Has anyone tried this bike and the Strider and could offer some comparisons? I don't know if having the foot rest is imperative.
1113265
We bought the Kazam balance bike for my grandson at Xmas. He just turned three. In two months he is able to push off and ride the bike. The foot rest was an instinctive position for him. I believe the foot rest is an important component to the design of the bike.
1113266
My twins love the footrest and have used it intuitively! I think it makes it more fun for them and also improves balance even more.
1113267
The foot rest kind of does make a difference. If your son or daughter wanted to coast or not "scoot" they would have to have there feet sticking out. If they're in an open wide area it may not be an issue. The bigger issue with the Strider is if you have a boy. He will surely rack his nuts on that thing several times....the main reason I chose the Kazam over it.
1113268
The footrest was one of the reasons my hubby chose this one for our three year old, but honestly, I have never seen him use it. He likes to keep his feet out as he glides. He's been using it for about a year now.
1113269
Never tried the Strider but, My 2 yr old and my 4 yr old both use the foot rest. They run and once they are going fast enough they put their feet up on the rest and cruise around. Very good balance bike. Inside of 3 weeks of riding the Kazam my 4 yr old asked me to take the training wheels off of her "big girl" bike. She rides both like a champ hasn't looked back for the training wheels at all.
1892677
Me too, a spinal injury to L4 and L5 years ago and I find this VERY comfortable.I am also recouping from a stroke and find getting on and off this bike a bit of a challenge, but I can do it.This seems like a great bike after less than a week's use. I love it.
179791
I live in a hilly area. I haven't found a hill I can't climb with peddle work in the right gear. You do have to peddle on hills. I never have to stand up in my seat, though. It's more like trying to peddle about the same as you would if there were no motor on flat ground. I have never had to jump off and push the bike up a hill, however, without peddling and gear changes, the bike will stop going up a steep hill. If you buy the newer model with the bigger motor, it might make a difference.
225152
Thank you so much for your response!! I ended up purchasing a Sole E35 last week based on warranty and several reviews regarding long term maintenance, but I'm not sure the stride (21") will be the most comfortable. I did try out a Spirit a year or so ago, and at the time their machines were identical to Sole's; the stride on that one was ok, but I'll have to see. I really appreciate that you took the time to reply and I am so glad your machine works well for you! If the one I bought doesn't turn out I will know just what to replace it with. Your post was so helpful! Thanks again!!
821934
They have one that has a foot rest for the child, get that one maybe. My granddaughter loves her trike but her legs are to short to stay on the pedals as a 14 month old and she is to young to know not to keep putting her feet on the wheel. Just to let you know we still use it, her feet can not really get hurt with closed in shoes, because everything is plastic. It will just get a light color shoe really dirty looking. My husband is working on something to hang over the main bar for her feet to be placed in so her feet have some other place to rest other than the wheel. Just a Grandparent loving time with the little one They have one that has a foot rest for the child, get that one maybe. My granddaughter loves her trike but her legs are to short to stay on the pedals as a 14 month old and she is to young to know not to keep putting her feet on the wheel. Just to let you know we still use it, her feet can not really get hurt with closed in shoes, because everything is plastic. It will just get a light color shoe really dirty looking. My husband is working on something to hang over the main bar for her feet to be placed in so her feet have some other place to rest other than the wheel. Just a Grandparent... » Read More They have one that has a foot rest for the child, get that one maybe. My granddaughter loves her trike but her legs are to short to stay on the pedals as a 14 month old and she is to young to know not to keep putting her feet on the wheel. Just to let you know we still use it, her feet can not really get hurt with closed in shoes, because everything is plastic. It will just get a light color shoe really dirty looking. My husband is working on something to hang over the main bar for her feet to be placed in so her feet have some other place to rest other than the wheel. Just a Grandparent loving time with the little one « Show Less
1754689
I am considering a 231 model. I have had a 201 model for 2.5 years.... had to have a flywheel in it for this exact problem after one year. ... now the 201 model is doing it again, and it is out of warranty. .... is the 231 built with better components?? By this post it sounds like it is not.. I bike on this a ton... every day. up to 80-100 miles on a good day. Seems like a waste if it is not. I bought Schwinn because I though the components were the best. .. and not so concerned about the bells and whistles. Any help appreciated. Thanks.
