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(More customer reviews)I researched available balance bikes and decided that the Mini Glider is the best for my son. He loves it and couldn't be happier. (He has the blue one, but the color doesn't make a difference.) Here's what sets the Mini Glider apart from the other choices:
- Super lightweight. Shipping weight is 6 pounds. Compare to the 14 pound Kettler Sprint. The lighter, the easier for a young child to manipulate. Watch my son mount, turn around, dismount, and even lift his Mini Glider with ease.
- Foot pegs for ease of riding and transition to a pedal bike. Most brands have no foot rest for training foot position. The Glider Rider Bike has a 10-inch footplate, but my son's shoes are already 9 inches long. His big feet fit on the Mini Glider's foot pegs with no trouble.
- Hand brake. Some others leave this out, saying that the child shouldn't go faster than his feet can stop him. My son figured out how to use the brake on his own. It is helpful to him when stopping at the bottom of a hill. At the end of the video, just before the last notes of the music, you can hear the "Shhh" of the brake as he brings the glider to a safe stop.
- Solid, no-pump tires. With a vehicle this lightweight, you don't need the hassle of airing up tiny tires. These tires are sturdy and give plenty of traction.
- Seat height easily adjusts with the turn of one bolt.
- Minimal assembly required. Simply insert the handle bars, tighten with the included tool, adjust the seat, and go.
- Excellent customer service from the manufacturer. I had a question about adjusting the brake, and when I called the # in the instruction manual I spoke to a real person immediately.
My son is a tall (44-inch) 4 1/2 year old. Not particularly athletic or graceful, it took him until the age of 4 to learn to pedal a tricycle. When he became interested in bicycles, I got him the Mini Glider. At first, he straddled the seat and waddled with the glider. He soon progressed to walking, running, one-foot-pumping, and coasting with his feet on the foot pegs. The video shows his amazing progress from his second day of riding the glider through 2 1/2 weeks of learning. He loves showing off his skills to everyone, and he wants to go riding every day.
Edit: The new model now offered for sale has a quick-release seat clamp. No tool is needed to adjust the seat. They have also made the handlebars adjustable, for an even more customizable fit. Excellent!
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Glide Bikes Mini Glider Balance BikeThe Mini Glider from Glide Bikes allows children to gain confidence, improve motor skills, increase coordination, and learn balance at their own pace all while having fun! Balance Bikes do not have training wheels and pedals to get in the way, so children learn the important first step in riding a bike- BALANCE! Pushing off with alternating feet as if the child were running from a seated position, the child can learn balance and control. Once the child becomes more stable they begin to glide with their feet off the ground. As your child develops balance and begins gliding, they can place their feet on the foot pegs and get accustomed to the natural foot position present on a traditional bicycle. Another important aspect of learning to ride with a Glide Bikes balance bike is how they help build a child's confidence. The problem with bikes that depend on training wheels is the lack of control and stability and the higher probability of tip-overs. This makes the child more prone to injuries and takes the fun out of riding a bike. With the Mini Glider, riders have a lower center of gravity which increases stability similar to a sports car in comparison to a tall sport utility vehicle. We also design our bikes using downhill mountain bike geometry which also increases stability and allows for the lowest balance speed of 1.5 MPH. Unlike the heavy kid's bikes with training wheels, we use high quality, lightweight materials so that children can lift the bike by themselves and avoid getting trapped underneath the bike if they do fall. These are all very important features built into our bikes to make your child's experience a safe and fun one!
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