Run Bike or Tricycle for 2-year-old?

[Peek the Geek]

My first child's 2 year birthday is coming up, and I've been thinking about getting him a tricycle. I saw some videos of kids on run bikes, though, and now I'm wondering if that's the way to go, since I'm not so sure he's old enough to figure out the concept of pedaling yet.

I'd like to get some opinions before I go out and buy. Would a 2-year-old fare better on a tricycle or a run bike? Or is 2 too early for either?

Thanks!

[masiman]

I have found tricyles to be fairly low use items. Their legs can be too short for the pedals, they don't have the muscle mass to reliably turn the pedals, they don't have the coordination to steer (much less steer and pedal at the same time). What I think works best are those little sit scooters (3 or 4 wheels sometimes 2 if they are older and can keep decent balance, sitting, foot push power), or scooters. Not quite sure what a run bike is.

If you do get a tricycle, I'd recommend getting a push bar with it. It will save you having to stoop over to help move them along. Also it helps if the trike has a steering lockout feature. Freewheeling pedals can be good also as there is less likelihood that the kid will get a pedal strike on the shin or a foot caught underneath and torqued.

[Peek the Geek]

I have found tricyles to be fairly low use items. Their legs can be too short for the pedals, they don't have the muscle mass to reliably turn the pedals, they don't have the coordination to steer (much less steer and pedal at the same time). What I think works best are those little sit scooters (3 or 4 wheels sometimes 2 if they are older and can keep decent balance, sitting, foot push power), or scooters. Not quite sure what a run bike is.

If you do get a tricycle, I'd recommend getting a push bar with it. It will save you having to stoop over to help move them along. Also it helps if the trike has a steering lockout feature. Freewheeling pedals can be good also as there is less likelihood that the kid will get a pedal strike on the shin or a foot caught underneath and torqued.
Thanks for the input. He's got a 4-wheel sit scooter now, but the two front wheels get in the way of his feet, so a single wheel up front would be much better, be it on a tricycle or a run bike. And sorry I wasn't clear on what a run bike is. This site carries several models: www.runbikes.com.

[arej00dazed]

we got our kids a 10" bike with the push bar on the back (from TRU, think bout $40). while their legs are too short to touch the pedals, Im planning on putting some blocks on the pedals so they can reach. all they are is a basic 10" bike, no brakes.....hell no bearings, with built in "training wheels" and a push bar on the back so u can push them along until they get the idea of pedaling. theres also various other types like this, including tricycles and even big wheel versions.

[mparker326]

+1 on the pushbar. Our tricycle also has a safety strap to keep the kid in the seat. We have a Kettler.

My son's daycare had tricycles and by age 2 all the kids there were pros at it.

At 4 my son still rides and my daughter at 15 months loves to go for rides with the pushbar and steering locked.

[masiman]

Thanks for the input. He's got a 4-wheel sit scooter now, but the two front wheels get in the way of his feet, so a single wheel up front would be much better, be it on a tricycle or a run bike. And sorry I wasn't clear on what a run bike is. This site carries several models: www.runbikes.com.

I guess a runbike is what I was referring to when I said "sometimes 2 wheels". My guess is he probably does not have the coordination yet to work the runbike too well. We have a rideon somewhat like this one (http://www.fao.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=5628&categoryId=124&parentCategoryId=109). The front wheels are close together and don't get in the way of the feet. I think if our driveway and sidewalk were more conducive to riding, they would be on it more than they are.

[mhifoe]

The only problem I can see with a runbike is the price. A cheap alternative is to buy a normal childs bike and remove the pedals.

I rather like the idea of children's bikes without pedals. It is a very popular way of introducing children to cycling in mainland Europe. I am very tempted to go this route when my daughter is old enough to start riding.

[jfink2000]

I bought a runbike at Target for my 2-year-old son. The price was right ($50) but it was too big for him to stand over flat-footed. So I swapped out the large wooden wheels for some small plastic wheels from the hardware store.

It fits him OK now, but he still isn't used to two wheels. He drops it on the ground. A lot.

[Peek the Geek]

The only problem I can see with a runbike is the price. A cheap alternative is to buy a normal childs bike and remove the pedals.

I rather like the idea of children's bikes without pedals. It is a very popular way of introducing children to cycling in mainland Europe. I am very tempted to go this route when my daughter is old enough to start riding.
Many of the run bikes I've found have indeed been a little pricey, but I came across one called the Kinderbike which looks good and costs about $60. Only a little more expensive than many of the tricycles I've seen, and I'd imagine my son would be able to use it for a longer time.

http://www.mykinderbike.com/store/image/1co5y/12_Trainer_2007_Blue_Blazer.jpg

I've seen several online videos of kids using similar bikes, and they actually look like they're a blast. Check out the one on Norco's web site:

http://www.norco.com/extras/videogallery.php?id=44