Ava's 4th birthday is coming up and we're getting her a new bike. Currently, she gets around by scooter. I can't decide whether to get her a bike with training wheels or a balance bike. Here's what I am considering:
Anyone have any suggestions? Pros / Cons to training wheels vs balance bikes? Any other bikes you think I should consider? Also, where do people buy helmets? I've tried to fit some helmets from Walmart on Ava's head and nothing seems to fit right. Help! Her birthday is in 3 weeks!
Jack has a balance bike - a Mini Glider. He can coast pretty well and everyone at school always comments that he doesn't use training wheels, which makes him feel very big kid. But, he is four and doesn't know how to peddle a tricycle (they have regular tricycles on the school playground). I think if I had to make the choice over again I would stick with the balance bike like he has.
Thanks Jen! I'm so torn. I really want Ava to learn to balance on a bike without training wheels because I know it's going to be hard for her to overcome her fear if she's reliant on training wheels, but at the same time, I want her to learn to pedal. She can pedal a big wheel, but we've tried out some bikes at Walmart and she's not getting the hang of pedaling in a sitting up position. Decisions decisions! Hope your kiddos are doing well!
We borrowed a balance bike from a friend. It was SO helpful. Joseph had had a bike with training wheels before and when we took them off he just couldn't figure out how to ride it until he used the balance bike for a few weeks. The next time he got on his regular bike, he rode it easily in less than 15 minutes.
Cathy, I suggest you go for the balance bike for Ava this year. At 6 N is still trying to figure out how to ride her bike without training wheels.. and there's usually some drama accompanied with a flood of tears when she falls off and scrapes her knees. I wish I'd gotten her a balance bike when she was younger..
Pros / Cons to training wheels vs balance bikes? Any other bikes you think I should consider? Also, where do people buy helmets? I've tried to ... gliderbike.blogspot.com
We just bought a Velo glider bike for my 3 year old. She's not loving it but my 7 year old sure is! Hoping the 7 year old will transition to a regular bike as soon as the weather warms up and we can get outside to practice!
Jack has a balance bike - a Mini Glider. He can coast pretty well and everyone at school always comments that he doesn't use training wheels, which makes him feel very big kid. But, he is four and doesn't know how to peddle a tricycle (they have regular tricycles on the school playground). I think if I had to make the choice over again I would stick with the balance bike like he has.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen! I'm so torn. I really want Ava to learn to balance on a bike without training wheels because I know it's going to be hard for her to overcome her fear if she's reliant on training wheels, but at the same time, I want her to learn to pedal. She can pedal a big wheel, but we've tried out some bikes at Walmart and she's not getting the hang of pedaling in a sitting up position. Decisions decisions! Hope your kiddos are doing well!
ReplyDeleteWe borrowed a balance bike from a friend. It was SO helpful. Joseph had had a bike with training wheels before and when we took them off he just couldn't figure out how to ride it until he used the balance bike for a few weeks. The next time he got on his regular bike, he rode it easily in less than 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's amazing Jenn! Joseph picked it up fast!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I suggest you go for the balance bike for Ava this year.
ReplyDeleteAt 6 N is still trying to figure out how to ride her bike without training wheels.. and there's usually some drama accompanied with a flood of tears when she falls off and scrapes her knees. I wish I'd gotten her a balance bike when she was younger..
Thanks Nithya! That's what I was afraid of....
ReplyDeletePros / Cons to training wheels vs balance bikes? Any other bikes you think I should consider? Also, where do people buy helmets? I've tried to ... gliderbike.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWe just bought a Velo glider bike for my 3 year old. She's not loving it but my 7 year old sure is! Hoping the 7 year old will transition to a regular bike as soon as the weather warms up and we can get outside to practice!
ReplyDelete