The official Riding with Kids thread

[Shebeen]

oi you going to make the CT hub ride this december ?

this one...https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/144889-the-hub-2014-christmas-toy-cycle-cape-hubbers/

 

there is a wedding up the west coast that weekend, could work

[Ryanpmb]

Picking up breakfast and home through Cascades MTB Park...

 

[milky4130]

It was a online shop - here are the details

 

Candy Buttle

Ritchie Industries cc

Cell: 084 303 1513

Fax: 086 514 5822

www.ritchie.co.za

 

T/A Feva Foam Products

CK98 56595/23

Members: RJ Buttle

tx will check it out.

[milky4130]

It was a online shop - here are the details

 

Candy Buttle

Ritchie Industries cc

Cell: 084 303 1513

Fax: 086 514 5822

www.ritchie.co.za

 

T/A Feva Foam Products

CK98 56595/23

Members: RJ Buttle

Is that the right details, doesnt look much like an online shop & no mention of the child carrier

[Shebeen]

ok. we're hitting 2 years old next month and mommy has said, 'when do we get her a bike?'. she's fine with the black plastic sit on bikes at daycare so balance bike seems like the next move. #2 is a boy, so we're going with boy/neutral colours for some future proofing.

 

Now I try not to be a bike snob at the best of times, but this is kid at a candy store territory.

I loved my bmx when i was growing up, it was a hand me down from big brother but we didn't really care about who had which bike etc.

don't want to be the dad of this - 

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/nddcn.jpg

 

This JD Bug thread is archived, but any updates here that anyone can add - can't seem to find them online anywhere

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/104848-jd-bug/page-2

 

options as I see them, cheap to bikesnob progression:

hyperama type bikes - guessing R300-R400

 

Y-bike original - R400 @ swh - http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/y-bike-original.html#.VGmyS_mUf6U

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/images/magictoolbox_cache/dd6b6cfc02e1715d9cb0915c3f4a72c2/1/0/1066469/selector45xauto/b9ec9b5cc51b65c70b10303860cf6e9e.jpg

 

 

 

dragons have a little one in their avalanche range, not sure on pricing but am guessing about R500

http://avalanchebicycles.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/kid-beni-boys-my14-Lrg.jpg

 

muna firetruck - R895 - so HAWT! - http://www.muna.co.za/index.php/boys/firetruck-detail

http://www.muna.co.za/images/stories/virtuemart/product/firetruck_rear.jpg

 

 

 

 

first bikes - R1200

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ljLVcdOaesQ/UoSWnuNWyhI/AAAAAAAABkM/C9fVqFBWemA/s1600/firstbikeSA.jpg

 

how cute is this?

https://vimeo.com/66065197

 

then there's the where does this become ridiculous section, uh mean surely your first bike needs to be steel - muna alloy -R1600 - http://www.muna.co.za/index.php/boys/promini-detail

http://www.muna.co.za/images/stories/virtuemart/product/pro_mini_rear.jpg

 

 

 

frog bikes...tadpole - R1600

http://za.frogbikes.com/lightweight-kids-bikes/tadpole.aspx - here it is in the froomedawg version

http://www.frogbikes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Frog-Bikes-founder-Jerry-Lawson-with-Team-Sky-rider-Bernhard-Eisel-presenting-the-new-product-range-300x240.jpg

 

 

 

minefield out there, have read through the thread but kind of reckon an update is always welcome as the market moves along with the times.

here's a very biased look at first bikes versus other options

http://www.twowheelingtots.com/firstbike/

[Grondpad]

Here is another one. I think its the one I am going to the my little dude when he turns 2:

 

http://www.takealot.com/chillafish-bmxie-12-bmx-styled-balance-bike-blue/PLID32823235?utm_source=GraphicMail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=NewsletterLink&utm_campaign=%28SS%29+newsletter%5Fgeneral%5F17112014&utm_content==

[Roshambo]

My eldest wants to race downhill when he is a bit older (currently 6), looks like he is going the enduro route already, lol!

 

My youngest, 3yo has an avalanche balance bike that he loves, he did 3,5km on it yesterday

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

ok. we're hitting 2 years old next month and mommy has said, 'when do we get her a bike?'. she's fine with the black plastic sit on bikes at daycare so balance bike seems like the next move. #2 is a boy, so we're going with boy/neutral colours for some future proofing.

 

 

muna firetruck - R895 - so HAWT! - http://www.muna.co.za/index.php/boys/firetruck-detail

http://www.muna.co.za/images/stories/virtuemart/product/firetruck_rear.jpg

 

 

 

Shebeen - get this one. It's the one I bought my little monster, and it's KIFF. 

 

Also - it is the only bike that has a seat that can go as low as the top of the tire (just about) so in terms of sizing, it's pretty much exactly the same as a y-bike (the plastic 3 wheeled ones) Y bike is about an inch lower, but the seat is wider so it evens out. 

