Stabilisers

Danny Colyer said:

I'm a little surprised that I'm asking this, since I don't really believe in the things myself, but
does anyone know where to get a decent pair of stabilisers?

Don't do it! Take the pedals off, drop the saddle down so the feet are flat on the ground (DO NOT
start on a bike too big to do this!), find a gentle downward slope, sit the child on the bike, if
necessary place a hand between the shoulders for balance (never hold the saddle) and let the child
find the balance of the bike as they scoot down the hill. It works in anything from ten minutes
upwards. The longest I've known it take was two hours with a child who was very accustomed to riding
a trailer bike.

Following which I advise elbow and knee pads for a while, until they've really got the
hang of it :-)

HTH

Guy
===
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Guy said:

Don't do it! Take the pedals off, drop the saddle down so the feet are flat on the ground...

I know that, and I hope to try and persuade my sister when we can find time between putting kids to
bed for a longer conversation. But neither she or her husband cycles, and I only get down to see
them 2 or 3 times a year, so there's a good chance they'll stick to the way we all learnt - with
stabilisers.

If I don't manage to persuade her of the wisdom of learning without stabilisers, then I'd like to be
able to at least tell her where to get a decent set.

But thanks anyway.

--
Danny Colyer (remove safety to reply) ( juggler.netdannyOpen ↗ ) Recumbent cycle page:
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukrecumbentsOpen ↗ "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." -
Thomas Paine

In article <[email hidden]>, "Just zis Guy, you know?"

Quoted message said:

Take the pedals off, drop the saddle down so the feet are flat on the ground (DO NOT start on a
bike too big to do this!), find a gentle downward slope, sit the child on the bike, if necessary
place a hand between the shoulders for balance (never hold the saddle) and let the child find the
balance of the bike as they scoot down the hill.

Totally agree but I would also add -

Do it on grass so that if they fall off they are less liable to be hurt - keeps mum happy.

--
A T (Sandy) Morton on the Bicycle Island In the Global Village sandymillport.fsnet.co.uksandymillport.fsnet.co.ukOpen ↗

In article <[email hidden]>,

Danny Colyer said:

f I don't manage to persuade her of the wisdom of learning without stabilisers, then I'd like to
be able to at least tell her where to get a decent set.

How old are the kids, what size is the bike?

--
A T (Sandy) Morton on the Bicycle Island In the Global Village sandymillport.fsnet.co.uksandymillport.fsnet.co.ukOpen ↗

Sandy Morton said:

How old are the kids, what size is the bike?

My niece will be 5. I've no idea what size the bike is - the subject came up briefly just before my
sister had to hang up to deal with the kids.

--
Danny Colyer (remove safety to reply) ( juggler.netdannyOpen ↗ ) Recumbent cycle page:
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukrecumbentsOpen ↗ "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." -
Thomas Paine

Danny Colyer said:

I know that, and I hope to try and persuade my sister when we can find time between putting kids
to bed for a longer conversation. But neither she or her husband cycles, and I only get down to
see them 2 or 3 times a year, so there's a good chance they'll stick to the way we all learnt -
with stabilisers.

Hmmm. I've never found a set of stabilisers which was completely satisfactory (we tried them with
Michael before we learned the True Path) - but I do know that children who've mastered a two-wheeled
scooter can transfer to a bike almost without training.

--
Guy
===
I wonder if you wouldn't mind piecing out our imperfections with your thoughts; and while you're
about it perhaps you could think when we talk of bicycles, that you see them printing their proud
wheels i' the receiving earth; thanks awfully.

highwaycode.gov.uk09.shtmlOpen ↗ highwaycode.gov.uk09.shtmlOpen ↗

In message <[email hidden]>, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Hmmm. I've never found a set of stabilisers which was completely satisfactory (we tried them with
Michael before we learned the True Path) - but I do know that children who've mastered a
two-wheeled scooter can transfer to a bike almost without training.

I really like the look of 'Like-a-bike' for Elinor, looks like great fun for a little 'un. Not sure
I'd justify the price though.

<http://www.kinetics.org.uk/html/like-a-bike.html>
--
Chris French, Leeds

chris French said:

I really like the look of 'Like-a-bike' for Elinor, looks like great fun for a little 'un. Not
sure I'd justify the price though.

Especially since after half an hour you'll be tring to screw the pedals back on, only to find it
doesn't have any ;-)

--
Guy
===
I wonder if you wouldn't mind piecing out our imperfections with your thoughts; and while you're
about it perhaps you could think when we talk of bicycles, that you see them printing their proud
wheels i' the receiving earth; thanks awfully.

highwaycode.gov.uk09.shtmlOpen ↗ highwaycode.gov.uk09.shtmlOpen ↗

In message <[email hidden]>, Danny Colyer <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I'm a little surprised that I'm asking this, since I don't really believe in the things myself, but
does anyone know where to get a decent pair of stabilisers?

I don't know if they would meet your/her requirements, or if they are decent. But I was in
Halfords this afternoon, they sell stabilisers there (unsurprisingly).

I had a quick look, the arms where of a very substantial steel rectangular section - rather than
tubular. Certainly they didn't look they would bend, unlike the pressed steel ones on the kiddies
bikes on display, but they did weigh a bit hefty.

About GBP 11.
--
Chris French, Leeds

In message <[email hidden]>, Danny Colyer <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Guy said:

Don't do it! Take the pedals off, drop the saddle down so the feet are flat on the ground...

I know that, and I hope to try and persuade my sister when we can find time between putting kids to
bed for a longer conversation. But neither she or her husband cycles, and I only get down to see
them 2 or 3 times a year, so there's a good chance they'll stick to the way we all learnt - with
stabilisers.

Not me guv. They delayed my learning for months. Wouldn't the Pashley Pickle trike be a better bet?
Inside leg 17 inches and up. £249, heirloom quality.

pashley.co.ukpashley.co.ukOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

If I don't manage to persuade her of the wisdom of learning without stabilisers, then I'd like to
be able to at least tell her where to get a decent set.

But thanks anyway.

HTH!

--
Richard Keatinge

topica.comcyclingdoctorsOpen ↗

- support and solutions for cycling doctors