Run Bike or Tricycle for 2-year-old?
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Run Bike or Tricycle for 2-year-old?
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!
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!
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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.
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.
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Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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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.
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+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.
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.
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Originally Posted by Peek the Geek
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
It fits him OK now, but he still isn't used to two wheels. He drops it on the ground. A lot.
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Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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:
https://www.norco.com/extras/videogallery.php?id=44