Fixie for toddler > coaster brake to fixie?
06-29-09, 12:25 PM
#101
Senior Member
as the OP, I thought I'd update anyone who's still paying attention.
Just after I started the thread, my son started bugging me for a pedal bike and refused to ride his balance bike. I cast around for what to do, and even found a coaster brake wheel to disassemble. I think I figured out how to seize it up, but I haven't found a bike to operate on.
Anyway, last night we found a stardard 12" wheel kids bike w/ coaster brakes in our apartment's courtyard. He's too small for it, his toes barely reach the ground, but he wanted to give it a go. Wtihin a half hour or so he was riding around more or less successfully.
The most difficult thing for him to master was the coaster brake drive train. He always froze up and stopped pedaling, and then forgot which way to pedal and jammed on the brakes. Very frusterating for him. I do feel like a fixed gear would have been much easier, and I'm a little worried that he's discouraged from the whole thing.
Now, my son doesn't have a lot of practice riding a coaster brake DT even with training wheels. Having said that, I actually don't think that this inexperience mattered that much. Using the pedals for balance is just so much different than using them just for propulsion as with the training wheels.
However, my conclusion is that for the very first bike, it doesn't really matter that much. I think for the initial week or so, the fixed gear is much more intuitative and easy for the kid, but one he masters the coaster brake DT, it won't matter at all.
I actually think that most of the dangers of fixed gears, as described by people on this thread, apply when the kid is slightly bigger (around age 5 or so) and can get himself going fast enough that he puts himself in a situation he can't handle.
In my situation, where my kid will be doing most of his riding in a large apartment complex, with a lot of flat, car-free paths, I see no reason whatsoever why a fixed gear would be dangerous. I also know this to be true because of our neighbor, who had four or so kids learn on a fixie here.
Just after I started the thread, my son started bugging me for a pedal bike and refused to ride his balance bike. I cast around for what to do, and even found a coaster brake wheel to disassemble. I think I figured out how to seize it up, but I haven't found a bike to operate on.
Anyway, last night we found a stardard 12" wheel kids bike w/ coaster brakes in our apartment's courtyard. He's too small for it, his toes barely reach the ground, but he wanted to give it a go. Wtihin a half hour or so he was riding around more or less successfully.
The most difficult thing for him to master was the coaster brake drive train. He always froze up and stopped pedaling, and then forgot which way to pedal and jammed on the brakes. Very frusterating for him. I do feel like a fixed gear would have been much easier, and I'm a little worried that he's discouraged from the whole thing.
Now, my son doesn't have a lot of practice riding a coaster brake DT even with training wheels. Having said that, I actually don't think that this inexperience mattered that much. Using the pedals for balance is just so much different than using them just for propulsion as with the training wheels.
However, my conclusion is that for the very first bike, it doesn't really matter that much. I think for the initial week or so, the fixed gear is much more intuitative and easy for the kid, but one he masters the coaster brake DT, it won't matter at all.
I actually think that most of the dangers of fixed gears, as described by people on this thread, apply when the kid is slightly bigger (around age 5 or so) and can get himself going fast enough that he puts himself in a situation he can't handle.
In my situation, where my kid will be doing most of his riding in a large apartment complex, with a lot of flat, car-free paths, I see no reason whatsoever why a fixed gear would be dangerous. I also know this to be true because of our neighbor, who had four or so kids learn on a fixie here.
I think you are probably correct about fixed gears being OK and possibly more intuitive for kids less than 5, who probably aren't exceeding speeds of 5mph. However that phase is so short-lived why bother trying to convert a bike into a fixie? Just let them learn how to ride a normal bike.
06-29-09, 04:11 PM
#102
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I think you are probably correct about fixed gears being OK and possibly more intuitive for kids less than 5, who probably aren't exceeding speeds of 5mph. However that phase is so short-lived why bother trying to convert a bike into a fixie? Just let them learn how to ride a normal bike.
My kid is actually 3 years and 4 months. I earlier said he was "close to four" because I didn't want age to be the focus, and I actually didn't think that he would ride for another few months. He pretty much forced the issue himself by refusing to ride his balance bike. I actually think that riding his scooter (a razor) helped him develop the balance skills he uses for the bike. he goes much faster on the razor, he can lean into turns more, and the steering is looser. Unlike the balance bike, it requires motion.
After a week of riding, he can now start the bike up on his own. He occasionally uses the coaster brakes, but in an emergency he usually panics and puts his feet down and steers wildly, usually with unfortunate results. I'm actually a little surprised -- I figured that it'd be harder for him to start than to figure out the coaster brakes, but I guess that supports my theory that coaster brakes are not intuitive. OTOH, he's a lot more interested in learning to start than he is in learning to stop.
Guess I start looking for a mini BMX now. Gotta stay ahead of the curve if I want to find a used one. Those things are pricey!
12-25-17, 12:00 AM
#103
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You guys ragging on a man asking how or where to get a 12 inch fixie are a problem. Get a life.
Now where can I get a 12 inch fixed rear wheel for my 2 year old? I am not kidding.
My kid loves his balance bike and I want him to learn how to pedal.
It is hard for kids to understand the push pull of a non fixed bike. A fixed gear teaches them the full circle.
**** off you wanna be parents.
Now where can I get a 12 inch fixed rear wheel for my 2 year old? I am not kidding.
My kid loves his balance bike and I want him to learn how to pedal.
It is hard for kids to understand the push pull of a non fixed bike. A fixed gear teaches them the full circle.
**** off you wanna be parents.
12-25-17, 01:16 AM
#105
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
12-27-17, 03:41 PM
#106
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bach, wonderful advice both on the age and the inexpensive conversion, Rotafixed cog to a suicide hub on the BMX bike. Four years old is a bit young methinks to be riding fixed. It would be too easy to get into an accident or go over the bars. They do not have the proper coordination..........yet. Both my kids rode coaster brakes as kids and then kind of stopped riding. They started up again late in Grade School, and since I have my own shop, built them up whatever they wanted. In the end, they both preferred fixed and now at almost 21 and 23 years old, they still have only ridden fixed.* It's funny. My son recently rode a geared bike and initially almost crashed because he tried to back pedal to slow. Totally messed up his melon at first but he got used to it quickly. Went back to fixed.**
*they only use bikes for errands and such
**and trust me...................my kids don't/can't qualify as hipsters
*they only use bikes for errands and such
**and trust me...................my kids don't/can't qualify as hipsters
12-27-17, 03:48 PM
#107
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Seriously, several manufacturers make 12" freewheel BMX bikes with front and rear brakes. The easiest/cheapest solution would be to remove the freewheel and replace it with a fixed cog. Clean the threads well on both hub and cog, Red Loc-Tite it and either Rotafix it or use a long handled chain whip.
12-30-17, 09:56 AM
#108
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I'm away from the SS/FG forum for maybe two weeks and come back to find all these dumba$$ threads resurrected.
I miss this place!
I miss this place!
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08-06-18, 02:50 AM
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I know this is a dead thread but it is one I came across when looking to convert a coaster brake to fixie for my autistic child here is what i ended up doing thetripots.com/2018/07/11/diy-bike-for-motorically-challenged-toddler/
