For years (three children, to be exact), I have been eyeing Strider Bikes and just never pulled the trigger to get one. With my fourth son I made the decision. For his second birthday I wanted him to have a Strider Bike. I had heard fantastic things about them, seen dozens of children riding them and heard reports about the speed in which children learned to ride a pedal bike after having a Strider. This is why your toddler needs a Strider !
One thing I always keep in mind when making a purchase like this is resale value. Considering I am a big ‘used’ shopper (I do own FlipSize afterall), I want to ensure that an item can either be reused by subsequent children or can be sold easily and with a good return.
Enter Fraser Valley Balance Bikes, our local Strider Bike retailer. With the help of Lindsay, my son was able to pick out his first bike: A green Strider. His big brother (4) came along to help and was thrilled when Lindsay gave him a ‘big boy seat’ so that he could also use the Strider.
Honestly, I had high expectations of Strider. I can say without a doubt that I have not been disappointed. When we picked up the Strider my older son had just turned 4 and had only rode a bike with training wheels. Exactly one week after we got the Strider he learned to ride a pedal bike without training wheels. It was absolutely amazing to watch him learn balance and gain confidence and then take off with a ‘big boy bike’.
My favourite feature of the bike was the weight
I was initially shocked at how light the bike was. I was worried at first that it didn’t feel ‘substantial’ enough to withstand my rambunctious children. But it is sturdy. The weight of the bike is absolutely essential to help my toddler be able to maneuver the bike on his own.
Below is a video of Carson (4) riding the Strider with confidence.
For my younger son, he is still learning. But it is still cute to watch him ride.
And finally one week later, this happened!
If you are unsure if your child would benefit from riding a Strider, I can say unequivocally YES! It is now one of those purchases that I wish I bought 3 children ago.
Thanks to Lindsay from Fraser Valley Balance Bikes for the support and cooperation in making my son’s 2nd birthday so wonderful.
Do you, or have you used a Strider Bike? Thoughts?
This looks pretty cool! My kids are WAY older (12 and 15) but would have been awesome to have when they were little.
I have never used this type of bike for my kids, but I have heard a lot of good concerning balance bikes. 🙂
Love stride bikes (balance bikes). My youngest started riding this way and he was CRUISING with balance before 2!
Awe! that makes me miss mine being little! Too cute!
Matthew does not like his bike. I wonder if he would like one of these!
These bikes are SO MUCH FUN!
Pretty cool 🙂 My girls are past this stage, but I am sure my friends would enjoy learning more.
Look at him go! This is so cool!
Lightweight and sturdy is a nice combination. I’m glad this has worked out so well for your little one.
Colton had a strider– it is one of the few things I kept for #2 🙂 I loved it and so did he!
My son would love one of these bikes!
My oldest 2 kids went through the same beloved red strider… my youngest has a year or so before he can balance well enough to try. I am sure he will use it as much as the big kids did.
We had striders for both our kids and they caught on to them quickly, loved them, and transitioned easily to pedal bikes without training wheels!
I’ve always thought these bikes were so neat!
I’ve heard of these balance type bikes and think they are just so awesome!
This is such a perfect way to get introduced to that balance feeling. I would think every child would benefit from this.
I wish I had gotten my daughter something like this. I think it would have really helped her.
we LOVE LOVE LOVE our strider! Both girls have used it. My first got it at 2.5 and was flying within a week. She started riding a bike without training wheels at 3.5 years. My youngest started it at 19 months almost 20 months… She didn’t get much opportunity to use it but has the hang of it now at 22 months. I love the freedom and confidence it gives them.
We have a strider and I’m a believer. Both my boys rode them for a summer and then went straight to regular bikes. It was great at teaching them balance!
My first son never had one of those but I’m strongly considering getting my second son one, though I have over a year to decide!