Best bike for 3 year old?
Discussion
Our boy is 2 years and 8 months, and a few months ago we bought him the best balance bike we could find, the 12" Hornit Airo:
https://hornit.com/collections/hornit-airo?tw_sour...
I was massively impressed with it. Only 2.9kg and incredibly well made and designed. He got the hang of it in what seemed like minutes, and after 3 months was riding it flat out down tarmac BMX pump tracks, leaning into the corners, and all that sort of thing, which was both terrifying and hilarious in equal measure.
Based on how fast he has picked up balance bike riding, and the fact he keeps asking for 'a pedal bike like Dads' we want to get him a first pedal bike, so looked at the Hornit Hero 14" (£370) but sadly it is discontinued according to the manufacturer.
Can anyone recommend a good quality and very lightweight first bike please, as there is so much out there I don't know where to start!
Thanks
https://hornit.com/collections/hornit-airo?tw_sour...
I was massively impressed with it. Only 2.9kg and incredibly well made and designed. He got the hang of it in what seemed like minutes, and after 3 months was riding it flat out down tarmac BMX pump tracks, leaning into the corners, and all that sort of thing, which was both terrifying and hilarious in equal measure.
Based on how fast he has picked up balance bike riding, and the fact he keeps asking for 'a pedal bike like Dads' we want to get him a first pedal bike, so looked at the Hornit Hero 14" (£370) but sadly it is discontinued according to the manufacturer.
Can anyone recommend a good quality and very lightweight first bike please, as there is so much out there I don't know where to start!
Thanks
I got my daughter an Early Rider Belter 14 and was very impressed by the quality. My son now uses it and despite all the years of abuse, it's still like new. I don't think I'd say it was particularly light but the belt drive is nice to have. They've went up in price since I bought it but I'm sure you'll be able to recoup some of that when you run out of kids to pass it down to.
hongkongdonkey said:
I got my daughter an Early Rider Belter 14 and was very impressed by the quality. My son now uses it and despite all the years of abuse, it's still like new. I don't think I'd say it was particularly light but the belt drive is nice to have. They've went up in price since I bought it but I'm sure you'll be able to recoup some of that when you run out of kids to pass it down to.
I was looking at the Belter 14 just now, and it looks like a good alternative to the Hornit. They are both 5.5kg which is really light for a bike this size, and I like the belt drive rather than chain.Thanks
Not a popular choice but we got our son a Carrera Cosmos 14" off Facebook for £50. (Halfords own brand)
It is a smaller frame size and he has been able to ride it no problems since he was the same age as your Son.
They use the same components as Frog etc but the bike is actually marginally lighter. it's been great - he rides it on pump tracks, bmx tracks and some basic blue mtb trails etc and no issues at all.
Hes now nearly 4 and whilst he still fits it with no issues we are thinking of putting him up to a 16", which we have a Frog 48 sat in the garage for waiting, though I think a proper BMX race bike will be on the cards soon too!...
It is a smaller frame size and he has been able to ride it no problems since he was the same age as your Son.
They use the same components as Frog etc but the bike is actually marginally lighter. it's been great - he rides it on pump tracks, bmx tracks and some basic blue mtb trails etc and no issues at all.
Hes now nearly 4 and whilst he still fits it with no issues we are thinking of putting him up to a 16", which we have a Frog 48 sat in the garage for waiting, though I think a proper BMX race bike will be on the cards soon too!...
Edited by designndrive62 on Wednesday 27th November 13:49
Frog!
Both of my kids had them when they started riding, seeing them go from a cheap bike that they struggled with to a Frog was eye opening - they looked like they had been cycling for years, so much more confidence and stability.
One thing to bear in mind is that Frogs suited their height / build very well, as any rider knows, a well fitted bike makes a world of difference.
Both of my kids had them when they started riding, seeing them go from a cheap bike that they struggled with to a Frog was eye opening - they looked like they had been cycling for years, so much more confidence and stability.
