Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

[LeahFoy]

I bought my 1st grader a new Giant XTC 20 inch bike this summer, so that he could master the 2.5 mile-each-way-all-uphill-on-the-way-back school commute. The bike shop people said Giant makes Trek and Specialized, as well as offer its own line of bikes. At half the cost and the promise of similar (maybe equal) quality, the XTC won out.

My son doesn't complain, but I've really come to dislike that bike's geometry. Every time I look at him, he's standing up and pedaling. Even on flat areas. I rarely see him sit. I've asked him why and if the bike is uncomfortable and he doesn't know how to tell me anything other than it's more comfortable for him to stand. I don't remember him doing this on his Specialized Hotrock in 16 inches. His knees look like they come up too high as well. The tires are very wide, and I feel like his bike has drag on it when I walk it out of the school bike rack to the school yard entrance. I always have my other son's Specialized in the other hand, and it is effortless.

So, every day, my younger son struggles up the hill on that Giant bike. Meanwhile, my older son glides on his Specialized Hotrock 24 inches, and only stands on the steepest part of the climb, which makes me feel so rotten. If I had thought the Giant would be wrong, I'd have gladly spent the extra money on the Specialized. I hate to toss more money into kids' bikes, but since we use ours 5 miles per day, 5 days per week, I have to consider it.

I've seen positive remarks from the Bunch about Islabikes, but they are spendy and I can find almost no info about them online. Seems a bit risky, and I'm rather risk-adverse after my Giant purchase.

Riv content: Can the Clem and Clementine have a baby bike and we can call it the Little Squirt? Please, Grant?

[LeahFoy]

Wait, there was supposed to be a question here. I want to know if anyone has another suggestion or if anyone has an Islabike and felt it was money well spent. My son is small for his age, and I'm not sure I can get him on a big bike, so we run the risk of outgrowing it soon. There's no hope in heaven of his fitting a 24 inch frame this year. Let me know your thoughts.

[David Banzer]

Sounds like his saddle should be raised. I'd think with a growing kid that'd be something that would need to be done periodically.
As far as the drag: brake pads too rubbing on rim (OR) wheel bearings not adjusted properly or need grease
The bike's geometry could have to do with feeling more comfortable standing up to pedal, maybe top tube to long for what he needs, standing up gets closer to handlebars.
David
Chicago

[Garth]

Before you consider another bike Leah the one in question needs to be inspected to find where the drag is coming from , that's why he's standing !  Imagine riding in what appears to be a proper gear and your brakes are dragging, or the hubs are dragging within , or the tires/brakes are rubbing and on and on .... any such would certainly make me want to stand too , even on flats.

I know nothing of you or your mechanical inclinations, but you can do a simple check right where you are very easily. (I'm assuming you have not already by your posting).

[Leah Peterson]

Well, i know almost nothing mechanically. I raised the saddle, so he’s on his tippytoes when he’s got his feet on the ground. His brake pads are not rubbing, so thats not the cause of the drag, either. I don’t know how to describe that drag - it reminds me of fishing and how some fishing poles made more noise and had more drag than others. The Specialized is just silky. I really don’t think there’s rub on his Giant. Maybe i should take it in to a mechanic?

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[Jim M.]

If he's making it up the hill and not complaining, I wouldn't worry about whether he's seated or standing. It sounds to me like he's doing fine. The new bike is probably heavier than his previous bike and he may need to build up a bit more muscle to cope. If his knees really are coming up too high, raise the seat. My kid's first 20-in bike was a p.o.s. from a department store. The crank did not turn smoothly and was not rebuildable. He had fun on it and got hooked on biking anyway. If you really want to improve the bike, you could get lighter tires and add a lower gear.

jim m

wc ca

[LeahFoy]

All good points.
1. Saddle: I thought exactly this and raised it so that he's now on his tippy toes when his feet are on the ground. He continues to stand, but I do think his knees are better.

2. Brakes: They aren't rubbing, I checked.

3. I don't know how to describe the resistance i feel when walking his bike, but it reminds me of fishing. You know how some fishing rods are noisier and have more drag than others? Like that.

