balance bikes vs trike

Hi everyone,
looking to get some sort of a bike for Eloise (will be 2 in May). Has anyone had any experience with balance bikes? I watched a video by wishbone bikes but I'm still a little unsure. It seems like there feet drag if they don't lift them?? Does not look like there is a foot rest. I have read that it helps kids progress to a 2-wheel bike faster.
My friend has a Kettler trike and seems to like it but its so heavy to lug around if we take it anywhere.

thoughts??

TIA

Karen

Tags: bikes, trike

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Permalink Reply by Giselle Baturay on February 13, 2012 at 11:47pm

I have one kiddo still in his balance bike, but my other kids too all started with balance bikes and when we transition to a regular bike they used the training wheels for 1-2 days and then didn't need them. But also while using their balance bikes they had soooooo much more fun in them then they would've had with training wheels on. At first they just kind of walk the bike, then they realize they can glide a little, then they really get to gliding and then it's on! They use their feet to balance and to break so at times they are dragging their feet a little if they went really fast and are slowing down slowly.

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Permalink Reply by Joann on February 16, 2012 at 2:47pm

My good friend used a Skuut (isn't that what they are called??) with all three of her kids and they learned how to balance very well. The purpose is for kids to push with their feet and balance.

We just took the pedals off of my son's bike and let him learn that way.

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Permalink Reply by Karen on February 22, 2012 at 9:48pm

Balance bikes are neat, but I don't think a 2 year old is ready for one. Probably more like 3.5 or so. If she's only just about to turn two, I would recommend a trike with a push handle so you can push her when she gets tired (which will happen often!).

For my son, we got a regular bike and took the pedals off to help him practice balancing. When he's ready, we can put the pedals back on and he'll be able to ride a two-wheeler (hopefully!)

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Permalink Reply by Giselle Baturay on February 22, 2012 at 10:27pm

Cool thing about the balance bikes is that they can start pretty early...my kids were under 2 when they started on their bikes. At first they walk them, then they realize they can glide and then they are gliding with feet up and so on. Here's a picture of two of my kids (daughter was 4 yrs here and son was 2 yrs). Hopefully this link works....

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NWuIeei_NsI/SlNm_FuhBYI/AAAAAAAAAcY/wGKqP...