Running Bikes For Balance And Coordination

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

Imagine if you will a group of bikes coming across in front of you, racing from left to right.   As they cross in front of your field of vision feet go into the air and hands leave the handlebars.  Not in an accident,  but in a skilled maneuver of daring and balance.   No,  these are not motocross riders performing dare devil stunts on gym bikes,  they are the one to five year olds of your neighborhood each propelling their own running bike.  There are no fancy biker’s shorts or running jacket here.  There is only child,  bike, helmet and a lot of fun.

The Strider running bike is not just another plastic toy either.  While it is light at 6.9 pounds,  it is well constructed of welded steel alloy.   It comes with a comfortable bike seat that can be adjusted up or down to give rideability to a young toddler clear up to a five year old.  The seat can be fitted to as low as eleven inches off the ground and raised as high as sixteen inches.   An additional two inches can be gained with an optional seat post replacement for the child that does not want to give up their fun.

The running bike comes with foot rests that are directly below the seat.   For the novice rider this allows the feet to be close to the ground when trying to maintain balance.  As the rider gains experience you will notice them start to use the foot rests to stand on while the bike is in motion.  As confidence builds with increased balance and coordination children naturally start to learn biking tricks to entertain themselves and their peers.  Feet go into the air,  hands leave the handle bars,  and the bike still maintains balance at it coast along.

Bike speed is controlled by how fast the child can run.   On the Strider running bike the child is actually seated and propelling the bike with their feet on the ground.  The novice biker will go slower than the experienced biker as they learn to ride and maneuver the bike.  If the bike gets moving too fast or starts to feel unstable it is a simple act to take the feet off the foot rests and put them on the ground causing the bike to slow and regain balance.

A good sense of balance allows a person to feel healthy and productive in their lives.  In many cases this is a learned trait and can acquired or improved.  The running bike allows a child to master the balance at a younger age.  With this will come confidence and self assurance that they will carry with them throughout their lives.

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Learning To Ride On A Running Bike

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

I learned to ride on a neighbor’s bike. And calling it a bike was a wild stretch of the imagination. It had long since lost the ability to be pedaled as the chain had disappeared and never been replaced. We would pull it up to the top of the storm cellar and then get on let it free wheel down the slope until we crashed. It was fun and I learned real fast how to balance or fall. Today I see my grand daughter in her back yard playing on a strider running bike and doing the same thing. There is no chain and no pedal. Just gravity and a developing sense of balance.

Several of the kids in her neighborhood now have learned to ride the running bike. They do it on the slope of their back yard and probably have more fun with it than they would with a real bike or even a gym bike that would be too big for them to ride. They feel no compelling need to wear a uniform or even a running jacket. There is a requirement that each of the wear a bike helmet to protect their young heads as they develop that all important sense of balance.

My grand daughter is just over two years old and is able to hold her own with the bigger kids on these bikes. The reason is that they are adjustable to fit even the smallest bodies. The bike seat can be lowered to eleven inches or raised to as high as sixteen inches. Running bikes truly grow with the children that use them. By the time that they have learned to push themselves with their legs without falling over, they have developed the self confidence and skill to move on to a larger bike with pedals. Although judging from what I have seen, most of them are having too much fun to give it up.

Kids can be natural dare devils and will take on the challenge of the running bikes and learning to do tricks on them. I first noticed this two year old pushing with her legs to build up speed and then casually standing on the foot pegs. She did it first on two legs, then on one and finally on one with the other leg expended in the air behind her. That went well until the momentum slowed and she started to lose her balance. But when the bike started to wobble she returned to the seat and put both feet on the ground without falling over. Just before her feet touched the ground I was being very grateful to the helmet she had on her head.

Thinking back again to the bike I learned to ride on, its tires had long since lost the ability to hold air. My grand daughter will never have to experience that. Her running bike is equipped with polymer tires that will never go flat. She will always coast smoothly on fully round tires.

