Outside of the Huffy/Schwin/Walmart class bikes, any kid's bike with be basically the same. Fancy is aluminium.
This. Just buy for the color. Haley's bike was $75 garage sale special. Raleigh something, but in a light blue that she likes.
department store bikes = unsafe, because they're built by people with no bike building skills. can't tell you how many improperly assembled department store bikes i've seen.
pretty sure g2k is looking for a bike sized at 14" (seat tube measurement, so something in the realm of an extra small; based on the fact that he referenced her inseam), while the hot rocks you refer to are 12" and 16" wheels, not 12" / 16" frames.
If that's the case, a craigslist score that you make pretty might be your best option. Bang for buck, yo.
That's why I bought hers used, took it apart, painted it and put it together proper. I'm not saying "go to Wally World and hope for the best".
I was also thinking wheel size, my bad.
My daughter didn't grasp the concept of hand brakes until she upgraded to the Powerlite at 12. I don't think she had the hand strength before that, but that is pretty baller.
False, I should've been clear. Looking for a 14" wheel. She's 3 or 4 years old or something like that.
Not baller per se, but I've been pleasantly suprised with how light and well designed these bikes are.
I had Haley on a 14" wheel and it was crap. Get a 12 or 16, as the 14 just doesn't size right.
Ben got one of those once he could ride. If only he'd ride the damned thing... he CAN, he just won't.
my son was the opposite. his first bike had a hand brake and a coaster brake. he never got the hang of the coaster brake and only used the front brake. which led to a few dicey moments going down hills (yes, there was a couple of faceplants and associated road rash). When it was time to get a bigger bike, it was really tough to track down a 16" bike with hand brakes as US safety rules require a coaster brake on all bikes with wheels less than 20" (so essentially they require coaster brakes for little kids' bikes).
my second son is like that too. isn't interested in pedaling. likes his Strider much more. hopefully that changes next year.Ben got one of those once he could ride. If only he'd ride the damned thing... he CAN, he just won't.
It kills me.
Fo sho, Did that when I was younger. Pretty sure you can still disable the drum.
i think the ones that have the arm running from the axle to the chainstay can be disabled just by removing that arm.
Remove the brake shoes inside the hub is what we did.
This is a lot like the mini Powerlite I built up, but she was 9 or 10 by that point. She was also tiny back then.
My 9 year old is ready for an expert.sized frame ...going on 5'! I have a micro built up for the 3 year old if he ever gets the urge - he shies away from his balance bike right now.
I scored an original 1980's era Powerlite for less than $100 off ebay. Had a garbage seat and cranks, but original Araya rims with sealed hubs. At the track, all the BMX dad's were geeking out over it. I had about $160 total into it. Paint, polish, new sticker kit, it was good to go.
that thing is awesomeI scored an original 1980's era Powerlite for less than $100 off ebay. Had a garbage seat and cranks, but original Araya rims with sealed hubs. At the track, all the BMX dad's were geeking out over it. I had about $160 total into it. Paint, polish, new sticker kit, it was good to go.
