so my daughter is going to turn 3 next month and i think it’s time to step up to a big girl bike. she’s currently on a big wheels type bike with the pedals near the front wheel. her legs are a bit stretched out so it’s hard to pedal.
any good suggestions on a bike? probably 12" for the size.
I suggest you check out the local tag/garage/lawn sales to find something. At that age all that matters is that the wheels spin smoothly, the brakes work, and it looks good. She’ll grow out of it before you can blink.
Victor
I’m going to get my daughter a training bike like the one HERE. There are more expensive versions, some with brakes and some without, but this one seems to be the best all around deal. - E
Turning 3? The cheapest bike you can find at Wal Mart or Toys-R-Us.
I was able to get a bike from a goodwill store. I stripped all the parts off it, did a quick sand and spray painted it my sons favorite color. It came out really nice, took me one day and he loves it. I think color matters the most to kids, that and a nice bell.
that kinder bike looks sweet. is it available in stores?
irondad, i’m really weary of bikes from walmart or sports authority - not only becuase they’re cheap but because the people putting them together don’t know what they’re doing.
You can buy the kinderbike online or at ebay. If you google bokoo bike, they make a nice plastic one that would be lighter so when your daughter falls, it won’t be so heavy. The bokoo has brakes as well for eventually learning to use a brake on downhills. I really like the idea of the training bikes so that the kiddo’s can skip training wheels. I think the training wheels are a bad habit to break. Hope that helps - E
irondad, i’m really weary of bikes from walmart or sports authority - not only becuase they’re cheap but because the people putting them together don’t know what they’re doing.
Don’t worry about it … those bikes have coaster brakes and no gears… there is nothing to screw up. Besides… she’s just riding down the driveway or sidewalk at less than walking pace.
That’s what both my kids rode and they worked perfectly fine for them… remember… she’s just turning THREE 
So… when a kid gets a good head of steam downhill… how do they stop? Fred Flintstone style?
Get a bike with coaster brakes… especially for a three year old… trust me, I’ve been there.
We got a Trek Jet 16 from the LBS when my son was 3. Here is a picture of the 2007 model:
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1574000&f=35
He tried a couple out at the store and liked the 16 inch size, which he could fit into with the seat all the way down, better than the 12 inch models. Will need a new bike next year, but it’s still in good shape so his little brother can use it in two years.
He tells us that it goes a lot faster now that he has a new helmet, which looks just like Daddy’s, because the new helmet has flames on it.
You’ve got to remember, these are training bikes, not bikes that they are going to be having when they are 4+ years old. My neighbor has a training bike for his 2-1/2 year old. It’s sweet how much that little guy dominates on the training bike. He learned to ride the bike 3 years before his other neighbor. Anyway, regarding the brakes, if they are ready to bomb downhills, then they are ready for bikes with pedals and coaster brakes - E
You’ve got to remember, these are training bikes, not bikes that they are going to be having when they are 4+ years old. My neighbor has a training bike for his 2-1/2 year old. It’s sweet how much that little guy dominates on the training bike. He learned to ride the bike 3 years before his other neighbor. Anyway, regarding the brakes, if they are ready to bomb downhills, then they are ready for bikes with pedals and coaster brakes - E
All little bikes are training bikes, and there is nothing wrong with training wheels. Look at blogs of pro racers and almost every one with kid pictures has the obligatory picture of them on a bike with training wheels.
Do you have kids? Trust me… 2 1/2 and 3 year olds succomb to gravity just like bigger kids… they don’t “bomb dowhills” they just roll fast when it goes downhill. My nephew had one of those bikes and Fred Flintstone style doesn’t work and without brakes they crash into things.
You can do the same thing with a little bike with pedals and coaster brakes by just removing the pedals… however I think it’s a bad idea since they can’t stop.
any good suggestions on a bike?
If it’s not a Cervelo, your kid will be a total loser! ;-p
Get a bike with coaster brakes… especially for a three year old… trust me, I’ve been there.
How about the hand brake? I’m having a hard time imagining my 2 year old operating either one.
Of course, I’d keep him in the back yard with it anyway…
Don’t get rid of the big wheel! She will have a blast on her big girl bike but nothing beats the hand brake skids that only a big wheel can do.
On another note what’s the best way to get a 3yr old into the “Groove” of peddling? He’s had, big wheels, push around bikes, trikes and now a bike with training wheels and he just can’t seem to get the idea of peddling down. I’m thinking of either strapping his feet to the pedals or clipless…
~Matt
Little kids that age don’t have the hand strength or coordination for hand brakes. They get used to coaster brakes quickly.
If you’re dead set on paying a lot for a bike that will get ridden very little, then spend $125 on this:
12" wheels, coaster brakes, and if you think that trainer bike thing is a good idea then take the pedals off.
Regardless… I still think the cheapest bike from WalMart or Toys-R-Us is the way to go. Don’t spend money on the bike until they’re in the 20" or 24" range.
I think we did $65 Toys-R-Us 12" bike, then later a $120 Schwinn 20" bike, then later a $280 Specialized 24" mtb bike, then a small road bike. Funny… the price almost doubled for each jump… and it sort of keeps doing that, doesn’t it, for each bike we buy as adults
Go to the bike store/Walmart/Target etc and let her ride around the store sqealing in delight. There’s something about riding a bike around indoors that makes kids go insane with joy! The Trek Irondad posted is a great bike, durable as all get out, although you’d be shocked at how heavy it is. Quite versatile: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1380414#1380414.
First of all, bring your kid to the bike store. We all want excuses to go there and now my wife is more ok with it since my son wants to go.
Second of all, buy a 12" wheel bike at the bike store. I bought a specialized hardrock but all the big brands make them.
Third, use training wheels and coaster brakes.
Fourth, go to a local high school track and start there. there are no hills, no traffic, and they feel like they are on a race track. it is good practice for staying on the sidewalk.
Fifth, stop when they want to stop. Don’t make them ride when they don’t want to.
Sixth, don’t listen to everyone who tells you to get a cheap bike. Would you ride a piece of junk??? it amazes me that this forum is mostly about $5000 bikes and then everyone tells you to go to kmart or walmart. It is never too young to teach kids about quality and service.
Seventh, be ready to get a 16" bike in two years. Mine is turning 4 in two weeks. He took of the training wheels three weeks ago. He got his 16" bike a few weeks early.
I bought two 12inchers for my son and daughter this year. I bought my 2.5yr son a raleigh from a local bike shop for about$100. Sounds expensive but well worth it, he loves it. My wife bought my 3.5yr daughter a 12inch Dora bike from Target for about $60, you can tell its the cheaper bike! The raleigh was worth the extra $$.