Who has a balance bike? Is it great?

[Arimeh]

DS has one - he prefers his scooter *shrug*

[Nai]

DD1 has been using hers since she was 2.5 and started riding a 2-wheeler with no training wheels before her 4th birthday - the balance bike has given her the best start to being a balanced, confident bike rider. I cannot recommend them highly enough!

She loves going to the BMX track and doing the hills on it too

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PM me if you want more info - DP is a runbike afficionado

[sunshine_sieben]

DD has one and likes it but it is a bit hard for her as we have no footpaths around her and practicing on the grass is near impossible. Also, not seeing other kids use them, left her a little confused in the beginning (I can hardly demonstrate )
I''ve seen kids in Germany use them. Most kids have them over there and they seem to have so much fun with them. We''ve just spent 6 weeks there and DD was using a neighbour''s bike and is slowly getting the hang of it. It definitely helped seein other kids use them.
I think they''re great and would recommend them. I have one that you can add pedals to at a later stage (like the Glide to ride bike from playskool, but not so wide where the pedals will be mounted).

[Janie]

Thanks girls I'm definitely leaning towards getting him one, I just hope he likes it LOL! DH is happy to get one too. TBH, I'm kind of stuck for ideas of what to get him, this is the only thing that's really popped into my mind.

Brand suggestions? I like the look of the timber ones, but open to suggestions.

[Nuddle]

I got one for my third, as they werent available before then, but yes love it, she is 3, and not balancing yet, but she can use it by herself, which is great.

I too grew up in germany, and the speed at which the german kids learn to ride their bikes compared to over here is huge.

[sunshine_sieben]

Oh Nuddle, another German on here!!! How long have you been in Australia and where do you live?
I personally didn't want a timber one. I have one I got from ebay made by JDBug. It's the one that looks like a Motorbike. I thought it looked cool and as mentioned earlier you can add pedals later once they can balance.
If you prefer timber, there are ones that have a "handle'' which I think is quite handy for the time that your little one doesn''t want to ride anymore and you have to carry the thing. With metal one, you can just carry by the frame (and they're usually lighter) but the timber ones are a little more awkward to carry. Also have a look at the larger bike shops is your area. They might carry them (I rang around to save me from running around) so you can have a look and even let your kiddo sit on one.

[Nuddle]

I have been here for 23 years, gosh thats long lol.... and am in Brisbane, how about you?

I prefer the wooden ones, just because I like the look of them better