Other We ditched the training wheels yesterday ( need some ideas )

[sportfish258]

Well I have been on bikes all may life. Raced bmx, MTBs , Road and dabaled in cyclocross . Can you believe My kids 5 and 7 just got off training wheels . They just started having an interest last week . 2 days on the wheels and they took to it like ducks to water ( chip off the ol' block ).


Problem 1 : They each weigh about 42 pounds and their bike s weigh about 25 . Can you imagine riding a single speed poorly geared bike half your body weight ?

Problem 2 : We are simple country folk ( gravel drive way , big yard , no paved areas safe to ride unless we pack up and go ).


Solution :

I'm looking for lighter single speed bikes that I can change the gearing to make more suitable for our demanding conditions . Have any of you looked at the micro or mini bmx stlye bikes ? they should fit the bill for weight at 12.5 and 15 pounds , but they have odd tire sizes 18 x 1 and 20 x 1 or 1 3/8 .

Any Info would be great . Red line make some real cool micros and minis . Take a look . They even have some with carbon forks .......... how cool is that .

 

[Pablo]

minibike...ditch the self powered stuff.

 

[OCD Solutions]

We grew up on a farm where everything was gravel and we made out fine with cheapo BMX bikes. I understand wanting your kids to be safe but what's wrong with them having to do a little more work?

It may sound harsh but kids these days are growing up a little too soft.

 

[sportfish258]

We grew up on a farm where everything was gravel and we made out fine with cheapo BMX bikes. I understand wanting your kids to be safe but what's wrong with them having to do a little more work?

It may sound harsh but kids these days are growing up a little too soft.

Agreed ........ , but I prefer to call it efficiency instead of work . Size is more the issue they are small for their age . I was kind of thinking about 6 months from now some where on a starting gate or some beginner MTB loops . Kill two birds with on stone . Plus I'm finding these minis used for 150 ish . Hell a walmart bike is 100 bucks . I hate cheep crap .

 

[OCD Solutions]

I sure hope that didn't come across too rude, it certainly wasn't meant to be. My father bought me a Suzuki JR50 when i was seven and i rocked that thing for years. My biggest thing was not having anyone to ride with so it became more of a transportation thing than a sport. If only my father rode too that would have been awesome.

 

[SuperJETT]

Quite a few people on mtbr say to start kids out on a mini or micro bmx race bike also. Very light, tons of options, and when you buy used a great deal. I'd go for it and when they're around 9 years old move up to a 24" geared mtb.

 

[madscientist]

the cheapies are just that. great for a first bike and garage sale disposable when it is time to move up. not to mention that they may not enjoy it and you will have not wasted a big chunk of cash .

 

[Big Kahuna]

Funny you mention cheap. Rode with 5 other guys last night. Between all of us, I would say there was at least $14,000.00 worth of Mountain Bikes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like Darin said, look into the BMXers.


I am thinking for Christmas I may buy Izzy a bike (with Pedals). I asked her last night if she is ready for a bike with Pedals, she said she was. Now, What kind!!!!!!!!!! I have a hard time buying a bike from Walmart, even if it is for her. One of our friends bought their son (same age) a balance bike at WM. The Wheel Base is way to short, I noticed Phillip having a hard time with it, put him on Izzy's Strider and he improved immediately. Izzy had trouble on it. I probably just answered my own question!!!!!!!

 

[sportfish258]

I sure hope that didn't come across too rude, it certainly wasn't meant to be. My father bought me a Suzuki JR50 when i was seven and i rocked that thing for years. My biggest thing was not having anyone to ride with so it became more of a transportation thing than a sport. If only my father rode too that would have been awesome.

Boyer , I think your statement is accurate not rude . I grew up in a very rural setting .... and agree most kids seem soft these days . We parents do tend to hoover .

 

[madscientist]

the bmx frames other than the high dollar ones are all a set standard frame. the funny thing about the cheapies wally's target' k-mart...... is that the extra parts alone that come on them are worth more than the cost of the bike. start with a cheapo then if you want a better bike buy a frame then swap over. then start replacing the peripherals as they need to be.

