Why should I buy a Mini Glider over some of those wooden balance bikes I see everywhere?

Some of the differences between the Mini Glider and other balance bikes on the market are:

• Foot pegs for gliding fun (removable for when not using them) plus help child to get the feel for where there feet are once they are on a pedal bike
• Seat is fully adjustable using quick release system found on adult bikes
• Seat height range makes bike truly usable for a range of ages 30 - 46cm (make sure you check this when looking at balance bikes as some will only have a fraction of the range plus it really needs to be as low as 30cm for a 2 year old to starting using it)
• Adjustable handle bars making it easier for younger riders and great for older riders as can be adjusted to suit them (7.5cm of adjustment available)
• Mountain bike design - lower, safer centre of balance
• Super light at 3.7kg - the lightness of a balance bike is one of the most important features as the child must be able to pick it up
• All these great features mean your child will get maximum use from their glide bike - it has been found that design features like the foot pegs mean that even once they can ride a pedal bike they will still come back to their glide bike for some gliding fun!!!

Heres some of the feedback from our NZ/Australian customers:

"My 3 year old mastered it in about an hour and now I can hardly keep up with him when we walk the dog, which is great as that walk used to take FOREVER. I also have to carry it up a hill every time, I knew this would happen so it was the weight of your bike that originally attracted me to it. I can easily carry it in one hand for a long way which is perfect. Both my son and I are very happy with our Mini Glider."

"I put it together straight away and he has been riding it all day, and is already taking both feet off the ground for a second or 2!  We are loving it."

"We're generally impressed by the finish and function of the mini-glider."

"The bike is perfect and now he can keep up with his big brothers"

"What a great wee bike - she's zooming around on it already. Thanks so much"

Specifications:

• Fork: High Tensile Steel Unicrown
• Frame: Alloy -- lightweight and durable. Metallic, lead-free paint - available in blue, red and pink. Minimal assembly required - instructions and tool included.
• Geometry: Unique downhill mountain bike geometry* gives rider a lower center of gravity for greater stability and safer balancing
• Drivetrain: None
• Wheels: Composite Mag Wheels
• Tires: 12" Durable foam (EVA) tires are maintenance free never need air
• Rear Hub: Sealed bearings
• Front Hub: Alloy sealed mechanism bolt on

*Downhill Mountain Bike Geometry is 65° angle for seat and head tubes (other balance bikes have mountain bike geometry of 68-69° and road bike geometry of 70-71°.)

Features:

• Adjustable Seat Height: Quick release seat clamp enables easy height adjustments from 30 to 46cm for proper fit.
• Adjustable Handlebar: Adjustable up to 7.5cm
• Head & Seat Angle design: designed with downhill mountain bike geometry, it allows the slowest and safest balancing speed (1.5MPH) of all the balance bikes on the market. The geometry positions the front wheel out in front of the handlebar, making the bike easier to steer and, more importantly, making it nearly impossible for the rider to go over the handlebars. The riders weight is centred over the rear wheel, making the childs centre of gravity lower, for more stability.
• Foot Pegs: Unique foot pegs give riders a fun way to glide and help train children where to put their feet on a pedal bike
• Lightweight and Strong: Glide Bikes are constructed of rustproof 6061 alloy, lightweight yet durable and designed to last for years. Since theres nothing to rust , no need to worry if its left out in the rain.
• Easy to use child sized hand brake: Gives the rider control and prevents him from dragging his feet (no more worn shoes!)
• Convenient Kick Stand
• Maintenance Free Tires: 12inch durable foam (EVA) puncture proof and never need air
• Certified Lead Free Metallic Paint

Why a balance bike over a bike with training wheels?

• Pedals and training wheels hinder the learning process of riding a bike because kids cant focus on the most important first step - how to balance.
• Training wheels prevent the bike from leaning so kids never experience the feeling of balancing themselves because the training wheels are doing it for them.
• The average time a child spends riding with training wheels is 2 to 3 years. With a Glide Bike kids learn to balance first with no training wheels or pedals to get in the way. Some kids are riding a bike within a day, a week or month. Even after they have learnt to ride a pedal bike they still come back to their Glide Bike because gliding is a fun way to ride!!