Janie, have you chosen one yet? I ask because after reading your initial post the other day, I had to go and find out what these " Balance Bikes " were I found some, then googled again and came across a biking forum where a couple of people mentioned the ones they had purchased for their kids. If you google for cellbikes with the usual dot com au on the end, and then search their website for the balance bike (it is a brand called Weeride) I like the look of this one as it looks like a normal little tubular steel bike IYKWIM. Only think i don't like is it has a brake on it, but i suppose it would help them learn how to use it before upgrading to a proper bike with wheels??
Anyway, I showed DH, and he thinks its great. Thinking of getting if for DS's 2nd birthday? Not sure if it would be a little too early for him though?