Push bike/ Balance Bike questions

[swapmeet]

Since there seems to be a lot of valuable information on here about bikes, I was hoping ya'll could help me.

My daughter is two, and i'm thinking about getting her a push bike for Christmas. I've looked at Strider, Glide bike, even the Kokua's Like-a-bike.
Each has its own positives and negatives, I was hoping someone on here would have some personal experience with this style bike.

 

[High Speed Industries]

I worked at a shop that sold giant. They had a push bike that used wheels that ha actual spokes and pneumatic tires. In the end they are all about the same but I always liked the fact it used aluminum wheels instead of plastic and that the tires are actually made of rubber.

 

[rollin5150]

I am in the same boat. There was a thread on here a while back about them.

 

[swapmeet]

The glide bikes use aluminum frame, it has removable foot pegs where pedals would be. I think that would be useful for learning how to stand up etc. From what i've seen MSRP is $100.

The Kokua jumper is also Alumium, but it has rear suspension, spoked wheels and its $300.... before shipping. (From Germany)

Strider seems to be the standard brand. Steel frame. The Target or Walmart version. Basic, some dress up options, not the best but would be fine. I like that there are parts available, but at the same time, do I 'need' to have access to parts or will it hold up. MSRP $100.


This is all i've found thus far. Leaning towards the Glide, but if I could find a Kokua for $200 i'd pop for it.

 

[SJ Thumpa]

Don't know much about striders but came across a few photos while looking at some new hubs for my son. Have a look at the facebook page for: Onyx Racing Products..... Striders with expensive hubs and ti spokes, crazy lol,

 

[Big Kahuna]

Cannot believe I missed this thread...... I got Izzy a Strider when she was 3 (actually she was 2 months from turning 3) for Xmas. She has loved that thing. She is almost 6 now and still loves riding it!!!!!!!!! The seat messed up when a bigger kid got on it. I contacted Strider (The owner of the company is the same guy that developed the Thudbuster Seatpost), They insisted on sending a new seat and seatpost. Great company.

Strider for the win!

 

[sportfish258]

Hey man just a thought.... why not get a regular bike and remove the cranks. You could use the pedals that come with the bike for the pegs by making a simple bracket on the down tube. When she is ready to pedal put the cranks back in .... presto chango bingety bango ..... problem solved.

 

[Big Kahuna]

alot of people do that. But, those bikes are heavy. This is light. my neighborhood is flat, but there are a few small inclines. When she first started those little hills would make her tired. Imagine with a heavy bike. Now, your Santa Cruz Juliana is around 25 lbs. you want to ride a 35 lb mongoose from Walmart? Did not think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sportfish258]

Now, your Santa Cruz Juliana is around 25 lbs. you want to ride a 35 lb mongoose from Walmart?

YOU SAYIN I RIDE A GIRLS BIKE MISTER !

 

[Pablo]

I put my kid on a Kazaam push bike and it made the transition from training wheels to a real bike a breeze. She took off the first day in the push bike and by the end of the day she was going down hills and really moving fast. I would recommend these bikes to anyone that's trying to train or make the switch. It makes training wheels obsolete.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Now, your Santa Cruz Juliana is around 25 lbs. you want to ride a 35 lb mongoose from Walmart?

YOU SAYIN I RIDE A GIRLS BIKE MISTER !

Hey, you said it, not me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But if the Geometry Fits!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Kahuna]

I put my kid on a Kazaam push bike and it made the transition from training wheels to a real bike a breeze. She took off the first day in the push bike and by the end of the day she was going down hills and really moving fast. I would recommend these bikes to anyone that's trying to train or make the switch. It makes training wheels obsolete.

Izzy still had to use training wheels on her Trek Mystic, it was a little big for her when she got it. I did not push her, last day of summer she said "Take my training wheels off". I did, followed behind her with my hand on her back for support for a short bit out front and off she went!

 

[Scorn800]

So Swapmeet what push bike did you wind up buying?
I'm about buy a Strider for my 3 month son. Whats the youngest anyone started their kids on?
I didn't see these push bikes when my daughter was real little, She's will be 4 next week and by spring should be able to ride her 12" with no training wheels.
She rides full speed all the time, might have to do with all the pitbike riding. Had her on a pw50 with training wheels last month and she did 3 laps solo. She can rip.
Can't wait to have my son ripping with us too.

 

[wydopen]

So Swapmeet what push bike did you wind up buying?
I'm about buy a Strider for my 3 month son. Whats the youngest anyone started their kids on?
I didn't see these push bikes when my daughter was real little, She's will be 4 next week and by spring should be able to ride her 12" with no training wheels.
She rides full speed all the time, might have to do with all the pitbike riding. Had her on a pw50 with training wheels last month and she did 3 laps solo. She can rip.
Can't wait to have my son ripping with us too.

my boy is 10months and he is way to small for the push bike still...he has the concept down but hes not tall enough (and hes pretty tall for his age)...he has a little 4 wheel cart that u push the same way and he can cruise on that thing..

we got him a pw50 with training wheels im sure he will be on that thing soon...he knows how to use a throttle already but i have to say the jetski might be his favorite...

 

[swapmeet]

My parents got her a strider. The "Glide" bike is aluminum, and has removable foot pegs, that would have been my choice, but the strider is fine.

 

[Big Kahuna]

She will love it.

 

[Scorn800]

my boy is 10months and he is way to small for the push bike still...he has the concept down but hes not tall enough (and hes pretty tall for his age)...he has a little 4 wheel cart that u push the same way and he can cruise on that thing..

we got him a pw50 with training wheels im sure he will be on that thing soon...he knows how to use a throttle already but i have to say the jetski might be his favorite...

I started giving my daugther rides on my 50 when she was 6months old using the baby bejour harness. Last summer I started putting her hands on the bars and letting her using the throttle. This part summer as soon as I got home from work she wanted to go ride 50's. She now has excellent throttle control. I also wipped out with her on it this summer. She cried, thought that was it and started to walk bike back, she said no daddy we have to keep riding. I got her a real mx helmet and now hit jumps with her on my mod 50.
It's great to start them young so it becomes 2nd nature. I can't wait to LJ is ready. I'm thinking by spring 2015 he should be ready for the push bike. I just want to have something cool for him under the tree.

 

[n36]

I got my daughter a Strider for her second birthday and she loves it. All she wants to do is ride her bicycle. It also matches my dirt bike and she likes that.

 

[Honda118]

We had the Haro one first - its wheels are solid rubber - the Specialized one came for the next kid and it is a better ride all around. Out little guy was riding full BMX no training wheels when he just turned 2.

 

[Scorn800]

The strider lasted about 3 weeks in th box before my daugther thought it was a good idea to test it out before baby brother. She's been riding circle around our house. Its funny because then our dog goes running after which makes the baby laugh.