Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Slight topic drift, but here are two real nice bikes FS in Orange County (Disneyland) http://www.imtbtrails.com/forum/threads/two-kids-bikes-20-and-24.3836/ The 24" Hotrock with XTR is pretty nice!!! On Tue, Jan 26, 2016 at 7:22 AM, Jon Dukeman in the foothills of Colorado

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Leah, That's great to hear! A new bike is such a motivator but the old adage of "If the bike doesn't fit and the rider isn't comfortable, or if the bike doesn't function properly and it isn't fun to ride then the rider won't ride it!" Enjoyed following your posts. Jon > -- You received this

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Great job finding the kid's bike that makes the Islabike price point reasonable! With abandon, Patrick On Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 8:46:23 PM UTC-7, cyclot...@gmail.com wrote: > > Leah et al, I just came across this bike, and thought I would pass the > 411 on:

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Congrats for Lincoln. They also have nice accessories like racks and fenders, if needed. David -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Ok, ok, one last thing. Today was our first day commuting to school on The Red Rocket. You guys, I'm giggling like an idiot on this keyboard as I type the very words! Pre-Red Rocket we did this: I met the boys at school, deep sighs from Lincoln as he mentally geared himself to pedal up that

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Leah et al, I just came across this bike, and thought I would pass the 411 on: http://www.trailcraftcycles.com/products/aluminum-bike Price is the only downside on it. Kind of a cool story behind it: http://www.trailcraftcycles.com/about-us and looks like they're getting their money out of it:

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Awesome! He looks stoked! (Were I newly in possession of the World's Largest Derailleur, I would be, too!) Jeff "Does That Thing Say 'Evinrude'?" Hagedorn Los Angeles, CA USA On Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 3:26:10 PM UTC-8, LeahFoy wrote: > > So, how does he look? > > >

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

looks perfect! Tailwinds, shoji On Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 7:22:23 PM UTC-5, sameness wrote: > > Awesome! He looks stoked! > > (Were I newly in possession of the World's Largest Derailleur, I would be, > too!) > > Jeff "Does That Thing Say 'Evinrude'?" Hagedorn > Los Angeles, CA USA > >

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

And now for the resolution to this crazy thread. I had called the Portland Islabike dealer and a friendly rep chatted with me on the phone regarding all things Islabike. She eventually got around to asking how I found out about the company, which I then said was due to all of your fine folks.

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Hooray, his smile says it all! A great ending to this story, may he enjoy it for a long time ( at least until it's time for a larger size). Steve -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Awesome! He's going to appreciate this all the more for the experience with the other. With abandon, Patrick On Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 4:26:10 PM UTC-7, LeahFoy wrote: > > And now for the resolution to this crazy thread. > > So, how does he look? > >

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

May not be worth the effort depending on how far the store is where you bought the Giant, but if it's only been 5 months it would still be under warrantee and if there is an issue with the hub that is causing excessive resistance then they should fix it for free. Just a thought, and might get

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Thanks, Leah & Patrick. I think he'll ride it for 2 - 3 years. That seems to-be the sizing strategy for Islabikes. Since we went a little big, maybe an extra half year or so more. But we can't know when a growth spurt can change all those fine plans. One reason I talked myself into it was that

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Leah, Right Now , Here , is as fresh and new as new and fresh ever was or could be. The past is not Here, no one could ever find it even if they searched the world over with no end ! This is the first day and you're buying your

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

20 years from now, it will all be worked out in therapy, as he lays on the doctor's couch wearing his polka-dot jersey. On Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 3:27:00 PM UTC-5, LeahFoy wrote: > > This morning started out rather horrifyingly. Our bike commute to school > is almost 2.5 miles downhill,

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Shoji, what a darling son and bike! Just perfect. How many years do you think he will get on it before he outgrows it? And you are clever. I laughed out loud for real. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Photos, please, of bike and rider, when it arrives, and a rider's report after it has been ridden. Shoji: cute photo. I wish I'd kept those I took of Catie when she was 4-5-6 and on her bike/s. (Or 2-3 on the Radio Flyer trike with pneumatic wheels, freewheel (no brake! stupid!) and remote parent

