Scooters, bikes, and other conveyances for fresh legs.

I wrote a post a few weeks back about the Like A Bike, a bicycle without pedals. The idea seemed a good one to me, but even though it's beautiful, the price tag ($279) seemed a bit high. Then I finally got a copy of the DWR jax catalog in the mail yesterday, and lo and behold they're selling the Like A Bike. So I guess a pedal-less bike isn't exactly as unusual as I thought. Oh well.

But that post did generate a lot of interest and introduced me to some new scooting options for your kids. MDD reader Kevin pointed me to the Kettler Scoot Training Bike (pictured here) which pretty much looks like the same thing as the Like A Bike, but more like a regular outdoor bike. And they even sell it at Amazon for $89.99.

I was also contacted by Randy from Glider Rider, a German version of a similar product. I can tell from our correspondence that Randy is really passionate about balance development, and his product seems like it will do the trick. Apparently they're quite popular in Europe, and in the states the Glider Rider will run you about $127..

Then the other day a good friend of mine emailed me about this cool little scooter his folks had gotten his daughter - the Svan Scooter (made by the same people who make that sweet Svan high chair). It's not exactly a balance toy, more like a simple, perfectly simple, indoor tricycle. The front of it has no handlebars, but a wheel that pivots while the two wheels in the back are fixed. This lets your kid just push it to the left or right to go where they want. The wheels are rubber (so it's safe and quiet indoors) and it's made out of beautiful molded plywood. The Svan Scooter just came out this November and it's $118.99 from Amazon.com.

So there are some options, but I have to say that Svan scooter just jumped to the top of Madame's wish list (thanks Jamie).

Comments

[geoff]

If you're really sold on the Svan, keep in mind that it's probably only for the indoors.

We have friends with a LikeABike and their 3 year old loves it and when the weather's not bad, she can zip around. Since I have twins, the price of the LikeABike turned me off. But since I really like the wooden bikes, I found this:
Rolli Rider

I actually spent way too much time searching around for this, trying to remember where I had seen it. I should have known it'd be somewhere logical like sprakability.

[Cameron Hunziker]

Check out the plasma car-- It's won a handful of awards, and looks like a lot of fun. No personal experience yet, but when my daughter is old enough...

http://www.plasmacar.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=92&cat=28&page=1

[ashoval]

just got back from vacationing in france where i saw a wooden training bike similar to the like a bike, but it also had pedals for kids to use as an option and an adjustable seat. the one that i saw was old and beat up and made me think that there are probably tons of these things all over europe. anybody know where i can find one?

[simon]

do you ship to england

[Jennifer]

Target's brand "Play Wonder" has a wooden no pedal bike for about $50 in the stores. I can't find it online, though.
Just thought you might be interested.

[Jamie]

I work for a company that considered carrying the LikeBike so my 3 year-old got to test both models of the LikeBike as well as the Kettler bike and a Chinese knockoff (similar to the Play Wonder). We ultimately decided not to carry any of the bikes, but I thought I'd share my experience...

First, I couldn't take the aluminum LikeBike back to work. My son wouldn't give it up. The price is a bit hefty but it's held up quite well. He takes it everywhere (driveway, playgrounds, grass, woods). Absolutely loves it. The wooden version was nice too, but it was more difficult to adjust.

The Kettler bike is ok for the price point but there is too much plastic and a rough kid is going to bang it up quickly.

The Chinese knock-off had screw on handle bars which could easily come unscrewed with intense play. Of course, it is very inexpensive which makes it attractive to retailers.

So, if you're considering one of these bikes, look closely at the way the handlebars are constructed. Is it one piece or two? One piece will be sturdier. Second, pay close attention to how the seat is adjusted. Many wooden bikes require the use of a hex wrench to move the seat. They also have fixed positions. Both the Kettler and the aluminum LikeBike allow you to adjust the seat as you would with a regular bicycle, though LikeBike has the fast release that is common on most bikes today while it's a socket wrench if you have the Kettler.

Lastly, make sure you get a helmet. Even though these bikes are "push" bikes, the kids will go way faster than you expect. My three year old saw an older kid standing on the seat of his bicycle and riding down the street. You can imagine what he's been trying to do since. Get a helment.