Here at thebikedads.com we are a community to help other parents navigate the world of kids bikes. So chime in below if you have any advice for Peter.
This question comes to us from Peter Morrison
Hey Bike Dads,
I need some advice. I have an almost 4 year old daughter and and almost 2 year old son. We have a Strider balance bike for the 4 year old and nothing yet for the 2 year old but he is interested in the strider. The 4 year old has still not really got the strider figured out, and my wife wants to buy her a bike with training wheels from Toys r us (ugg), and give the strider to my 2 year old.
What’s your thoughts?
Peter Morrison
Hi Peter,
Colin here. I have a 5 and 2 year old and chose not to go the training wheels route. Best to keep your daughter on a balance bike for the time being. Kids learn by watching other kids ride, so get her out to a bike park or skate park where there are other kids around and watch her progress.
Definitely hand the strider down to your son ASAP. Slam that seat down and let him go for it! The decision seems to be: do you go for a bigger balance bike for your daughter (Early Rider XL, Ridgeback Scoot XL, or Tyke Bikes Charger) which will fit for 2-3 years or keep her on a 12 inch balance bike in anticipation she will be ready for a pedal bike in coming months/year. I would look at the later if you think she will advance soon…a second hand tubed tire, sealed bearing, hand brake 12 inch balance bike to get her ready for the big show world of pedal bikes. We can offer our experience again once she is ready for a pedal bike.
Keep us posted on her progress,
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KOKUA 14 inch balance bike is amazing!! And in stock!!
I think the 12 inch is too but we have the 14 inch.
Does the two-year old fit on her Strider? My children are two years apart and they were on two different sized balance bikes (Kinderbikes) at the same time. If he does fit her Strider, you could still get that new little pedal bike, but take both training wheels *and* pedals off so she can use it as a balance bike until she’s ready for the pedals. My kids weren’t tall enough to do that, but plenty of friends had four-year olds that were and there didn’t seem to be any bumping of legs into cranks (though if you’re worried, you could take those off, too).
Hi Madi, Thx for commenting! I have heard of some parents taking pedals and cranks off to convert to balance bike as well. The problem I see is the converted bike may have 5 lbs on a true balance bike which make learning a little more difficult for Peter’s little girl.
Don’t do it!! We had our daughter on a balance bike until she was 5 (and she rocked MTB trails on that thing) and then easily transitioned to a Woom3 in about 45 minutes with no training wheels. Keep ’em on balance bikes until they are ready for a larger bike for sure!
Yep, we agree, keeping them on balance bikes as long as possible is the way to go. My eldest still reaches for his some days. I waited til he asked for pedals before transitioning to pedals.