for those who can't wait for a cheaper alternative :)
28cm Wooden Balance Bike $39 @ Kmart (Price Increasing by 15% to $45 on Monday)
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Interesting take, but as the dad of a 5 year old I haven't seen this. The balance bike kids in my sons group almost exclusively have their feet permanently attached to the ground (as most balance bike don't even have pegs to lift feet onto) and there's very little "balancing" going on. The kids who started on trainer wheel bikes seem to mostly be off the trainer wheels now while the balance bikers are still on them, though this could also be because some of the balance bikes are $100+ and the parents obviously want to maximise their use.
Having said that, there's a very strongly worded pro balance bike article in the Guardian today, though I think it's a very long stretch to "trainer wheels teach bad behaviour" ;)
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2014/oct/24…
With 3 kids, my experience was the older two learnt to ride using training wheels and actually rode the bike on an angle. After taking the training wheels off this was clearly visible from the way they sat on the seat.
We brought a balance bike for the youngest and after a few months she started to glide after taking a few quick steps (similar to the way people use a scooter or skateboard). She quickly progressed to leaning as she changed direction. Kids with training wheels cannot learn this.
It may be is strongly worded, but it is what I've seen. I'm also not a fan of teaching kids to swim with floaties and similar aids because at some point you need to take them away.
The balance bike kids in my sons group almost exclusively have their feet permanently attached to the ground
how do they move then? :)
The kids who started on trainer wheel bikes seem to mostly be off the trainer wheels now while the balance bikers are still on them
balance bikes are generally ridden earlier than bikes with training wheels
most kids i know with balance bikes transferred straight to normal bikes in a couple of weeks after a few rides
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2014/oct/24…
thanks, good read - my suggestions are at https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/163786#comment-2280820 :)
I have seen these bikes offered for as low as $29 by 1-day.
for those who can't wait for a cheaper alternative :)
My son was on trainer wheels for 6 months and simply rode the bike on a tilt , thus learning nothing . Fast approaching 5 years old I removed the pedals/training wheels and spent the weekend pushing him from one side of the park to the other . Monday he rode to school , I spent the day recovering .
finally, someone is pedalling these to us.
Thanks - have been looking for one of these for a Christmas present!
i prefer the maxi over mini micro and also recommend a big bobby car as seen on abc4kids promos :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby-Car
28 cm? Must be one of those tiny little bikes the clowns ride in the circus…
The Ozbargain way is to just take the pedals off the bike , Instant balance bike . They only need one for a couple of days .
Depending on the age of the child this is a valid option and is exactly what one our neighbours did after seeing our daughter on her balance bike. Although I would suggest a couple of months is a more realistic time frame.
This bike is small and so good value if the child moves from this to a larger bike.
Note
Pedals are not included.
Balance bikes are the best way to teach a child how to ride because they learn the hard part, balancing, first and then the easier part, pedalling, second.
Training wheels teach the kids to balance on the training wheels which causes issues when you take them away.
I have seen these bikes offered for as low as $29 by 1-day.