He doesn't complain, but he is slow now and didn't used to be. He used to impress us on his little 16 inch bike as he was fast and could conquer hills. He'd tell us, "This is the best bike in the world!" He doesn't show pride or fondness for his Giant, though again, he's not complaining or identifying any problem. He's so tired by the end of that ride home. Of course he IS only a 1st grader, but I feel a little sad over it. Especially because I suspect he would have done better on the Specialized.

Would it be helpful if I posted a video of how he looks on that bike? Maybe then I'd know if it is fixable or if I need to sell it.

[Tim Gavin]

Regarding the resistance:  is this bike a single speed?  Perhaps the chain is too tight?

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[Leah Peterson]

I think it has 7 gears in the back. Only one in the front. How would I know if a chain was too tight?

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[Edwin W]

Kids bikes can be crappy/slow in a a variety of ways.There have been some suggestions here.

There are lots of things you can do on your own, but don't be afraid to take it to the local bike shop, either. 

If it seems slower than the specialized, do some tests side by side.

• Turn them upside down, side by side (handlebars and saddles on the ground, wheels in the air). 
• This test will help to see if one of the wheels is not spinning as it should The causes are typically brakes (you checked) or hubs (often come out of the factory too tight).
• Spin the front tires. Do they seem to spin freely? Equally fast?
• Spin the rear tires. Do they spin freely? Equally fast?
• Rotate the wheels with the pedals. Everything seem smooth? Chain running smoothly along the chainring in front and the cassette in the back? Running through the rear derailer well?

If both of those turn up nothing, definitely take it to the bike shop. 

IF you do want to change bikes, definitely get an Islabike. For five miles a day, five days a week, it will be well worth it if he rides it all year. Even more worth it if he rides it for two. Measure his PBH - they have recommendations for sizing. As you (and so many of us on this list) know, a good bike can be well worth the cost.

Not always practicing what I preach,

Edwin with 2 kids on <$100 craigslist finds one kid on a Clem!

[tarik saleh]

Leah, All,

I don't have too much useful input other than a little story about when I worked in a specialized shop and assembled kids bikes for weeks on end leading up to christmas and the summer.  Most of the bikes come well assembled in the box (rear wheel on). .  One bike had the worse bottom bracket I have ever felt on a new bike, it was so draggy when the cranks were moving that I was sure a cone was backwards or it was missing a bearing or something.  I showed the head mechanic and told him we should probably adjust the bottom bracket. he looked at it, felt the clunky draggy crank action,  and reluctantly agreed. I pulled the cranks and dissasembled the (loose ball bearing) bottom bracket. It was a little dry, but nothing seemed amiss. I relubed bearings with fresh grease, reassembled, got it spinning nice after what was more than an hour of shop mechanic time.   I put the cranks back on, only to realize the chain guard was rubbing the chain causing the draggy feeling. So I spent 30 seconds doing what i should have done in the first place,  bending the chain guard into alignment and the bike felt great.

Anyhow, just make sure he is not climbing in the smallest cog in the back (the wrong gear), and check the wheel bearings are reasonably smooth, and the aforementioned chain guard, if present, is not rubbing on the chain/crank.

Good luck.

Tarik

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[cyclotourist]

Sounds like you bought from a LBS. They should have a 30 day tune up,
but even if they don't, I think it's fair to go back and explain your
concerns to one the more mature staff.

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Cheers,
David

Member, Supreme Council of Cyberspace

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

[Deacon Patrick]

Many local "Ye Ol' Bike Shoppe"s offer free tune-ups for life. Perhaps worth asking if that is the case here?

With abandon,

Patrick

[Shoji Takahashi]

Hi Leah,

Put the bike upside down on its handlebars and saddle. (Pasadena style!)

Try spinning the wheels-- how do they spin? Are they easy to spin and do they continue to spin for a fairly long time? 

(Try this with the other kids bikes you have to compare -- the previous 16" and your other son's Hotrock.)

From your fishing rod analogy, I'm thinking that the hubs need to be adjusted-- they're too tight. This is an easy fix for the LBS.

RE: Islabikes

My kids have a 14" Cnoc and a 20" Beinn small. They are terrific bikes, and I recommend them highly. In particular, the hand brakes have great action and light weight for small hands. The shifting (for the 20") is smooth and intuitive (grip shifter) for my then 5yo. Some have said that it was too stiff for their child, YMMV.

