Children's First Ride

[t.roy]

I think Kid1's interest in riding a bike will increase this Spring/Summer, and I want to get him something he'll be able to learn on without too much difficulty. He currently has a 12" Tonka "full suspension" that is Abuela got him for his 2nd birthday (purchased from local low cost department store). However, the bike is heavier (so it seems) than my Reign 2, severly off balance, difficult to tighten bolts without snapping or bending anything, and nearly impossible to get the training wheels in a good spot.

Anyway, the Tonka is going away in favor of something lighter, more balanced, zero suspension, blah blah blah.

I'd like to hear other's experience on a good first ride, how long they'll be able to enjoy it, good techniques for teaching, and any other pearls of wisdom that you'd like to share

Also, Kid2 needs a helmet. She's 14 months. Kid1 has a Specialized helmet. Any recs for Kid2's lid?

As always, your input is greatly appreciated.

[macdaid]

T;

I b'leeve we used these when our progeny were first riding in the bucket.

http://www.bellbikehelmets.com/productDetail.asp?prodID=18

Another great product we've used (you've seen i'm sure);

http://www.healthchecksystems.com/instep_alleycat_m5101_bike_trailer. htm

I once saw a family of 5 out on one bike - Tandem w/ ma, pa and one toddler in a bucket, ally cat with a larger kid behind the tandem, and a trailer with another kid towed by the alley cat... cool. And no camera. Dang!

I recommend going and getting the bike yourself. All cheep sh!t kid bikes
are not the same. Can't really recommend any tho. There's a lot of noname brands, and none of them except my daughters' current (magna) stick in my head...

We been keeping it cheap and simple with dept. store bikes, cuz they're just going to grow out of them anyway. But on my son's 11th b-day, we got him a K2 hardtail.
Both my kids are slo growers, so 3 yrs later the K2 is still a little large for him.

The downside of the cheep a$$ bike is they come with derailleurs that really suck bad. My daughter hasn't got the hand strength to use the twist shifters easily enough, and as a result, she hasn't got a concept for how gears can be helpful. The last family ride we did she was really frustrated. She's not a wimp either. She's played all kinds of sports; soccer, softball, swimming, and currently plays lacrosse. She's just smallish.

I don't understand the marketing for cheep kid's bikes. Whatever happened to the dependable, easy to use SturmeyArcher 3-speed?

Good luck, & have fun!