{"id":1345,"date":"2022-08-24T20:53:19","date_gmt":"2022-08-24T20:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dadstuffsite.com\/?p=1345"},"modified":"2023-01-01T00:45:00","modified_gmt":"2023-01-01T00:45:00","slug":"do-i-really-need-a-balance-bike-pros-and-cons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dadstuffsite.com\/do-i-really-need-a-balance-bike-pros-and-cons\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Really Need a Balance Bike? (Pros and Cons)"},"content":{"rendered":"
I have a confession to make; I did a terrible job getting my kids\u2019 first bikes. I had no idea what to look for and quickly settled for the free hand-me-down. Who\u2019s going to turn down a perfectly good, lightly used, free bike? It even came with training wheels!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The big day came, and we were ready to have our first bike riding lesson. Let\u2019s just say, it wasn\u2019t a day for the scrap book. Everyone was frustrated, my son quickly lost interest, and we called it a day after about 15 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, the experience was so bad for all parties involved that we put off trying to learn to ride bikes for too long. My son turned 9, and the parent alarm went off in my head that I really needed to do something about this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a lot of research, I have since learned about the balance bike (sometimes called a glider bike). But if your kid already has a bike, do you really need to buy a balance bike? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Generally, it is a good choice to buy a balance bike for toddlers, preschoolers, and young kids. Balance bikes are available in smaller sizes and fit younger kids better than the smallest pedal bikes. If you already have a pedal bike that fits your child, you do not need to buy a balance bike. You can remove the pedals and convert your pedal bike into a balance bike. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you look at the fundamental steps to learning to ride a bike, you need to learn balance, steering, and then pedaling in that order. Let\u2019s go ahead and stipulate that a balance bike is an excellent option for young children to learn to ride a bike. The big question is, do I really need to buy one? Let\u2019s look at some of the pros and cons to purchasing a balance bike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One lesson I’ve learned working around the house with my dad is how much easier things are when you have the right tools. Balance bikes are the perfect tool for very young riders. They accommodate their size and follow the natural learning pattern of young children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The seat is much lower and can work for kids as young as 18 months old. The height for a seat on a balance bike can go as low as 10 inches, versus 17 inches for the smallest common pedal bike. The weight is generally half that of a pedal bike and much easier for young kids to move around. <\/p>\n\n\n Balance bikes follow the natural exploratory learning pattern of young children. They begin by simply walking with the bike, and before you know it, they\u2019re gliding. And this usually happens with minimal instruction. There\u2019s no need for training wheels or walking behind your child. They simply use their feet, and there are no pedals in the way to trip them up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll find that young children gain confidence quickly with a balance bike. Because it is much simpler, they will progress further, sooner. They are more adventurous, ride at faster speeds, and are more independent. You can all go for a ride together because you aren\u2019t walking behind them to help them balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A child learning to ride a bike with training wheels is slow moving. Because they\u2019re trying to navigate balancing and pedaling, they\u2019re usually moving very slowly. Turning is cumbersome with pedals and training wheels, especially because young children struggle to build speed and momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balance bikes used to be a super niche item. That\u2019s not the case anymore, and there are many more affordable options available. The Strider bike<\/a> (a classic go to option for a balance bike) starts at around $100 for a base model (with many options that can get more expensive). Now you can find other brands<\/a> on Amazon for as little as $60. That\u2019s not a bad option if you\u2019re going to buy one for a 2-year-old that will get 2-3 years of use out of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is true with just about everything you buy your kids. That said, a balance bike is essentially a uni-tasker. It\u2019s a great uni-tasker and teaches balance effectively. But the truth is, at some point you will need to buy a pedal bike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might be able to make the most out of a balance bike purchase if you buy it when your child is super young and then size up when they get bigger. But depending on the size balance bike you get (they come in a 10-inch wheel size) and how high you can adjust the seat (some can go higher than others), your first pedal bike size might be the same size as your balance bike. (Bike sizes are measured by wheel size. To learn more about finding the right size bike check out Picking the Right Bike for Your Kid (Find the Perfect Fit).<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros to Buying a Balance Bike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. You have a bike specifically designed for beginner riders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2. You can use a balance bike at a much younger age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. You can start going on family bike rides much sooner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Prices for balance bikes have gotten much more reasonable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons to Buying a Balance Bike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Your kids will outgrow them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n