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Raleigh Bike Keeps Riding

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

It seems like Raleigh bikes have been around since the beginning of time. I remember when I was kid, they were always the dominating brand of bicycles and they still are today. Since they are one of the oldest bicycle companies, it is a given that they have the best performance standards of any brand. Raleigh bikes dabbled in motorcycles around 1903 until the 1930’s. There primary product was always the bicycle, however. Today, Raleigh manufactures a wide variety of bikes ranging from road to mountain bikes, cruisers to youth bikes. There outstanding dedication to their lifelong riders is the reason they have been so successful.

The Chopper was Raleigh’s first muscle bike and launched in 1968 in the United States. The original release of the chopper was not successful in the States but did significantly better in the UK. The original Chopper was made for children. It had an unusual frame with a big seat and wide tires. The handle bars were up high like “sissy bars” on a motorcycle. Though this bike was not suitable for long distance rides, it was a fond memory of many childhoods. In 2004 the Chopper was re-released with a  new style and better safety features. Kids and adults alike can once again cherish the rides they take on their banana seat Raleigh bike.

Raleigh’s cruiser and tandem bikes are similar to that of a recumbent bike. This is when the rider is practically horizontal with the bike. The New Balance recumbent bike is a terrific method of exercising because you will be able to ride for a long time without getting a sore rear. Exercising on a recumbent bike will help to increase your stamina so that you can ride longer on the road on your Raleigh bike. The New Balance 6100 recumbent bike is much easier on your back because you won’t be forced to sit up straight or lean forward. Muscles will be toned and fit after working out with this piece of exercise equipment.

The original Raleigh bike has been a household name throughout many generations. They have a timeless look and feel. The memories are just as important as the performance and durability of the bike. There are a lot of people that won’t even think about selling their original Raleigh, simply because of the memories that they have. The owners will not sell, even though they would sell for quite a high price because the first models are no longer in production. Whether you are looking for a road bike that you can trek upwards of 20 miles, or a cruiser to take to the beach, Raleigh will provide you with all of your needs at a cost that will fit nicely into your budget. They have a long lasting tradition of pleasing their customers so people will continue to have fond memories of the Raleigh bike.

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I Always Wanted a GT Bike

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

When I look back at my childhood, I sometimes think about many of the things that I always wanted, and never had.  I don’t hold any resentment to my parents or anything like that, I understood that they couldn’t afford to give us every little thing that came into our heads.  I can remember coming to them about six months before Christmas time.  I figured, at this far away from the actual date, I could ask them for something big, so they would have enough time to save up for it before the time came. I wanted them to get me a gt bike.

It was the bike that every one else in my school had.  It was a bmx style bike, with handle-bar brakes, black tires, a white frame, and pegs!  Some of the accessories were sold seperately, but it didn’t matter much to me.  That gt bike was the epitome of being cool.  Sure, some of my friends were riding the cannondale bike, and even the bianchi bike, but I wanted the gt.  And I knew that if my parents could get me one for Christmas, I would be cool as well.  When I came to them with bright open eyes, telling them that it was the only thing that I wanted for Christmas.  They didn’t need to get me anything else that year.

What I didn’t know was that about that time, my dad had lost his job, and there was no way that he could have gotten the gt bike of my dreams.  They took me aside about a month before Christmas time, and told me that they would not be able to purchase it.  I was crushed, but they explained to me why they wouldn’t be able to, and I understood.  Since I told most of my friends at school that I would probably have one after Christmas, I knew that I had to come forward and tell them that I wouldn’t.

It was hard to talk to my friends about it.  I had to learn that owning a gt bike was not what would make me cool.  And for a kid who was twelve years old, it was long and hard lesson to learn.  All I wanted was to be accepted by my friends.  A couple of months after Christmas, I was able to get a cheaper bike, and it worked just as well for me.

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Information About A Child Bike

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

One of the best memories in a child’s life is learning how to ride a bike. There is nothing like feeling free, and able to ride and pedal on your own. It is a memory that most kids have for the rest of their life. It is also a memory that parents love. They love the feeling that they can let go, and know that their child is safe. In order to make sure that a child is safe when they are released to ride on their own the first time, there are certain precautions that parents will take. The best way to pick out a child bike is to make sure that it compares to the best safety bicycle on the market. If there is any other bike that might be safer for a child, many parents would consider that.

