We're thinking of getting Like-a-Bikes, or similar, for our 2yr-old twins. They have out-grown their plastic sit-on toys, and seemed OK on a quick Like-a-Bike test run in the local bike shop.
Currently deciding between the "Racer" for simplicity and lack of maintenance, or the "Badger" for better performance around the park on grass. The former seems to be bomb-proof, whereas the latter will need puncture repairs, new inner tubes, etc.
Any comments from past and current owners (or their parents) would be welcomed!
[A earlier forum topic on these bikes mentions the relatively high cost, but we're not too worried about that as (a) you often get the quality that you pay for, and (b) their second-hand value on E-Bay is as high as buying new, so they don't depreciate much at all.]
LIKEaBIKE model for 2yr-olds
LIKEaBIKE model for 2yr-olds
Anthony Cartmell (also known as "admin" when posting in a more official capacity on this Forum)
Kangaroo trike, Windcheetah recumbent, Batavus dutch bike, Dawes Galaxy Twin tandem, Pashley unicycle
http://www.fonant.com – Quality web sites.
Kangaroo trike, Windcheetah recumbent, Batavus dutch bike, Dawes Galaxy Twin tandem, Pashley unicycle
http://www.fonant.com – Quality web sites.
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keepontriking
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Re: LIKEaBIKE model for 2yr-olds
Fonant wrote:We're thinking of getting Like-a-Bikes, or similar, for our 2yr-old twins. They have out-grown their plastic sit-on toys, and seemed OK on a quick Like-a-Bike test run in the local bike shop.
Any comments from past and current owners (or their parents) would be welcomed!
I can highly recommend the FirstBike, which seems to be much better than the Like-A-Bike in a lot of respects and are very well made.
When teaching children to ride, being able to safely stop is essential and the FirstBike has a brilliant drum brake that can introduce learners to the concepts of braking.
http://firstbike.uk.com/public/index.php
I think they also look a lot more cool that the wooden versions
John
http://www.hampshirecycletraining.org.uk/
We've got the Islabikes Rothan for our lad. He was on it from 2 (birthday present), and it's really superb. I've been meaning to put a review of it on this site...
Although the theory sounded great, I was actually a little unconvinced when he first "rode" it, i.e., walked along with it between his legs. A couple of months later, however, I was totally convinced: he balances and steers well, and handles the bike generally (picking it up, getting on and off, etc.) well. I'm sure he'd get on with pedalling now, if he were big enough! The only downside is the toes of his shoes are getting pretty worn! I can send you a video if you want!
Although the theory sounded great, I was actually a little unconvinced when he first "rode" it, i.e., walked along with it between his legs. A couple of months later, however, I was totally convinced: he balances and steers well, and handles the bike generally (picking it up, getting on and off, etc.) well. I'm sure he'd get on with pedalling now, if he were big enough! The only downside is the toes of his shoes are getting pretty worn! I can send you a video if you want!
Like-a-bike
We have used the one like-a-bike for all three of our children and they have all made faultless transitions to normal bikes with pedals from 3 years onwards. The lack of a brake was never a problem indoors or out. The lightness of the bike was a huge advantage for the child picking it up and turning it round etc. We also used one of these http://www.coolproducts.de/de/products/ but it was a lot heavier and the small one was not much bigger than the like-a-bike so was soon outgrown in pedal mode.
Re: LIKEaBIKE model for 2yr-olds
keepontriking wrote:I can highly recommend the FirstBike, which seems to be much better than the Like-A-Bike in a lot of respects and are very well made.
I can see that it has a brake (probably not of interest until they're three, when their hands are bigger) and is plastic rather than wood. It also has holes in the frame, and spoked wheels. The frame, with its curve, seems to be slightly shorter-wheelbase than the Like-a-Bike, and the front forks have a remarkably similar shape.
Might you be able to elaborate on how it's much better than the Like-a-Bike?
Thanks for the responses!
Anthony Cartmell (also known as "admin" when posting in a more official capacity on this Forum)
Kangaroo trike, Windcheetah recumbent, Batavus dutch bike, Dawes Galaxy Twin tandem, Pashley unicycle
http://www.fonant.com – Quality web sites.
Kangaroo trike, Windcheetah recumbent, Batavus dutch bike, Dawes Galaxy Twin tandem, Pashley unicycle
http://www.fonant.com – Quality web sites.
