This is the way.
I'm a couple years past this, but strongly believe that balance/push/strider bikes is such a critical phase. My daughter 9 and son 7 both used the same balance bike. Big sister passed hers down 4 years old to her 2 y/o brother, she got a 14" Woom and in no time taught herself to pedal (thanks to the balance bike!). She graduated to a 16" Woom, lil bro got the 14", rinse repeat. We have many friends that skipped the balance bike altogether and missed that opportunity, they're now with 1st and 2nd graders with "training wheels" bikes that weigh close to 30lbs and losing their hair stressing out teaching the kid how to pedal (not to mentioned witnessing lots of tears, which is never a good way to get the kid hooked).
Meanwhile, mine are now on 24" and 20" hard trails (that I've gone to lengths to keep weight in check), with nice 10 speed drivetrains, air forks, tubeless, and love riding single track. Recently installed a dropper on my daughter's 24" and converted sons' 20" to a 11-42 cassette w/ Zee FR deraileur, it's made the riding with them even better as the instances of hike-a-bike have considerably dropped. Granted you still have to take a patient approach, not push them too hard, nothing too steep, rocky, or rooty, but they're excited to hit the bike parks this summer and I'm getting more trail time. My "dadcountry" bike is a steel Marino hardtail, I've ridden the full suspension twice so far this year!
Thanks to The Bike Dads, Andrew Major, and others for lots of motivation and advice getting the kids hooked.
Before you know it you'll be getting asked to film ;)
May 19, 2023, 9:13 a.m. - chacou
This is the way. I'm a couple years past this, but strongly believe that balance/push/strider bikes is such a critical phase. My daughter 9 and son 7 both used the same balance bike. Big sister passed hers down 4 years old to her 2 y/o brother, she got a 14" Woom and in no time taught herself to pedal (thanks to the balance bike!). She graduated to a 16" Woom, lil bro got the 14", rinse repeat. We have many friends that skipped the balance bike altogether and missed that opportunity, they're now with 1st and 2nd graders with "training wheels" bikes that weigh close to 30lbs and losing their hair stressing out teaching the kid how to pedal (not to mentioned witnessing lots of tears, which is never a good way to get the kid hooked). Meanwhile, mine are now on 24" and 20" hard trails (that I've gone to lengths to keep weight in check), with nice 10 speed drivetrains, air forks, tubeless, and love riding single track. Recently installed a dropper on my daughter's 24" and converted sons' 20" to a 11-42 cassette w/ Zee FR deraileur, it's made the riding with them even better as the instances of hike-a-bike have considerably dropped. Granted you still have to take a patient approach, not push them too hard, nothing too steep, rocky, or rooty, but they're excited to hit the bike parks this summer and I'm getting more trail time. My "dadcountry" bike is a steel Marino hardtail, I've ridden the full suspension twice so far this year! Thanks to The Bike Dads, Andrew Major, and others for lots of motivation and advice getting the kids hooked. Before you know it you'll be getting asked to film ;) 