Hellobee Boards

I asked a bike guy at a festival we were at a few weeks ago about bikes for kids 3+. He said the best way for kids to learn to ride is by learning to balance, thus the balance bike. I mentioned my concern about the price of a bike for a year or so and he told me (even though he's in the market to sell bikes) to buy a balance bike used and once your child has their balance down, get a regular bike, no training wheels. We're getting our daughter a balance bike for her 3rd birthday!

@Mrs. Pen: no idea! We've seen Strider and Smart Gear bikes on our local CL and Facebook sale sites for $35-$50. I'd be willing to spend $40-$45 for a used Strider.

Absolutely recommend a balance bike at this age. We have had one since my little guy was 18 months old and he is a pro and still loves it. Just this Christmas we were looking to upgrade him to a pedal bike because he was so good. Well, none of the bikes you can get for cheap at the stores fit him. He is too small for his feet to touch and we didn't want training wheels. So we spend over $200 on a specialty bike that the seat is low enough for him to ride. And he is a little pro on a two wheel pedal bike at just shy of 4 years old.

@Mrs. Pen: What bike did you end up getting? DD is turning 3 soon and DH is set on buying her a real bike with training wheels. She has a trike, but it's gotten too small for her - I'm not sure she's ready for a real bike just yet.