July 18, 2008
Toddler T’s First Bike
We will be shopping for T’s first bike this weekend. He probably should have gotten one awhile ago but he has busy, neglectful parents (don’t tell his mother I said that). While we will probably end up getting the Jet 16 (it must be a Trek, I buy quality American goods when I can — oops, it’s made in China), I am in love with the model called Drift (pictured below). Why don’t they make this sucker for adults?
At what age did you guys buy your kids their first bike? (Not your age, the kid’s age :-). )
Cat: | Time: 12:03 pm (utc+8)
July 18th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
That is one nice bike. I’ve seen similar ones (adult size) here in Australia on the coast but none of the ones I’ve seen up close were branded.
Both my kids got their first bike at 3 but neither were really interested. They both preferred scooters. My son finally got interested at the age of eight and having learned to balance on a scooter, had no problems riding a bike after a couple of goes with me running behind him for short distances. My daughter (9) is still not interested and still rides scooters.
Cedric.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
CM,
my son got his one with 4 years and learned to ride it with 5. What he liked more was inline skating which he has started with 4. Now he is six and loves to ride his bike on the pavements. His bike looks more childlike (colourful and a pennant for being seen by the car drivers).
Cheers,
Markus
July 18th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
@Cedric: I think T is interested now (he says he is anyway) and in China there are still many bikes around (despite the rapid transformation to a car culture) so I think he knows it’s a good thing to do.
@Markus: I see a lot of little kids inline skating, but I think I’ll encourage the boy to bike first.
July 19th, 2008 at 5:05 am
I know you will appreciate this Chairman, we picked up my son’s bike from the local dump last year when he was 3 1/2. Bought $9 training wheels from Target and was good to go. I had looked at the Trek’s but they wanted $150 for them. My son couldn’t be happier with his - it has flames on it!! And Dad was much happier with the price.
July 19th, 2008 at 8:37 am
@Mark: I do appreciate that bit of thrift, but there are no local dumps to scavenge here … and Dad believes he will be able to recover at least 60% in a re-sale several years down the road.
July 20th, 2008 at 5:11 am
Don’t make the mistake of buying a bike for your kid that you like. Tons of peer pressure out there. Take him around to bike shops (not just one or two) so he has a choice.
July 20th, 2008 at 5:40 am
“….Drift (pictured below). Why don’t they make this sucker for adults? ”
hmmm, to me this looks exactly like a Schwinn Cruiser….?! (…which are “26 I think, so perhaps still to small for you).
Anyway, A.R.T.y choice. The kind of bike architects and designers buy to match their black turtleneck pullovers :);)
July 20th, 2008 at 8:19 am
@Norman: At three-and-a-half he doesn’t have any peer pressure, especially here in China. Where I come from kids don’t have choices and are thrilled with anything they get.
@j: Yes, I know there are now a lot of fat-tired choices out there for fat-assed middle aged guys, black turtlenecks artfully accentuating our guts. :)