Why STRIDER PREbikeTM?
It’s the only balance bike on which every part has been scrutinized in its design to maximize fun, ease of use, and safety for SMALL children.
All other balance bikes have limitations in their design or function that keep children from learning and enjoying all that is possible with the unique, U.S. Patent Pending design of the Strider PREbike™.
1. Adjust the bike properly to fit your child.
It’s the only balance bike on which every part has been scrutinized in its design to maximize fun, ease of use, and safety for SMALL children.
All other balance bikes have limitations in their design or function that keep children from learning and enjoying all that is possible with the unique, U.S. Patent Pending design of the Strider PREbike™.
1. Adjust the bike properly to fit your child.
a. Saddle height is the most critical adjustment, followed by handlebar height.
b. Set the saddle height so your child's feet are flat on the ground and both knees have a slight bend in them when seated. A good starting point is 1" less than the child's inseam.
c. Set the handlebar height with respect to the saddle...if the saddle is at it's lowest setting, set the handlebar also to its lowest setting. If the saddle is in the middle of its adjustment range, also set the handle bar in the middle of its adjustment range...and so on.
d. Kids grow quickly, so you will need to take a moment to adjust the bike every couple months.
2. Keep riding fun
a. Children will instinctively throw a leg over the Strider and want to go. Encourage them to do this and give them praise for any amount of time they spend on the Strider. Don't push them to do things they are not ready to do or they may just rebel against the whole idea of riding. The worst thing that can happen is for the children to get scared by trying something they are not ready to try. It can take months to undo what a scary moment can do. Let them set the pace.
b. Many parents have told us that it was helpful to their children to watch some of our website videos of other children riding the bikes, you can view them under the "videos" tab at the top.
3. Support the child - NOT the bike. >>THIS IS IMPORTANT<<
a. We instinctievely want to help our child by holding onto the bicycle to keep it from falling; don't do this...it actually hinders the ability to learn balance!! The child must be allowed to feel the bike tip sideways to be able to learn how to keep it from tipping. If the adult supports the bike when it tips to one side, the child mistankenly thinks that the most stable place for the bike is tipped over to the side (not realizing that the stability was due to your assistance). This is the same reason training wheels DON'T WORK to learn balance!
