And here she comes: the proud winner of a Runners-Bike Speeders A at the Hottest Tot Products Event
Posts Tagged strider
Hottest Tot Products Event
Sep 30
Please check out this very interesting review from www.PlayOutsideGuide.com
Intro to Balance Bikes & Runners/Strider Reviews
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 PLAY OUTSIDE GAL NO COMMENTS
Intro to Balance Bikes
Have you noticed little rippers on little bikes without pedals or brakes? Some people think these bikes are weird – we’ve been told “half the bike is missing!” – but cyclists appreciate the true genius of balance bikes. Balance bikes allow very young children (18 months old if they are tall enough!) to develop balance and coordination. Once your little one has mastered steering and coasting down slight inclines, she can progress to steeper terrain, uneven terrain, and pump tracks. Within one to two years, kids who started on balance bikes are able to graduate to “real” bikes without the painful experience of learning to ride a bike with training wheels.*
My 3 year old on her Runners balance bike
The most popular balance bike is the Strider, but after trying both (my nieces have Striders and we tried the Runners bike at MEC), my family prefers the Runners bike. Although the Runners bike weighs more and does not have some features of the Strider, I prefer the Runners bike for the following reasons:
wooden construction is like built-in suspension; the wood absorbs some shock when riding off road
the wheels have no spokes (my friends’ kids have gotten their feet stuck in Strider spokes)
pneumatic (air filled) tires: 1) make for a more comfortable ride, 2) last longer, 3) “offer far greater traction on surfaces and prevent wheel ‘slide-outs’. Wheel slide-outs occur when a tire looses traction due to poor gripping ability and are fairly common with EVA polymer wheels.” Source: http://www.kinderbikeusa.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&lang=en Strider will tell you that their EVA polymer tires are better because they won’t pop on rough terrain, but in the 3.5 years our Runners bike has been used by 2 kids on and off road, we have never had a flat. If we did get a flat, we could simply get a tube for the tire. If an EVA tire goes, you have to replace the whole tire (more expensive).
Steer stop limits the turning radius and prevents wipeouts. This one is so important because beginning riders have a tendency to crank the handlebars farther than they should. Just watch a kid play with a steering wheel on a ride or playground structure!
This said, the Strider is also an amazing balance bike. The pros of the Strider are the following:
you can start your child on it earlier because its lowest seat height is lower
it costs less
no maintenance tires
metal frame can be left out in the rain without worries
foot rest to put feet up when coasting
optional brake mount
More information from the manufacturers’ websites follows:
Classic Wooden Runners Bike —- Strider 12
weight 9.47 lbs —- 6.4 lbs
wheels No spoke wheels —- Five-spoke wheels
Seat height Seat adjustable from 12.5″ to 16.5″ —- Seat adjustable from 11″ to 16″
tires Pneumatic high quality cross country tire —- EVA (never flat) polymer tires
Frame material Solid birch —- Steel alloy
Steer stop Yes —- No
Foot rest No —- Yes
Brake mount No —- Optional add-on
If your child is too short for a balance bike or just not ready to balance on two wheels, try out the Radio Flyer Scoot-About. The Scoot-About is basically a ride-on toy that allows the rider to keep her feet on the ground or put them up on the foot rests and coast. We were lucky to find a used one on Kijiji for $15. My kids started on the Scoot-About, then graduated to a balance bike around 2.5 years old, and my oldest just started riding a “big kid” bike a few months ago (4 years old!). She never needed training wheels – just got on her bike one day and rode.
There are several makes of balance bikes out there, but Runners and Strider are easy to find in Calgary and good quality and value for the money. Which one do you like best? Did your kids ride a balance bike or are you planning on getting one?
Happy Trails!
Karen
*Footnote: I recommend letting your child ride on a tricycle or tandem bike (e.g. Trail-a-Bike) during the balance bike period, so she can get some practice pedaling. Once comfortable with pedaling, steering, and balancing, your little one will just need to learn how to stop!
Great news!
Runners-Bike just made our inaugural list of Today’s Parent Approved winning products — selected based on quality, ease of use, and value for money — which were evaluated and rated by Today’s Parent readers, editors and industry leaders.
No pedals? No wheels? Huh? Balance (or run) bikes are a trend that’s here to stay. Children have to use their legs for balance and movement, which makes the eventual transition to a big-kid bike easier. Skip the training wheels and head straight to the sidewalk. Runners has offered classic wooden and aluminium balance bikes before, but their latest baby is sturdy and steel framed, with pneumatic wheels for better shock absorption. For kids ages two to five. Comes in green, blue and pink, too.
Balance bikes are big in Europe and seeing my son using this bike and balancing as if he was on pedals. Now I get it. At first I didn’t know what the difference would be and what the hoopla was about these bikes but I’ll be honest. When I started watching my son I began to see how he moved on the bike, how was learning to balance and to ‘take off’ and ride as if he was on pedals. This would make transitioning into a regular much easier. I have now seen the light with balance bikes!
Will training wheels be eventually the phased out? The bikes we as parents used when we preschoolers? Maybe…..I am seeing more of these styles and less of the training wheel styles….
