(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best kids bikes & accessories

My son always hated the bike trailer and loved the seat on the bike (in front of me with a little windscreen). We did many 50 km rides with it and the faster I went, the more he loved it.

You want a seat where he sits as far forward as possible so you can pedal comfortably. When his feet are not strapped in put shields on the front wheel, you don't want the little one to stick his foot in there. Front seats work best when you have handle bars that swoop back so you are more upright. (This is a great setup: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81DYdbW8PlL._SL1600_.jpg

3.5 is too young for 80 km on a trailer bike. By the way, never get a half bike trailer, go for the follow-me system. It is way better because the pivot is low by the ground.

Im pretty sure its
http://www.amazon.com/Huffy-20-inch-Slider-Boys/dp/B00D43DVQA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375834106&sr=8-1&keywords=huffy+slider

Although its cheaper at toys r us
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=18723646#showReviews

Im in australia and i bought mine for $100 from toys r us in store, though like 2 weeks ago target had them for $49

If your under 6 foot you will fit on that one fine, seat all the way back, if you get one and decide its too short its easy enough to cut the frame get a shop to weld a connector in between to lengthen it

Also you will want to make better wheels, buy 2 trolley wheels and 2 pvc pipe connectors that fit just over the wheels and sicaflex them together, just screw them on in place of the regular wheels

Not just a Big Wheel - but one with a handbrake. This and my friend had the even better Green Machine.



I remember taking these to parking lots, going as fast and I can, pulling the handbrake and doing a bunch of donuts. Amazingly fun.



Edit - YouTube video
Green Machine - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8bxW3y-6Cg

I use the Topeak BabySeat rack. I figger if it's strong enough to support the life of a precious human baby, it's probably built stupid strong. I've had it fully loaded with my Ortlieb saddle bags and duffle on top, and it doesn't budge at all. Sometimes friends will ride on it when we're drunk. If you're going on the inexpensive side of things, I highly recommend this one.

These are great, and come in just about every color.

Oh, not that kind of training wheels? You can find a set of Shimano RS-010 for about $130. I also love my Vision Team 25's. They're what came on my E-117, and looks like they can be found for about the same price.

Welcome to Canada, lol.

But that's a helpful link for Americans, thank you. :)

Edit: Actually, Amazon Canada does have some affordable options! I'm going to let all my friends with toddlers know.

My favorite way around this is to modify the rack hardware. This is made easier if you're on good terms with a shop that's been around a minute, and they happen to have a bin full of leftover rack hardware (most if not all racks come with extra to suit different bikes). Remove the upper struts and bend it such that it routes around the brake entirely. If you want really sharp bends/angles, I recommend employing a bench vise.

If you're unconcerned with looks, keep in mind that as long as it doesn't contact the brake or interfere with its action, any solution really works, no matter how rough and ready it looks. The upper struts are not weight bearing in any way, and are simply there to prevent your rack from pivoting backwards on the m5 mounting screws.

Edit: you can also get a monostay adapter for this frame, and mount above the brake: https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Monostay-Adapter-One-Piece/dp/B07CG9P7TY

6 months is a little early but when they have good core control this bike is great (transitions all the way to tricycle eventually)!

If you've got a lot to do and already have an edger attachment for a trimmer, you can kind of retrofit a bed redefinier and this thing is great for creating a nice wide bed: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00NO8F95G/?coliid=I2I2M96XRUQRPK&colid=3H0DRNNPTWP4G&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

We have the ibert. It mounts in front of you and connected to the handle bar stem.

http://www.amazon.com/iBert-Safe-T-Seat-Front-Child-38-Pounds/dp/B0048MB82A/ref=sr_1_3?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1376237780&sr=1-3

My son loves it, but it does take some manuevering to get him on by myself. We just do casual around our neighborhood and it works great for that.

The challenge I found with balance bikes for my 3 year old is that many of them are too big (he's on the small side, but still fairly average.) I got him one of these because it allowed me to flip the frame to accomidate a smaller child. Unfortunately, the rake of the front fork is such that it makes it very unbalanced and hard to steer. A friend has one that is more like what you're looking at that's much more stable. Just make sure it's small enough for your niece.

I quite like the little airplanes you can get for bicycle handles https://www.amazon.com/Schylling-BA-Bike-Airplane/dp/B000OD5T7M

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cat toys are an easy win. Get one with catnip or that crinkles (like these https://www.amazon.com/Petsvv-Mylar-Crinkle-Balls-Kitten/dp/B07HGSP3XV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543417337&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=cat+crinkle+ball&psc=1) and they'll be a hit

I think Montague recommends seatpost-mounted rear racks (like this because of the way their bikes fold, so you'd be limited to about 10 kg / 20 lbs.

