balance bike recommendations?

[mammamia]

anyone got any recommendations (or otherwise!) on balance bikes? We've been thinking of getting one for our just turned 3 year old, but after a quick google search it looks like another minefield of variety & choice!

Any tips and recommendations welcome, thanks :)

[Anna27]

Pink and blue versions at decathlon, my son used this for about a year, the wooden ones look nice but in my opinion have quite a wide seat (some of them) which can be an issue when upgrading to a 'first peddle bike' he's just turned 4 and we upgraded to an 'Isla Bike' love them, super lightweight, he made the transition in a few days no need for stabilisers! Was quite expensive, invest in the bike not the balance bike. Hope that helps...

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/run-ride-girl-id_8185820.html

http://www.islabikes.co.uk/

[etta166]

I agree with Anna above. Also consider a larger balance bike like a Zooom if you 3 year old is already quite tall.

[sanity girl]

My two used the same Puky balance bike with great success. http://www.puky.net/en/mod_produkte_produkt/kategorie/laufrad_lr1/produkt/PUKY_Laufrad_LR1/index.html

Daughter has since moved onto an Islabike as her first bike with pedals - they are brilliant and no other kids' bikes compare.