3 wheeled scooter - 2 wheels @ front or back? (Mini Micro etc)

[Melody7]

We're contemplating a scooter for DD's 3rd birthday. She can ride a balance bike quite well, and although she would love to ride her brother's 2 wheeled scooter, she just has a really tricky time doing so.

Hence why we were considering a 3 wheeler for her at this stage. I've seen 2 versions - 2 wheels at the front or 2 wheels at the back.

Apparently the ones with dual front wheels have a new turning action for balance, however I have only seen 2 models - the Mini Micro (at $119!!! - price of a bike!) or the Eurotrike Twist & Roll at about $50-$60
Or then there seem to be lots of options with 2 wheels at the back.

Anyone had experience with any of these brands or styles (can't find many reviews on the Eurotrike - lots on the Mini Micro)? Are the back dual wheel versions quite unstable?

[Arcadia]

I bought a mini micro for dd at 4 and ds at almost 2. They are seriously awesome! I baulked at the price too, but my kids scoot everyday inside and out and it is something they can both do together. If I'd known how awesome they were I might have seriously considered the adjustable one at $180, but for us the basic one has been brilliant!

The company are great too. We lost the handle to one (long story) so they sent me another one for a $40 which I though was reasonable.

[possum magic]

We bought the Mini micro for DD1 when she turned 2. I also initially hesitated at the price but she got the hang of it very quickly & loved it. I felt happy-it is quite stable- and she happily rode it til age 5.5 when she got too tall for it & we passed it on to DD2 (age 2) who loves it. We got DD1 the micro maxi which is adjustable, lasts til 50kg/age 12. She can go quite fast but again it's really stable 3 Wheeler & she loves it. So I'm a big fan of the Micros. A bit pricey but they last.

[feeb]

DS1 got maxi micro at age 4 and DS2 a mini micro age 2 1/2 both love there scooters and are used daily inside and out. They are very stable and sturdy but light which makes them easy for kids to move and carry over roads.
We had a cheap scooter was heavy and didn't stear easily at all and kids didn't play with it.
They are $ but worth it.

[HotI]

another vote for the mini micro. my dd has one, loves it, and ds has started riding it too.

[Melody7]

Thanks for the replies. A few people have mentioned the maxi micro (which is the one above the mini? Height adjustable?). I have a 3rd child (DD3 1.2y) who is walking. This time next year DD2 will be almost 4y & DD3 will be 2yrs. Would you suggest waiting to invest in the micros then perhaps & getting a mini & a maxi for both girls then. Which means perhaps I just pick up a cheaper 2nd hand 3 wheeler razor (for eg) for now....? Or just get a mini & pass it down next year, or the year after (DD3 will be 3 then...).

Hubby having trouble with the cost...

[JLeigh29]

DH and I have spent the last two months researching, asking around and debating this exact question! Everything pointed us to the Mini micro too. We saw the price and wondered if it really was that much better than a cheapie...but we could well buy a cheaper one and find it's too heavy or difficult to manoeuvre for DS (he's a bit 'challenged' in the coordination department ). His friend has one and we know he can use it...a little! Then there was the qu of whether to go the maxi as DS is 3.5.

After even more discussion we have decided to go the mini. We figure it'll be just that bit easier for him to manage and, as PP have suggested, should last for at least 12-18 months. When DS grows out of it, we'll hand it down to Bub and DS can get the maxi if he's still interested.

I never thought scooter-buying was such a trauma-inducing experience, lol!

[Melody7]

I never thought scooter-buying was such a trauma-inducing experience, lol!

Hi JLeigh,
Yes, I'm with you there! I'm going to see how my DD goes on a tri-wheeler tomorrow at a friends house. I'm trying to consider how much my DD would use a scooter. I can imagine her having a go on it on the tiled area at the back of our house, but when we go to the park she really enjoys riding her balance bike (DS is on his big bike).

Does anyone take their kids on their scooters into shopping centres? If we've already got a balance bike, is this scooter going to get that much use? (again trying to work out if the expense is worth it).

[Melody7]

I never thought scooter-buying was such a trauma-inducing experience, lol!

Hi JLeigh,
Yes, I'm with you there! I'm going to see how my DD goes on a tri-wheeler tomorrow at a friends house. I'm trying to consider how much my DD would use a scooter. I can imagine her having a go on it on the tiled area at the back of our house, but when we go to the park she really enjoys riding her balance bike (DS is on his big bike).

Does anyone take their kids on their scooters into shopping centres? If we've already got a balance bike, is this scooter going to get that much use? (again trying to work out if the expense is worth it).

[JLeigh29]

DS has a balance bike he's used all of three times...he's never been interested in his trike/ride ons, but he goes back to his friends scooter over and over.

DS hasn't shown the same interest in another friends' trike...it's a 'cheaper' one, so I'm guessing it might be heavier/harder for him to use. I think it's like comparing Gala apples with Granny Smith's!

[~me~]

I am on the Mini Micro band wagon as well

DD is 4yrs old, has had it since 2.5yrs and is seriously the best scooter I have come across. I have two older boys and wish I had known about these earlier.

She scoots inside and out and she absolutely flies on this thing! It took her a couple of hours to get used the lean to turn, once she mastered that she was off!

I tossed up between the mini and maxi and settled on the mini.

She did not take to the balance bike at all and uses a bike with training wheels. You could easily take the mini micro in a shopping centre as long as your DS will listen to you and not scoot off. I can't keep up with DD on hers so It's used for Foot Paths and inside only.