Teaching an adult how to ride a bicycle?
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,086
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4420 Post(s)
Liked 1,568 Times
in
1,030 Posts
I wonder how many 5 year olds really learned to ride a bike from scratch in half an hour?
My own memories of learning to ride at that age are pretty vague, but I didn’t have a balance bike and I do remember having training wheels and being very frustrated until it eventually clicked. That could have been days, weeks or months. I simply can’t remember.
But I can remember my daughters learning to ride on balance bikes and that took only a day or two and their transition to pedal bikes was almost seamless. Although our youngest still preferred to ride her balance bike for a good few months afterward because she was quicker scooting on it.
My own memories of learning to ride at that age are pretty vague, but I didn’t have a balance bike and I do remember having training wheels and being very frustrated until it eventually clicked. That could have been days, weeks or months. I simply can’t remember.
But I can remember my daughters learning to ride on balance bikes and that took only a day or two and their transition to pedal bikes was almost seamless. Although our youngest still preferred to ride her balance bike for a good few months afterward because she was quicker scooting on it.
It is little different than learning to ski - you can snowplow for hours, or you can commit and learn to turn.
But aside from all of that, most adults over 40 are super cautious about risking getting hurt. So even if you want to use a push bike, soft grass - even with a slight downslope - will be much less mentally challenging.
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 1,711
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 828 Post(s)
Liked 1,660 Times
in
784 Posts
That was a pretty standard tire for a 2013 bike. Really, if the bike came with 700 X 28 or 700 X 32, does it really matter much when it comes to balance and operating the bike? It's more about comfort. I can remember racing on 700 X 19 tires. Bike still handled really well.
Likes For Bald Paul:
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,453
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 2,296 Times
in
1,283 Posts
That was a pretty standard tire for a 2013 bike. Really, if the bike came with 700 X 28 or 700 X 32, does it really matter much when it comes to balance and operating the bike? It's more about comfort. I can remember racing on 700 X 19 tires. Bike still handled really well.
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,085
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 87 Times
in
67 Posts
It's about balance primarily
Kids have a sense of wanting to do stuff and adults depend on prior experiences.
Thus, know the adult. It's a mental game, as well as a new skill.
The long way to learn? Try a scooter to give the adult the sense of security, low to the ground, with one foot on the ground and one on the platform.
As the adult begins to get the swing of things on a scooter, he/she will begin coasting. Now take that skill and apply that to the advanced step of bikes.
Kids have a sense of wanting to do stuff and adults depend on prior experiences.
Thus, know the adult. It's a mental game, as well as a new skill.
The long way to learn? Try a scooter to give the adult the sense of security, low to the ground, with one foot on the ground and one on the platform.
As the adult begins to get the swing of things on a scooter, he/she will begin coasting. Now take that skill and apply that to the advanced step of bikes.
Last edited by Garfield Cat; 03-26-24 at 06:13 AM.
Likes For Garfield Cat:
#32
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,981
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,384
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2490 Post(s)
Liked 2,961 Times
in
1,682 Posts
Very good point. In this situation, I'd consider picking up a cheap cruiser-style bike. The upright position (combined with removal of the pedals) would make it so much easier to learn to ride. Once she's confident on the cruiser, the eventual transition to the drop bar bike would be fairly easy.
Likes For Trakhak:
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 572
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 275 Times
in
176 Posts
I think some here are over-thinking the five-year-old stuff. Staying on the bike is only 50% of the battle. She will also need starting/stopping, accurate steering, consistent pedal rotation, hand braking, endurance, and riding with others. Shifting does not sound like a priority.
My suggestion is to put the SO on the regular bike with pedal, helmet, and everything in a large empty parking lot and let her have at it. She is obviously highly motivated. Go ahead and drop the seat a bit.
Remember that beginners often steer to avoid small cracks.
My suggestion is to put the SO on the regular bike with pedal, helmet, and everything in a large empty parking lot and let her have at it. She is obviously highly motivated. Go ahead and drop the seat a bit.
Remember that beginners often steer to avoid small cracks.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,843
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 896 Post(s)
Liked 2,065 Times
in
1,081 Posts
I've taught two adults using the balance bike method. Both were riding and pedaling within two hours.
First brakes, then balance, then pedaling. Ezpz.
Teaching an adult to ride a bike is exhilarating.
First brakes, then balance, then pedaling. Ezpz.
Teaching an adult to ride a bike is exhilarating.
