Forget training wheels for kids... this makes so much more sense

LeeH · 10-09-2008, 09:15 PM

My daughter has been a little late to join to two wheel community. I was looking around for guidance to help her over the hump and tripped across this:

http://www.likeabikeusa.com/aboutlikeabike.aspx

I immediately went out and took the training wheels AND pedals off of her bike and told her push it through the house like a scooter. I'm thinking she'll be up and running on two wheels within a day or so now.

KFC911 · 10-10-2008, 02:44 AM

With the price of gas these days, that's how I "ride" my Harley

Tanick · 10-10-2008, 04:55 AM

All my kids have learned on a Like-a-bike. Best thing ever. None of them have ever had stabilizers on the back, but it did take quite a lot of screaming to get the youngest one on a bike with pedals!

LeeH · 10-10-2008, 07:09 AM

I just don't get why they cost so much. The metal version is $270. Why would someone spend that when they could buy a small bike and take off the pedals or even the entire drive assembly? It would do the same thing and only be a fraction of the cost.

M.D. Holloway · 10-10-2008, 07:23 AM

It took our son a few hours to learn to ride without training wheels - slight decline on a grass hill. He was 3. It took our lil Girl a bit longer. She was 5 when she learned but in her defense she learned on a bike that was a little big for her. Now they are crazy on those bikes.

I'm a fan of the old school - running along side and letting go with them not knowing until you tell them then a light turns on - they finally realize that maybe they don’t need Mommy and Daddy for everything. One small step towards independence...

dan79brooklyn · 10-10-2008, 09:27 AM

There are MUCH cheaper versions of the "Like-a-Bike" check ebay.
I plan on getting one for our little guy in a year or so, it's a great design.

the · 10-10-2008, 09:39 AM

Seems like a good idea, but why not just buy a regular kid's bike, take 10 minutes and take the cranks and chain off?!?

Be a lot less expensive, and then when he/she is ready to ride in a few days, you put the cranks and chain back on and they are good to go.

(Either that, or they just learn like I did and my kids did, "man style.")

LeeH · 10-10-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan79brooklyn

There are MUCH cheaper versions of the "Like-a-Bike" check ebay.
I plan on getting one for our little guy in a year or so, it's a great design.

Wow! The Porsche is actually cheaper. Still... I don't really understand the need for a separate bike, unless you've got money to burn.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120313718468

sammyg2 · 10-10-2008, 11:15 AM

For $35 you can walk into a wal-mart and buy a 16" bicycle, take the pedals off, and have the exact same thing.
So why pay big bucks? Who are you trying to impress? Do you have more money than brains? (no offense

)

kstar · 10-10-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the

. . . snip . . .

(Either that, or they just learn like I did and my kids did, "man style.")

Is that where your Dad takes you to the tallest hill in the neighborhood and pushes you down on your big sister's 10 speed?

And swimming lessons are getting tossed in a lake . . . in winter?

Best,

Tanick · 10-10-2008, 03:06 PM

I paid about GBP 100 for mine so maybe $160? Its beatifully made from plywood with phosphor bronze bushes and a leather seat. Lovely piece of design. I've had three kids use it and educated them maybe a little in aesthetics and bicycle riding. Money well spent! It's going into the attic soon for my grandchildren to use.

Uber-fanatic · 10-10-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeH

I immediately went out and took the training wheels AND pedals off of her bike and told her push it through the house like a scooter. I'm thinking she'll be up and running on two wheels within a day or so now.

Just to chime in...I went through the exact same procedure. Bought two bikes for the kids w/ training wheels. They learned how to pedal, but were struggling to balance. I received the same advice from a friend ("take the pedal's off and let them learn to balance the bike with their feet close to the ground")...within 2 days they were both off and running...err...riding.

And they were able to use the bikes for the next year and a half. The problem with the like-a-bike is that its usefulness is short lived...

My .02 cents...

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

What? And miss this?

Little Kid on Bike Rides Into Pole - Watch more free videos

Tanick · 10-11-2008, 01:49 PM

The like a bike is made from plywood with phosphor bronze fittings and bushes. I bought it because it looks so good, I like nice design...

911 in SC · 10-11-2008, 05:56 PM

Several years ago, my daughter struggled the first time I took her training wheels off her bike. We bought her a Razor scooter and she rode it for a month or two. I noticed her balance improved. I decided to take her training wheels off and let her try again. She took off with no assistance from me. I've recommended a scooter to several friends and family members that have children that are the stage of removing training wheels. It's worked every time. Certainly a cheaper alternative.

LeeH · 10-12-2008, 03:36 PM

Success! Three days of pushing the pedal-free bike through the house and she's off and running... er, riding. Wish I'd figured this out a couple of years ago!