Upgrading from balance bike to 16inch?

[breaker]

So Santa has agreed to provide daughter number 1 with a pedal bike as shes donated her muna balance bike to daughter number 2.

Question is which one?, as with everything there are a few choices, if I may ask some opinions on these below and maybe other suggestions.

Daughter number 1 is 4years old with longer than avg legs, seems to be comfortable on a 16inch bike for now.

The choices & prices: 

 

https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-outdoor/totem-girls-16-mojo-bmx-295556EA R1100

 

https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-outdoor/totem-16-mojo-mountain-bike-300370EA R1100

 

http://sport.takealot.com/sport-girls-stitch-bmx-bike-16-inch/PLID43668131 R1200

 

http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/muna-bike-16-inch R1700

 

http://www.bridgecycles.co.za/products/bicycles/kidsbikes%20/Trek-Mystic-Girls-Kids-Bike-16%22 R2300

 

http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/titan-hades-v-16-inch-2017 R3000

 

Tx.

[greg_sa]

I'm looking at similar options... and I think the best option is the Muna.

 

The BMX type ones don;t have a nice handle bar (they are too high).

 

The one with front suspension is a waste - just extra weight.

 

I might even consider a 14-inch Muna for our 3.5 year old

[worriesnot]

Got that exact blue and orange Muna for our 4 yo in July.

Also from an 8" balance bike. 

Heavy, but then all of them are. 

 

He is a tall boy and struggling a little bit with the size, but now getting the hang of it.

Going 14" probably would have been a little better, but then he would have outgrown that within a year.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

 

So Santa has agreed to provide daughter number 1 with a pedal bike as shes donated her muna balance bike to daughter number 2.

Question is which one?, as with everything there are a few choices, if I may ask some opinions on these below and maybe other suggestions.

Daughter number 1 is 4years old with longer than avg legs, seems to be comfortable on a 16inch bike for now.

The choices & prices: 

 

https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-outdoor/totem-girls-16-mojo-bmx-295556EA R1100

 

https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-outdoor/totem-16-mojo-mountain-bike-300370EA R1100

 

http://sport.takealot.com/sport-girls-stitch-bmx-bike-16-inch/PLID43668131 R1200

 

http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/muna-bike-16-inch R1700

 

http://www.bridgecycles.co.za/products/bicycles/kidsbikes%20/Trek-Mystic-Girls-Kids-Bike-16%22 R2300

 

http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/titan-hades-v-16-inch-2017 R3000

 

Tx.

 

No to every single one of those but the Titan and the MUNA. 

 

Why? Well, simply put - the geometry is SHAITE. Top tube too short, bars too high, frame all wonky and heavy as sin. Makes the Muna look like a prima ballerina to their sumo wrestler.

 

The other option is the Spaz Hotrock, but at R 3,500 and with a lower spec (crappy brakes) than the MUNA, I'd go for the Muna. 

 

FWIW I'd choose the MUNA of those 2, and go on a lightening spree. Remove the fairy wheels (they take to pedalling so damn fast after a balance bike) and the chain protector. Those V Brakes are a MUST. May need a different set of levers, but you can pick some cheap adult 2 finger v brake levers up for less than R 200 (just got some from Cyclosport in Kuils River for R 170)

 

 

This is an easy choice, in retrospect. The MUNA is by far the best option there. Also perhaps let her keep the balance bike for a while as she may want to switch between them until she's fully comfortable on it and pedalling and braking and stopping / starting by herself. 

 

BTW - busy going through this myself. As is Steve Wiggill with his lightie. 

[Ratty]

Geometry makes a big difference even at this age.

 

My sons friend has taken over his 20 inch Specialised.  He had a cheaper bike which he was happy with until one day he borrowed this one.  It ended up going home with him the same day (my boy was already riding a 24inch).

 

The difference in his riding was amazing.  Suddenly had a lot more control and confidence and was able to ride trails he had previously struggled with.

 

Not saying you must go with a Specialized, just that you must go with one of the better bikes that are basically mini versions of our bikes.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Geometry makes a big difference even at this age.

 

My sons friend has taken over his 20 inch Specialised.  He had a cheaper bike which he was happy with until one day he borrowed this one.  It ended up going home with him the same day (my boy was already riding a 24inch).

 

The difference in his riding was amazing.  Suddenly had a lot more control and confidence and was able to ride trails he had previously struggled with.

 

Not saying you must go with a Specialized, just that you must go with one of the better bikes that are basically mini versions of our bikes.

Yep. 

 

Only difference would be when they're ready to tackle a BMX and try some silly stuff. But the GOOD 16" & 20" BMX's are more costly than the good 16" & 20" MTB's. 

