balance bike for 4yo?

Hollyob · Mar 18, 2011

Hi, I am looking to get a balance bike for DS2, who will be 4 in June. He's about 36" and 35lbs. He has mild cerebral palsy, and I think this will be a great tool for him, and fun. He wears AFOs, and his problems are mainly pronation, weaker legs and core, and some balance issues. I know I need to get a lightweight bike, but does anyone have any other advice?

TIA!

Dillipop · Mar 18, 2011

We have a strider for my 4.5 year old. It is really lightweight. My ds is about 41 inches and 38 pounds and we just switched out the seat it came with to the taller seat. The seat it comes with goes really low, so even toddlers can fit, and then goes to a decent height for bigger kids. The handlebars are also adjustable to get the right fit.

melniemi · Mar 18, 2011

We got our dd a Strider for her 4th bday. It is very light, my 20 mon old can even ride. We love it!

Hollyob · Mar 19, 2011

Thank you! One more question - do your kids use the footrest? Do you think a footrest is necessary? (ok, I guess that's 2 questions). I ask b/c I don't think DS could use the Strider footrest. Between the AFOs and his clunky shoes, I don't think he could get his feet up there. A bike with a footrest that hangs down would be better for him (which limits my options), although I could see that getting in the way of his feet when he's running it. What do you think?

Hollyob · Mar 19, 2011

After looking some more, I'm pretty sure we'll be getting the mini-glider. I think the foot pegs will work better for DS than the Kazam footrest, plus it's light. If anyone thinks this is a *bad* idea, please let me know. Thanks!

zoecoltsmama · Mar 19, 2011

when we got our son his bal bike I found a web sight called balance bike review to be helpful, they had a spread sheet type thing to compare and such. I have a friend who has a son with cerebral palsy and he has a "wishbone". seems to work well for him. we have the early rider and love it, but i wonder if it's heavy than you want, don't think you need foot rests at all personally, seems like the strider would be small for him, since it fits my son well and he is 22 months, 32" tall, it matters where the handle bar is too, not just the seat, balancing will be easier if the handlebars are not to low.

Nisha · Mar 27, 2011

We have a strider and LOVE it! DS just turned 4 in Feb, and has been using it since he was just over 3. After using it for 2 months, he was riding a 'big bike' and refused to even try the training wheels - he just took off!
But he still has a lot of fun on the strider, and we use it with my daycare kids who are 2 1/2 and almost 4 as well.

We don't have the footrest so can't help you with that part. But love the strider, it's very light weight but well made. I actually drove over it one night, and though it would just have to go in the trash, but one new wheel from strider, and we were good to go again!

balance bike for 4yo?

Hollyob

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Dillipop

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melniemi

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Hollyob

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Hollyob

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zoecoltsmama

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Nisha

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