[mayandsofiasmommy]

Balance Bike or bike w/ training wheels?

Pros/Cons?

Discuss.

[HS&Fsmom]

Probably the bike with training wheels? They are more readily available, and teaches them how to pedal. Hugo has one.

[dream2bemommy22]

We will be doing a bike with training wheels ( she wants the princess one) lol

I dont see the point in the balance bikes. They will learn that anyways, and at least the other bikes have pedals to teach them how to do that skill. And you dont have to then buy a second bike.

[Mod-quietsong]

Eric went tricycle, then bike with training wheels. Danny's following the same route (will probably learn the trike this summer). The balance bikes are neat, and probably easier to use at first, but the training wheels helps them work on their balance while peddling, which is the skill they'll need for a regular bike.

[Admin-Twinkle]

training wheels!

[mayandsofiasmommy]

Well, the balance bike teaches them how to balance. Apparently they can have worse accidents w/ training wheels. W/ the balance bike, they learn the important part- the balance- first. But the down side is that I'd later have to buy another bike. Although, wouldn't they grow out of their toddler one in a few years anyway??

[noah and lola's mommy]

lola has a trike to help with peddling and she will be getting a ubike for her birthday. They do get in more accidents with training wheels because it is easier to go fast without having control. We won't buy a bike with pedals until she is older. Noah got one the Christmas before he turned six and it does not have training wheels.

this is the one that lola will be getting -
YBike Orange Balance Bike - SportsAuthority.com

[clouise]

We went from tricycles to bikes with training wheels. I've never seen a balance bike in person. My kids wanted bikes like they see older kids in the neighborhood riding.

[Mama Theo]

I'd love to go the balance bike route. My friend swears by them. Her kids skipped training wheels and her son was on a regular bike at 3 1/2. HOWEVER, Maya is now 7 and still not on a bike. We just need to find a place to teach her. So I guess my point is Moo...as in a cow's opinion...it doesn't matter

[KellersMom517]

Ok, here's a dumb question probably - how are they propelled on a balance bike? Do you push them or do they use their feet? Either way, I think I'm just going to go with the training wheels...Keller wants the Toy Story one and my mom offered to buy it for his bday. If he falls, oh well. A skinned knee from falling off your bike is pretty much a rite of passage for a kid

[Mama Theo]

Emily, they push themselves with both feet while balancing. Think scooter, but sitting down, instead of standing.

[mayandsofiasmommy]

Moo.. love it!

I wasn't sold on the balance bike until I saw it in action! IT was amazing to see the neighbor kid on one- she is only less than a year older than my girls- nd she was balancing and going in no time! Yes, they use their feet to go.

Another friend of mine said she just took the pedals off the bike she bought her son. So, I will investigate some bikes. Oh I have another friend who said her kid was too small for even the 12 inch bike so they went for a balance bike first.

I may try to find a good bike I can take pedals off of. We'll see.

Another friend said to get 1 of each Might do that!

[MommyToCooper]

Cooper has been on a balance bike for over a year and loves it. I would'nt be surprised if he is riding a real bike before he is four. He was slow at first but now he zooms around and lifts his feet up to glide.

[ethansmom0408]

My il's are buying him a bike with training wheels for his birthday. He was trying them out in toys r us so we could figure out which size to get him. He was great on them and loved them. He rode his trike last year.

[Addisonsmommy]

Bike with Training Wheels....

[MyBabyBear]

M is getting a bike w/training wheels for her birthday

[TallyGirl22]

IMO, training wheels. Elizabeth has a couple tricycles she's been riding for a year or so. At Christmas, both DSD's got new bikes and that left 2 12inch princess bikes with training wheels for E... She can fit on it well and is learning how to pedal now!