Marc Bertucco said:

It's just about that time. Peter is going to be ready for a pedal bike soon. We're thinking for his 3rd birthday in July. What size/features should I look for?

A full face helmet. I took Edwin's advice and recommend the Bell.

Marc, I have a bike for your son,a red Specialized with raging flames!!

Actually Thierry just hit on a great piece of advice when buying kids bikes - get em used if you can. Especially for those of us that have a bit of wrenching skill (adjusting brakes, swapping tires, etc...) getting a used bike makes sense. They grow out of em so fast its painful. 

jim_nelson said:

Actually Thierry just hit on a great piece of advice when buying kids bikes - get em used if you can. Especially for those of us that have a bit of wrenching skill (adjusting brakes, swapping tires, etc...) getting a used bike makes sense. They grow out of em so fast its painful. 

Agreed.  Buy 'em used.

I put a front hand-brake on the coaster-braked bike Oscar has because he didn't find pedaling backwards to be an easy way to brake.  It's not terribly powerful as the rim is painted, but he's still not going fast enough that the mediocre braking is an issue.  I guess it's a plus for those who fear kids doing endo's.  

I don't get the full-face helmet advice.  If it makes the kids feel safe, it's one thing, but my fear is that it's heavier than a 'normal' helmet, hotter, harder to see out of and almost gives kids a reason to be afraid.  

the first helmet I got Oscar didn't seem heavy to me, but he would literally try to hold it up after he'd been wearing it more then 20 minutes.  That happened a few times, and I returned it and went for a much lighter one.  

John, a big congrats. Great news. Wishing you, Caroline and Mackenzie all the best. 

mugwump said:

I don't get the full-face helmet advice.  If it makes the kids feel safe, it's one thing, but my fear is that it's heavier than a 'normal' helmet, hotter, harder to see out of and almost gives kids a reason to be afraid.  

Has nothing to do with "feeling" safe. Has to do with skipping a trip to the ER with a busted lip/chin.

They're not materially heavier than the others, fwiw.

Jules said:

mugwump said:

I don't get the full-face helmet advice.  If it makes the kids feel safe, it's one thing, but my fear is that it's heavier than a 'normal' helmet, hotter, harder to see out of and almost gives kids a reason to be afraid.  

Has nothing to do with "feeling" safe. Has to do with skipping a trip to the ER with a busted lip/chin.

They're not materially heavier than the others, fwiw.

I'll start with the second.  They are materially heavier.  In most cases, dramatically so, like 2x-4x heavier.  Many kids helmets are constructed like ours, with a thin plastic shell that depends on the EPS foam underneath to maintain shape.  full-face helmets have a rigid fiberglass shell to which the EPS is attached.  Weights are like 250-400g for a standard helmet, 900-1300g for a full-face helmet.

As for skipping trips to the ER for a busted lip/chin, walking/running puts a kid at a far greater risk.  That's both in terms of activity hours and physics.  Small kids on bikes are mostly falling to the side, and slowly, and have the rest of the body take most of the brunt.  That's in contrast to running, when you trip, and your foot acts as the fulcrum, your body the lever, and you might not put your hands up in time.  

mugwump said:

Jules said:

mugwump said:

I don't get the full-face helmet advice.  If it makes the kids feel safe, it's one thing, but my fear is that it's heavier than a 'normal' helmet, hotter, harder to see out of and almost gives kids a reason to be afraid.  

Has nothing to do with "feeling" safe. Has to do with skipping a trip to the ER with a busted lip/chin.

They're not materially heavier than the others, fwiw.

I'll start with the second.  They are materially heavier.  In most cases, dramatically so, like 2x-4x heavier.  Many kids helmets are constructed like ours, with a thin plastic shell that depends on the EPS foam underneath to maintain shape.  full-face helmets have a rigid fiberglass shell to which the EPS is attached.  Weights are like 250-400g for a standard helmet, 900-1300g for a full-face helmet.

As for skipping trips to the ER for a busted lip/chin, walking/running puts a kid at a far greater risk.  That's both in terms of activity hours and physics.  Small kids on bikes are mostly falling to the side, and slowly, and have the rest of the body take most of the brunt.  That's in contrast to running, when you trip, and your foot acts as the fulcrum, your body the lever, and you might not put your hands up in time.  

I'll take a scale to both when I get home. Best get some data for the second my friend. Walking is more dangerous than bike riding. Really?

I can't wait to become a parent so I can get in on this child helmet debate action.

I went to Bell's website, Giro's website, as well as did some web research before posting.  You should have done the same.  It's possible that the ones you got are lighter than what I found, but I doubt by much.  

I didn't suggest that "Walking is more dangerous than bike riding."

I wrote, "As for skipping trips to the ER for a busted lip/chin, walking/running puts a kid at a far greater risk." Ever been to a playground?  Some kid is just about always falling on her face.  

Ok JP, let me know what else I "should have done" before using the internets. I'll wait here patiently for detailed instructions before I do anything else.

Jules,
 
I'm sorry.

I was merely engaging you in the way you sometimes engage me and others.  I thought it was a style of discourse you understood and liked.  I didn't realize it would hurt your feelings. 

As for instructions, there are many, but for the moment, I'll give you one.  I do not like it when you respond by mischaracterizing something I've written.  It might be a successful tactic for "winning," but it's not good for discussion.  

My apologies.  

When the time comes, I'm covering my kid in bubble wrap. 

Boom.

On your left Roazens!

Really?  

Baby Yang was born this morning 5 weeks prematurely, but she is doing well and is relatively healthy. Of all things, the only issue the NICU nurse was concerned over was her low hematocrit level.

Thanks for the well wishes and I hope to bring her home in a few days and lull her to sleep with the whirring of the bike trainer...

Congrats! I expect to see you at the early morning rides next year. 

Best news ever Dave! Congratulations

David Yang said:

the only issue the NICU nurse was concerned over was her low hematocrit level.

Since she's probably not going to compete for a few years, she probably doesn't need a TUE.

Go David, go baby Yang. Congratulations and sending loads of hematocrit your way ;^) 

Right on Dave.

So many little Kissenas in the past year. Is it the Osmo?

David Yang said:

 Of all things, the only issue the NICU nurse was concerned over was her low hematocrit level.

You probably already have a good pediatrician picked out, but if you're looking for a recommendation...

Congrats Dave! To echo Jeff, looking forward to early morning rides as well.

Sweet! congrats!

Great news

Bike-baby questions:
How soon can we take your baby out for a blat?
What's the best baby chauffeuring device?

What is a "blat?"

JohnMalcolmson said:

Bike-baby questions:
How soon can we take your baby out for a blat?
What's the best baby chauffeuring device?

I think I had Oscar in the seat when he was about 1.5 years.  The issue was timing.  I didn't think he was ready at 6-9 months, then it started to get chilly--October.  And I needed to get the bike ready.

They need to be able to sit up straight with a helmet on.  The first helmet I got Oscar was way too heavy (nutcase, fwiw).  After about 30 minutes, Oscar was using his hands to hold the helmet up.  Going for a light helmet made a real difference for his comfort.  

In terms of their comfort, while kids seem to run hot, at that age, they're too little to tell you they're cold, so you might not want to have them out on a cool day.

I used a Topeak seat.  It's like a seat and rollcage in one.  multi-point harness, coverage for feet and head.  If he fell asleep, his head would not tilt to the side, but rest on the protective crossbar.  And the seat could come off it's rack (there are two safetys on the seat) if you didn't want to ride with it.