 

[Big Kahuna]

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/kids/#ages_6_9

 

[madscientist]

garage sales are my favorite place to find deals on high dollar bmx bikes. i picked up a $300 goose for $2.00 at a garage sale not long ago. didn't even need it. in all my years of riding bmx and freestyle i broke 2 expensive frames. they all rust, thay all need tune ups, they all need tire replaced, bearings greased.

if you buy a cheap one now and dis assemble and reassemble yourself, add extra lube, you will have a great bike to last quite a long time. unless the kids are doing 30' gaps and huge air on the half pipe save your dollars until they get there.

 

[Aircraftsalz]

My 3 sons all have Redline Micro & Mini's, great bikes & the kids love them. Super light, you just have to teach them how to use bar mounted brakes.

It took my young one awhile to learn to stop on his Redline....

Plus you can take them to the BMX track, my kids love to go.... Its cooling down so BMX is back in for us.

 

[Pablo]

BK. I just moved my youngest up from a Kazam push bike. The pedal-less kind you had vids of izzy riding. It was a breeze. She had the Kazam bike mastered and was daredeviling it down the driveway so I figured let's make the jump to her big sisters bike. It took all of about 5 mins to master the pedaling and never had to use training wheels! She actually skipped one bike size and moved up. It took me almost 2 years to get my oldest off training wheels. I even used a long walk behind handle trainer and that was worse. I'd recommend those pedal-less bikes in a heart beat!
Kevin I'd go the bmx route and push the envelope. Kids are fast learners in the right environment. Your home area sounds great to learn on. Bmx and a minibike too.

 

[madscientist]

one other thought is that the race bikes are lighter , but the big names in freestyle / dirt are heavy pigs.

your decision in the end.

 

[SuperJETT]

one other thought is that the race bikes are lighter , but the big names in freestyle / dirt are heavy pigs.

your decision in the end.

When we say micro or mini, that means a bmx race bike with light rims/etc.

The BMX Grand Nationals are held here in Louisville every year so used race bikes are on craigslist all the time but sell in a heartbeat also because kids are getting into racing all the time.

 

[Big Kahuna]

BK. I just moved my youngest up from a Kazam push bike. The pedal-less kind you had vids of izzy riding. It was a breeze. She had the Kazam bike mastered and was daredeviling it down the driveway so I figured let's make the jump to her big sisters bike. It took all of about 5 mins to master the pedaling and never had to use training wheels! She actually skipped one bike size and moved up. It took me almost 2 years to get my oldest off training wheels. I even used a long walk behind handle trainer and that was worse. I'd recommend those pedal-less bikes in a heart beat!
Kevin I'd go the bmx route and push the envelope. Kids are fast learners in the right environment. Your home area sounds great to learn on. Bmx and a minibike too.

Our neighborhood is flat, but a few driveways are elevated. At the end of the street is one she stops at when we ride. She goes up, and flies down it. My heart stops every time she hits the transition, alittle wobble and and high speed turn that would make Maccluggage jealous!!!!!!!!! Then back up the hill!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, Balance bikes are the best thing for kids. She does Tail whips like there is no tomorrow. Anita had not really seen her do them until last week. We were on the phone and she says "Do you know what she is doing with the rear wheel?" "Yup, Tail Whips". She will also be standing there and pull the front end up and yell "Wheeeeeeee". I need to video that!

 

[sportfish258]

done deal . I picked up two mini redlines one has a carbon fork ! The only issues I have are stem lengths and gearing . it's not bad they will grow into it , but it could fit a little better in those areas . I may do a little gearing and drop a few teeth in front these bikes ROLL . Hand brakes proved to be a very easy transition . All in all 300 bucks for some very nice starter bikes in the 15 pound range . Set up shop lights in the yard had a little night ride complete with a fire pit smoores and hot dogs. Yes I'm in in the running for DAD of the year . I'll post some pics with some measurements to give any body looking at this option a reference point . Height , Inseam , arm length etc.