Which balance bike? Post Reply

[Lisaski]

Advice needed!
Trying to choose a balance bike for our DD2.5 - thinking about getting her a Puky, but haven't seen many around.
Anyone have any advice / suggestions / experiences with Puky or different brands of balance bikes?
Also, would love any opinions on balance bike vs. pedal bike w/ stabilisers. DD already has a micro scooter which she loves
Thanks in advance!!

[Pedal4Health]

Ridgeback Scoot or Islabike are fine. Don't get bike with stabilisers, just makes learning to rude more difficult when they are removed

[ArtfulToddler]

We got our twins the Puky bikes which have been amazing! They're great bikes to learn all the basics with. Using breaks, bike stand etc. Handlebars and seat adjusts to right height of the child. A normal bike but without the pedals and lightweight.

We're upgrading ours to the Islabikes for Christmas an hoping they will go straight on them without stabilisers!

[Lisaski]

Thanks so much for the replies! I've heard great things about Scoot and Islabike also - though swaying towards the Pink Puky

@Artful Toddler - thanks for the review of the Puky! At what age did your twins start on the Puky Balance bikes? How old are they now that they're getting the Islabikes? Did you get this type of Puky with the brake? https://www.pukyonline.co.uk/Large-with ... e.tpl.html
Did you find the brake was a worthwhile addition? Debating whether to get the one with or without the brake! Sorry, so many questions
Ps [BTW my daughter Chloe, LOVED your Artful Toddler art classes - haven't been able to go this term b/c of nursery, but our house is still decorated from top to bottom in art from last term!]

[ArtfulToddler]

Hi,

Yes we also got the one with the break which was great as teaches them to stop without scraping their feet on the floor! We gave the boys there bike when they'd just turned 3 (although they would of been fine earlier!).

They turn 4 in Feb and so after 10 month are moving up to the Islabike. Really this is on advice from school friends, friends and similar children there age who we've seen riding bikes without stabilisers after using the Puky's. Hope this helps!

[Lisaski]

Very helpful, thanks again

[Bubs]

We narrowed it down to the same two, and went for the Islabike Rothan in the end, mainly because the distance from seat to handlebar looked longer on the Puky andmy daughter is TINY.

My comments:

Loved the fact that the Puky had the bit to put their feet up, that almost swayed me. But glad I didn't get it in the end as my daughter 'rides' it standing just now as opposed to sitting on the seat and having the wider bit for feet wouldn't have allowed her to do this. I think the foot bit will be great once they get confident though.

Islabike is superlight as she's just a dot and would be toppled by anything heavier (I haven't compared weight though, am sure they're similar).

Brake was a necessity for me, Islabike has one, so I'd definitely get a Puky with one.

I WISH the Islabike had a stand, it's constantly sliding down my hallway wall.

All in all, both great bikes - cant go wrong with either, and I would say the choice should come down to the size of your child and their confidence on it.

[ordinarygirl09]

I did a lot of research this time last year for my daughter's first balance bike and although i really liked the Puky, we went for the Ridgeback Scoot. It's a fantastic quality bike and after only 3 months she went onto an Isla bike, no stabilisers and was riding within 20 minute!

I must point out that we had left it quite late (she was 3 at Christmas but turned 4 in the April) so it was a really quick means to an end and although she only had a few months on the balance bike it was the right course of action as she went straight to the isla bike.

P.s. I am planning to sell her Pink Ridgeback Scoot, if anyone is interested please PM me.