Toddler bike/trike recommendation (2yo)

Hi All,

My son is turning 2 years old tomorrow, and I'd like to buy him a
trike/bike, and was wondering what experiences people had had with
these things.

I guess my son is about average sized, (with average coordination),
for a 2yo. He scoots around the house on a train thing that you sit on
top of, but hasn't experiences pedalling, or balancing. (From what
I've read, it could be a while before he gets to pedalling).

I think the Parent Handle would probably be good too (i.e. the long
stick attached to the back of the bike that the parent pushes/guides
with).

I think a trike would be better than a bike for my son... I don't
think he's ready for 2 wheels

I'll probably drop into my LBS tonight to have a look around
(Chatswood).

Any ideas/experiences/recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

Brock Henry

On Nov 22, 7:32 am, Brock wrote:
I think a trike would be better than a bike for my son... I don't
think he's ready for 2 wheels

I agree that a good trike is better than a bike with trainer wheels.
In fact I wouldn't recommend trainer wheels at all, they just teach
bad habits. Suggest a good quality trike (ours was an outrageously
expensive European model) then move up to a scooter in a couple
of years. I think a scooter is a good way to learn balance safely.

I'll probably drop into my LBS tonight to have a look around
(Chatswood).

For a quality trike you might be better looking in one of the
better toy shops. Forget where we got ours, I think it was in
Bondi Junction, but that was probably about 8 years ago.

brucef wrote:
On Nov 22, 7:32 am, Brock wrote:
I think a trike would be better than a bike for my son... I don't
think he's ready for 2 wheels

I agree that a good trike is better than a bike with trainer wheels.
In fact I wouldn't recommend trainer wheels at all, they just teach
bad habits. Suggest a good quality trike (ours was an outrageously
expensive European model) then move up to a scooter in a couple
of years. I think a scooter is a good way to learn balance safely.

I'll probably drop into my LBS tonight to have a look around
(Chatswood).

For a quality trike you might be better looking in one of the
better toy shops. Forget where we got ours, I think it was in
Bondi Junction, but that was probably about 8 years ago.

I second these sentiments. Basically, never buy a bike with
trainers or if you do, take them off.

My two kids are now both up pedaling on two wheels. The second
one just started a couple of months ago not long after his 4th
birthday. Prior to that he (and his big sister) had trikes then
graduated to small bikes with no pedals. A small bike (so that kid
can put both feet on the ground) with no pedals allows them to scoot
along learning to balance and steer with confidence.

One other thing - keep 'em away from hills - they can't handle the
speed and proper braking is not amongst the first set of skills
they learn!


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"brucef" wrote in message
...
On Nov 22, 7:32 am, Brock wrote:
I think a trike would be better than a bike for my son... I don't
think he's ready for 2 wheels

I agree that a good trike is better than a bike with trainer wheels.
In fact I wouldn't recommend trainer wheels at all, they just teach
bad habits. Suggest a good quality trike (ours was an outrageously
expensive European model) then move up to a scooter in a couple
of years. I think a scooter is a good way to learn balance safely.

I'll probably drop into my LBS tonight to have a look around
(Chatswood).

For a quality trike you might be better looking in one of the
better toy shops. Forget where we got ours, I think it was in
Bondi Junction, but that was probably about 8 years ago.

You can get such trikes at Kids Central in Chatswood Chase, at Early
Learning World in Penhurst St, and probably at Toys R Us in Westfield. I
don't recollect ever seeing them at Northside Cyclery (the only LBS I know
of in Chatswood). If you see one you like, it can be worth looking online -
we got ours substantially cheaper than in the local toy shops, even
including delivery costs, from an online shop.

Liz

Brock Wrote:
Hi All,

My son is turning 2 years old tomorrow, and I'd like to buy him a
trike/bike, and was wondering what experiences people had had with
these things.

I guess my son is about average sized, (with average coordination),
for a 2yo. He scoots around the house on a train thing that you sit on
top of, but hasn't experiences pedalling, or balancing. (From what
I've read, it could be a while before he gets to pedalling).

I think the Parent Handle would probably be good too (i.e. the long
stick attached to the back of the bike that the parent pushes/guides
with).

I think a trike would be better than a bike for my son... I don't
think he's ready for 2 wheels

I'll probably drop into my LBS tonight to have a look around
(Chatswood).

Any ideas/experiences/recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

Brock Henry

I've been looking for a bike for my nephew's 2nd birthday and I came
across a neat bike made of plywood. I has no pedals, so you skoot along
using your feet which help you learn to balance. It can be adjusted as
the child grows. No sure if it would suit a 2yo... anyone got any
thoughts. I saw one go for around $40 on Aus Ebay.


[image:
http://www.thegoodearthcompany.co.uk...product30.jpg]


--
::dom::

Brock wrote:
Hi All,

My son is turning 2 years old tomorrow, and I'd like to buy him a
trike/bike, and was wondering what experiences people had had with
these things.

I guess my son is about average sized, (with average coordination),
for a 2yo. He scoots around the house on a train thing that you sit on
top of, but hasn't experiences pedalling, or balancing. (From what
I've read, it could be a while before he gets to pedalling).

I think the Parent Handle would probably be good too (i.e. the long
stick attached to the back of the bike that the parent pushes/guides
with).

I think a trike would be better than a bike for my son... I don't
think he's ready for 2 wheels

I'll probably drop into my LBS tonight to have a look around
(Chatswood).

Any ideas/experiences/recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

Brock Henry

Go the trike with a tub on the back for carrying things. My daughter and
son both loved their little trike, especially the boy when he could
carry things around to "help" me. Really came in handy at the caravan
park when he could carry rubbish and ice.
Don't get too hung up about balance bikes and trainer wheels. I could
have got a balance bike, but my boy wanted "a bike like dads". He
probably wouldn't have wanted to ride a balance bike - even if it was
better for him. Why should kids be any different to us - get him a bike
he *wants* to ride. Not one you think he *should* ride.