1020789
Another question...anyone out there really small in stature and finds the bike comfortable? I am 102' and just over 5' tall. live in an area where there are no large sports shop to try things on, so to speak. thanks,arlene
1481864
Slightly complicated question. I'm 6 foot. The seat post is way to short for the frame. The bike rides a bit akward because of this. If you are a male of 5'10" or more you'll wanna replace the seat post, as I did, and bring the seat up so that you can get your legs into the proper pedal position.... Though.... At this point you will find you are up in the air a ways. I got used to this easy and appreciated the advantages of 29" wheels. However.... If you are on the short side you will be breaking new ground and I can't help much there. I have got some comments on just how big the bike is... But then again... All 29ers are. If you are going to put serious miles on this bike try to order a spare bushing for the rear swingarm. And the stock tires wear out REALLY fast. &lt;-easily fixed That being said I've customized out one of these with more money than the purchase cost and I have no regrets.
984262
I've had no problems. The foot pedals are a little bigger than my recumbent bike. I really like that. In fact I haven't found anything I don't like about the bike.
1073194
I don't think most balance bikes have a foot rest. I think in fact it would be dangerous as it would prevent the child from being able to stop himself quickly enough, as the feet serve as brakes on a balance bike. My son just picks up his feet when he is coasting. It is not as though a kid young enough to be using a balance bike will be likely to coasting for long enough for that to be a problem. Also, since the feet also serve in the place of pedals, they need to put them down to keep going. I would recommend looking for a video of a kid using a balance bike--it wasn't until I saw some other kids using theirs that I realized how much they can really do on them. I don't think most balance bikes have a foot rest. I think in fact it would be dangerous as it would prevent the child from being able to stop himself quickly enough, as the feet serve as brakes on a balance bike. My son just picks up his feet when he is coasting. It is not as though a kid young enough to be using a balance bike will be likely to coasting for long enough for that to be a problem. Also, since the feet also serve in the place of pedals, they need to put them down to keep going. I would recommend looking for a video of a kid using a balance bike--it wasn't until I saw some... » Read More I don't think most balance bikes have a foot rest. I think in fact it would be dangerous as it would prevent the child from being able to stop himself quickly enough, as the feet serve as brakes on a balance bike. My son just picks up his feet when he is coasting. It is not as though a kid young enough to be using a balance bike will be likely to coasting for long enough for that to be a problem. Also, since the feet also serve in the place of pedals, they need to put them down to keep going. I would recommend looking for a video of a kid using a balance bike--it wasn't until I saw some other kids using theirs that I realized how much they can really do on them. « Show Less
1464805
Let me try to answer your questions separately--as there are two issues here. 1. The 4.5" drums offer very little resistance--any appreciable resistance that you feel is likely coming from A) the gearing on your bike, and not B) being accustomed to the ride of the rollers. I have the very same rollers, with the Killer Headwind accessory--now THAT is A LOT of resistance! Try changing gears on your bike and see how that works. It's worth mentioning that as you progress to the smaller diameter drums, the resistance increases dramatically, and the Killer Headwind may not be necessary. 2. The "glide" you're referring to is non-existant on rollers due to the fact that there is no ongoing momentum; the rollers stop turning when you stop pedaling. There is an accessory you can buy that will get you that glide: it's the flywheel attachment. With this accessory, when you stop pedaling, there's just enough momentum going through the flywheel, that it will give you more of that sense of coasting/gliding--BUT for only a VERY short period (1-2 seconds.) I have this accessory as well, and it is very well worth the cost as it makes riding quite a bit more fun. I am considering buying a second flywheel (for the left side of the rollers) to extend the glide, and make riding a bit more like on the road. I hope this answers your questions, if not, feel free to ask more.
870951
I bought it for my son for his 3rd birthday and he rode it perfect. The strider bike is meant more for under 3. This bike is definitely for ages 3 and up.
1687689
Of course you can. Ingenuity and some household materials will go a long way in turn your strider into an exercise and reading platform.There is more than one way, so however you want to implement it is up to you.
679668
My three year old is over 3 foot tall and still have adjustment for the height I would say purchase it you will be fine. It is a great bike which is like the strider but works just as well if not better. My boy loves it.
513296
No. If I had known there wasn't a place for them to rest their feet I wouldn't have purchased. my 20m old can reach the pedal just doesnt know how to use them so his feet drag on the ground. He loves the trike just I cant seem to get him to use it properly and it doesnt have a foot rest like other models.
59821
I looked at the pictures of the Vilano bike and I can see where the difference in price is. It looks like you would pay more, and you will get more. I own the "Hybrid Performance Bike", and it is doing what I was wanting it to do.
1561436
I always use mine without the foot pedal. The only difference is you have to manually turn it on and off, but that has not been an issue for me. Plus, it works great!