[Beesrib]

hi, we bought an avalanche last year as an upgrade from the balance bike.  my girl is still riding with the side wheels, trying to get her of them did not happen as easily as planned.  The bike is damn heavy!!! 

 

the muna does look like a good deal.  good luck

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

hi, we bought an avalanche last year as an upgrade from the balance bike.  my girl is still riding with the side wheels, trying to get her of them did not happen as easily as planned.  The bike is damn heavy!!! 

 

the muna does look like a good deal.  good luck

I didn't give mine the chance of riding with them. Left them at the shop. Only thing he had trouble with was starting by himself, but with being held and getting his feet on teh pedals he was able to get going in about 3 solid sessions. 

 

Getting him to concentrate on where he's going, though... Now that's a different matter!!! 

 

He's just started to be able to push himself off from a standing start. Took a while, but he's a shorty so he couldn't stabilise himself with one leg on the ground until recently. 

[V12man]

Just weigh them and go with the lightest one.....

[Ispeed_V]

Our little guy (5) has the 16' Muna.

 

Also went from the 12'' balance bike and loves it.

[dirtypot]

I did the same exercise with my daughters last year, and I went for the Spaz Hotrock.  It's a great little bike with a coaster brake (I still have mixed feelings about this as it was a bit tougher initially when she watched me back pedal my bike when I stopped getting ready to pull away, but couldn't do the same herself.  She got over it though, and learnt how to work the system) which is very easy to use and is pretty instinctive.  

The build quality is excellent and it still looks new!  It's pretty light as well which most of the kids bikes aren't.  

 

But best of all, she enjoys riding it and is always asking me to go for a ride.  What more could you want out of a kids bike?

[dirtypot]

Oh ya, definitely don't use training wheels if coming from a balance bike.  I bought the bike and took it straight to Tokai forest with my daughter, and she was riding completely by herself without me holding the seat* within 5 minutes.

 

*the Spaz seat also has a nice handle built stealthily into the back of it, which is great for holding onto while running down the road.  This does kill your back though, so get them riding solo ASAP!!     

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I did the same exercise with my daughters last year, and I went for the Spaz Hotrock.  It's a great little bike with a coaster brake (I still have mixed feelings about this as it was a bit tougher initially when she watched me back pedal my bike when I stopped getting ready to pull away, but couldn't do the same herself.  She got over it though, and learnt how to work the system) which is very easy to use and is pretty instinctive.  

The build quality is excellent and it still looks new!  It's pretty light as well which most of the kids bikes aren't.  

 

But best of all, she enjoys riding it and is always asking me to go for a ride.  What more could you want out of a kids bike?

Indeed.

 

I hate that coaster brake so much I've just bought a new rear wheel for... wait for it... R 199!!! 

 

That and a back brake and some better levers, swapped out the standard bars and stem for a slightly lower version (cos the standard rise is 120mm!!!) and there we go. 

[badiejb]

I love cycling. It is great to see our children start to ride bikes. It is totally not about any brand, but the fact that they love it as much as we do and that is the key for me. I do however ride a specific brand and recently bought our little daughter (turns 3 in Jan) this little bike. Its called a Riprock 16' bike - https://www.specialized.com/za/en/kids/bikes/mountain/riprock-coaster-16/118243 

 

It has a front brake and back pedal brake.

 

I believe that there has been quite a bit of effort put into this range of bicycles. Worth having a look. Our little one still has her Hotwalk (Balance bike) but took the the pedals like a duck to water. I took the side wheels off immediately to try and keep the balance part of it in the equation. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I love cycling. It is great to see our children start to ride bikes. It is totally not about any brand, but the fact that they love it as much as we do and that is the key for me. I do however ride a specific brand and recently bought our little daughter (turns 3 in Jan) this little bike. Its called a Riprock 16' bike - https://www.specialized.com/za/en/kids/bikes/mountain/riprock-coaster-16/118243 

 

It has a front brake and back pedal brake.

 

I believe that there has been quite a bit of effort put into this range of bicycles. Worth having a look. Our little one still has her Hotwalk (Balance bike) but took the the pedals like a duck to water. I took the side wheels off immediately to try and keep the balance part of it in the equation. 

Looking back on the purchase now, they could have done SO much better. V brakes back and front, no coaster hub and decent brake levers, to list 3 items that I wish they would have done. 

 

Those stock brakes & levers are shaite. IMO. 

[badiejb]

Looking back on the purchase now, they could have done SO much better. V brakes back and front, no coaster hub and decent brake levers, to list 3 items that I wish they would have done. 

 

Those stock brakes & levers are shaite. IMO. 

The brake lever is adjustable... so depending on your child's hand size. This was a plus.

At the price point of kids bikes, I cant disagree with you, but she loves it which makes me happy dad