balance bike recommendations

Hi there,

Thinking of buying my two nieces balance bikes for xmas.

Anyone have experience of the different models? Any recommendations?

Currently looking at the Strider.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers..

I bought a Strider sport for my wean, he is still too young to use it though (1 year old). It's pretty cool looking and seems solid enough, not sure what makes it more special than the classic one.

Our kids have been through a second hand Islabikes Rothan, which has been great for them. Depending on how big they are, you can always take the pedals off a 'proper' bike to get them used to the weight.

I have two little Puky ones (LR) and a bigger Puky one with a brake for my three. the small ones from 1 til around 4, larger one from 3/4 til 5.

the older one has an islabike now but I've not got round to teaching her how to pedal

Thanks for all the replies. Islabikes look good but a bit out of budget.

Will check out the Puky and Striders for now.

Cheers!

Little one started on a Spherovelo bombing about indoors and moved on to an Islabike balance bike for outdoors.

Minor dredge: are solid rubber tyres the way to go? Is pneumatic overkill? I thought it might be more comfortable for the wee one.

the two little Puky bikes had solid tyres and no-one has complained. the bigger one has pneumatic but i don't think anyone has noticed the difference.

solid for younger kids and pneumatic for older, heavier ones?

Sounds fair enough to me. I suppose weight is less of an issue when scooting at low speeds in any case.