Most children just want to ride the bike, so they are not thinking much about how to be safe while riding. It is up to the parent to make sure to get all of the appropriate information about the child bike, and about bike safety, and teach the child. It is possible to make sure that the bicycle child seat that is put onto the bike for the child is one that will keep the child comfortable and will be a sturdy place the child will be able to sit while riding.

Something that many parents choose to do is to get a child bike trailer when they are riding with multiple children, or they have one child that they would like to take along on a bike trip, but the child is not old enough to ride on his own. It is important to make sure that any bike trailer is just as safe as any child bike. Though an adult is the one operating the movement of the trailer, a child is still able to move, and is riding along with the adult. It is very important to take precautions by having a flag at the top of the trailer to notify others of the trailer, and to make sure that it is a bright color so it is easy to see.

Most children will learn to have enjoyable experiences on a child bike in stages. They start with riding along with mom and dad in a trailer, the graduate to training wheels, then they get their own bike. As long as the parent is there every step of the way, it will be a learning experience for the whole family.

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Looking Good On The Trail

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

Women are always concerned about appearances whether in the best restaurant or out on the mountain trail.  It’s just their way and so it goes when one is choosing bike wear.  The wise shopper is always on the look out for a bargain when it comes to price but the prudent shopper also wants to get a quality product as well.  When choosing bike clothing, one must be very cognizant of the construction of the garments as well as the fabrics used.  It was long believed that cotton was good to have next to the body due to its ability to absorb moisture but now with synthetics, it is found that their ability to wick moisture away from the body and allow evaporation makes them the best choice.  It is in this evaporating process that the body is allowed to cool itself.

In the biking wardrobe, shorts can be selected in either fitted or baggy styles.  In bike wear, the fit is critical for the comfort of the cyclist.  The short for men and women are basically identical from the hips down but differ from the hips up to the waist.  The female is longer waisted which accounts for the longer front in-seam in the construction.  There is also the need for the woman’s short to have the tighter waistband allowing for the tapering from the hips up to the small of the back.  There are no set rules and depending on the body shape, go for either short so long as the fit is right for you.  These shorts are to be worn as if they are your second layer of skin…no underwear.  The pads will be much more effective and sanitary than what you thought were “essentials”.

The jersey is the next item in the cyclist’s apparel that needs to be addressed.  Bike wear has come a long way since it was believed that only the color made it perfect for the female.  The design has improved greatly allowing for the differences between the body shape of men and women.  Allowing for the shorter torso of women and their breast, we how have available the jersey allowing for these differences.  Zippers now allow the female cyclist to ventilate with the advent of the co-ordinating sports bra if one chooses.

The running jacket is an essential article in bike wear.  The purpose is to assist the body in maintaining body temperature.  It is hard to believe that even a short stop for a snack could result is a sudden drop in body temperature.  As in all cyclist apparel, the composition of the fabric is crucial.

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Different Options for Bike Recumbent Styles

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

Although most conventional bikes are pretty similar in style, this is not the case with recumbent bikes. There are a wide number of different bike recumbent styles to choose from, so it is wise to look into your options before purchasing one of these bikes.

First of all, different bike recumbent wheel sizes are available. Many of this type of bike come with two different sized wheels, though there are styles available with the two wheels of the same size. Usually the front wheel is smaller, which makes it so that the pedals can be placed above this wheel.

There are also a number of different options for the wheelbase. You can get bikes with a short wheelbase so the pedals can be in the front of the front wheel. You can also get bikes with a long wheelbase so that the pedals are in between the two wheels, or something called a compact long wheelbase where the pedals can be close to the front wheel or above the front wheel.

Another option is the location of the steering for your bike recumbent. You can have the steering either under the seat, over the seat, or center steering. Under the seat steering is of course the most different from that of a conventional bike, though it does allow you to keep your arms in a more comfortable position.

As you can see, there are a lot of different options available. Most of these bikes have rear wheel drive, and in the United States most come with seats that are made of mesh stretched over a frame. If you want to spend a bit more, you can get a bike recumbent with fairings to make it more aerodynamic and keep you warmer and dryer. It is also possible to get fully suspended bikes for an even more comfortable ride. These are all of the basic options.

