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Recommend Brakes for a kids bike

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Recommend Brakes for a kids bike

Old 10-25-19, 01:53 AM
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Leinster
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Recommend Brakes for a kids bike

I have a couple of 16" wheel bikes that I'm setting up for my 4 year old twins. I want to customize them, but I also definitely want to put brakes on and get them learning to stop other than with their feet/the coaster brake. What good caliper brakes are available out there for kids bikes?

Amazon has a few options. Am I over-thinking this and I should just bite the bullet?
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Old 10-25-19, 06:51 AM
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Inexpensive Tektro 985 sidepull. Probably cost you $10-$12. Just make sure you get a lever you can toe in (most do) for small hands.
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Old 10-25-19, 08:37 AM
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Most very small kid's bikes come with coaster brakes because they have a lot more strength in their legs than in their hands. Test the brakes for how much effort it will take for your kids to stop using caliper brakes before relying solely on them.
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Old 10-25-19, 09:41 AM
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I'd go with coaster brakes for little kids. Don't worry, they'll grow up fast enough.
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Old 10-25-19, 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by kingston
I'd go with coaster brakes for little kids. Don't worry, they'll grow up fast enough.
Not right or wrong, but I disagree. I think we all progress faster when we don't have to relearn things. My son started on a freewheel and caliper brake bike just before he was 2 years old. We were able to work on other skills, rather than relearning to brake. It also depends on a kid's aspirations on the bike.
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Old 10-25-19, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by pickettt
Not right or wrong, but I disagree. I think we all progress faster when we don't have to relearn things. My son started on a freewheel and caliper brake bike just before he was 2 years old. We were able to work on other skills, rather than relearning to brake. It also depends on a kid's aspirations on the bike.
That's amazing. I have four kids of my own and have lived a block away from an elementary school for the past 15 years so there are lots of young families in our neighborhood, and I can't ever rember seeing a toddler ride any bike at all, let alone one with hand brakes. All four of my kids, who are in their teens and 20's now, had no problem adapting to hand brakes when they outgrew their coaster brake bikes at around 7 or 8. That's more normal in my experience, but you're right that some kids definitely progress faster than others.
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Old 10-25-19, 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by kingston
That's amazing. I have four kids of my own and have lived a block away from an elementary school for the past 15 years so there are lots of young families in our neighborhood, and I can't ever rember seeing a toddler ride any bike at all, let alone one with hand brakes. All four of my kids, who are in their teens and 20's now, had no problem adapting to hand brakes when they outgrew their coaster brake bikes at around 7 or 8. That's more normal in my experience, but you're right that some kids definitely progress faster than others.

Fast forward a few years....
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Old 10-25-19, 12:37 PM
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^^^That's awesome!
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