When Isaac and Mona each turned two, Barry and I got them balance bikes. Stores didn’t seem to carry any, so I started looking online. I was about to order the Cruzee ultra light balance bike, but then saw that Costco had a balance bike for only about $50. Unfortunately, it was too big and too heavy for Isaac, so we returned it and I ordered a Cruzee online. He loved his blue balance bike. Started off walking with it and then soon had it totally mastered.
We got Mona a pink Croc balance bike for her 2nd birthday. It was a bit smaller than Isaac’s. She couldn’t wait to get one, but it took a bit before she would try it. Isaac was was so sweet helping her in the video below!
June 21, 2020:
Once Mona started with her new bike, it wasn’t long till she mastered riding one as well. Soon Isaac and Mona were both flying on these balance bikes! Mastering balance and general bike handling first on a balance bike sets them up for a super quick and easy transition to an appropriate pedal bike. (One that is specifically made for little kids.) Training wheels aren’t needed if the pedal bike is one like the Woom 2 or 3.
Balance bike speedsters (September 2021)
DECEMBER 2020: A Pedal Bike for Isaac
Isaac loves Spiderman, so when Mom & Dad saw a Spiderman bike with 16″ wheels at Walmart, it seemed like the ideal present for him for Christmas 2020. Unfortunately, even with the seat all the way down, Isaac could not touch the ground, so the training wheels were a must until he grew several more inches. This new bike was significantly heavier than his little balance bike which would take additional growth and strength for Isaac to be able to manage it. For the first year Isaac got frustrated easily riding his pedal bike. He would accidentally, but frequently push back on the pedal (coaster brake), and then need a push to help him get started again. While he would ride this new bike at times when he wanted to practice, he preferred the speed and confidence he had on his balance bike if he just wanted to have fun.
Late Fall/Winter 2022. Finding an appropriate pedal bike for Mona!
It was about time for Mona to get a pedal bike! Barry and I let Justin and Erika know that we wanted to get Mona her pedal bike. From all my research it was down to either the Woom2 or the Guardian. The geometry/ergonomics of these bikes is definitely different from a “big box” store bike. You may not notice when you casually look at bikes, but the seat and center of gravity is higher on typical box store bikes. The weight difference is also a major detail to pay attention to. Kids need to be able to manage the bike in every way. We ordered the Woom2 that has 14″ wheels and is only 12.3 lbs. It arrived at our house three days later, and was packaged well. Here’s a helpful article on “Buying a Bike: the must-knows” (2022). An article from the NYTimes, “The Best First Pedal Bike” (April 2020) specifies difference and why they rated their top choices as they did.
Through my research I discovered that a coaster brake was NOT a good thing for little kids. They brake without meaning to, and then can’t get going again. I saw the coaster brake issue a lot with Isaac during his first year on his Spiderman bike. Therefore, we purchased the separate freewheel to immediately install on the bike before giving it to Mona. This means she uses front and rear handbrakes only. Can someone who just turns 4 understand how to use handbrakes?? The multiple videos I watched all showed they could, so that’s what we did. See brake comparison article: “Coaster Brake Bikes: Why Hand Brakes Are Better for Kids!” (Feb 2021)
MAY 6, 2022 – Mona Gets her Woom2 Pedal Bike!!
STEP ONE: Get used to the NEW bike without the pedals, and learn to use the handbrakes. Use the GREEN one first (back-brake)
STEP TWO: Put pedals on and start riding! Justin helped Mona get the bike moving forward and “stayed connected” with the front of the bike so she could get her feet on the pedals and start pedaling and gain confidence. Then simply a hand on her back was enough. We explained how she can push off with her right foot, and then as the bike starts moving forward, she can get her right foot on the pedal. That was a bit too much for her right now, so we just kept her steady, and gave a gentle push to help get the bike moving forward. She took it from there! Wow! Within 15 minutes of bringing the bike outside, Mona was riding her new two-wheeled, pedal bike without training wheels!! So exciting.
Isaac expected Mona’s new pedal bike to be like his, and was eager to help her. Unfortunately, when Isaac saw Mona riding, and without training wheels, he wasn’t interested in riding anymore and went inside. Explaining that her bike was smaller wasn’t enough to help his bruised ego.
It didn’t take long to realize we can no longer wear flip-flop type sandals and expect to keep up with them on pedal bikes. And of course Justin, Barry and I all three had them on this afternoon!
About a week later when we saw the kids, Mona wanted to ride her balance bike. So we asked Isaac if he’d like to ride Mona’s pedal bike. He did. He was nervous at first, but OMG…after about 5-10 minutes, he had it down – including getting started from a dead stop, coasting and braking! NO Training wheels. Isaac was so excited! You can hear him say in the video below, “I’m riding a bike with NO training wheels!” This was only his second time heading around the loop of the housing community. Amazing!
