Balance Bikes

I like to research things before I buy them.  I make pro and con lists, read reviews, ask people, etc.  Usually this process is relatively painless.  A couple of google searches and I am good to go.  Researching balance bikes was not quite so easy.  The first problem was that there is not an consensus on the name.  These pedal-less bikes go by Run Bikes, or Push Bikes, or (my personal favorite) Balance Bikes.  Also, there were very few comparative reviews.  In fact, when I was researching this about a year ago, I only found two (there are more now).  This New York Times article and this cycling blog.  Both of these reviews were really helpful and informative.  If you are considering purchasing a balance bike go read them. now. 

Because I am a cheapskate, I easily ruled out the bikes that weren't floating around the 100 dollar price point.  I don't care how awesome the bike is, I am not spending $300 on a bike my kid will use for 6 months.  I also easily ruled out the wooden bikes.  I am not really sure why but I had zero interest in them.  Some people love them, but I wanted a bike that looked like a bike.  I thought my daughter would like it better and I thought it would wear better.  Oh, and I also ruled out the Adam's Run Bike because I can't support a company that names their pink bike the "Girl" bike and the blue bike the "Boy" bike.  That is inexcusable. 

At the end of the day, I was debating between the Kinderbike and the Striderbike.  Yes, it's true, one review was very scornful of the Strider Bike, but I seriously considered it because it was the only balance bike I had seen in person.  And my friend's daughter made it look AWESOME.  Also, I liked that it had a place to rest the feet. 

So . . . in the end, we went with the Kinderbike.  It was well reviewed on both of the comparative reviews and I liked the fact that it had real tires (rather than foam tires like the Strider bike) and that it had a higher weight limit.  And I have to say, I was right.  The kinderbike clearly is nicer than the Strider bike.  BUT, after comparing them both side by side for the past 8 months (we ride bikes a lot with our friends), I can say with authority: it doesn't matter.  The kids weigh so little, that nicer components just don't make that big of a difference.  Every bike has pros and cons.  I like the foot rest on Strider, as well as how light the bike is.  And I like the inflatable tires and heavier weight limit on the Kinderbike. 

I guess what I am trying to say is don't waste your time researching.  They all cost about the same, and they all serve the same function, and every balance bike I've seen is of good enough quality to last through a couple of kids.  Just go out and get one.  They are awesome. 

My cautious daughter (2 and 3/4) during her first week on the Balance Bike

And here she is 6 months later.  Believe me, we thought this day would never come.