes but no one makes them properly and I can see why.

The drive chain will be so compromised due to the requirement for the child to be able to put feet flat on the ground.

For example the bottom bracket is going to be very low to the ground as the wheels are small, the front chainring would need to be small to avoid grounding out also, it won't have a cassette rear hub so you might get away with a 15T or 16T rear sprocket. The crank arms are going to be so short to avoid grounding out, your left with a bike that will be worse pedalling than coasting or balancing on. ie. the little one will be spinning their legs round at a 120 cadence going nowhere fast.

At 14" it starts to get a bit better, but 12" is just to small for pedals in my opinion.

[Mars]

Pretty sure this has 12" wheels:



My son had grown out of by the time I took the pic. It was the last time he used it before we moved him onto a 16" wheeler. The 12" bike seemed to work well but it would have been too big for him when he had the balance bike beforehand. The seat didn't go low enough to act as a balance bike if I'd have taken the pedals off.

[Davi]

OneDs said:

I've been thinking about 12" pedal bikes but no one makes them properly and I can see why.

The drive chain will be so compromised due to the requirement for the child to be able to put feet flat on the ground.

For example the bottom bracket is going to be very low to the ground as the wheels are small, the front chainring would need to be small to avoid grounding out also, it won't have a cassette rear hub so you might get away with a 15T or 16T rear sprocket. The crank arms are going to be so short to avoid grounding out, your left with a bike that will be worse pedalling than coasting or balancing on. ie. the little one will be spinning their legs round at a 120 cadence going nowhere fast.

At 14" it starts to get a bit better, but 12" is just to small for pedals in my opinion.

My son has 2 12" wheeled bikes, (one here, one at grandparents) and he does fine on both of them, no issues. (well, other than the aforementioned frustration )

Edited by Davi on Wednesday 29th September 20:49

[jimbouk]

Thanks for all the advice, discovered one of my mates had one in his garage, outgrown by his son. Soon to be exchanged for beer....

[Davi]

he's exchanging his son for beer?! sounds great, how many beers is a 2.5 yr old worth.