 

All the other ones, even though they're 12" bikes, have their minimum seat height about an inch or 2 higher than the MUNA. And as for that First Bikes one - that's MEGA high. Just have a look at how far above the tire the minimum seat height is - that's RIDICULOUS compared to even the JD - which is the highest of the rest. The aluminium MUNA is double the price, and TBH the Fire Truck isn't that heavy at all. ITO max sizing, the seatpost is relatively long as well, so when they outgrow the MUNA they'll definitely be ready for pedals. 

 

After 2 weeks of being on this one, my lightie was lifting his feet and cruising for about 40 to 50m at a time, if he had the speed and incline. Now he's doing stairs and small hills. 

 

In short - best purchase EVER. A lot of people who have kids who are slightly older / bigger than mine, still can't ride their JD's, avalanches and so on because of the minimum seat height thing. 

Edited November 17, 2014 by cpt armpies mayhem

[Ryanpmb]

 

Y-bike original - R400 @ swh - http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/y-bike-original.html#.VGmyS_mUf6U

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/images/magictoolbox_cache/dd6b6cfc02e1715d9cb0915c3f4a72c2/1/0/1066469/selector45xauto/b9ec9b5cc51b65c70b10303860cf6e9e.jpg

 

 

Got my little girl the Y-Bike for her 2nd birthday.

 

She didn't really do the 'black bike' thing and came off a four wheel plastic 'car' thingey, so I wasn't confident she'd take to a pure balance bike (JD, Muna etc) right away - I wanted something less stable than a black bike but more stable than a pure balance bike at this stage. Enter the Y-Bike. It's very stable in a straight line but unsteady on the corners (as the two back wheels are together). My little girl has taken to it like a duck to water and roars around the estate at break neck speeds, with me running after her trying to keep up and shouting instructions - much entertainment for the neighbours!

 

Our next step will be the Muna as per CPT. The Y-Bike will probably be short lived in terms of use by our oldest child, but our youngest (now 4 months) will use this earlier than our oldest started on it, so we'll get good use from it in the end. My thinking was all in for R1300 - R1500  (R400+R900) we'll have a Y-Bike and a Muna and both kids will get use out of them.

 

I was concerned about the plastic 'tyres'/ wheels but as you can see in the photos below they're holding up well, having seen a fair bit of milage on pavers...

 

 

Excuse my sense of humour... 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

100% agreed with Ryan. GET A Y BIKE!!! 

 

They're FAR better than the little black plastic jobbies, and they serve as a small (but vital) stepping stone as they're just that little bit less stable than the black ones. They also have a far longer lifespan, and can be passed on to your second lightie when she gets old enough. 

 

My vote (I've just gone through this, as I said) is y bike AND a MUNA. Get the MUNA before it goes up in price, and I assume it will given the price point of the competitors. 

[Ryanpmb]

 

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/nddcn.jpg

 

 

On a side note - this little posers wheels cost more than my most expensive bike!!!

[Shebeen]

does the n+1 rule work for kids bikes too?

 

So you okes are saying I need two bikes. It all makes sense but then I think it's only fair I get a new one for christmas too. then wifey is going to complain that I already have four and she only has one. but I ride at least four times more than her as it stands. Think i might as well just get a venter trailer whilst we're at it. [should prep me for the days i start taking them to the yacht club for novice oppie training]

[Shebeen]

and the you can always just sommer just build your own

 

http://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/greenchamp-crafts-sustainable-bamboo-balance-bikes-for-children-designboom-01.jpg

[SimpleDom]

and the you can always just sommer just build your own

 

http://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/greenchamp-crafts-sustainable-bamboo-balance-bikes-for-children-designboom-01.jpg

That is awesome.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

does the n+1 rule work for kids bikes too?

 

So you okes are saying I need two bikes. It all makes sense but then I think it's only fair I get a new one for christmas too. then wifey is going to complain that I already have four and she only has one. but I ride at least four times more than her as it stands. Think i might as well just get a venter trailer whilst we're at it. [should prep me for the days i start taking them to the yacht club for novice oppie training]

yep. The y bike as a stepping stone, then to pass down to little bro. Then the muna, also to go to nr2 when nr1 is done. 

 

The good thing is that you will always find a buyer for these bikes. The 2nd hand kiddies bike market is very healthy!

[breaker]

 

muna firetruck - R895 - so HAWT! - http://www.muna.co.za/index.php/boys/firetruck-detail

http://www.muna.co.za/images/stories/virtuemart/product/firetruck_rear.jpg

 

I went for this for my daughter as an xmas pressie courtesy of that awesome cwc sale. Will be interesting to see how she progresses from the ybike pewi below to this. Shes also 2 and a bit.http://www.ybike.ee/images/ybike-pewi-04.jpg.