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Dear Leah, It's red-orange and will be beautiful. My son has a Beinn 20 small, and pushed the size limits for him when we got it. You'll be fine-- and wilbury/glorious when he rides it alongside your Betty. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stakx/21876629301/ All the best, Shoji On Thursday,

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

The afternoon dragged on, until it was finally that magic time when my kids are mine again. I could not get them home fast enough. I immediately began futzing, poking, and measuring Lincoln to determine his frame size. He found the whole thing somewhat interesting and somewhat humiliating.

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

This morning started out rather horrifyingly. Our bike commute to school is almost 2.5 miles downhill, and most of that at a precarious grade. As we were entering the grounds my older son says, "Mom, my brakes barely work." And wow, just wow. I don't know at what point they failed, but squeezed

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Yes, time for a new bike. $225 down the drain -- well, son got 2 years of use? Amortize etc. In my own very limited experience -- with my sole child, daughter Catie -- coaster brakes are the brake of choice for children until their hands are strong enough and big enough to handle *good* rim

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Leah, you've led a horse to water, he's taken to it like a fish to water, and you're feeling bad because the bit in his mouth was too expensive and unknowingly chafed? By kind to yourself! You're doing great! I'm off in search of some more bad metaphors. Grin. With abandon, Patrick -- You

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Patrick: The bike that has gotten over 2 years' worth of use is the older son's bike - the Specialized. The Giant is only 5 months old! You see why I'm rather undone over the entire thing. Your daughter will come back to biking, I bet. Gift her with a lovely new Glorius in some lovely color

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Thanks Leah, I meant to add that the REI mechanic must be one wise Dad/Grand Dad/mechanic. Makes me want to go work for REI and try to be that guy! Steve -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Leah, Congratulations on getting to the bottom of the problem! Please don't beat yourself up over this. Shame on Giant and shame on their dealer for selling you such a bike for your son. It sounds like you have incredible kids and guess what? You are the parent(s) who made them that way.

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

My 4 year old is on a 16" Cleary bike (clearybikes.com) and she/I have been very happy with it. They also have 20" and 24" wheeled bikes and are a bit cheaper than islabikes. We went with the Cleary over an Islabikes as bike shop in Seattle (G) had them in stock and she was able to try them

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Leah, Elle from the blog Tiny Helmet, Big Bikes has two kids riding Islabikes and write about them often. http://www.tinyhelmetsbigbikes.com/blog-we-ride David Person -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Somafab sells bare frames and mini build kits for kids bikes- the Bart and Lisa models... On Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 12:19:00 PM UTC-8, LeahFoy wrote: > > I bought my 1st grader a new Giant XTC 20 inch bike this summer, so that > he could master the 2.5

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

I'd definitely have the shop take a look, but I have to put my two cents in about Islabikes. My seven year old has a 24" Beinn, and loves it. It's light, well-made, and fits perfectly. It made her want to ride a bike again, after being burdened with a mid-80s Schwinn that weighs more than any

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Leah, you stated " Islabikes, but they are spendy and I can find almost no info about them online." Link below is to their Size Guide, which gives minimum and maximum PBH for their models. Seems fairly comprehensive. http://www.islabikes.com/size-guide/ Measuring PBH could be tricky.

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

There may be nothing wrong with the bike. I noticed with my kids when they learned to ride a bike, they had a certain pattern of pedaling that they preferred: to stand up and pedal for a number of strokes, then to sit and coast briefly, then to stand and pedal again. It may have something to

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Thank you, I did see the website and their sizing guide. I meant that I don't see many reviews from owners, and I like to read reviews before dropping that kind of money. Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 6, 2016, at 5:26 PM, John Hawrylak wrote: > > Leah, > > you

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Sounds like his saddle should be raised. I'd think with a growing kid that'd be something that would need to be done periodically. As far as the drag: brake pads too rubbing on rim (OR) wheel bearings not adjusted properly or need grease The bike's geometry could have to do with feeling more

