I love our new PV MINI GLIDER! for ages 3 - 6

I did not know I would love the mini glider so much until Kids Balance Bikes received it and test rode it a few days ago. Here is why I love it....

1. It is super light - only 8 pounds- one of my favorite features in a balance bike. This means it is easy for young riders to handle, turn, pick it up off the ground and manage it without a grown-up!

2. It fits an age group that was missing with some of the other standard balance bikes.... the taller 4 - 5 year olds who were tall for the standard balance bikes but too small for the 16 inch go glider. Because the handle bars sit up a few inches higher than most of the other standard balance bikes, it accommodates taller and older children much better. Children who were about a size 4T or 5T sometimes were hunched over on the other standard balance bikes because they were starting to reach the higher end of the seat range. Although the max seat height on the Mini glider is 18.5 - 19 inches, the handle bars allow for a taller child. This bike is almost the exact size as a 12 inch pedal bike to give a comparison.

Here is an example: The child in the picture above is a small 3 1/2 year old who is 38 inches tall with a 15" inseam and wearing a 3T clothing. The child below is a 6 1/2 yr old, 48 inches tall and wearing a boys size 6 clothing. The older child is ready and able to fit on the 16 inch go glider as well, but could get away with being at the top end of the mini glider.

3. Brakes are not very critical for young riders and most of the younger riders with tiny hands cannot manage a hand brake. I thought this would be the case for my 3 1/2 year old as well who has been on balance bikes for over a year (the Strider mainly which he loved!). However, he really enjoyed and was able to use the hand brake and thought it was fun and now wants to ride it all the time.

Again - we would recommend this bike for kids ages 3.5 to 5.5 as the best fit. This means for kids who are the size of a 3.5 to 5.5 year old as well! We see many 3 year olds who are starting to wear a 5 T because of their size and height. There are also older kids that are tiny like my younger son who is almost 4 but just starting to wear a size 3T.

For kids wearing size 3T and smaller, we still highly recommend the Strider Balance Bike. The higher handle bars on the mini glider can make the bike challenging if the child is too small. My son struggled for a few minutes because of the size of the mini glider compared to his Strider - but because he is an experienced rider - can even ride a pedal bike now, he was able to adapt and ride the mini glider after a few minutes. He still fits the Strider balance bike better and if he were inexperienced, I would be more comfortable seeing him on the Strider balance bike because of his small size.

Feel free to call Kids Balance Bikes if you would like to consult on which bike is best for your child! There is a balance bike out there for every size child age 18 month - 8 or 9 years old - so please ask!

16 Inch Go Glider Balance Bike review

Check out our newest balance bike at Kids Balance Bikes.com! I've been wanting to have a 16 inch balance bike for all those kids too big for the standard balance bikes out there. The highest the standard balance bike seats go is 18.5 inches (and some to only to 16.5). So if you child is 6 or older, they may be too big for a standard balance bike depending on their height for their age. I've demoed with some really tall 4 1/2 - 5 year olds (who are a 6T or bigger) who towered over the average balance bike and so wished I had something to offer them. Now we do.

Kids Balance Bikes always tests out their bikes before selling them and often sells them to local kids through demo rides and street fairs. What I loved most about the Go Glider after we first got it together was HOW LIGHT IT WAS! It did not seem possible to be so light - only 10 pounds.

I was also excited about the options the bike offers. There are great foot pegs to rest your feet on while you glide. I've had people question if they liked this. Well, they come right off if you don't!! Without any tools! The kickstand is also easily removeable if you do not like it. The tires are EVA foam - a very solid material found in the Strider balance bikes and offers no flats ever and always ready to ride with a firm tire. Air tires need to be inflated about twice a year. My demo striders which I've had for over a year and ridden by 100's of kids never have needed new EVA tires.

This leave a light, simple frame with one handbrake. Very easy to get on, manage, and build confidence as the child moves around.

Also, it comes in RED, BLUE, and PINK!

Here is a picture of our first tester! Sebastian - age 6 1/2, 48 inches tall

If you like this bike but your child is not yet wearing a size 6 clothing - then look at the mini glider bike which is the exact same bike but in a 12 inch frame. Don't get a bike that your child will "grow in to". These bikes are for the here and now! Get them the correct size that will give them immediate confidence and control and they will thrive!

