Balance bike for a 2 year old

[TheBinarySheep]

Is it worth spending a reasonable amount of money on a balance bike for a two year old. Is there much difference between them and a £35 one from Argos?

I know with bikes for older kids the weight can be important, but does the same really apply to balance bikes?

I'm trying to justify spending almost £200 on a balance bike vs a £35 cheap one.

[Deerfoot]

Try for a used Islabike Rothan or a Frog Tadpole and then sell for roughly what it cost you once you’re finished with it.

There’s a constant market for Islabikes, overall cost will be minimal.

[outnumbered]

As above, not much point in buying a brand new expensive one.

My kids learnt to ride on an utterly crappy kids bike I got for free and just took the pedals and bottom bracket off, so IMO almost anything will be fine.

[rufusgti]

I bought a cheap balance bike for my daughter that was utterly useless. The reach was far too long for the height and the thing weighed a ton. Literally never got more than 20 minutes of use. Stuck with the second hand quality products like Isla bike, frog, earlyrider. The kids get better bikes than me. But the overall cost is next to nothing.

[MockingJay]

I'd go for a second hand Islabike / Frog bike. You'll get your money back when you sell it and the difference between one of those and an Argos special is night and day.

Edit: My Daughter is 3, and learned to ride on her Isla bike in less than an hour, after struggling for weeks on a heavy peppa pig bike from halfords.

[TheBinarySheep]

I looked at second hand, but the hard part is finding one locally. There's plenty on eBay, but most are collection only.

I also came across a hornit airo but they only have pink in stock. https://hornit.com/collections/hornit-airo?gclid=E...

[Ian_sUK]

We've got a Vitus Nippy which is incredibly light (claimed lightest aluminium balance bike) but they don't seem to be available anymore. Was around £50 so you dont have to spend a lot to get a good one.

[Mr Pointy]

TheBinarySheep said:

I looked at second hand, but the hard part is finding one locally. There's plenty on eBay, but most are collection only.

I also came across a hornit airo but they only have pink in stock. https://hornit.com/collections/hornit-airo?gclid=E...

Have you tried Gumtree for something local?

https://www.gumtree.com/search?featured_filter=fal...
https://www.gumtree.com/search?featured_filter=fal...
https://www.gumtree.com/search?featured_filter=fal...

[TheBinarySheep]

Mr Pointy said:

Have you tried Gumtree for something local?

https://www.gumtree.com/search?featured_filter=fal...
https://www.gumtree.com/search?featured_filter=fal...
https://www.gumtree.com/search?featured_filter=fal...

Yep, tried gumtree as well, nothing.

[md_ph]

I bought my son a realitively expensive balance bike, and then he came across a Vitus nippy in Chain Reaction shop and it weights literally next to nothing, has no brakes, no pneumatic tyres but he absolutely loves it, I think because it’s so light it makes it really easy for him to ride.

We even bought him a new next stage Cuda bike with pedals and he still makes a bee-line for the vitus every time I suggest going out on the bike with him.

https://vitusbikes.com/products/nippy-balance-bike

Just read the specs, it weighs 1.9kg.

His other balance bike is this one

https://www.johnlewis.com/kiddimoto-rossi-superbik...

At £45 for the vitus it doesn’t matter if it had no resale value due to how cheap it is!

[Audicab]

I know a couple of people who have bought these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Banana-Bike-LT-Lightweigh...

[lufbramatt]

I’d recommend getting one with as big wheels a possible (smoother ride) and a rear brake as they can get up a decent amount of speed on them once they master the balance skills.

Some of the plastic and wood framed ones are quite flexible and have awful hubs which won’t let the bike coast freely.

I did end up getting a frog tadpole plus for my lad when he was two as he was really tall and most of the other balance bikes were too small. My daughter who’s just about to turn 4 still uses it 4 years later so it’s had tons of use and she’s only just about to grow out of it.

Balance bikes are defo the way to go, my lad was riding a pedal bike before most of the other kids in his class at school and loves coming for rides with me and having trips to the pump track.

I thought about selling it but I think I’m going to keep it for any potential grandkids in the future as it’s a lovely little thing and would be nice for them to learn on the same bike as their parents.

[Tabs]

Grandson has had a Tadpole a year now and he's now just over 3 years old. He absolutely adores it. He raises his feet when going 'superfast' and I'm sometimes running at full pelt to keep up with him. He always stops at the kerb, but it's reversing cars from driveways that worry me.
His next bike, a secondhand Squish has already been purchased and I've checked it over ready for him. I've removed the pedals to ease transition.
Both are beautifully made with all good quality 'mini adult' bike components.

[PeteinSQ]

We have had a specialized balance bike for our two boys and it has been great. My two observations of things you want:

- proper tyres. A friend had a balance bike that had sort of rigid plastic wheels. Very little grip which is a bit dangerous if your kids decide to have a go on the local skatepark...

- get a rear brake. Our bike doesn't have one and I have wished it did a few times, particularly when going down hill.

[fat80b]

Another +1 for second hand.

Facebook seems to be the go to now. - if there are none available now, there will be in a couple of days.

Yes Isla bikes etc are nice but when your kid grows taller every few months, you soon realise that new / expensive bikes are a thorough waste of money.

We bought new bikes first time round and second hand ever since. Much better value and the child just sees the basket and frilly bits rather than a brand new bike anyway.....

[TheBinarySheep]

md_ph said:

I bought my son a realitively expensive balance bike, and then he came across a Vitus nippy in Chain Reaction shop and it weights literally next to nothing, has no brakes, no pneumatic tyres but he absolutely loves it, I think because it’s so light it makes it really easy for him to ride.

We even bought him a new next stage Cuda bike with pedals and he still makes a bee-line for the vitus every time I suggest going out on the bike with him.

https://vitusbikes.com/products/nippy-balance-bike

Just read the specs, it weighs 1.9kg.

His other balance bike is this one

https://www.johnlewis.com/kiddimoto-rossi-superbik...

At £45 for the vitus it doesn’t matter if it had no resale value due to how cheap it is!

The eldest has a vitus bike, they are great value. Sadly it doesn't look like they make the Nippy any more.

Edited by TheBinarySheep on Sunday 18th April 20:23

[TheBinarySheep]

Audicab said:

I know a couple of people who have bought these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Banana-Bike-LT-Lightweigh...

That actually looks half decent.

[Dannbodge]

Son had a cheapie from decathlon.
Was heavy and too wide at the rear.

Bought him a strider instead and he's picked it up much faster as it's lighter and more narrow at the back (stops him catching his legs).

I'd get him a decent one. At least they hold their value fairly well.

[bakerstreet]

Absolutely not point in getting a brand new one at all or even an expensive one IMO.

Our eldest had a £20 used one from Facebook market place. He didn't know or care and happy scoote around on it before we got him a use Isla Bike.

Also, I would say two is quite young for a balance bike, but by all means give it a a go.

we did bin the first balance bike as one of the wheels split. Second one was a use Frog. Bought cheap and I don't think it was ever used.

Now keeping an eye out for next size up Isla Bike as eldest is starting to grow out of his current one. Doubt we will loose a penny on the Isla bike despite it being a little scruffy.

The founder of Isla Bike's 'learn to ride' videos are also excellent and its what I used to teach my eldest to ride.

[option click]

fat80b said:

Yes Isla bikes etc are nice but when your kid grows taller every few months, you soon realise that new / expensive bikes are a thorough waste of money..

Not at all, Islabikes hold their money really well.
I've just sold a Beinn 20. Cost of 2.5 yrs ownership? £50.