Plan on santa bringing DS1 a bike for Christmas (he is 4) and a helmet as well off course. He has had since 1 a bike with handle we can push but never really been interested in it! Looking at a 16 inch Giant or Mongoose (i prefer the giant but when we were looking for "fun" he said he wants a red 1 and the one i like doesnt come in red! but other does)
DS2 not sure what to do was getting him a bike then decided he may be a bit young so got him a scooter, BUT now worried that he will feel ripped off at Christmas with a scooter when brother gets a bike! So then thought could give him scooter for birthday in January!
It's a very individual thing, my DS1 was riding aged 4 but not without training wheels until closer to 5. DS2 was 4 without training wheels and boytwin lost his training wheels before his 4th birthday and is already doing stunts like his fete up on the handlebars when he rides. Girltwin on the other hand has shown no interest and can barely ride with training wheels at 4 years and 8 months. For a 2 year old I would recommend on of those balance bikes with no pedals, he will still be able to go fast but it will help him learn the basics before he is pedalling.
We got DS a scooter for his 3rd birthday and a 12 inch bike for Christmas at 3y3m. It took him about 10 minutes to learn to ride it (with training wheels). We took the trainers off just after he turned 4.
We are getting him a 16 inch Mongoose for his 5th birthday and DD will be getting a 12 inch for her 3rd birthday. Not sure if she is quite there for riding it, but I figure she will have more motivation since DS will be riding his.
Last edited by Artechim; August 21st, 2012 at 06:16 PM.
We bought Kyson a bike and helmet for his 3rd birthday. It's a proper bike, but can be modified to be used as a balance bike (the peddles and crank come off). We love it except for one thing... Turns out he isn't tall enough for it yet! Poor monkey hasn't been able to use it because his feet weren't able to reach the ground (just his tippy toes). So now it's in the garage waiting for a growth spurt hehe. Good thing Grandma and Grandpa also got him a trike for his birthday so he didn't seem to notice the bike went missing.
EDIT: Just wanted to mention that we don't plan on using training wheels with the bike. We are going to go straight from balance bike to normal bike when the time is right for him
My sister bought Liebling a bike when he was 3. He was completely not fussed about it. Getting him on and pedaling was a nightmare, he just didn't want to learn. A year later his bestie, age 4, was riding a bike with confidence and ease. Liebs could pedal but gave up quickly.
Age 5, he wants a bike. His little bike is too little, so we go out and buy him a bike. He jumps on and rides. He still needs stabilisers, but it has been so cold and wet he hasn't been out a lot on it. But he cycled to Church last week; about 1.5km away and up a steep hill.
I'd say wait until he wants one, but then I tend to do that with Liebs anyway as it saves me headaches.
The girls have had run bikes from when they were 2 and DD1 rode without training wheels before she was 4 - I would recommend a BYK bike and using it as a runbike first by removing the pedals and lowering the seat.
I agree with Trav about it being an individual thing. DD1 got a bike at 3.5. She was chomping at the bit and could pedal easily. We got her a 16", but she is a seriously tall kid and we've already had to upgrade to a 20".
DS has shown no interest in a bike. Well actually we tried to get him on one in the shop for his 3rd Birthday and he ran away lol. He's only just learned to peddle and shows an interest now at 3.5....but not enough to want to 'try' a bike. Santa's bringing him one.
I don't think your DS2 will even notice the difference TBH. Christmas is usually such an exciting day, it's usually us that worry more about the actual pressies.
We got DS a balance bike with removable pedals when he was 2.5 years. He rode that for about a year and then went to the pedal option at around 3.5. I would just make sure if going that option that they can definitely reach the ground as DS could only just and he is tall for his age. We got the Hipkids bike and it is good value.
We bought the girls bikes about a month ago, M loves it but has no idea (due to her disability) however A loves it and she is pedaling, she needs a little help still as sometimes she gets stuck but she is picking it up quickly, she is still learning to pedal and steer, I am confidant that she will be able to ride along (with training wheels by Christmas). We got the bikes that are two wheeled with training wheels and the pole at the back so we can help push, the pole is easy removed along with the training wheels so it will be a normal two wheeler when they are ready, this may be a good idea for you also.
We have a balance bike but the girls haven't shown much interest.
Both of mine have had one since they were one - started with a push pole then they had a balance bike - DD has had no training wheels since she was 4 and DS is probably ready now but we have been lazy - we have an assortment of bikes in the yard and they ride on the deck as well as all around the yard and over steps in the yard!!
DD was given her cousins old bike when she was 2. It was only yesterday that she decided that she wanted to ride it. Before that she wouldn't even sit on it as it wobbled (it has training wheels on). She is riding it well. She turns 4 in 2 weeks
I thought I would add to have a look at GT bikes. The guy at the bike shop said they are slightly better than the Mongoose, but of course DS wanted blue and of course there wasn't a blue GT. There is red though.
We live on a diary farm and our boys really wanted motorbikes, so we told them that they had to be riding their bikes without training wheels before they where allowed to ride a motorbike. So they where both riding without trainers before 4.
It is a completly individual thing my DS3 turnes 3 this weekend and has got a 3 wheeler trike that he can ride and peddle but he LOVES his scooter and would prefer riding it.
We got DD1 a bike when she was almost 3 (with training wheels). Loved it. Could have had one much earlier. Took her training wheels off when shegturned 5 and she rode with ease (probably could have removed them much earlier too). She's getting a new bike for Xmas.
DD2 has been riding a bike with a handle since before 2. Pedals no problem. We'll swap her over to DD1's old bike (with training wheels) at Xmas and shee how she goes. Pedalling will be fine, not so sure about the steering.
Riding a bike what age??
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