Good luck!

Shoji

On Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 3:50:35 PM UTC-5, LeahFoy wrote:

I think it has 7 gears in the back. Only one in the front. How would I know if a chain was too tight?

On Jan 6, 2016, at 12:48 PM, Tim Gavin <tim....@littlevillagemag.com> wrote:

Regarding the resistance:  is this bike a single speed?  Perhaps the chain is too tight?

On Wed, Jan 6, 2016 at 2:44 PM, LeahFoy <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

All good points.
1. Saddle: I thought exactly this and raised it so that he's now on his tippy toes when his feet are on the ground. He continues to stand, but I do think his knees are better.

2. Brakes: They aren't rubbing, I checked.

3. I don't know how to describe the resistance i feel when walking his bike, but it reminds me of fishing. You know how some fishing rods are noisier and have more drag than others? Like that.

He doesn't complain, but he is slow now and didn't used to be. He used to impress us on his little 16 inch bike as he was fast and could conquer hills. He'd tell us, "This is the best bike in the world!"  He doesn't show pride or fondness for his Giant, though again, he's not complaining or identifying any problem. He's so tired by the end of that ride home. Of course he IS only a 1st grader, but I feel a little sad over it. Especially because I suspect he would have done better on the Specialized.

Would it be helpful if I posted a video of how he looks on that bike? Maybe then I'd know if it is fixable or if I need to sell it.

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[Leah Peterson]

You guys are the best. I’ll do the upside down bike activities and then take to LBS. Thanks so much! You may have saved me a few hundred bucks! :)

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[Garth]

A mechanic may be a good idea , as it must be the hubs. I'm assuming the chain is not rubbing ? Easy tell by a terrible noise.

 Even a really cheap bike with properly adjusted hubs should have drag like a fishing reel where drag is a good thing !  If the hubs were set too tight or they are not lubed this will create a drag.

Everyone is making great points ! 


As a side not .... this is like a good ol' "Who dunnit ?" ! 

[Steve Palincsar]

On 01/06/2016 03:50 PM, Leah Peterson wrote:

I think it has 7 gears in the back. Only one in the front. How would I know if a chain was too tight?

With 7 in back this won't be applicable, but this article http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/chain-tension-on-one-speed-bikes#article-section-1 explains how to set chain tension on a single speed bike.

It sure does sound like there's a lot of resistance in there somewhere.  Hub bearings being too tight is a good possibility, also tire rubbing on a fender, but you should see those when you spin the wheels with the bike off the ground or upside down.  Likewise, you should feel resistance to turning the cranks if the bottom bracket bearing is too tight or the chain is rusted.

Does he actually use the gears?  Is it possible he's stuck in a high gear and doesn't even realize the bike can shift gears?   If you push the bike along the ground does it feel like it's draggy?

[islaysteve]

I've read through most of these posts and skimmed the rest, don't see this mentioned: tire pressure, type of tires? Knobbies or street? Good luck!

[Steve Palincsar]

The reviews of the Islabikes in BQ are certainly favorable. Thing is,
they don't have much of a distribution network in the US that I can see
unless you're in PDX and "ordinary citizens" are put off by that. But
in your specific situation, since you bought the Giant at a bike shop,
taking the bike back there would be the first thing to do. Tell them
what you told us about feeling resistance when you pus the bike, and how
the child finds it very hard and tiring to ride.

[Patrick Moore]

Just a guess, but perhaps the principal problem is the tires?

FWIW, the last BQ had a review of the Islabike, or one  model thereof.

Having grown up myself with the old JC Higgins cruisers, I'm tempted to say, "Let the kids learn on heavy, slow (but not junk! Not Walmart!) bikes; any bike for a small child is great fun, and any upgrade is icing on the gravy (so to speak). But I didn't follow this rule for my daughter by any means!

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[John Hawrylak]

Leah,

you stated " Islabikes, but they are spendy and I can find almost no info about them online."  Link below is to their Size Guide, which gives minimum and maximum PBH for their models.  Seems fairly comprehensive. 

http://www.islabikes.com/size-guide/

Measuring PBH could be tricky.  Could make a game of it, like measuring yours and having him put the tape measure on the floor and freeze it with the thumblock.  Then measure his.

