first kids bike

klirk

Monty 202, is that anything to consider as the first (push)bike for the 2-year old?
I am not sure about the low saddle, trial-style.
http://www.montybicycles.com.au/bikes.htm

Also like the Kokua Jumper a lot, but it costs way more.
http://www.likeabike.net/jumper.html

Any advice?
Thanks a lot!

EKE_38BPM

You need to teach the litte'un the right way from the start.
SPDs, drops etc.

Nah, seriously, I would get the nipper a normal kids bike, remove the pedals (or if your fettle-fu is strong, take the cranks off) and put the saddle right down to turn it into a balance bike like the one you linked to. The kid will scoot around and learn to balance and then you can put the pedals back on and turn it back into a normal kids bike.
If you get a balance bike, once the kid has learnt how to scoot and balance you have to then buy a proper bike and the balance bike is now redundant. Kids don't take that long to learn how to balance.

cjcp

I bought some Islabikes for mine.

As Eke says, take the pedals off and use it as a balance bike. Once they find their balance, things should come a lot easier to them after that.

shouldbeinbed

EKE_38BPM wrote:

You need to teach the litte'un the right way from the start.
SPDs, drops etc.

Nah, seriously, I would get the nipper a normal kids bike, remove the pedals (or if your fettle-fu is strong, take the cranks off) and put the saddle right down to turn it into a balance bike like the one you linked to. The kid will scoot around and learn to balance and then you can put the pedals back on and turn it back into a normal kids bike.
If you get a balance bike, once the kid has learnt how to scoot and balance you have to then buy a proper bike and the balance bike is now redundant. Kids don't take that long to learn how to balance.

This

klirk

Thanks both of you, I´ll consider your suggestions. I just figured a "normal" bike would be too big.
As for the drops and the SPDs, I am sure Daughter will get there before me anyway.

motopatter

for my £0.02 -if funds allow it definately get a propper decent balance bike, they tend to be a bit smaller and a lot lighter than a peddled bike with the bb removed. I found this important as sometimes the boy would like to walk or run and I could happily carry it, no probs. And the smaller size and weight means you can start them younger/ smaller.

Myself I went for the specialized hotwalk and it has been superb and would recomend to anyone. I decided against the wooden styled ones as I wasn't sure of there durability. The spesh has all propper bike components and with next to no maintenance (I greased headset and seatpin when new, then had to do nothing ) Still going strong with only minor paint chips (to be expected), which I could touch up anyway. Lad is on a 14" wheel bike now so the spesh will be put aside for number 2 due in sept and hopefully on the balance bike as soon as they are big enough.

Oh and visit the family forum for more on the subject

EKE_38BPM

Theres a family forum?
I wonder what they chat about, must have a butchers.

motopatter

EKE_38BPM wrote:

must have a butchers.

If you don't have kids you may be considered a bit of a peado

EKE_38BPM

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

must have a butchers.

If you don't have kids you may be considered a bit of a peado

A smiley face doesn't make that funny.

EKE_38BPM

EKE_38BPM wrote:

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

must have a butchers.

If you don't have kids you may be considered a bit of a peado

A smiley face doesn't make that funny.

And you can't spell.

bigmat

I bought a Zooom balance bike (also marketed as Ridgeback Scooot) for my little fella. He's only just started showing an interest (at almost 2 and a half). I've heard good things about the balance bikes so thought I would give that a go first. Their resale value seems to hold up pretty well so I figured it was probably worth buying one and selling it on and replacing with a proper little bike further down the line rather than taking cranks / pedals off etc, but I do see the merit in that approach.

Greg T

EKE_38BPM wrote:

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

must have a butchers.

If you don't have kids you may be considered a bit of a peado

A smiley face doesn't make that funny.

That IS funny

motopatter

EKE_38BPM wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

must have a butchers.

If you don't have kids you may be considered a bit of a peado

A smiley face doesn't make that funny.

And you can't spell.

stinky bait no worky here mister

EKE_38BPM

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

must have a butchers.

If you don't have kids you may be considered a bit of a peado

A smiley face doesn't make that funny.

And you can't spell.

stinky bait no worky here mister

Is that a sentence? I'm sorry, I only speak English.

motopatter

EKE_38BPM wrote:

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

must have a butchers.

If you don't have kids you may be considered a bit of a peado

A smiley face doesn't make that funny.

And you can't spell.

stinky bait no worky here mister

Is that a sentence? I'm sorry, I only speak English.

don't be sorry, I've already forgiven you.

gbsahne001

back on topic...