One thing to bear in mind is that Frogs suited their height / build very well, as any rider knows, a well fitted bike makes a world of difference.
The first couple of bikes - 14" and 16" aren't too important, as long as they are fairy light. 20" onwards things start to get a bit more interesting with gears and disc brakes if they are riding off road.
Both my sons were only on their 14" bikes for 1 year, then 16" for 5 and 7 months. They were both on secondhand Frog bikes, which I managed to make a profit on.
Both my sons were only on their 14" bikes for 1 year, then 16" for 5 and 7 months. They were both on secondhand Frog bikes, which I managed to make a profit on.
Another vote for the Carrera Cosmos 14. You should be able to pick one up for a lot less than the "branded" 14 inch bikes and it will do exactly the same job.
I agree with the above. For the simpler 14 and 16 inch bikes you only need to pick up something aluminum and in good condition. Its only when you move away from single speed and V brakes (ie above 20 inch) do the more expensive bikes get you a worthwhile improvement in function.
I agree with the above. For the simpler 14 and 16 inch bikes you only need to pick up something aluminum and in good condition. Its only when you move away from single speed and V brakes (ie above 20 inch) do the more expensive bikes get you a worthwhile improvement in function.
Edited by McMoose on Monday 9th December 23:03
Depends on height but most of the stuff before the Frog 48 to me felt like pig iron. Awful to ride in most cases with hard to manage parts. My son had a Strider which was s
te despite not being that cheap.
Got him a 48 and just decided to slam the saddle down (he’s quite short), it’s brilliant. He loves it, it has proper brakes, and it looks like it’ll have enough range to last him for 2 years or so.
Personally for a young kid like yours I’d get the frog below that - frog 40? You can do them on a sub model now too https://bikeclub.com/collections/first-pedal
te despite not being that cheap. Got him a 48 and just decided to slam the saddle down (he’s quite short), it’s brilliant. He loves it, it has proper brakes, and it looks like it’ll have enough range to last him for 2 years or so.
Personally for a young kid like yours I’d get the frog below that - frog 40? You can do them on a sub model now too https://bikeclub.com/collections/first-pedal
I've worked on about 1000 children's bikes in the last year and my suggestions would be:
Frog or Islabikes are very good. Either easily available secondhand. Both hold their value very well for when the child outgrows them so a good investment.
Recently also seen Squish bikes which are light.
Frog or Islabikes are very good. Either easily available secondhand. Both hold their value very well for when the child outgrows them so a good investment.
Recently also seen Squish bikes which are light.
Edited by MarcelM6 on Wednesday 18th December 12:31
McMoose said:
Another vote for the Carrera Cosmos 14. You should be able to pick one up for a lot less than the "branded" 14 inch bikes and it will do exactly the same job.
I agree with the above. For the simpler 14 and 16 inch bikes you only need to pick up something aluminum and in good condition. Its only when you move away from single speed and V brakes (ie above 20 inch) do the more expensive bikes get you a worthwhile improvement in function.
Yup, agree with this. I agree with the above. For the simpler 14 and 16 inch bikes you only need to pick up something aluminum and in good condition. Its only when you move away from single speed and V brakes (ie above 20 inch) do the more expensive bikes get you a worthwhile improvement in function.
Edited by McMoose on Monday 9th December 23:03
My little boy went from a little Specialised Hotrock without the pedals (balance bike style!) and jumped straight to a 16" Cosmos that I picked up for about £40. He was only only it a matter of weeks then he went to a 20" MTB and his much smaller friend got the Cosmos to hone his skills. We got it back a few months ago and put my four year old on it and she just took off. So for the money paid, it's been a brilliant addition.
My sister recently picked up a used EasyRider Belter for her little boy and I'm not convinced by the premium they command. Granted belt drive is novel but as for the bike in general, be it build, components, weight or geometry... I don't see huge gains over the Cosmo and being fair, struggling to see where it's better?
Ultimately, kids are all different so I'd run with the "try before you buy" as what suits one 3yrd old may not suit the next...
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