Sounds like the TT is too long.  Jan H had it easy, his daughters used 26" wheels and better tires are available, in his case Compass, but 26" Panaracer Paselas are out there.  Not sure on small sizes.

John Hawrylak
Woodstown NJ

[Leah Peterson]

Thank you, I did see the website and their sizing guide. I meant that I don't see many reviews from owners, and I like to read reviews before dropping that kind of money.

Sent from my iPhone

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[Shoji Takahashi]

RE: Islabikes sizing-- I would call them up. When I was considering adding the Beinn 20 small, I wanted to know how to size it (as my son is on the shorter side). If I recall correctly (but I can be completely wrong!), the "saddle height" Islabikes references is the perpendicular distance from the saddle to the ground. It is not the "saddle height" definition that I think is common among this crowd.

Nevertheless, call Islabikes up if you're interested. It's like Riv-- nice people, and they don't want to sell you something that doesn't fit or won't work for you.

Shoji

[masmojo]

Honestly, it does sound as though there is some drag somewhere!? I don't think it's a Giant vs. Something else issue. Brakes were my first guess, but you've ruled that out. Tire pressure would be guess two! Bottom bracket would be guess three, except most bikes use sealed BBs these days & they lack the ability to adjust.
No what I am thinking is there is something that is happening, when the bike is being ridden/loaded! Like a bungee cord pulling on the brake cable (for example) this would explain why you can't isolate the problem when you get home, because when he's not riding it, the problem is not present.
Something to consider.

[Andrew Drummond]

I'd definitely have the shop take a look, but I have to put my two cents in about Islabikes. My seven year old has a 24" Beinn, and loves it. It's light, well-made, and fits perfectly. It made her want to ride a bike again, after being burdened with a mid-80s Schwinn that weighs more than any of my bikes.

We live in Portland, so we got to go to the islabikes shop and get her fitted, but they know what they're doing and I'm sure they can fit over the phone/email. It was relatively expensive, but it'll hold its value, and we'll do ok selling it when it's time for a bigger model. Islabikes has a trade-in program, but the guy at the shop actually told us we'd be better off selling it ourselves (like pretty much everything else, I guess!).

The one bummer about the bike is that they wouldn't let me take the bike home unassembled the day I bought it - they insisted on assembling it themselves, and while they did a mostly good job (some screws were a bit loose) my daughter was pretty antsy for a few days. Probably not an issue if you aren't local, though.

Lastly, if he's riding 5 miles a day 5 days a week, I'd say it's worth the money.

Andrew

[johnboy]

Somafab sells bare frames and mini build kits for kids bikes- the Bart and Lisa models...

[David Person]

Leah, Elle from the blog Tiny Helmet, Big Bikes has two kids riding Islabikes and write about them often.

http://www.tinyhelmetsbigbikes.com/blog-we-ride

David Person

[Stephen Lim]

My 4 year old is on a 16" Cleary bike (clearybikes.com) and she/I have been very happy with it. They also have 20" and 24" wheeled bikes and are a bit cheaper than islabikes. We went with the Cleary over an Islabikes as bike shop in Seattle (G&O) had them in stock and she was able to try them out. Maybe there is one near you? Otherwise you can order them on line.

[LeahFoy]

This morning started out rather horrifyingly. Our bike commute to school is almost 2.5 miles downhill, and most of that at a precarious grade. As we were entering the grounds my older son says, "Mom, my brakes barely work." And wow, just wow. I don't know at what point they failed, but squeezed all the way, the brakes barely even slowed the bike. A miracle from God Himself that we did not have a major accident. I kissed the boys goodbye, headed home and returned with the van. I decided to use this opportunity to fix the Specialized's brakes and have a little chat with a bike mechanic about the Giant.