The general rule is the bigger the wheel size, the more it's going to ride like a regular bike. I think the appeal with Montague's bikes is that they neither look nor feel like a folding bike. Tern's 24" wheel bikes probably handle very similarly too.

One downside is that Montague and Tern are both speciality brands so for the most part you're only going to find them in major cities' shops.

Edit: I just realised that the newer Beetles have a trunk that opens like this and the rear seats fold down. Assuming that's what you have, you should have no problem putting a full-size bike in the back. My Scion tC has a hatchback and folding seats too and I could easily fit 2 or 3 bikes if I really wanted. If you have a lot of space in the back of your car then I would absolutely recommend a regular bike—you can get all the features you want at an overall better value.

Check this out (link below), it's what I started my son on. It's smaller than regular balance bikes and super light so at a year or so kids can use it. It converts from a very narrow three wheeler to a two wheeler by taking the rear wheels off and flipping them around. Also, it has a stash area in the seat for dinosaurs, cars or trains. My son loved it and when he was finally big enough for a real balance bike he jumped on and never looked back!

https://www.amazon.com/Chillafish-BUNZI-2-1-Tricycle/dp/B008GSDU5U

We're just moving out of 16" (with a tall 5yo). But I can share what I've learned.

Twowheelingtots.com is a great resource for all things kids bike. I trust them and they are guiding our next purchase.

I HATE/ABHOR/WANT TO DEMOLISH his coaster brake (used Hotrock 16). He doesn't like it much, either. Problem is, 16 with hand brakes is tough to find at a reasonable price.

This is the best bang-for-the-buck in that category:

http://www.amazon.com/TykesBykes-PB16-ORN-TB-Tykesbykes-Sprinter-Kids/dp/B019Y9J7WE

I also considered converting his coaster, but no Bueno. You need linear pull brakes or better for their little hands and cost was prohibitive just in parts (former shop mechanic).

I'd just buy that Sprinter and be done with it...

I guess MSRP on them is $170, but Amazon has them for $150. I bought mine at a LBS to support them. Honestly anything more than $50 is a rip-off for these things.

I just posted a request for a gift for my son. I was told to come here and post the link to what he wants :) thank you so much

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Y15EIA/ref=twister_B00UCTSFFG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

The Origin8 Classique Cargo Unit. Why? Well because a front rack is clearly better than a rear. Also has plenty of space for the half gallon carton of vegan ice cream without getting your bag all cold.

Do you have one of these? Do you like it? This seems like an economical option albeit the component called "dry sak" is a bit off-putting.

I found it on amazon here.

BOB Yak.
http://www.amazon.com/BOB-Plus-Trailer-Black-Includes/dp/B000RH7GKS

Hoping to get one for myself in a couple years to haul groceries. How do you like it SeanPlusPlus?

http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Deluxe-Big/dp/B00P4CF10S/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1449006977&sr=8-6&keywords=big+wheel

I am entering for my 4 year old son and it is a big wheel, all kids love big wheels, low to the ground so perfect for little ones and so much fun!

One completely functional and nearly new 'Big wheels for kids' looks like ...

https://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Deluxe-Big/dp/B00P4CF10S/ref=sr_1_2/136-3714320-0722762?ie=UTF8&qid=1521810226&sr=8-2&keywords=big+wheel+for+kids

Sure thing, not sure why I didn't before. Origin-8 Cargo Unit

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RH7GKS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

It is extremely mobile, and carries an extra 70lbs of gear practically anywhere. I do bicycle camping with it every summer

Origin8 Classique CargoUnit

Listen to the folks pointing you to panniers or get a BOB bike trailer.
You don't want to ride with a backpack that heavy. Think of your choad (or taint) and the back sweat.

For an EBIKE I might look at a cargo/bar/basket rig

http://www.blessthisstuff.com/stuff/vehicles/cycles/bicycle-handlebar-with-integrated-basket/

https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Classique-CargoUnit-25-4mm/dp/B00TG3ENVO

What about a trailer of some sort? I'm thinking if a bike is going to be my main mode of transportation, I'm going to need a lot of storage space. Something like this to keep me maneuverable.

I know it might slow you down, but if you get into a dire situation you can always ditch it and speed away with the bare necessities in your panniers.