Kids bike query - freewheel hub for a 12" wheel?

[Mr. Cow]

I'm looking at getting a kids bike but am a little concerned about the fixed hubs on them.

The ones I'm looking at for that age group, height etc all have 12" wheels, but it looks as though they're all of fixed hubs which means the pedals keep moving when the bike moves, of course

Does anyone know if it's possible to change these for freewheel hubs? Had a look around but I only seem to be able to find hubs for 16" wheels or above

 

[lpretro1]

Think you will find that they are already freewheels not fixed - just single speed - but single speed doesn't have to mean fixed

 

[Mr. Cow]

Ah OK thanks lpretro1. To be honest I just sort of assumed, as that's what they were like when I was a nipper. I'll probably have a look in store first just to be sure.

 

[Citius]

As above - they will be single speed BMX style freewheels. Not fixed.

 

[I like Skol]

I think you would be lucky/unlucky to find a fixed gear kids bike. They will all be singlespeed freewheels without a doubt, no need to check.


PS, Get the stabilisers off asap.

 

[Andy_R]

I think you would be lucky/unlucky to find a fixed gear kids bike. They will all be singlespeed freewheels without a doubt, no need to check.


PS, Get the stabilisers off asap.

^^this.

[rant]Get the stabilisers off before giving the bike to your child. If necessary, take the pedals off and use it as a balance bike at first. I bloody hate stabilisers, they teach the kids so many wrong behaviours. If I had a time machine, I would go back in time and make the person who invented them learn to ride a bike using stabilisers and see how he/she liked it. Feckwitt![/rant]

 

[I like Skol]

^^this.

[rant]Get the stabilisers off before giving the bike to your child. If necessary, take the pedals off and use it as a balance bike at first. I bloody hate stabilisers, they teach the kids so many wrong behaviours. If I had a time machine, I would go back in time and make the person who invented them learn to ride a bike using stabilisers and see how he/she liked it. Feckwitt![/rant]

LOL! Oldest son clung to his until he was turned 5. Youngest said fck this! I want to do proper rides, and ditched them before reaching 4

 

[Andy_R]

[QUOTE 3990523, member: 45"]There's a place for stabilisers. A bike to a toddler is a pretty big thing. When ours were learning we did some decent distances and while they could manage balancing on two wheels, after a while they'd get tired of having to concentrate. So we'd whack on the stabilisers and pull them along with a bit of rope so they could have a rest. It stopped a lot of moaning.[/QUOTE]
You don't have to concentrate to balance. It's a muscle memory thing....put up with the moaning, it's just kids trying it on....perhaps your bike rides were too long for the kids?

 

[I like Skol]

You don't have to concentrate to balance. It's a muscle memory thing....put up with the moaning, it's just kids trying it on....perhaps your bike rides were too long for the kids?

Glad I am not a child of yours. there is a fine line between stretching them and torturing them!

 

[Andy_R]

Glad I am not a child of yours. there is a fine line between stretching them and torturing them!

You've totlally taken that out of context......If my son was moaning and whingeing, I'd know when he was trying it on. Children will always take the easy way out ( how many times have you heard "I can't" "It's too hard" "I'll never be able" when the answers are "Give it a go, you never know"", "It get's easier with practise" "How do you know if you don't give it a go". Push them a little bit further (and I do mean a little bit) and they will achieve more. I work with children on a daily basis, and come up against these barriers. Mainly due to their parents who want to wrap them in cotton wool and make sure they never have to strive to achieve things.

 

[Andy_R]

[QUOTE 3990550, member: 45"]We're talking toddlers. Learning to balance is hard work. Balancing, pedalling and braking takes it out of you at that age.[/QUOTE]
Fair point, didn't realise it was about toddlers. Balance is hard work, but maybe this is the time to introduce the balance bike too, and muscle memory starts to develop. Ther is a Dutch guy who lives about 5 houses down the street from us who has his 2 year old on a balance bike (one of the little wooden jobbies) and he hoons down the path, terrorising me and my dog!

 

[Andy_R]

Glad I am not a child of yours. there is a fine line between stretching them and torturing them!

You don't have to concentrate to balance. It's a muscle memory thing....put up with the moaning, it's just kids trying it on....perhaps your bike rides were too long for the kids?

I think you might have also missed this bit

 

[I like Skol]

You've totlally taken that out of context......If my son was moaning and whingeing, I'd know when he was trying it on. Children will always take the easy way out

Ha! You just so haven't met me. I like to push my boys fairly hard (lazy feckers!) but reality is reality.....