I didn't go to the LBS where I bought the Giant because 1. it's a very long drive 2. I adore the guys in REI's bike department. I handed the bikes off to the mechanic and waited for his findings. The brakes on the Specialized are a bit of a mystery, but new cables and brake pads were mandatory, as was the tune-up it has never had. Got the bike in 2nd grade, now we're halfway through 4th grade :/ Meanwhile, I asked the mechanic, who is a thoughtful, intelligent, early-60s guy to give me his opinion. He knows the hill of which I speak - roadies consider it a challenge to be conquered on weekends. He lifted up the Giant and said, "This bike weighs a LOT. Much more than ours weigh." And indeed, the 24 inch Specialized is lighter than the 20 inch Giant! When I told him my son only ways *maybe* 50 pounds, he was incredulous. "This bike is at least 25 pounds, and probably more. Well, I'll tell you this, I know two things. 1. You have a really good kid. Most kids would have refused to ride that route. This bike is not any fun to ride for a 50 pound kid. Especially not up THAT hill. 2. You have a really good relationship with your kid, since he does ride it and doesn't complain." And this is dually true - my L is the single most self-directed kid I've ever met. And also, L KNOWS how I love to bike to school. He won't complain because he knows biking makes me happy and that it's supposed to be good for kids.

The mechanic said there was nothing meaningful I could do for this bike, and if it was him, he'd sell it. The resistance is something about "the hub" and there's not much to do about it. The gearing is somewhat ridiculous, he pointed out. I could have wept. Wasted $225 on that Giant, and made my child ride the horrid beast up the most challenging hill in town. Every day. For months. I feel worse about this than I do about forking out more money for a child's bike.

When he gets home I'm measuring his PBH. Maybe I can get him on an Islabike that will last for a few years.

Thanks for all the help and the recommendations. I'll let you know what we get in place of the dreaded Giant.

[Patrick Moore]

Yes, time for a new bike. $225 down the drain -- well, son got 2 years of use? Amortize etc. 

In my own very limited experience -- with my sole child, daughter Catie -- coaster brakes are the brake of choice for children until their hands are strong enough and big enough to handle good rim brakes; say decent quality and well set up V brakes. 

Since a small child will usually rides rather slowly in a position that puts more than 50% of his-er-her weight over the rear wheel with a fattish tire, a coaster brake isn't the liability it would be if it were on a skinny tired wheel supporting less weight at greater speed.

But I daresay your boy is old and large enough now for good rim brakes.

Patrick "thoughtful, intelligent, early 60s guy" Moore with a 14 1/2 year old daughter who is alas no longer interested in riding a bicycle (and has very little time for one, with all her other activities).

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[islaysteve]

Leah, Congratulations on getting to the bottom of the problem!  Please don't beat yourself up over this.  Shame on Giant and shame on their dealer for selling you such a bike for your son.  It sounds like you have incredible kids and guess what?  You are the parent(s) who made them that way.  Look at all of the wonderful things your daily bike commutes are teaching them:  Love of outdoors, not afraid of exercise (or steep downhills, apparently!), a sense of accomplishment in completing a difficult task, an appreciation of family time together, and an early love of cycling which will hopefully carry on through their lifetimes.  I'm sure that the only long-term effect that the Giant episode will have in your son's life will be strong leg muscles and a willingness to tackle tough hills.  Think how good his new bike is going to feel to him!  You are a wonderful Mom.  (I guess the Giant needs to go to a flatlander.)  Keep us up to date on your family and bikes, your posts are always enjoyable.
Cheers, Steve

[LeahFoy]

Patrick: The bike that has gotten over 2 years' worth of use is the older son's bike - the Specialized. The Giant is only 5 months old! You see why I'm rather undone over the entire thing. Your daughter will come back to biking, I bet. Gift her with a lovely new Glorius in some lovely color (red and cream or lipstick pink and cream!) and I bet she comes around. Ha! Or maybe that is just what would woo ME. :)

Steve: Thank you so much for your kind and lovely words. I really do want to color their childhoods with warm memories and love of the outdoors. I may have gotten it Giant-ly wrong at the beginning of the school year, but sometime next week, we'll be biking in Isla-bike fashion. I blame my sons' good qualities on my husband (that goofy Clem-riding man), who is brilliant and good and kind and selfless and grab-your-gut-funny; we'd do well to have the boys take after him. I felt so rotten about wasting our money and making Lincoln ride that bike, but your words have been like balm to me. Thank you!

[islaysteve]

Thanks Leah, I meant to add that the REI mechanic must be one wise Dad/Grand Dad/mechanic. Makes me want to go work for REI and try to be that guy!
Steve

[Deacon Patrick]

Leah, you've led a horse to water, he's taken to it like a fish to water, and you're feeling bad because the bit in his mouth was too expensive and unknowingly chafed? By kind to yourself! You're doing great! I'm off in search of some more bad metaphors. Grin.

