Balance bike recommendations

the drizzle

the drizzle

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Hey

I am looking for a balance bike for my 18month old daughter. Was wondering what other parents have used and would recommend?? The balance bike market is something I have no clue about but I want to get a good one to kindle the same love of cycling in her that I have.

Cheers
 
Ivan

Ivan

Eats Squid
I have a Giant one, but after reading the posts on here the light weight and foot rests on the JetBlack seem to be the go.
 
D

diskoe75

Likes Bikes
Get one that has a tyre-tube combo. Not a solid rubber wheel like the jetblack one. You will get much more use out if it.
Ive taught my little girls using the Giant balance bike. Best way for them to learn and progress to ride a normal bike.
But.........if i had to do it all again............id likely get the specialized one, which has the little foot rests below the level of the seat, for when they get really confident in having their feet up for cruising down little descents.
Makes it that little bit more versatile and better value overall.
 
D

diskoe75

Likes Bikes
nstreet83 said:
Looks awesome! Thanks
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I was at an MTB event a little while back and one of the mums of the guys competing had her little son on one, and he looked stoked with that thing.
My first thought was............"man, i wish my giant one, had those bloody foot rests!" hehe
Seriously, best money you will spend to get your little one into riding on two wheels. =)
 
pink poodle

pink poodle

気が狂っている男
nstreet83 said:
The World’s first carbon fibre balance bike.

Almost too beautiful to give to the kids.

And....

We have a winner!!! Just need to get it past the minister of finance.
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Yeah carbon! Just tell the special lady that the carbon job is helping reduce carbon emission and global warming by trapping the.emissions and putting them to use.
 
foxpuppet

foxpuppet

Eats Squid
Cruzee is what my little girl has. I really wanted the hot walk or similar. But the reality is they are quite heavy and wouldn't be small enough for her. The Cruzee has the lowest seat of any available balance bikes and I customized it to get it even lower. She is stoked to ride it and gets it out whenever she can.

Weighs in at just under 1.9kg which makes it very easy to carry when they get tired and don't want to ride anymore. Strips down easy to chuck in the car/pram

 
blacksp20

blacksp20

Likes Bikes and Dirt
My first started on a Spesh Hotwalk from 2 and went onto a ByK E250 at 3. Had him off by himself (never used training wheels) after 8-10 short rides using the removable handle on the ByK. Just had to get his legs used to pedaling, his balance was already awesome from the Hotwalk.

He used the foot rests on the Hotwalk a little bit. Mainly on longer declines when he rolled without needing to use his feet. Most of the time he would just put his legs back and hold his feet off the ground. The footrests were handy but not essential in my view.

Definitely get inflatable tyres over solid rubber. Don't go for a wooden frame, they just don't handle the knocks. Check your daughters stand over before you buy as they vary quite a bit for the lowest saddle height.

I don't like the look of the Zelvy. Yes it's carbon but it looks cheap. I prefer this, plus they make a belt drive bike with 16" wheels that looks ace.

http://www.earlyrider.net.au/shop/products/alley-runner-12
 
blacksp20

blacksp20

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nstreet83 said:
The World’s first carbon fibre balance bike.

Almost too beautiful to give to the kids.

And....

We have a winner!!! Just need to get it past the minister of finance.
Click to expand...
Unless you've got cash to waste, I don't see the point. $700 for something they'll ride and abuse for 2 years at most is a massive waste IMO.

My little man didn't have any issues with the weight of the Hotwalk and it cost $199. It's still in good condition and will be handed down to his younger brother.
 
the drizzle

the drizzle

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blacksp20 said:
Unless you've got cash to waste, I don't see the point. $700 for something they'll ride and abuse for 2 years at most is a massive waste IMO.

My little man didn't have any issues with the weight of the Hotwalk and it cost $199. It's still in good condition and will be handed down to his younger brother.
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I was joking about the carbon balance bike! I wish I had thay money to waste!! I enjoyed the 'it's almost too beautiful to give to your kids' slogan. At the moment the specialised hotwalk is at the top of my list because of the inflatable tyres and the the pegs.
 
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the drizzle

the drizzle

Likes Bikes and Dirt
foxpuppet said:
Cruzee is what my little girl has. I really wanted the hot walk or similar. But the reality is they are quite heavy and wouldn't be small enough for her. The Cruzee has the lowest seat of any available balance bikes and I customized it to get it even lower. She is stoked to ride it and gets it out whenever she can.

Weighs in at just under 1.9kg which makes it very easy to carry when they get tired and don't want to ride anymore. Strips down easy to chuck in the car/pram

Click to expand...
Will have to check stand over height. Does the Cruzee have inflatable tyres? I can't wait to get her out rolling around!!
 
blacksp20

blacksp20

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Glad you were joking about the Zelvy as it was $700 for the frame only and $1100 for the full build. I wonder if they've sold any.
 
the drizzle

the drizzle

Likes Bikes and Dirt
blacksp20 said:
Glad you were joking about the Zelvy as it was $700 for the frame only and $1100 for the full build. I wonder if they've sold any.
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Somewhere out there is bound to be a person with just the right combination of ego and cash flow to purchase that thing. But I doubt they have sold many.
 
pink poodle

pink poodle

気が狂っている男
nstreet83 said:
Will have to check stand over height. Does the Cruzee have inflatable tyres? I can't wait to get her out rolling around!!
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From memory they are solid tyres. You can adjust the seat and bar height. Annodized alluminium finish keeps the weight low. There are bearings where a lot of others have bushings or sleeves. I've assembled 2, ridden 1. Only weakness I could figure was in the "headset". I couldn't eliminate all the play. But not many tiny tots are going to whinge about it.

blacksp20 said:
Glad you were joking about the Zelvy as it was $700 for the frame only and $1100 for the full build. I wonder if they've sold any.
Click to expand...
They are bringing out a variety of racks to make displaying the bike on your BMW even easier. It is the bike you have, when you want people to know you can.
 
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