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firstbike
As keepontriking points out, FirstBIKE is stylish and eye-catching, it is very well made and is available with a high quality brake.
Is it better than a Like-A-Bike? Both are well-designed, well-made German bikes so its mostly a matter of preference. Some people like wood; some prefer something more practical for outdoor use. If the bike will only be used in the house/garden/park then a brake may not be necessary. If your children want to burn rubber rather than shoe leather, then you'll need a brake. Solid tyres are low-maintenance but they don't give such a good ride and don't grip so well in the wet.
With FirstBIKE you can have solid or pneumatic tyres, with or without the brake. We believe the brake is important but, evidently, other people don't. Even with the brake it is easily light enough to be handled by a two year old.
If you can wait a few weeks your children will be able to test-ride FirstBIKE at the Cycle Show.
Is it better than a Like-A-Bike? Both are well-designed, well-made German bikes so its mostly a matter of preference. Some people like wood; some prefer something more practical for outdoor use. If the bike will only be used in the house/garden/park then a brake may not be necessary. If your children want to burn rubber rather than shoe leather, then you'll need a brake. Solid tyres are low-maintenance but they don't give such a good ride and don't grip so well in the wet.
With FirstBIKE you can have solid or pneumatic tyres, with or without the brake. We believe the brake is important but, evidently, other people don't. Even with the brake it is easily light enough to be handled by a two year old.
If you can wait a few weeks your children will be able to test-ride FirstBIKE at the Cycle Show.
have you looked at the Puky Learner Bike
My younger daughter had a Puky Learner which we thought was excellent. It is available with 1 or 2 or no brakes. We had the one without brakes, which cost around £50. Much cheaper than the likeabikes or their equivalents. Also, having a 'traditional' seat post meant that the seat height could be set exactly where required and raised gradually as she grew. The wooden ones only allow seat heights that correspond with the spacing of the holes in the seat post.
It has nice pneumatic tyres unlike some others which had solid ones. I didnt' like the 'headset' of the likeabike which limits handlebar movement. I've also seen the 'kokua jumper' which, to me, has unnecessary 'suspension'.
When at 'cruising speed' she could also lift her feet onto the platform in front of the seat (imagine the riding position on a lambretta or vespa scooter).
The name 'puky' is perhaps unfortunate - they originate in Germany, but the learner bike was fantastic. I would recommend them to anyone - well designed, practical and simple.
Richard
It has nice pneumatic tyres unlike some others which had solid ones. I didnt' like the 'headset' of the likeabike which limits handlebar movement. I've also seen the 'kokua jumper' which, to me, has unnecessary 'suspension'.
When at 'cruising speed' she could also lift her feet onto the platform in front of the seat (imagine the riding position on a lambretta or vespa scooter).
The name 'puky' is perhaps unfortunate - they originate in Germany, but the learner bike was fantastic. I would recommend them to anyone - well designed, practical and simple.
Richard
Re: have you looked at the Puky Learner Bike
RichMoss wrote:Also, having a 'traditional' seat post meant that the seat height could be set exactly where required and raised gradually as she grew.
I'd agree with that - it is quite important to have the correct seat height to get smooth progress. The Rothan is more traditional in this respect too. It's also quite robust - I probably shouldn't admit this, but I've been on it with no problem (just to demonstrate, you understand)!
Another thought is that the Rothan is built very much like a big bike, so normal tools work, e.g., the wheels on the Rothan come off with a spanner, and the handlebars can be turned by loosening the headset with an allen key, so it can be partially dismantled quite quickly for transporting. I guess the normal build would make long-term maintenance easy too.
This is probably not helpful but......................
A couple of years a go i saw a (? German) bike called a (?) Renn.
This was very like the Islabikes, but with a significant difference that extended it's use.
There was a stub at the base of the cycle, accompanied by a singel speed freewhel at the back. When the child was able, a bolt on extension with a bottom bracket could be added. A chainset and chain can then be added.
This meant that the child could then learn to pedal on a bike they are familiar with and more practically for the parents extends the life of the machine.
A couple of years a go i saw a (? German) bike called a (?) Renn.
This was very like the Islabikes, but with a significant difference that extended it's use.
There was a stub at the base of the cycle, accompanied by a singel speed freewhel at the back. When the child was able, a bolt on extension with a bottom bracket could be added. A chainset and chain can then be added.
This meant that the child could then learn to pedal on a bike they are familiar with and more practically for the parents extends the life of the machine.