With abandon,

Patrick

[doc]

20 years from now, it will all be worked out in therapy, as he lays on the doctor's couch wearing his polka-dot jersey.

On Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 3:27:00 PM UTC-5, LeahFoy wrote:

[Garth]

Leah, Right Now , Here , is as fresh and new as new and fresh ever was or could be.  The past is not Here, no one could ever find it even if they searched the world over with no end ! 

  This is the first day and you're buying your son a bicycle !  Woo-Hoo !

[LeahFoy]

The afternoon dragged on, until it was finally that magic time when my kids are mine again. I could not get them home fast enough. I immediately began futzing, poking, and measuring Lincoln to determine his frame size. He found the whole thing somewhat interesting and somewhat humiliating. "Mom, why are you giving me a wedgie?"

I called my husband at work to lament my situation. He was busy, he was between meetings, answering emails, and checking the stock market. I was emotional, he was distracted. And that is where he made his mistake. While not a fan of spending even more money on yet another bike, he said, "Do what you have to do."

Which I took as PERMISSION.

So, quicker than a jackrabbit on a date, I raced to the computer and called Islabike. I blurted out my credit card number and received in exchange, a red-orange Beinn 20 (large) bicycle for my Lincoln. I haven't exactly told, well, anyone yet. To assuage my guilt, I immediately made up a Craigslist ad to sell the Giant. Only one nibble so far.

I pushed the sizing a bit on the Islabike. I read - and they admit - to conservative sizing. Linc is at the minimum in size for the large frame, giving him some room to grow. I also wanted a weight on him since I was measuring everything else, and turns out, he's actually only 44 pounds, not even 50. My poor kid. Next week a box will arrive, and it will be from Portland and it will be a glorious, glorious day!

Now, say a collective prayer that my husband is as pleased over this as I am. *Smirk.*

[Shoji Takahashi]

Dear Leah, 

It's red-orange and will be beautiful. 

My son has a Beinn 20 small, and pushed the size limits for him when we got it. You'll be fine-- and wilbury/glorious when he rides it alongside your Betty.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stakx/21876629301/

All the best,

Shoji

[LeahFoy]

Shoji, what a darling son and bike! Just perfect. How many years do you think he will get on it before he outgrows it?

And you are clever. I laughed out loud for real.

[Patrick Moore]

Photos, please, of bike and rider, when it arrives, and a rider's report after it has been ridden.

Shoji: cute photo. I wish I'd kept those I took of Catie when she was 4-5-6 and on her bike/s. (Or 2-3 on the Radio Flyer trike with pneumatic wheels, freewheel (no brake! stupid!) and remote parent steering/pushing -- we used to cruise the aisles of the nearby Albertson's together.)

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[Shoji Takahashi]

Thanks, Leah & Patrick.

I think he'll ride it for 2 - 3 years. That seems to-be the sizing strategy for Islabikes. Since we went a little big, maybe an extra half year or so more. But we can't know when a growth spurt can change all those fine plans.

One reason I talked myself into it was that our daughter is 2 years younger. We can hand it down and get another 2 or so years. (So 4 - 5 years total for the bike.)

She's very nearly riding the small Cnoc 14 on which my son learned to ride. (She can't quite reach the ground flat footed, and that's not very confidence inspiring to her.)

Enjoy! And watch him lead your family up that hill. (Islabikes brakes are terrific-- warn him before he uses it the first time, particularly on that downhill!)

shoji

[David Person]

May not be worth the effort depending on how far the store is where you bought the Giant, but if it's only been 5 months it would still be under warrantee and if there is an issue with the hub that is causing excessive resistance then they should fix it for free.  Just a thought, and might get you more $$ when you do sell it.

David Person

[LeahFoy]

And now for the resolution to this crazy thread.

