I started mine on a balance bike then went to a 14" bike, took off the pedals and zip tied the cranks to the frame. This allows them to get use to using proper brake levers while getting familiar with the bike they will eventually be pedaling. *Make sure you set up the brake levers properly for their little hands.* Usually it doesn't take long for the pedals go on and they're off riding solo! I've done this now for a few family and friend's kid's bikes and it's been super successful. Truth is they barely even need you to be holding on to their seat on their first run because they know their bike so well at this point they usually just take off!
My nearly 4yo daughter started on an XS size 20-inch racing BMX (apart from a few times on a balance bike). She just barely reaches the floor with her feet, and she occasionally needs help coming to a stop, but otherwise she bloody loves it. She's had the bike just over 2 months now, and she's already standing up most of the way to school now.
Good. All of the best riders started with BMX, as it is the only way to learn real handling skills. People who start on an MTB generally never learn how to throw a bike around under them.
Great video Ben and PB. Perfect timing.. starting this with my 4y.o currently. A trail-gator has been useful so far for introducing pedalling since moving on from the balance bike.
Loved this! ❤ I started all four of my kids around 2 & half yrs old. I've used all of the above techniques (each kid was different). One needed training wheels, one struggled to transition from balance bike to pedal, one successfully started on a pedal bike and one only needed a day of balance bike before successfully pedaling. Patience and keep it fun
My youngest was the quickest of my three kids. He was riding a 12” pedal bike without training wheels by 3.5 years due to the magic of his balance bike!
My 3 year old couldn't have given less of a shit about her little glider but as soon as she got on a. pedal bike w/trainers it was a whole different ballgame. It's all she wants to do now.
I have seen these kiddie ‘balance bikes’…no crank and cost at least double what you’d think! THEN the well heeled trendy set upgrades their sprogletts to a peddle bike at another hefty cost….WHY.??? Just take the peddles off the peddle bike and you have a balance bike…then progress to peddle power by refitting them.