There are also a lot of different variations on the recumbent bike. You can get a biking bike like most of those described above, or you can get a stationary bike for getting some indoor exercise. You can also get bikes designed for mountain biking or racing, as well as recumbent trikes to make the bike even easier to ride. You can even get tandem recumbent bikes and bikes that have hand cranks instead of pedals. There are so many different choices.

Whatever configuration you decide to get for your recumbent bike, it will take some getting used to since these bikes ride very differently from conventional bikes. Before you take it to bike parks or go riding on the streets, be sure you practice so that you are comfortable with starting, stopping, steering, and hills.

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Protecting Your Child With a Bicycle Helmet

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

Living in a small town and a quiet neighborhood meant that Mary Hart’s children could play for hours and she always felt that they were extremely safe. She knew the neighborhood children and their parents as well and they all sort of looked out for each other. However, Mary noticed again that day that more and more children seemed to be biking wearing a helmet. She’d never really taken much time to think about bicycle safety, but was starting to think that it was probably something she should look into. She decided to make finding out about helmets and picking the right ones for her children a priority.

Like many people who research bike helmets, Mary was quite surprised at what she found. First, she thought that a helmet was probably expensive. In contrast, what she found was most bicycle helmets fall within a very affordable price range. Most that Mary looked at were between $10 and $25. Ones like the helmet giro or helmet bell were a bit more, but offered a few more features or a more streamlined design. Not surprisingly, Mary determined that it was quite a small price to pay for the increased safety of her two children. Also, she didn’t really realize that helmets came in so many sizes. Not only did she find children and adult versions, but difference sizes in between. The associate in the store pointed out all the different things to keep in mind, with the top of the list being the fit of her children’s helmets. They needed to fit straight on their head with no shifting or stretching in the straps.

Like Mary, you may have not spent a lot of time thinking about your child’s bike helmet. However, it’s not rocket science, so it’s fairly easy to pick out a safe helmet for your children. Besides fit and price range, you will need to make sure that your child can still see in all directions. Especially check that their peripheral vision isn’t obstructed. This can be extremely dangerous, decreasing visibility and actually increasing the risk of injury. You also want to make sure that the straps fit well and don’t stretch out of shape as your child wears the helmet. Each of these features are tested on bicycle helmets by the CPSC, so check your helmet for this sticker. Besides these criteria, it is best to have a helmet that is light in color for visibility. It should also not have too many or too few vents. Too many vents can actually decrease the protection offered and too few vents can be uncomfortable to wear.

Wearing a correctly fitting helmet definitely gives the greatest impact as far as safety is concerned. Experts also recommendthat you replace your giro bike helmet every five years. There may be unseen wear that is difficult to detect. And, of course, replace any bicycle helmet that was being used when an accident or fall occurred. Like Mary Hart, you care about the safety of your children and want to make sure they are adequately protected from the potential hazards of play.

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Newfound Passion For Bicycle Cycling Extends To Effeciency In Everyday Life

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

I will never forget the life changing moment that introduced me to bicycle cycling last year as I moved into my first apartment.  Just moving out on my own, I was unpacking and just having a very long day.  So to help out, I grabbed my little TV and hooked it up, not expecting much.  I only got one channel to come in clearly, and of all the sporting events to show in the world, the Tour De France was on, and I lost all interest in finishing my unpacking that afternoon as I discovered deep down a passion for the sport of cycling I had never known before.

With the way things are going today in the markets and economy, I find it to be a comfort that I have become less reliant on my car and more independent thanks to bicycle cycling.  And with the wide array of options out there on the market right now, I truly believe that this industry is only going to continue to grow as the times grow tougher.  Since I work down town, riding my own little “tour de France” road bike just isn’t a viable option due to the design of the bicycle tires, so I’ve expanded my love of bicycle cycling to include the more causal and useful options for getting around the big city.

The first is the classic and well designed Schwinn bicycle that we’re all familiar with.  We’ve seen them for years and years, and that’s for a reason.  They’re an excellently built bike and perfect for anybody at any age looking for a very comfortable and causal design.  You won’t find a smoother riding bicycle any where for the value. But don’t think that’s all they have to offer.  Schwinn has been in the business for a long time and have developed some fantastic introductory hybrid road bikes and standard road bikes as well for those looking for a bit more speed in their bicycle cycling experience.