EKE_38BPM wrote:

Nah, seriously, I would get the nipper a normal kids bike, remove the pedals (or if your fettle-fu is strong, take the cranks off) and put the saddle right down to turn it into a balance bike like the one you linked to. The kid will scoot around and learn to balance and then you can put the pedals back on and turn it back into a normal kids

this +1

we tried holding our daughter upright for ages, trying to get her to grasp balance, then I took the bike down to basics; no chain, cranks and took the BB out.

Within a few hours she'd cracked it and was insisting the pedals go back on.

EKE_38BPM

Forgiven me for what? Being able to spell properly?

AndyOgy

I am so pleased that nobody here has recommended stabilisers.

I work as a professional cycle instructor and often teach people who have never balanced on 2 wheels before. The hardest people to teach, by far, are those who have only ridden a bike with stabilisers.

Stabilisers cause kids to develop way too many bad habits such as; getting both feet on the pedals before setting off, either coming to a stop with their feet still on the pedals or braking with their feet. But the main problem is that they tend to pick a favourite side, and always lean that way.

The last one is a real problem and I often see adults who will uncomfortably lean to one side still - many years later. One forum user recently stated how he points his saddle slightly to the left, as it's the only way that he feels comfortable. I'm guessing that he spent many years riding with stabilisers and leaning to one side. More serious problems can present themselves as lower back pain, caused by the constant leaning on the spine.

Spread the word and tell every parent that you know: Stabilisers are very very bad!

motopatter

EKE_38BPM wrote:

Forgiven me for what? Being able to spell properly?

dunno - you came out with an apology, and I accepted it with my forgiveness. If you have no idea what you're on about neither have I.

I cannot help you any more. Have a good day. Ciao 8)

EKE_38BPM

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

Forgiven me for what? Being able to spell properly?

dunno - you came out with an apology, and I accepted it with my forgiveness. If you have no idea what you're on about neither have I.

I cannot help you any more. Have a good day. Ciao 8)

You cannot help me at all. Good day and good riddance.

motopatter

EKE_38BPM wrote:

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

Forgiven me for what? Being able to spell properly?

dunno - you came out with an apology, and I accepted it with my forgiveness. If you have no idea what you're on about neither have I.

I cannot help you any more. Have a good day. Ciao 8)

You cannot help me at all. Good day and good riddance.[/quote


yes I can and I have..... I have made you feel good about your spelling accomplishments.

Sadly your belligerence is yours to muddle along with. Hope you get over it someday, as you may be a very nice person for all I know (swap it for some humour if possible).

EKE_38BPM

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

must have a butchers.

If you don't have kids you may be considered a bit of a peado

What is funny about being called a peado (sic)?

I have a sense of humour about things that are funny.

motopatter

EKE_38BPM wrote:

motopatter wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

must have a butchers.

If you don't have kids you may be considered a bit of a peado

What is funny about being called a peado (sic)?

I have a sense of humour about things that are funny.

did I call you a peado? Nope - read it again and again until you realize it was just a comment based opinion and theoretical circumstances unknown to me. Hypothetical.

What's more it was posted on the internet. On a public forum. There are worse things out there in the real world (and on the internet) so maybe you could channel your anger at something else more deserving?

Lastly, you are the one making personal comments directed at me, and also making yourself look foolish in doing so, yet you have the nerve to accuse me of doing so.

I await your apology

EKE_38BPM

Did I say that you called me a paedo? No.

You'll be waiting for a long time. Please hold your breath whilst you wait.

gbsahne001

UndercoverElephant

EKE_38BPM wrote:

Did I say that you called me a paedo? No.

You'll be waiting for a long time. Please hold your breath whilst you wait.

EKE, there's an old adage that I like:

Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

motopatter

EKE_38BPM wrote:

Please hold your breath whilst you wait.

no thanks you nasty person.

So you're getting all worked up that I made a theoretical comment about a hypothetical someone else who neither of us know to be a peado or not. Jeeez, is it rag week or something? You are the most mixed up, back peddling, offensive, belligerent internet persona I have ever had the miss fortune to encounter.

I accept your apology in advance for whenever you calm down and give it. (I'm getting on with my day now 8) )

EKE_38BPM

I only back pedal when I trackstand.

motopatter

EKE_38BPM wrote:

I only back pedal when I trackstand.

that's more like it

can we get over this and be buddies 8)

EKE_38BPM

motopatter wrote:

...can we get over this and be buddies 8)

motopatter wrote:

...you nasty person.
You are the most mixed up, back peddling, offensive, belligerent internet persona I have ever had the miss fortune to encounter.

Why would you want to be my buddy? Sounds like back pedalling to me.
Right, no more feeding of this troll.

tailwindhome

Balance bikes/ bike without stablisers is definitely the way to go.

It works like magic.

I'll be buying the £35 balance bike from Decathlon for our twins, it's only £35 and is a strong moulded plastic....it should do them until the are physically able to manage a 12" bike.