Johan Bornman Posted December 3, 2007 Share I recently had the misfortune of having to set up a dozen children's bicycles. I was absolutely astounded by the poor qualilty of these little bikes. On this occasion I worked on two different style of bikes, the larger (with 24-inch wheels) and V-brakes was quite acceptable but the little ones were a disgrace. The wheels weren't nearly true and some where outright taco'ed. The brakes cannot be made to work, no matter how much time I spent on them. The brake components were of such poor quality that even an adult wont be able to squeeze them enough to get any stopping out of them.The rims had tapered braking surfaces and the brake blocks were shaped likewise in order to compensate for this flaw. However, there is no way anyone can make the two surfaces meet and therefore the brakes will never work. Something else that amazed me was the weight of these bikes. They must weigh 15 kilos each! Now that it is Christmas time, I have no doubt that thousands of parents will buy bicycles. Unfortunately these children will end up with inferior toys that are outright dangerous and should be recalled. Have any of you had a good look at kiddies bikes lately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cois Posted December 3, 2007 Share One of our friends wanted to buy a bike for her kid. We took her to a special cycling shop and asked the owner to give us options. He got a very nice bike, but the price was a bit high. Now after a year the bike is still 100% right wheels true ect ect, and the laatjie is still riding it. The said bike shop doesn't want to be flooded by clients, so I will keep the ID of the said bike shop for myself, but yes. Kids bikes is sometimes a problem. If you buy at the wrong palces like Dion and Pick n Pay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted December 3, 2007 Share They have always been to heavy and brakes too hard fr kids to use.Have just got a 10th hand avalanche for my kid and this has been the best by far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreZA Posted December 3, 2007 Share If you buy at the wrong palces like Dion and Pick n Pay The problem is parents/granparents think it's rediculous to pay R200 for a bicycle so they go an buy the chinese crap for R180. I know, R20 difference and R40 worth of petrol to get a crapper bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeroPlay Posted December 3, 2007 Share I've found the Raleigh Roost bikes to be not too bad. They need serious adjustment (bearings in headset, BB, hubs and pedals) before being ridden, and I trued and dished the wheels too. I also took the chain off and cleaned it, replacing the greasy stuff with White Lightning, so my kid doesn't get greasy chainring marks on his leg and clothes. The biggest complaint I have is that I can't get the V-brakes to stop "grabbing" (my kid locks the brakes every time) and that the bike weighs a ton (your 15kg is probably a good guess). The frame is drilled for calliper brakes too, so I might try and pick up a cheap set from a lbs and use those instead of the V-brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Saint Posted December 3, 2007 Share Johan spot on. I got my little girl a bike this weekend and after closer inspection I am not sure if I will ever let her ride it. I managed to finally get the brakes adjusted to kind of work but the back wheel is so out of true it is just astounding to me how this thing got out of the factory much less sold to me. I think if I do let her ride it she will never ride it outside of the garden and NEVER on a downhill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewep Posted December 3, 2007 Share Johan, give some suggestions as well. The problem is that these small bikes are readily available. Where else can one get a decent, but reasonably priced bicycle for a very young child? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby Posted December 3, 2007 Share koop raleigh kinder fietse,ek dink hul is beter as die gewoones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted December 3, 2007 Share Johan' date=' give some suggestions as well. The problem is that these small bikes are readily available. Where else can one get a decent, but reasonably priced bicycle for a very young child? [/quote'] Just Cycles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewep Posted December 3, 2007 Share Johan' date=' give some suggestions as well. The problem is that these small bikes are readily available. Where else can one get a decent, but reasonably priced bicycle for a very young child? [/quote'] Just Cycles Unbaised suggestion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted December 3, 2007 Share Johan' date=' give some suggestions as well. The problem is that these small bikes are readily available. Where else can one get a decent, but reasonably priced bicycle for a very young child? [/quote'] Just Cycles Unbaised suggestion? You questioning my integrity young man ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtrider Posted December 3, 2007 Share Small (very small) kids bikes should be cheap and affordable . How long will the snotnose ride the bike before he has outgrown it ? But as has been mentioned you can actually go out and get a very decent miniature Scott and Spes for the little one . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Bornman Posted December 3, 2007 Share Johan' date=' give some suggestions as well. The problem is that these small bikes are readily available. Where else can one get a decent, but reasonably priced bicycle for a very young child? [/quote'] I honestly don't know where to go for a better bike or what it would cost. IK've never been in the market for children's bicycles. I didn't buy these bikes but were recruited to set them all up for a primary school. It was my biggest mechanical challenge ever and I must admit, I failed. Muxman had a similar experience, it seems. I'm sure on the one hand he wants his child to ride a bike and grow up with all the freedom and pleasure that cycling provides but on the other hand I share his fear about downhills. That in itself will teach the child that perhaps a bicycle is a dangerous thing and should only be ridden indoors. Lots of adults still live with the fear of front brakes, instilled in them by parents who didn't understand the art of braking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewep Posted December 3, 2007 Share Johan' date=' give some suggestions as well. The problem is that these small bikes are readily available. Where else can one get a decent, but reasonably priced bicycle for a very young child? [/quote'] Just Cycles Unbaised suggestion? You questioning my integrity young man ? ME, NEVERRR!!!! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted December 3, 2007 Share But lets be a bit more realistic about this, do you honestly think that 90% of the population (not cycling shop addicted like most hubbers that is!) would even think to buy a kids bike from a cycling shop? Most of them do the Christmas shopping at the likes of Makro, Game, Dions or even at those beside the road special offers. The question is whether there shouldn't be some kind of SABS standard for these things that are brought in from the 'far' east (no not Boksburg/Benoni!) at virtually no cost? Just wondering ......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewep Posted December 3, 2007 Share But lets be a bit more realistic about this' date=' do you honestly think that 90% of the population (not cycling shop addicted like most hubbers that is!) would even think to buy a kids bike from a cycling shop? Most of them do the Christmas shopping at the likes of Makro, Game, Dions or even at those beside the road special offers. The question is whether there shouldn't be some kind of SABS standard for these things that are brought in from the 'far' east (no not Boksburg/Benoni!) at virtually no cost? Just wondering .........[/quote'] Good wonder BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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