Tuesday, March 6, 2012

the better way to learn how to ride a bike

How did you learn to ride a bicycle? Lots of people it seems used training wheels, and after a while, Dad would remove the training wheels, and give the little one a good push down the street.
This method hasn't worked too well in our household...

But I've stumbled onto something that seems like a better way: balance bikes. These are bicycles without pedals or a drivetrain. My friend Tomias, who owns Genesis Bicycles , turned me on to Striders . These are really cool, check out the video:
I had my 3yo in Genesis the other day, and he immediately took to the Strider! He was able to lift it off the display himself (they are VERY light) and got on it and instinctively knew what he had to do.
Now, if the middle girl will be willing to ride her older brother's hand-me-down Haro mini BMX, I won't have to buy two bikes this year...

Monday, March 5, 2012

The Orange Singlespeeder Is Coming Along Nicely

I ordered some parts for the orange Trek. Got some Shimano cranks, Alivio I think. They were the most economical ones w/ removable rings, and it's a forged crank too, 104mm 4 bolt. I'll be getting a Surly 36t stainless ring for it and save the stock 22-32-42 if we ever go geared.
The brakes are Shimano V brakes, a generic lower end set. What I like about Shimano stuff is, it just plain works. The lower end stuff (if you choose carefully) works pretty well, does away w/ the fluff and is economical.
I dug out a vintage pair of Cannondale CODA grips in yellow! Free is always better than having to spend money, especially on a bike like this.
just waiting on the Surly ring, a chain and pedals.