Balance bike for my 3 1/2 year old??

[Charlene Rudman]

I would like to buy my 3 1/2 year old son his first bike for Christmas, and have done quite a bit of research...I think a balance bike would be a good first option.  However, I am afraid that he might already be too big for one.   Could anyone please advise? I have been looking at the MUNA 12" balance bike...

 

Kindest regards

 

Charlene Rudman

[SRBVI]

Hi Charlene welcome to the hub, have a look at this thread

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/154873-kids-balance-bike-recommendations/

[Grebel]

We got a lot of use out of our JD Bug. My son was around the same age (give or take a few months) and he rode it for at lest a year or two (Along with his 10" bike we bought him).

 

Do't be too fussed about brakes as I have noticed that they can't really get their hands over the lever to use them anyway. They just tend to use their feet.

[GLuvsMtb]

My son is 3y5m and is quite tall for his age (1.12m and 20kg). He still enjoys his Muna 12” bike and will probably use it up to his 4th birthday. The build quality is awesome and we will pass the Muna on to his younger brother that will be arriving early next year. Once they switch over to a pedal bike, they often revert back to the balance bike for a bit, particularly if they are struggling with the pedal thing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Slowbee]

I would like to buy my 3 1/2 year old son his first bike for Christmas, and have done quite a bit of research...I think a balance bike would be a good first option.  However, I am afraid that he might already be too big for one.   Could anyone please advise? I have been looking at the MUNA 12" balance bike...

 

Kindest regards

 

Charlene Rudman

if you dont want to buy a muna, buy a normal second hand pedal bike, take it to the bike shop and ask them to remove the cranks. That way you have the right sized push bike, with brakes and you can fit the pedals back a bit later when the time is right.

[Bikeand Scoot]

if you dont want to buy a muna, buy a normal second hand pedal bike, take it to the bike shop and ask them to remove the cranks. That way you have the right sized push bike, with brakes and you can fit the pedals back a bit later when the time is right.

 

I really don't recommend removing the pedals and crank on a pedal bike to create a balance bike.  First off, for those not mechanically inclined, the bottom bracket and crankset never get re-installed properly.  The other point is that a balance bike frame (in most cases) has different frame geometry that provides for the child to sit lower and handle the bike safer.

 

That's my 2 cents

[Boerklong]

As Slowbee said, or buy a Muna

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

I really don't recommend removing the pedals and crank on a pedal bike to create a balance bike. First off, for those not mechanically inclined, the bottom bracket and crankset never get re-installed properly. The other point is that a balance bike frame (in most cases) has different frame geometry that provides for the child to sit lower and handle the bike safer.

 

That's my 2 cents

Agree 100%.

 

My sons all had a wee bike and the frames are indeed designed for pushing. The hand me downs working well for me. My 3rd son using it and my daughter next in line. They learn damn quick and never used sidewheels.my 3rd son is small and from 3 1/2 he was riding the 12inch pedal bike. His feet cant touch the ground so I just get him going. He uses the balancing bike at the bike park tho, better that way

 

The muna is much bigger than the wee so will suit bigger kids. Enjoy!

[MTBJD]

Muna's are great and not too pricey.

If you want something more fancy look at the spez range

 

I can definitely attest to balance bikes being great first steps.

[MTBJD]

Oh and yeah, I out my son (who is fairly tall) with 3.5 years on a pedal bike...took a while to gain confidence with pedaling but he definitely had the balance from using his balance bike

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Just whatever you do... When they transition to a pedal bike, DO. NOT. USE. THOSE. FECKING. FAIRY. WHEELS.

 

Take them off. Throw them into the bin. It'll take them 5 minutes to get used to the pedalling.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Just whatever you do... When they transition to a pedal bike, DO. NOT. USE. THOSE. FECKING. FAIRY. WHEELS.

 

Take them off. Throw them into the bin. It'll take them 5 minutes to get used to the pedalling.

In the park my kids were riding their bikes and this dad is there with his much older son (than mine) on a bigger bike with side wheels. I wanted to tell the dad, take the damn stuff off, but that is none of my business. One of the side wheels were dropping causing the child to lean heavily to one side, but in between his pedal strokes I could see snippets of balancing. The dad goes to his house and gets a spanner. Good Shot I thought, the side wheels are going to be taken off. The dad fiddles, straightens it and tells the child to carry on whilst he sits back enjoying a ciggie. 2 years later, the child still has the side wheels on, he must probably be 9-10 years old. 

[MTBJD]

Just whatever you do... When they transition to a pedal bike, DO. NOT. USE. THOSE. FECKING. FAIRY. WHEELS.

 

Take them off. Throw them into the bin. It'll take them 5 minutes to get used to the pedalling.

 

yip. it was literally 5min. can attest to that

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

In the park my kids were riding their bikes and this dad is there with his much older son (than mine) on a bigger bike with side wheels. I wanted to tell the dad, take the damn stuff off, but that is none of my business. One of the side wheels were dropping causing the child to lean heavily to one side, but in between his pedal strokes I could see snippets of balancing. The dad goes to his house and gets a spanner. Good Shot I thought, the side wheels are going to be taken off. The dad fiddles, straightens it and tells the child to carry on whilst he sits back enjoying a ciggie. 2 years later, the child still has the side wheels on, he must probably be 9-10 years old. 

such a las. Just 5 minutes of running behind them and telling them to look where they're going. Slight downhill at first, then flat, so they can just carry on going. 

[MTBJD]

One more suggestion if you can find them here. 

 

Look for Like bikes:

 

https://www.jollymap.com/en/balance-bikes/1397-likeabike-mountain-wooden-balance-bike-made-in-germany-pink.html

 

 

this is probably the best balance bike i have seen and gotten my hands on. 

if you can find them, get one. 

[MTBJD]

such a las. Just 5 minutes of running behind them and telling them to look where they're going. Slight downhill at first, then flat, so they can just carry on going. 

 

the only thing that took time was starting himself on flats or rough territory

 

But in the end, it was more like. Boy, i cant help you now, if you want to ride, start yourself and off he went