Yet, for those wanting a space saving design for easy storage at the office, you might consider the very handy bicycle folding setups that have been around for some time.  These make bicycle cycling an every day event for the working class person and not just the “Lance Armstrong” wannabe like myself.  And the real advantage, is the efficiency of the entire industry.  Using lighter, stronger, and more durable metals to build these bikes, they’re easier and more enjoyable to ride than ever before.

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What Type of Baby Bike to Buy

October 5th, 2009 by nimda No comments »

There are now so many different types of baby bikes on the market today.  We are all familiar with the seat infant bike which sits in back of the parent.  Once you begin looking, you will find that there are many things you need to take into consideration, safety of the child of course being the most important.  You need to consider the age and size of the child so as to get a proper fit in the seat. You yourself must been completely relaxed and be adept at riding a bicycle, especially once you have the seat fitted on to it.  It is recommended that you practice a bit before actually taking your child out to ensure your own stability. You might even try putting some sort of weight onto the seat approximately the weight of your child.  Remember also, that children tend to move around rather quickly at times and with no notice, so make sure the lock-in features and belts are in working order.

To put a child into a seat infant bike, they must be at least one year of age and be able to hold its head up without a problem. Never give your child a toy to bring along on the ride. Children are so spontaneous and Of course, the child, as well as yourself, should be wearing all the protective gear.  When putting the child into the seat, be sure to double check that all the safety features are working properly.

Baby bikes are now available in either the rear mounted or front position positions.  There is no data to suggest which one is safest but the rear mounted seat is the one most often seen.  Both have their advantages and disadvantages.  With the front mounted seat, you run the risk of possible injury in a head on collision. On the positive side, you can keep you eye on the child at all times without having to turn and look back to see him or her.  The choice is yourse but it is always best to give each a try before making your purchase.

All babies must be at least one year old and able to support their head. All babies riding on a bicycle must wear a helmet, so it is important that your baby has developed neck strength before even attempting to bring them for a ride. Bike seats generally tend to work well for babies and toddlers aged one to three years old. Some experts may say the maximum weight for a bike seat is 33 – 44 pounds. In most cases, your baby will probably be too long before they get too heavy.

Bike seats are available as front-mounted or rear-mounted seats. It is not known which seat is safer, but the rear-mounted seat is still the most popular. Many parents who use a saddle pack may be used to the extra weight and different balance in the rear. Some parents may prefer the rear-mounted seats because they are usually larger than front-mounted seats and have higher backs. Rear mounted baby bike seats tend to make a bike rear- and top-heavy, which can cause it to tip when the rider mounts, dismounts, comes to a full stop, or pushes the bike. Your baby’s head is also easily swung from side to side in a rear-mounted seat, especially if the rider must pedal hard up hill or from a standing position.

Front-mounted seats are preferred by some parents for the ability to communicate and see your baby at all times. Some may say this is a hazard as the rider may focus too much attention on the baby sitting in front of them and neglect the road. Front-mounted bike seats can also make steering cumbersome, making it difficult to turn. Front-mounted bike seats may also prevent the rider from bringing their knees and legs up as high as required for optimal strength and push when pedaling. Some parents dislike that the baby riding in the bike seat is directly in the path of a head-on collision.

The greatest risk with baby bike seats is the weight distribution on the bike and the increased risk of the bike tipping over when the rider mounts or dismounts the bike. This is a risk for both rear- and front-mounted bike seats, however.

When choosing and using a baby bike seat:

  • Make sure the bike seat meets all current safety standards.
  • Make sure the seat has spoke guards, safety belts, and adequate padding to keep your baby protected and secured.
  • Follow the manufacturers’ instructions to properly install the bike seat to your bike. A bike seat must be properly and securely fitted to the frame in order to be safe for your baby.
  • Never let your baby bring blankets or toys on the bike that could get caught in the spokes or other moving parts.
  • Keep your baby’s ride in a baby bike seat as safe and fun as possible!

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