Please read the complete story
If you look for a great balance bike please visit our website www.Runners-Bike.com
Thanks so much for your wonderful service. I will be recommending you to family and friends. I hope you
have a great evening!
Smiles
We purchased a Runners-Bike for our son spring of last year. It was a little too big for him last year, but this year he has taken off. It is just about impossible
to get him to come into the house now, and my wife and I are getting our exercise chasing him everywhere
We bought a bike for our grandson this year and he “loves, loves, loves” his bike.
Excellent communication – FAST shipping. Thanks!
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Seller was great…once Postal strike over, package was immediately sent in mail
Wooden Push/Balancing Bike “Runners-Bike” STARTER-KIT
THIS IS THE COOLEST WALKER IN THE WORLD. Thanks a million.. well worth price!
Runners Baby Walker Wagon
Great seller! Great quality product!
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Quick response to questions, item as described, GREAT SELLER
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Very fast shipping A+++
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
thanks for nice item, recommend
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Excellent seller! Item as described, well packaged & promptly shipped. Gr8! AAA+
Wooden Balance Bike Runners-Bike Plus Trailer (Age 2-5)
Good Seller
Runners Baby Walker Wagon
Thank you A++++
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Product in good condition, transaction quick and without any issues.
Runners Baby Walker Wagon
super fast shipping and a great price
Junior Runners-Bike
thank you! good stuff!
Junior Runners-Bike
great seller, fast shipment
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Very fast and perfect !
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
it’s perfect. thanks!
Runners Baby Walker Wagon
Great shipping. Perfect product. Daughter loves it!
Runners Baby Walker Wagon
Awesome bike! Super-fast shipping.
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5) (#320600375275)
Fast shipping, great product.
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Great bike. Arrived just in time…thanks
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
LOVE IT!
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Good buyer, valued customer, highly recommended
Perfect. Love it, Thank you
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
fast shipping – item as described – excellent communication. A+++++
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
the kids loved the bikes!
Junior Runners-Bike (#320564475339)
Amazing product and fast shipping!! Thankyou!!
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
excellent !! and very fast shipping thank you!!!
Junior Runners-Bike (#320564475339)
Excellent, thank-you for getting it here for christmas
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Fast shipping. Thanks
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Great seller! Got here in less than a week! Five stars for sure!
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5) (#320450500708)
Great product fast shipping! Thanks
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Great Transaction. Will be back.
Wooden Push/Balancing Bike “Runners-Bike” STARTER-KIT
Excellent… buy from these guys: they are GREAT!
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
very happy with this transaction
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Thank you for an easy, pleasant transaction. Excellent store. A++++++.
Great bike Thanks for the great buying experience!
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Love it thanks!
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Great deal
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
love the bike, thank you
Wooden Push/Balancing Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
thank you
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Tres intéressant
Junior Runners-Bike
Excellent seller. Items shipped promptly and as described!
Wooden Push/Balancing Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Everything as described, simply a great merchant
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
as promised – thank you
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
superfast shipping wonderfulbike grandson lovesit YEAHYEAHYEAH A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+
Junior Runners-Bike
thank you
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Great product, quick shipping. Many thanks
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
great job! A++++++++++++++++++++++
Wooden Push/Balancing Bike “Runners-Bike” STARTER-KIT
great product and very fast shipping
Wooden Push Junior Runners-Bike
great price, great product, fast shipping recommend!!!!
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
It was sent immediately as I received it in 3 days. Great condition Great Value
Junior Runners-Bike
Good Seller/ Quick shipping
Wooden Kids Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
fast transaction
Wooden Push Junior Runners-Bike
thank you, my son loves his bike!!
Junior Runners-Bike
great price, great product, fast shipping A+A+A+A+A+A+
Wooden Push Junior Runners-Bike
We LOVE this bike for our kids! Great training, great fun, great quality.
Wooden Push/Balancing Bike “Runners-Bike” STARTER-KIT
Excellent !!!
Wooden Push/Balance Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Thanks so much – we love it!!
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Fast delivery and perfect bike, thanks !
Wooden Push/Balance Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Ordered Tuesday, received Friday (BC) – Couldn’t be more pleased. Thank you!
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Excellent product, good price, fast and reasonable shipping, highly recommended!
Wooden Push/Balancing Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Cutest bike EVER, super friendly seller, would totally recommend, thanks :-)))
Wooden Balance Bike “Princess Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Fast ship! great communication! would purchase from you again!! THX!T
Wooden Push/Balance Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
bike is loved!
Wooden Push/Balancing Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
great product!
Wooden Push/Balancing Bike “Runners-Bike” STARTER-KIT
Great product, thanks
Just what was ordered ,fast hassle free transaction,much appreciated
Wooden Kids Push/Balance Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Great Service! Quick and Responsive!
Wooden Kids Push/Balance Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
Excellent ebayer!!!
Wooden Kids Push/Balance Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
My Child loves it! It was pretty easy to put together.
Wooden Kids Push Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
very good and speedy service
Wooden Kids Push Bike “Runners-Bike” (Age 2-5)
For more info visit also MEC feedback page
Of course also have a peek at http://www.Runners-Bike.com/