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

On 01/06/2016 03:50 PM, Leah Peterson wrote: I think it has 7 gears in the back. Only one in the front. How would I know if a chain was too tight? With 7 in back this won't be applicable, but this article

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

I've read through most of these posts and skimmed the rest, don't see this mentioned: tire pressure, type of tires? Knobbies or street? Good luck! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Well, i know almost nothing mechanically. I raised the saddle, so he’s on his tippytoes when he’s got his feet on the ground. His brake pads are not rubbing, so thats not the cause of the drag, either. I don’t know how to describe that drag - it reminds me of fishing and how some fishing poles

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

If he's making it up the hill and not complaining, I wouldn't worry about whether he's seated or standing. It sounds to me like he's doing fine. The new bike is probably heavier than his previous bike and he may need to build up a bit more muscle to cope. If his knees really are coming up too

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

I think it has 7 gears in the back. Only one in the front. How would I know if a chain was too tight? > On Jan 6, 2016, at 12:48 PM, Tim Gavin wrote: > > Regarding the resistance: is this bike a single speed? Perhaps the chain is > too tight? > > On Wed, Jan

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Kids bikes can be crappy/slow in a a variety of ways.There have been some suggestions here. There are lots of things you can do on your own, but don't be afraid to take it to the local bike shop, either. If it seems slower than the specialized, do some tests side by side. - Turn them upside

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Sounds like you bought from a LBS. They should have a 30 day tune up, but even if they don't, I think it's fair to go back and explain your concerns to one the more mature staff. On Wed, Jan 6, 2016 at 1:03 PM, Edwin W wrote: > Kids bikes can be crappy/slow in a a variety

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Before you consider another bike Leah the one in question needs to be inspected to find where the drag is coming from , that's why he's standing ! Imagine riding in what appears to be a proper gear and your brakes are dragging, or the hubs are dragging within , or the tires/brakes are rubbing

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

All good points. 1. Saddle: I thought exactly this and raised it so that he's now on his tippy toes when his feet are on the ground. He continues to stand, but I do think his knees are better. 2. Brakes: They aren't rubbing, I checked. 3. I don't know how to describe the resistance i feel

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Regarding the resistance: is this bike a single speed? Perhaps the chain is too tight? On Wed, Jan 6, 2016 at 2:44 PM, LeahFoy wrote: > All good points. > 1. Saddle: I thought exactly this and raised it so that he's now on his > tippy toes when his feet are on the

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Leah, All, I don't have too much useful input other than a little story about when I worked in a specialized shop and assembled kids bikes for weeks on end leading up to christmas and the summer. Most of the bikes come well assembled in the box (rear wheel on). . One bike had the worse bottom

[RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Many local "Ye Ol' Bike Shoppe"s offer free tune-ups for life. Perhaps worth asking if that is the case here? With abandon, Patrick On Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 1:19:00 PM UTC-7, LeahFoy wrote: > > I bought my 1st grader a new Giant XTC 20 inch bike this summer, so that > he could master

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

Hi Leah, Put the bike upside down on its handlebars and saddle. (Pasadena style!) Try spinning the wheels-- how do they spin? Are they easy to spin and do they continue to spin for a fairly long time? (Try this with the other kids bikes you have to compare -- the previous 16" and your other

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

You guys are the best. I’ll do the upside down bike activities and then take to LBS. Thanks so much! You may have saved me a few hundred bucks! :) > On Jan 6, 2016, at 1:07 PM, Shoji Takahashi wrote: > > Hi Leah, > Put the bike upside down on its handlebars and

Re: [RBW] Re: Back to the Drawing Board for Kid Bike

A mechanic may be a good idea , as it must be the hubs. I'm assuming the chain is not rubbing ? Easy tell by a terrible noise. Even a really cheap bike with properly adjusted hubs should have drag like a fishing reel where drag is a good thing ! If the hubs were set too tight or they are not