Thursday 1 May 2014

Bike Shopping Madness - After The Balance Bike What's Next?

Aaron's had a balance bike since last Summer. He goes everywhere on it including free wheeling down slopes on it, with his feet in the air - it literally has given him wings wheels! It means I can walk very long distances without the obligatory toddler "I'm tired carry me!" which we used to get pre-scooter. (The balance bike was not the 1st set of wheels for this outgoing adventurous wee fella).

Anyhow it's been evident to Daddy for the longest time, that Aaron's legs were too long for the balance bike, but frugal me was resisting the urge to do anything about it.

In the real world, we ought to have waited for his birthday which is 6 weeks away, but he literally looks on longingly (I am talking about the small man now, not Daddy) when he sees a big boy whizz passed on a bike, and sometimes utters the words "I want pedals".

We grabbed the bull by the horn yesterday, and went to my least favourite shop: Toys 'R' Us. Luckily it wasn't our usual branch, so I did not have the life sucked out of me as I entered, and came out alive, still with a spring in my step. With Daddy's pocket all the lighter, as we bought TWO bikes. Aaron told me on the way home "now we have five". I was confused, as a balance bike + 2 new ones, makes 3, but I was too exhausted from shopping to argue, and as he is always right, I knew it was pointless. The penny has only dropped as I write this post. Our shed now has Mummy's bike, Daddy's bike, the balance bike and 2 new bikes. Aaron's mathematical skills at the age of 3 are intact. That makes FIVE!

Anyhow, we went in for a pedal bike. Me and Daddy had "words" as he wanted stabilizers and I am DEAD against them. Would defeat the object of him having been a whizz on a balance bike for 10 months.

The lovely staff advised we get a 16 inch, and we had no idea (till we saw the TV adverts that night) that we snapped up a bargain as it was half price. We got the Avigo 16 inch Mischief Bike in red. It really is beautiful. I can't speak for its performance as he is yet to ride it.

But while we were choosing a helmet, errrmmm, Aaron found a bike that was left in the aisle, and as he whizzed around on it, and looked so happy we bought that too.


It's all bling bling, like the Mini Cooper of bikes. It looks like a Go Kart but technically it is a trike. It's here: Schwinn Roadster Trike. 

I can't possibly tell you how much we spent *gulps* as we got the extended warranty on the 16 inch bike and an expensive helmet, and paid to have both bikes built for us. NO don't add it up!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not going to.

Suffice to say, his birthday presents in a few weeks (from us at least) are going to be small. Something from the pound shop perhaps! Eeeek.

Last night saw a very stressed Aaron going to bed, as he was worried he'd have to ride and master his big boy bike today. He smiled and slept soundly when I said he could ride to school on his trike, and THAT he did, in the RAIN!

By the way if you missed me during the 25 days that I did not blog, then you'll be pleased to hear that I am blogging EVERY DAY IN MAY  #BEDM

STOP THE PRESS: UPDATE: Aaron and Daddy went out for less than an hour and Aaron came back riding................. It was his first time on it, apart from in the shop. I don't think the trike will get a look in now.............

I KNEW he would pick it up due to the balance bike experience but THAT quick. WOW!!!!!


So he has basically just learned, out with Daddy, this evening, how to ride THIS. Pics to follow (this one's from Toys R Us), when I get out with him tomorrow.


This post is still getting views, so I have come back to edit, to add the video of him learning to ride. It took one evening. One trip out with Daddy for 45 minutes and he came back riding. Luckily Daddy got the whole thing on video:

Liska xx

21 comments:

  1. My boys had one of those roadsters and loved it. Bikes are an investment

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  2. aw! it's great when they finally master their bike :)

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  3. Love it! What a fab trike for your little man - hope he gets lots and lots and lots of use out of it!! xx

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  4. He looks so happy with it!!!! Love his smile :) x

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  5. How happy does he look?!?

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  6. Wow, that's a pretty amazing transition. I'm with you on the no stabilisers, and that's why N has a balance bike. He's had it since he was 2, so I'm hoping he'll have grown enough by the summer to be able to reach the ground on his cousin's old bike, so he can learn on a proper bike as I think he'll be ready by then. But no way will he learn in an hour.

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  7. They look fab! He looks very pleased with himself x

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  8. It is great to know that the balance bike has made it easier to move to a pedal bike as my little one adores his balance bike. The trike is awesome what a lucky boy! The helmet is a great investment and it is really good to get them into the habit of wearing one now. He must be one happy boy :-)

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  9. The trike looks brilliant, so retro. Well done Aaron for getting two new toys!

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  10. Aww well done. We made the mistake of going from balance bike to stabilisers.

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  11. Wow this is one amazing bike! He looks over the moon with it as well :Dx

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  12. That looks like great fun. We bought Isaac a bike for his birthday and refused to let him have stabilisers. Lets just say its hard going

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  13. Goodness a 16'' one? We've on of those in the shed but I wouldn't let my little one on it yet! Good for Aaron - and those Balance bikes are worth their weight in gold for giving them the ability to take to pedals straight off. *high five*

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  14. This looks like great fun. In a few years I think Max would love a go on this.

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  15. Brilliant, well done Aaron. I really want that trike for my son, it looks cool. I recognise the company as they make the spinning bikes at the gym :)

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  16. That is one super cool trike!! I really need to get my 3 out riding their bikes a bit more often too - balance bikes sound like the perfect start for little ones.

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  17. Wow that's brilliant, well done Aaron :)

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  18. That trike looks great, Well done Aaron x

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  19. Such a cool trike!! My little girl who is 5 only a few weeks ago has just started riding her bike without any stabilizers!! It took over a month of tantrums and frustration but she got there in the end!!

    Emily x

    www.londonmummyoftwo.com

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  20. I love that trike and WOW how quick was that for mastering the bike!

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  21. Gaaaa Love his little face!
    I wouldn't be able to resist getting him this either - bless
    Now this is a proper cool bike, nice one mama

    Lotte xo
    Berice Baby – London Lifestyle & Kids Fashion Blog

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