HOMCOM 11 Inch Kids Balance Bike Training Pedal Bicycle W/Removable Stabilizers EVA Tyres Adjustable Seat Height 2 to 5 Years Gift for Boys Girls Black

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Tricycles often weigh more than the kid that rides them. And who will be left carrying or pushing it around when your child tires of using the trike? An exhausting thought, we know. It won't develop balance. Over time, your child will progress to running along. Eventually they'll start taking long strides where both feet are off the ground. Encourage them as they do this and give them support if they need it as they lift their feet for longer. At this point, you might start finding it more difficult to get them off their bike and in for dinner!

There’s still a place for learning to ride with stabilisers though. A bike that comes with stabilisers will last a child longer than a balance bike, making it a cheaper option than replacing a balance bike after a year or so. As kid bike experts, our approach to teaching children to learn how to ride a bike is that they need to learn to turn and control it as soon as possible without any help (that's inclusive of you too, Mum & Dad!). So, after a growth spurt, your bike will remain the correct size for your little one - meaning the fun doesn't stop! After removing the stabilisers, your child can begin to develop their sense of balance. This means moving onto the next step of learning to cycle, but on the same bike. Cheaper in the long term. Usually in wheel sizes from 14 to 18 inches, first pedal bikes don't come with many bells and whistles. This stage is all about getting them riding, so you want a bike that's lightweight, a good size and really easy to use (avoid gears or double chains). Baskets, bells and other fun additions are, however, to be encouraged. Intermediate bike (20 inches plus) Using a balance bike teaches a child how to balance and control their bike, which is fundamental in regards to their safety and as a foundation for development of further skills. A balance bike allows a child to progress at their own pace and gives them a sense of independence and pride from the very beginning.” Beth Harding, Active School Travel Coordinator schools, Sustrans NI Balance bike or stabilisersSafety concerns: Balance bikes pose fewer safety concerns compared to stabilizers, as children can gradually learn balance and progress at their own pace. If you’re on a budget, you can walk into a bike shop, get lots of good advice from specialised sales people and walk away with a bike that won’t break the bank. Long-term benefits: Balance bikes focus on developing balance and coordination, which can lead to a smoother transition to pedal bikes. Stabilizers offer immediate stability but may delay the development of balance skills. As children grow and change, so do their bikes. They gain more independence and learn new skills, so it’s important to find the right bike to suit their individual needs. If you’ve just started bike shopping and you don’t know what wheel size to get or how many gears they need - or you’re simply feeling overwhelmed with the abundance of choice out there - we’ve rounded up the best children’s bikes to cater for a range of ages and budgets. Balance bikes are the best introduction to two wheels for kids. Your child won't have to worry about

We didn’t wantKrystalto be put off riding, so after a few months of frustration with the balance bike for both us and Krystal, we eventually got her a second hand Islabikes Cnoc 14 pedal bikeand added stabilisers to it. My eldest daughter, Krystal, had started out riding a Toddle Bike (a pre-balance bike for ages 18 months and over),so she already had the two-legged pushing motion needed for a balance bike. When she was about 2½ we bought hera Claude Butler Hopper balance bike, but the step up to a balance bike just didn’t happen. Unfortunatelyshe just didn’t take to the balance bikeat all. Chunky and knobbly tread patterns are great for off-road loose and dirt surfaces, while smoother tyres will roll easier on hard, paved surfaces. Where possible, consider where your child will ride most and match the tread pattern to that surface.Firstly, stabilisers actually promote ‘wrong riding’. Children riding bikes with them learn to lean the wrong way when cornering – preferring to lean outwards to keep their outside stabiliser wheel on the ground, rather than lean into the corner. Age range: not specified, but around 5 - 8 years | Max weight: 7.6 kg | Wheel size: 20-inch What we love Carrera Cosmos are a cheaper alternative and really good value second hand.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnetter IkaBaar) Our verdict At that age, the child’s centre of gravity is lower and because they have both feet on the ground they are less likely to fall than on a larger bike with stabilisers. There’s a natural progression from walking on a balance bike to scooting then gliding as their confidence increases. A balance bike, unlike a bike with stabilisers, can be ridden easily on uneven ground, too. Faster progression to pedal bikes: Stabilizers enable children to start riding a bike with minimal effort. They can focus on learning how to pedal and steer while maintaining balance with the support of the stabilizer wheels.

Other accessories you may want to buy with your balance bike include knee and elbow pads and gloves.While a balance bike is suitable for most children learning to ride, an adapted pedal bike might provide a more suitable longer-term option for older children. From the age of five, a balance bike will likely only play a very short part in the process of learning to ride a normal bike.