I had called the Portland Islabike dealer and a friendly rep chatted with me on the phone regarding all things Islabike. She eventually got around to asking how I found out about the company, which I then said was due to all of your fine folks. "Wow," she said, "I liked Rivendell before but now I love them!" I ordered the bike in 20 inch large size, and raced to the Craigslist site to list the Giant for sale. The Giant was sold two days after the Islabike's arrival, during which time I kept it secret from my husband. Don't you think it just looks better to your spouse when they know you've sold the other bike? The Giant went to a good home, and I don't think it will be a bad bike for that family.

Lincoln's orange-red Islabike arrived on Tuesday. I was at the SHOT show with a cousin all week, so we did not get the bike assembled until a couple of days ago. When we unboxed it, I couldn't believe how small it looked. I'm VERY glad we sized up. When he stands over the bar, it really is close, so they do know of what they speak; it just looks so different than what I've been used to. The bike is SO light. Lincoln picks it up and carries it, which he thinks is super cool. He sits in the saddle when pedaling (oh, sweet relief) and he can fly up the hills on our way to the park. We haven't done the school commute yet, but we will Monday, and I bet he makes it up the hill without walking his Islabike. I can hardly wait to see.

So, how does he look?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/daytondogg/24542222076/in/album-72157661891945032/

[islaysteve]

Hooray, his smile says it all! A great ending to this story, may he enjoy it for a long time ( at least until it's time for a larger size).
Steve

[Deacon Patrick]

Awesome! He's going to appreciate this all the more for the experience with the other.

With abandon,

Patrick

On Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 4:26:10 PM UTC-7, LeahFoy wrote:

And now for the resolution to this crazy thread.

So, how does he look?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/daytondogg/24542222076/in/album-72157661891945032/

[sameness]

Awesome! He looks stoked!

(Were I newly in possession of the World's Largest Derailleur, I would be, too!)

Jeff "Does That Thing Say 'Evinrude'?" Hagedorn
Los Angeles, CA USA

[Shoji Takahashi]

looks perfect! Tailwinds, shoji

[cyclotourist]

Leah et al, I just came across this bike, and thought I would pass the
411 on: http://www.trailcraftcycles.com/products/aluminum-bike

Price is the only downside on it.

Kind of a cool story behind it:
http://www.trailcraftcycles.com/about-us and looks like they're
getting their money out of it: http://www.trailcraftcycles.com/blog

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--

Cheers,
David

Member, Supreme Council of Cyberspace

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

[Deacon Patrick]

Great job finding the kid's bike that makes the Islabike price point reasonable!

With abandon,

Patrick 

[David Person]

Congrats for Lincoln.  They also have nice accessories like racks and fenders, if needed.

David

[LeahFoy]

Ok, ok, one last thing. Today was our first day commuting to school on The Red Rocket. You guys, I'm giggling like an idiot on this keyboard as I type the very words! Pre-Red Rocket we did this: I met the boys at school, deep sighs from Lincoln as he mentally geared himself to pedal up that hill. Ethan and I went at a decent pace while Lincoln fell behind, causing me to hang back and coax him uphill. Eventually it would be too much for Linc and he and I would have to stop and walk the bikes. Meanwhile Ethan, now blocks ahead, waited at the top of the hill as passersby who saw him alone shook their heads and deemed his parents negligent.

But TODAY: I met the boys at school. Lincoln said, "I'm nervous that I won't be that fast on my new bike, Mom." I said we'd see but that I had a good feeling. Invigorated by hope, Lincoln mounted The Red Rocket and shot up the hill, pausing only for pedestrians and crossings. He hung with us and then broke away at the archway, our designated watering spot. My older son (who stopped for water) fought to catch him all the way until the final 50 feet before the house. What a ride! We shaved 1/3 off our time. (30 minute commute, only 20 minutes today!) I think we are going to like our Islabike.

All is well once again! Thanks for all the help along the way.

[Jon Dukeman in the foothills of Colorado]

Leah,

That's great to hear!

A new bike is such a motivator but the old adage of "If the bike doesn't fit and the rider isn't comfortable, or if the bike doesn't function properly and it  isn't fun to ride then the rider won't ride it!"

Enjoyed following your posts.

Jon

[cyclotourist]

Slight topic drift, but here are two real nice bikes FS in Orange
County (Disneyland)
http://www.imtbtrails.com/forum/threads/two-kids-bikes-20-and-24.3836/

The 24" Hotrock with XTR is pretty nice!!!