Skip to main content

A big Thumbs Up for the Brilrider!

So it all started from the below conversation:

He: Kids are loving the ride-ons, lets get them a cycle!
Me:Yes absolutely, let me check the options!

I do some research and find out from a fellow mom about the 'Balance Bike'.. Now whats this? Hmm did some research and it was in line with our way of bringing up children- 'Give them the right tools, right environment and they will learn themselves- be there to guide them along but no spoon feeding'

Me: The BrilRider is for 4k!
He: Really? An infant cycle, without pedals, without support/ trainer wheels, it looks overpriced definitely! Let me do some research..

A typical process of buying kids stuff ;) Finally we got one (Luckily at a discount during sale) and voila as expected, my kids welcomed it and came another soon in our house (Ah no fights!)


I was in tears (happy tears :)) when I saw my 28 mo son gracefully balancing his brilrider. A moment of sheer delight, pride and surprise! and all those memories of my childhood when I was learning to balance the cycle by 8/10 years flashed in a second- I smiled and said yes it was a right decision :) Well my daughter too is almost there :)



Now if you are sailing in the same boat as we were, let me make things simple for you in simple words :)

A) What is a balance bike?
  • It is a cycle without pedals and support wheels
  • Kids push it with their legs, set it in motion and gradually learn to balance it themselves
  • It has an adjustable saddle and handle, can be used till kids are 5 years
B) Suitable time to buy:
  • After 1 yr, but make sure you baby is able to walk steadily without support
  • Also, its never too late. If you have not introduced a cycle to your kid, any age is good age (till 5 yrs or upto 30 kg)
C) What to expect when

Between 1- 2 years: 
  • Kids will get used to the brilrider
  • Independently handle it, lift, manoeuvre it around
  • Sit on it and use it like a ride on-  push with the legs and set it in motion
Between 2-3 years:
  • Lift and move the brilrider on their own
  • Use legs for breaking efficiently
  • Smoother rides even on turns
3 years and Above: Balance the brilrider and rest legs on the foot rest when in motion and balancing

D) Set Your expectations right
The milestones above are indicative and each kid is different than other. So you need to patient and let the kid explore at its own pace. Do not force kids, its a gradual process of learning and you will see phases of 'I am bored', 'I want to carry the brilrider everywhere I go', 'Stay away' and so on..

E) Cost
They currently have three models, the Brilrider and Brilrider AF is pried at Rs 3,990 and the Brilrider Flight is priced at Rs 5,990. There are balance bikes that Decathlon also sells, but I have not used it personally hence I would abstain from commenting.

F) How can you help
  • A decent space for kids to experiment and explore
  • The brilrider is very light weight and compact, carry it in your car when you are stepping out for those short trips
  • Encourage but don't force
  • Play the game of 'Catch me if you can' that will motivate them and inculcate confidence to ride the brilrider at a decent speed (A step before they lift both the legs up!)
G) Safety
  • Don't forget to buy the little helmets!
  • Preferably make the kids wear full length pants, just in case you are not buying the knee guards
  • The brilrider conforms to CE EN71-1,2 and 3 child safety norms

Lastly- a question you all might have: Does this imply we need not buy those cute kiddy ride-ons if we opt to buy the balance bike?Well, in my experience- NO. Brilrider is a gradual learning tool not a substitute for the ride-ons which are more 'doable' for a year old baby. Get those simple easy ride-ons for an engaging play and the brilrider as a developmental and progressive tool.. Cheers :)

This write up is a completely independent analysis based on personal experience as a parent and is in no way linked/ sponsored by Bril India.

    Comments

    1. This is what I was looking for ... thanks for details it out . Btw from where did u buy it ?

      ReplyDelete
    2. Thanks Khushbu! We got it online from the bril India website.. have hyperlinked it in the text above 'Bril Rider'.

      ReplyDelete
    3. This sounds like a very interesting product. I am sure my little one would love it.

      ReplyDelete
    4. I saw a kid using this at a Jike it Baby walk, and I've since been looking forward to when my son is old enough to use one! They're so cool.

      ReplyDelete
    5. That's so great! My 3 year old has one of these at his grandparents house and he's always excited to "ride his bike". We're in a 2nd floor apartment so unfortunately we don't have any space for toys like this, but hopefully when we buy a house!

      ReplyDelete
    6. Good suggestion..keep blogging 😃

      ReplyDelete
    7. Hi..lovely review...which model did u buy..AF or flight??..i am unable to find reviews for flight..plzz help

      ReplyDelete

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    Rajasthan Roadtrip 2023: All those things that helped

     I had just finished my exam and already was facing severe withdrawal symptoms! Tejas luckily had not so tight work schedule (he was still working on the go). Kids unschooling had the flexibility to plan their days. We thought this would be just the right time for a roadtrip!  At this point, we all reflected- what does each one of us seek from this adventure? It varied from fun to seeing new places, change, being together, etc.  And like always we worked as a team rather than child vs. parents, to help meet everyone's needs. Where to?  Rajasthan, a state none of us had explored earlier. We had already heard a lot of good things about the state from friends and family. And decided- "We will explore Rajasthan".  How: Yes, we did explore other modes of travel like train and flight, but then choosing these meant losing the flexibility we would get in our own vehicle. At the same time, car travel that far would translate to a longer duration as well. For us the pros of a roadt

    Mind the mind! My Vipassana experience..

     It was pure curiosity that nudged me to sign up for the Vipassana meditation course. Had heard a lot of good things about it from acquaintances and decided to take the step!  But there are so many centers! Which one to choose? That's when I came across  Saee Bapat 's recommendation for the Tiruvannamalai Vipassana Center . And I decided to apply here.  Frankly, near and dear ones had a lot of reservations about this course, and rightly so, as we had very little information about it. Questions came up like: - It is religious? - You will be a changed person - These things are to be done during old age - Householders cannot sustain themselves here - What if something bad happens? Talking, phone access is not allowed even. But I am glad I listened to my heart and went ahead, this was one of the best things I have gifted myself! Now here's a short day-wise recollection of how the 10 days unfolded for me: Day 0: Arrived at the center just in time. The female coordinator told me

    Snugbub Babywearing 101- Your Guide to baby slings, ergonomic carriers

    Introduction This is a story of a typical woman who is expecting a child- abundant sleep (yes as per the concept of relativity), eating whatever and whenever she desires, lots and lots of shopping, catching up with friends, movies, maternity shoots, super supportive family members…… and then the day arrives when the much awaited baby(ies) pops out!! A moment of joy- absolutely! But what happens to the mother? Lack of rest, lack of sleep, constant pressure of ‘feeding right – feeding enough’, recovering physically, too many things to sort out which none of the pre natal classes taught her! And this is the phase when babywearing could become her best friend! So mums/ primary caregivers lets learn more how to make this happen- What is babywearing? Babywearing (BW) is keeping the baby close you, with the help of the modern BW carriers or a sadi or sturdy cotton dupatta. Here you will come across two terms- ergonomic carriers/ non ergonomic carriers. Ergonomic carriers are those,