A couple of Isaac’s friends saw him ride by. He was the envy of his kindergarten friends in the neighborhood, and immediately became their role model and inspiration. Isaac is the youngest and smallest of them, but the first to ride without training wheels. Isaac had it all down–starting from a dead stop, coasting, braking slightly to slow down a bit, or braking to stop completely! Wyatt and his parents joined us with Wyatt’s bike at the little neighborhood park. Wyatt told his mom and dad that he wanted to try his bike without his training wheels now. But since Wyatt had never had a balance bike, I suggested that they may want to try it first without the pedals to allow him to get the feel for just balancing on two wheels. They did and had it do so for at least a week or two,
We knew at this point Isaac needed a Woom bike of his own! We weren’t planning budget wise to buy another Woom bike, but it was only fair. We had Isaac ride Mona’s bike again when we came back over. I raised the seat a bit more to 19 inches. He rode beautifully. The fit was actually even better at this height than when he rode with it lower. 19 inches means the Woom3 will be perfect for him. 19.1 inches is the maximum seat height for the Woom2, but the minimum seat height for the Woom3. He will be able to grow with the Woom3.
We ordered Isaac a red Woom3–his favorite color. We explained that it would be his early birthday present from us because we wanted him to have it right away, and we wouldn’t be in the area on his birthday. He was ecstatic–especially knowing it was going to be red.
Woom3 ARRIVES!
The Woom3 has 16 inch tires (which are also what Isaac’s Spiderman Bike has), but only weighs only 13.1 lbs compared to the 23.3 lbs of the Spiderman Huffy bike.
May 25, 2022: Mona was excited to take her bike to the park across from their house. She rode for over an hour. We are so proud of her! As the video below comes to an end you can see her little fingers squeeze the hand brakes perfectly.
Mona was enjoying her bike so much that she stayed on it as she transitioned into creative play that involved going to work at a taco stand and bring food home to us. One time she brought dessert home which segued into the video below. I love the pizza part at the end.
When Isaac got home from school, he wanted to go ride his bike and Mona was eager to go back out again, too. We were happy to take them both out! Since people were beginning to come home from work more and more cars were coming in, AND Barry and I were getting worn out running the loop to keep up with each of them, we suggested the park. How about taking the ramp down?? Barry helped Isaac go down the ramp for the first time on his pedal bike. I stayed with Mona as she went down. She went down most of the ramp “balance bike” style (feet off the pedals) until she was closer to the bottom where she felt she would stay in control and not go too fast. They both did great! Then they rode around for about an hour. I’m sure Isaac will be going down that ramp without assistance before we leave the end of June. I bet Mona will be doing it, too.
May 29th: Isaac loves riding his bike! He is amazing on it. It’s hard to believe he just got this bike 4 days ago as we watch him expertly maneuver around things both at slow and fast speeds. While riding at the Elks Lodge there was a significant hill, but Isaac climbed it every time without issues! He could even stop part way up the hill, and then start up again! Isaac totally gets the brakes. We love witnessing his pure joy when he rides.
Hmm–I thought I adjusted his helmet for more vertical space to bring it down over his forehead. Will check it out more next weekend when we see him.
The reviews and videos online regarding children’s experiences with their Woom2 (and 3) bikes are spot on!! This bike is worth the price if you want your child or grandchild to feel safe and secure, and have FUN while riding a two-wheeled bike without training wheels. It should not be a traumatic experience. My friend and colleague, Elona L. told me all her grandsons have Woom bikes. They wouldn’t think of buying anything else. I think the resale value would be excellent.
“5 Reasons You Will Love Woom Bikes (& Detailed Reviews)”, April 2022
Need to see more?
Important HELMET information and guide, “Kids Bike Helmet Sizes and Fit Guide” (Feb 23, 2022). I see SO many kids (and adults) “wearing” a helmet, that will not do much good if there is much of a bike accident! Fit is crucial, and if done right, shouldn’t hurt, but it takes finding a proper helmet and insisting it be worn correctly. Look for as light weight as possible for these little kids. Fit, comfort and SAFETY should come first over cutesy. Believe me, not all helmets are comfortable. If you can have the child try various helmets on without seeing what they look like first, you will get a better idea if one is truly more comfortable than another while also fitting properly. Otherwise, they will select only by color and design. Remember–Making a helmet LOOSE is NOT the way to make it COMFORTABLE to wear! Bike shops are less likely to carry “fashion” helmets. Ask for assistance. Once you determine the brand and model of helmet that has good comfort and fit, then show the child the color/design options available for the helmet(s) that made the cut. As kids grow, and start riding pedal bikes, helmets become more expensive to be able to offer important protection.
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