If you need more help with sizing, contact Kids Balance bikes at 503-709-8782 or see our recommendation chart on our website.

Wow! Personalized Balance Bikes

I came across these cool pictures of Skuut Balance bikes which look like they were personalized by some people with talent! Now everyone may not feel they are this artistically inclined - but there are many ways you can decorate your own balance bike. You can purchased templates from a place like Michaels Arts and Crafts store or online with the letters of your child's name - tape them on the bike and spray paint or brush it on. Then spray a clear laquer paint over your design to preserve it! There are also a lot of decals around (like wall paper decals) that kids use for their rooms which would probably work as well. I think I'm going try one out myself!

Another possibility is to just let your child paint away like this child did! It looks like they cut out and glued their hand prints on this bike, but you could do the same directly on the bike if your child can keep their little wiggly fingers still (unlike mine!)

Check out our website to purchase your skuut today!  kidsbalancebikes.com.

Flash back to winter 2008 Strider riding under cover!

I thought I'd capture these video clips before they became lost in the millions of minutes of video that stays on my camera and never really makes it to the editing table (well maybe one day!)

I was thrilled when I realized we could actually bike INDOORS with the strider - at least my youngest could. What a great way to pass some time during some rough weather! I just washed the tires off in the bathroom sink and dried with a paper towel - and we were ready to ride on the carpet!

Equally fun was riding in the garage all winter. Not wanting to wander too far out into the cold (because mom is a wimp if it's below 50), the garage was perfect for 30 minutes (or MORE) of fun and exercise!

Wow! what a weekend for biking!

After over a year zooming around on a balance bike, this 3 1/2 year old tot took his first spin around the track on a pedal bike with no training wheels. It took about 2 minutes for him to get the hang of it! He is a bit small for his age, so stopping and putting his feet on the ground is a challenge. But he is so proud of himself! What a feat. Wouldn't have been possible without all the practice on his balance bike this last year!

What a busy holiday weekend for biking. I was at several parks over the weekend doing demo rides with the balance bikes. Kids of all ages and parents were out in groves riding bikes. I was so pleased - and alittle surprised to see several balance bikes around as well. These things are really starting to take off. I saw several different brands and different size children on them as well. One 4 yr old at the track was on a pedal bike (with no training wheels) and his little sister, who just turned age 2 was on a balance bike. I stopped to talk to their dad, and he said the older one started out on the balance bike and it only took 5 minutes to transition to a pedal bike since he had the skills he needed from all the practice on the balance bike. And they were both having so much fun!

I heard a lot of parents confirm with me their frustration with tricycles as well. Either the kids have problems with pedalling, or they get tired of pedalling it after awhile and the parent ends up trying to carry the heavy thing! Alot of parents are deciding to skip the tricyle and try a balance bike instead since kids can now fit on balance bikes as young as 20 months (the Strider bike fits kids this age).

So check these fun things out! Summer is almost here!

Summer is near! Get on your balance bike!

23 month old twins the first day on their Strider Running bikes. Wow!

The year 2009 is going to be "the Year of the Balance bike". A few years ago, these bikes looked like they may just be a fad, or something that kids who already had everything may get. But no longer! These fascinating bikes are on the rise all over the U.S. and are starting to replace tricycles and bikes with training wheels. These bikes are simply a bike frame with wheels, and no pedals or chains for kids to get their legs tangled in. Kids just walk, run, and glide! They learn to balance and steer without even realizing how big a feat that really is!! Lots of 2 year olds can't manage to pedal a trike as it takes alot of strength to push a trike forward in such a low seated position. Bikes with training wheels may be fun at first..... but often start tipping over when a child starts going faster and making quick turns, and you can't go onto the grass, into the dirt, and virtually all over like on a balance bike! The amazing thing is that kids as young as 20 months can handle a small balance bike such as the one made by Strider Sports which has one of the lowest seats in the industry, measuring in at only 11 inches from the ground in it's lowest setting. Little kids flip out when they first see that they get to try out a "big kid bike" and actually be able to fit on it and move! Not to mention they come in 6 colors to meet everyone's fancy.

The wooden bikes, alittle larger and heavier than the Strider bikes, are great for kids ages 3-5 and the natural wooden look is definately a parent pleaser.

Come back to see more photos, videos and updates on Balance and running bikes!!