Product Description : An adjustable, removable handle designed to provide greater safety to both the parent and child throughout the process of teaching balance and riding skills on a bicycle. Product of the USA. We got this to help our reluctant son prepare to ditch the training wheels. We made a deal that he would try riding with the balance buddy for one week, and if he didn't feel more confident, we would reinstall his training wheels. Much to our surprise, after two, 15-minute sessions on consecutive days, he was riding completely independently. We loved seeing our son's confidence level soar to the point that, after 3 sessions, he demanded we remove the balance buddy. Therefore, despite the fact that the balance buddy is a well made, sturdy backsaver, we got very little use out of it.Instead of abandoning it in the storage shed, we decided to attach it to our 3 1/2 year old daughter's bike, assuming that it would remain there for quite some time. We expected it to take much longer, but after about 8 sessions, she is riding on her own with only an occasional need for assistance. I feel that the Balance Buddy is infinately better than training wheels in helping children learn to balance, as it allows them to sense when they are leaning and self-correct. I highly recommend this for any child who is ready to kick the training wheel habit!! I bought the Bike Buddy 3 yrs ago with hopes of using it to teach my daughter who was 5 at the time. Well I tossed it in the basement and forgot about it until this summer. Within 1 hr my daughter was riding on her own. It took her a little longer than most of the reviewers because she had a spill on concrete and was TERRIFIED of falling. I feel the trick is to try find a large dirt patch about the size of a baseball infield, where they can learn with no cars around and without fear of falling on concrete. The same day my daughter was on her own, I taught her friend within 15 minutes!! Two weeks later, I taught my 3 yr old son to ride on his own within 45 mins!!Before using the Bike Buddy, I spent countless hours tring to teach my daughter to ride and all I got was a frustrated little girl and a LOT of back pain.The Bike Buddy is an incredible confidence booster for kids and the best $20 bucks that a parent will spend!!Mack (NY, NY) I loved the idea of this and the positive reviews sold me. The problem we ran into is that it did not fit on the bike properly. Our 5 year old son is very tall for his age and has a bigger inexpensive "dirt" bike from Toys R Us. When I wen to attach the Balance buddy. It was clear that the bend in the metal on the Balance Buddy, which is meant to keep it from moving lower while attached, had to be straightened to allow for clearance of the bike's frame. So I bent the metal and got it attached; however, the Balance Buddy does not stay in one position and requires constant tightening. That said, It is still better than hunching over.
