If it is your kid’s first time riding a bike of any kind and their inside leg measurement is less than 36cm, we suggest starting with a balance bike. A balance bike is cheaper and lighter than a pedal bike that does the same thing. They are made so little kids can get used to riding on the flywheel and are a lot of fun. But most balance bikes have small 12″ wheels and are made for very young kids, so at some point, you’ll need to consider moving them up to a bigger bike. so today we talk about how to turn a regular bike into a balance bike?
If this is your kid’s first bike and they’ve never used a balance bike, the whole thing will be very strange and new to them. Some kids can jump on a pedal bike and start riding immediately, but others may need more help. Please take off the pedals; you have a bike that can stand independently. Taking the wheels off your kid’s bike is an easy way to help them feel more comfortable riding. Without having to pedal, they would get used to resting on the saddle, moving around, and stopping with the brakes.
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how to turn a regular bike into a balance bike?
Consider whether you should take the handlebars off a pedal bike or buy a balance bike instead. Set the saddle up so it can be used as a balance bike, and then put the wheels back on.
When should a pedal bike not turn into a balance bike?
If the bicycle is too big for your child, they won’t be able to stay balanced because they won’t be able to put their feet flat on the ground. We think you should get them a smaller balance bike or wait until they’ve grown a little. Suppose the bike has a wide Q factor. The Q factor is the distance measured between the pedals along the axis of the bottom bracket.
Most good kids’ bikes have a narrow Q Factor, making pedalling easier. But some kids’ bikes have a Q Factor that is much wider, which means that the cranks will stick out. It could make your child hit their lower leg on the cranks, which is not what you want. You can also fix this by taking off the crank arms, but this is a complicated process, and we don’t recommend it unless you know how to fix bikes and have the right pieces of equipment.
Even on a bike with a narrow seat, the cranks get in the way a bit, so this method is not an excellent replacement for a balanced bike. But for a short time, it works pretty well as a way to get a child used to ride a new bike.
How to take the pedals off a child’s pedal bike to turn it into a balance bike?
It may sound hard, but don’t worry. As long as you turn things the right way, it’s not complicated. We’ll show you how to take off the pedals and set up the bike so it can be used as a balance bike.
First, take off the pedals.
We do this so that the rider’s legs have enough room to get around the cranks, which are the parts that hold the pedals. It is essential so your child can ride the scooter without hitting their legs on the pedals, which could hurt them or at the very least be very annoying.
What you’ll need is a 15mm spanner or six or 8micrometers hex (Allen) key. Most of the time, a 15mm spanner on the flats between the pedal body and the crank or, more often, an Allen key at the end of the pedal axle that screws into the crank is used to take off the pedals. To loosen the pedals, turn the non-drive side clockwise. It is the side alone without a chain or belt drive. Turn the drive side pedal counterclockwise when you want to loosen the pedals. It is the pedal on the side with the chain or belt drive.
Step 2: Change the height of the saddle for balance biking
After fixing the pedals, the next step is to adjust the saddle height. It is crucial because it differs from the saddle height for pedalling. You want to raise or lower the saddle so that when the rider is seated, their feet are levelled on the floor, and their knees are slightly bent. They can use their whole foot comfortably as they push through it and extend their leg to move forward.
They should be scooting along the floor. It’s essential to keep the saddle at the right height as they grow, or they’ll get tired and frustrated. Scooting with a bent knee is hard work! The picture shows how we set up the Hornit HERO 14 for this young Cycle Bundle of joy to use as a temporary balance bike.
FAQs
When do I need to put the bike’s pedals back on?
Once your kid has learned how to ride a bike without pedals, you can put the wheels back on and raise the seat to the best height so they can try pedalling. This session shouldn’t last more than 30 minutes and should be fun. Don’t worry if you’re not able to pedal. It is normal, and getting back to the stability bike setup is very easy. Learning how to pedal might take a few times, but it will happen when it’s time.
Learning to pedal and stay balanced simultaneously is a mental skill; not every child is ready to do it after one quick try. It will happen when it’s time, but it takes training and experience, and every child learns skills at a different speed.
How do you put your child’s bike’s pedals back on when they’re done using it as a balance bike?
When putting the pedals back on your child’s bike, the most crucial thing to remember is that the left and right wheels go in opposite directions. It is crucial, and putting the brakes back on without doing this is the most popular mistake people make. Remember that this is the left and okay as you would see it if you were going to sit on the bike, not from the front.
Why can’t I take them off?
If you do not have a pedal wrench, you can tap the bottom of the wrench with a rubber hammer. Without a pedal wrench, you won’t have as much leverage. You can loosen the pedal by securing your wrench and trying to tap it with a rubber hammer. It will help make up for the lack of leverage.
How do you take a bike’s pedal arms off?
To remove the left-hand break from the bike, use a 15mm wrench. Then, hold the left pedal and turn the crank arm, so it is no longer connected to the bike. If you are standing on the right side of the bike, the drive side, turn the crank arm in a clockwise direction.
Why does a bike need to be balanced?
Balance bikes are low bicycles without pedals for toddlers to work on balance and coordination before they can ride a regular bike. Balance bikes help toddlers in many ways, such as: Giving them a feeling of being in charge. Helping them learn one skill at a time is the best way to do this.
Should a 3-year-old ride a balance bike first?
After that, they are four years old; kids have the eye-hand coordination they need to use a handbrake. Around this age, kids start riding fast enough that if they use their shoes as brakes, they will tear the toes off. Because of this, I think you should buy a balance bike with a handbrake.
Does the length of the crank arm matter?
The crank length can improve fit issues that affect comfort, power, and how well the bike moves through the air. By switching to a shorter crank, you can: Comfort: The knee, hips, and low back all have less range of motion when the crank length is shorter.
Final Words.
We love seeing kids riding bikes outside, whether on a child seat, a balance bike, or a bike with stabilizers. But it’s even better to see kids running ahead on their own while their parents usually lag.
We’re not the only ones switching from bikes with shock absorbers to balance bikes. Even well-known brands like Raleigh are doing the same thing. So, if you are searching for a new bicycle for your toddler, remember that they don’t need stabilizers. Instead, buy a balance bike to give them the best start on two wheels! Some young kids can learn to balance, steer, and stop better if the pedals are taken away at first. Older kids can usually get through this phase faster than younger ones, and then they are ready to start pedalling.
