Kids bike questions

[The Ghost]

Ok smart people, the tubes in my 3 yr olds bike are always going flat - are permatubes still around or has somebody come up with a better option recently?

Also, is it possible to modify a back pedal brake bike to lever and cable?

 

Thanks

[Brett]

What size wheel is the bike? 16"?

Dont think your child is riding a 20", surely?

I installed 20" permatubes on a childs bike the other day.

 

Can try slime and pump wheels up to 2bar, only problem is that your child might:

a) complain of a bumpy ride due to tyres pumped so hard;

b)wont have any grip and wheel will spin on gravel cos the child is too light;

c)have to adjust Trainer wheels because they will be higher off the ground after putting so much air in the tyre.

 

Also, is it possible to modify a back pedal brake bike to lever and cable?

 

maybe and no. Have to see the bike to tell- rather take to lbs. but they will prob say the same thing: rather just buy a new bike, so much easier.

 

But FYI at Checkers i saw kids bike with foam tyres and F&R brakes. was cheap. consider that option?

Thats if you want 16" though. think they were R400 if I'm not mistaken.

foam tyres will be softer ride for kido...

Edited June 3, 2012 by ridin dirty

[gummibear]

I put Joe's No-Flats in both my kids bikes and i have had no problems with punctures.

[The Ghost]

They are 12.5's - avalanche mini maxi

[Clinton - theCOW]

From a 12" and 16" bike, i've noticed the 16" stays better inflated. Bike shop put slime in the tube, kids like riding thru thorns? 12", i need to slime them, think that's the answer for me.

 

Never looked at the braking, think a freehub does make it easier for them to get the pedal into the right place to start, you may need to modify the pedal brake hub as well?

[Eugene]

Stick with the back pedal brake.......I've been down that road before, your only option is to replace the whole wheel. Every bike shop owner that I spoke to discouraged me. They all said that kid's hands are not strong enough to operate cable brakes.

[gummibear]

Stick with the back pedal brake.......I've been down that road before, your only option is to replace the whole wheel. Every bike shop owner that I spoke to discouraged me. They all said that kid's hands are not strong enough to operate cable brakes.

 

Do they know that you can adjust the lever for reach?My 4 yo is coping well with his brakes now.

[The Ghost]

Thanks folks. Off to get a decent tube and some sealant next week then.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Ok smart people, the tubes in my 3 yr olds bike are always going flat - are permatubes still around or has somebody come up with a better option recently?

Also, is it possible to modify a back pedal brake bike to lever and cable?

 

Thanks

 

Your little one is too young for lever. Its only recommended to go that route once they are 9+ as they do not have proper strength in their hands. Its also a risk factor. I grew up with back pedal and it saved my bacon many times on Gordons Bay (street) down hills

 

Put slime in the tires, ask your LBS.

 

But what about a Y-bike Extreme rather? A lot more fun for kids and my son can easily do 3-4km on his (he use to do 3km on his normal Y-bike)

[LeTurbo]

I wish I had back-pedal brakes on my MTB! Man, I could control my bike so slickly in those days. Great for skids. (Not, of course, that kids ride bikes for wild fun these days, that I've noticed. Too demure, the lot of them.)

[The Ghost]

We will probably go y bike with my son, but already have this one for my daughter. Must say that she loves pedaling which she can't do on a y