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,108
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1402 Post(s)
Liked 1,891 Times
in
1,087 Posts
something like this or similar can be ideal for a beginner
relatively upright - relaxed geometry - fat tires - low gearing - fairly simple / durable
the wide tires alone can make a big difference when the surface is compromised … much more forgiving - much greater ‘margin for error’
Likes For t2p:
#37
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,981
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
something like this or similar can be ideal for a beginner
relatively upright - relaxed geometry - fat tires - low gearing - fairly simple / durable
the wide tires alone can make a big difference when the surface is compromised … much more forgiving - much greater ‘margin for error’
The red Schwinn and Calvin 3 speeds also have foot brakes as a bonus for simplicity and all weather reliability. Easy enough to leave in low gear while learning to ride.
Last edited by I-Like-To-Bike; 03-26-24 at 01:43 PM.
Likes For I-Like-To-Bike:
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 1,711
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 828 Post(s)
Liked 1,660 Times
in
784 Posts
I picked this "beauty" up for $10. Hey, tires are good, brakes work, 24" wheels, and a QR seatpost adjuster. I've removed the pedals and she'll be using it as a strider bike to gain balance and confidence, learn to steer and use the brakes. Then I can put the pedals back on and just let her ride in one gear to see how she does before moving up to her "adult" bike.
Likes For Bald Paul:
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,384
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2490 Post(s)
Liked 2,961 Times
in
1,682 Posts
I picked this "beauty" up for $10. Hey, tires are good, brakes work, 24" wheels, and a QR seatpost adjuster. I've removed the pedals and she'll be using it as a strider bike to gain balance and confidence, learn to steer and use the brakes. Then I can put the pedals back on and just let her ride in one gear to see how she does before moving up to her "adult" bike.
Likes For Bald Paul:
#41
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,981
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
I picked this "beauty" up for $10. Hey, tires are good, brakes work, 24" wheels, and a QR seatpost adjuster. I've removed the pedals and she'll be using it as a strider bike to gain balance and confidence, learn to steer and use the brakes. Then I can put the pedals back on and just let her ride in one gear to see how she does before moving up to her "adult" bike.
#42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 1,711
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 828 Post(s)
Liked 1,660 Times
in
784 Posts
Can't argue that. In my defense, when she told me she wanted to ride, she didn't tell me she didn't know HOW to ride. I'm confident that she will be able to learn and want to move up to a better bike. The Contessa will be perfect for her. It wasn't easy finding an XXS frame bike made for women.
Likes For Bald Paul:
#43
Cantilever believer
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,572
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 538 Post(s)
Liked 1,849 Times
in
835 Posts
When I met my wife, she'd never ridden a bike before in her life. As so many others have said, doing it one step at a time (balance, leaning to steer, braking, then pedaling) makes it much easier. She ended up putting in thousands of miles before her knees turned ornery (and maybe many more if we can get 'em fixed). Hope it works out great.
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Likes For RCMoeur:
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,843
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 896 Post(s)
Liked 2,065 Times
in
1,081 Posts
I had a work colleague who'd been recruited from to the US to play college ball, and used the scholarship to fund her engineering degree. Smart lady. About 6'6", athletic, but never learned to ride a bike. She was 30 something when I used the balance bike method to teach her to ride. She was pedaling figure 8's in under an hour.
I made a cyclist. I was plenty proud.
I made a cyclist. I was plenty proud.
Likes For downtube42:
#45
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,509
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7353 Post(s)
Liked 2,481 Times
in
1,440 Posts
I've taught several adults to ride. I also remove the pedals and drop the saddle very low.
Some people, especially adults, are scared of falling. I have a method to reduce that fear. Take them to a grassy place with soft ground. Practice a "stage fall" where you fall to your side: ankle, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder. Do it in slow motion. Not only does this allay fear, it's also good practice. Since devising this method, I do it once a year myself. And since I ride a lot, I have occasional falls. When I get up, I notice that my fall went according to my rehearsal, and it really minimizes pain and injury. I once went over fast, and the nearby people ran up to me because they thought I was very hurt. But because of my rehearsal, I wasn't hurt!
Some people, especially adults, are scared of falling. I have a method to reduce that fear. Take them to a grassy place with soft ground. Practice a "stage fall" where you fall to your side: ankle, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder. Do it in slow motion. Not only does this allay fear, it's also good practice. Since devising this method, I do it once a year myself. And since I ride a lot, I have occasional falls. When I get up, I notice that my fall went according to my rehearsal, and it really minimizes pain and injury. I once went over fast, and the nearby people ran up to me because they thought I was very hurt. But because of my rehearsal, I wasn't hurt!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.