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Looking at getting my nephew his first balance bike for his 2nd birthday,
I like the look of the mongoose one, but not sure if it's suitable as a first
Will a 12" wheel be too big, should they start on 10"?
I see some have brakes, but I doubt he'd understand at that age
I don't want to get him the wrong thing, mainly because his mother is a PITA
Budget of around £60, what do you guys recommend?
I've just sold a Specialized hotwalk for that amount, 10" tyres, no brakes and light. Highly recommended! Not sure about new bikes at that price.
When they start brakes will just confuse them, when they're more brave they might be useful especially if it's hilly where he lives...
my boy is very happy with his strider
Yep, Hotwalk as above, if you can find one in budget. Ours is currently on child 2, and I expect to sell it on in a few months.
Weight is very important, as a parent will always end up carrying it home!
The Decathlon ones are excellent value for money. 10" wheels, very low stand over height, and not too heavy.
It's done our daughter from 2-4 and she's just about to go onto a 16" wheel bike with pedals.
Currently £39.99, but keep an eye out for sales, as I got ours for £32 in a flash sale...
[url= https://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-781261-balance-bikes ]Decathlon Balance bikes[/url]
Puky LRM. Built to last and under your budget.
another vote for the hotwalk, i picked one up 2nd hand a couple of years ago for about £50 for partner's then 3 year old who was struggling with the regular bike/stabilisers that he had. the hotwalk is now safely stored away waiting for small boy to be less small.
It looks like they only make the hotwalk in 12"
Second hand kokua jumper can maybe be had for around that price. Comes with a long and short seat post for when they grow.
It has a 12" wheel I think but is meant for 2-5 year olds.
something cheap
As above, the Decathlon ones are great. We've got the one with the brake. Was about £40 from memory.
Lowest seat possible. That's really the key.
Long wheelbase, fat tyres and a brake too ideally.
12" bike with stabilisers and a two-wheeled scooter to learn balance.
I know everyone likes these things, but I much prefer old-fashioned bikes.
Never failed to teach a child to ride.
My little guy got one of these for his second birthday, and it has been used by his three younger siblings since:
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Wonderful colours as well.
We’ve had two, a specialized hotwalk and a frog tadpole.
Overall I think the spesh was the better built of the two, however the tadpole has a rear brake and our little one got on better with the ‘shape’
Don’t think you could go wrong with either if I’m honest and once they get the hang of it, it’s blimmin awesome!
Puky too FTW. lightweight, durable.
Don't get one with a brake. Their hands are not strog enough to use it anyway.
At 2 ours was still too small for many options. We went for a Puky LRM because the saddle goes so low,abd he was riding it properly at about 22 months (he only started walking at 18 months).
From knowing loads of other kids on all sorts of balance bikes though, it doesn't much matter which one as long as it's not too massive. Brakes are of no use until they're quite a but younger. Our number 2 still rides her Puky at 3.5 but did prefer her friend's one with a brake yesterday at Swinley!
Islabike Rothan.
Bought two (for twins), for £75 and £80 each in pretty good nick not quite as new but not too far off.
Sold them about two years later for £65 and £70 - result !
Repeated for the next bikes up (14" Islabikes) and will most probably keep repeating the same approach for the foreseeable future.
Oh - and apart from the economics they are genuinely really good bikes for little ones - lightness REALLY matters for small kids.
Islabike Rothan.
Bought two (for twins), for £75 and £80 each in pretty good nick not quite as new but not too far off.
Sold them about two years later for £65 and £70 - result !
Repeated for the next bikes up (14" Islabikes) and will most probably keep repeating the same approach for the foreseeable future.
Oh - and apart from the economics they are genuinely really good bikes for little ones - lightness REALLY matters for small kids.