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Big Wheels, Crayons & Bike Racing — Parents

548 comments · 5690 views
Jules
Aug 21, 2013 at 02:23 PM
ICE Dot Crash Sensor

A nifty idea but really not ready for prime time IMHO.  Yet another device to keep charged, and we all have experienced how quickly phone batteries get eaten when Bluetooth is turned on.

Seems like Garmin would be well suited to including this functionality in their computers.

In the fire department we had PASS alarms - basically it would chirp for a couple of minutes if you stopped moving long enough and scream if you stayed not moving for much longer.

image

I still think phone tethering is a problematic (you leave you helmet/bike outside to go in for a bagel/natural) you need to check that the devices have re-paired) but I guess there is a minimum chunk of "device" need to get a signal out.

mugwump
Aug 28, 2013 at 12:51 PM
Does anyone have any experience with a Trail-a-Bike-like pedaling trailer contraption thingees?  Including possessing one?

Oscar has outgrown the Topeak seat that's his commuter rig.  I'd love to try one of these before committing to it.  There's also the Bobike.  I don't think at his current age, he can ride to school quickly enough to have him doing it totally on his own power.
Jules
Aug 28, 2013 at 01:04 PM
@Wump I misread your question.  Just deleted my off topic reply. Doh.
mugwump
Aug 28, 2013 at 01:05 PM
Jules said:
@Wump I misread your question.  Just deleted my off topic reply. Doh.
vacation and reading the forum doesn't mix.  I'm told.
Craig Zolan
Aug 28, 2013 at 01:38 PM

We used a Trail Gator that worked fine. He had a bike with 16" wheels that we attached using the Trail Gator. It worked fine, but you have to understand the head tube on the kids bike will get scratched up a bit by the clamp that goes there and it has to be pretty tight to prevent is from twisting and having the kids bike get a bit wonky. It is kind of cool in that you can go for a longer ride with the kid attached and then detach the bar and both of you can ride on your own. Depending on the size of the adult bike it may or may not work with a rear rack.

It is not without flaws but I thought the idea was better than a single purpose trail-a-bike.

Marc Bertucco
Aug 28, 2013 at 01:52 PM

Related, JP, before you ditch the bike seat set-up, if you don't mind, I'd like to take Peter for a spin around CP in your "family man" bike.
Marc Bertucco
Aug 28, 2013 at 01:54 PM

And if I could ever get my 1/2-crazy sister to return/reveal the location of my touring bike, it has one of those tow bike pedally thingys with it. We could do a "bike share" situation, provided you had room to store the thing. Of course I'm not actually that hopeful I will ever see that bike again. #fuckedupfamilyrelationsuck
Jules
Aug 30, 2013 at 07:40 PM
#Protip for people who find Glympse burns out their batteries too quick, you can find & track significant others using find my phone from apple providing you know their appleID credentials.
mugwump
Aug 30, 2013 at 09:35 PM
Marc Bertucco said:

Related, JP, before you ditch the bike seat set-up, if you don't mind, I'd like to take Peter for a spin around CP in your "family man" bike.
Marc, it has eggbeaters on it, so if you want to just come by and check it out, you are welcome to it.  
Marc Bertucco
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:40 AM
mugwump said:
Marc Bertucco said:

Related, JP, before you ditch the bike seat set-up, if you don't mind, I'd like to take Peter for a spin around CP in your "family man" bike.
Marc, it has eggbeaters on it, so if you want to just come by and check it out, you are welcome to it.  
Cool. I think Peter is almost ready, if I can just get him to keep a "hat" and/or helmet on his head for more than 3 seconds.
Jules
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:51 AM

Marc Bertucco said:
Cool. I think Peter is almost ready, if I can just get him to keep a "hat" and/or helmet on his head for more than 3 seconds.
I think we have the other side of that problem...

image
mugwump
Aug 31, 2013 at 01:21 AM
Marc Bertucco said:
Cool. I think Peter is almost ready, if I can just get him to keep a "hat" and/or helmet on his head for more than 3 seconds.
I would be really surprised if Peter had the coordination to undo a quick release buckle.

Jules' issue above is he also has a problem with the coordination to undo said buckle. Lisa took off his helmet only moments before the picture was snapped. OTOH, if he had the team orange, he'd never take it off.
Jules
Aug 31, 2013 at 01:23 AM
I think I upgraded after the last of the Oranges left on the winged feet of faster men than I... must wait till 2014.  I'm ok with that, it'll give me time to continue shopping for the ultimate MIPS helmet... my trusty LAS has seen it's last winter I'm afraid.
Jules
Sep 15, 2013 at 01:35 AM
File this under "lessons learned" I took my chain off to clean it and our little guy couldn't resist the temptation of that naked chainring... He got his finger pinched between the big ring and the front derailleur - he got off with a couple of shallow cuts but it could have been far worse; he could have Frodo'd himself. Yikes
Marc Bertucco
Sep 26, 2013 at 12:02 AM

So Peter and I are walking through Central Park and looking at all the horses, cars and trucks and things that go and he starts clapping.

????

It takes me a minute, but then I realize he sees a steady stream of cyclists passing by and he's cheering them all on in their "bike race."

OMG. I love being a dad. Peter is double-triple awesome.
Jules
Sep 26, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Did I ever share Sophie's reaction when she saw @Jeff chasing back on like a madman on his 40psi mavic bike at Battenkill? "Oh no! The bunch left him behind!"
mugwump
Sep 26, 2013 at 04:06 AM
Jules said:
File this under "lessons learned" I took my chain off to clean it and our little guy couldn't resist the temptation of that naked chainring... He got his finger pinched between the big ring and the front derailleur - he got off with a couple of shallow cuts but it could have been far worse; he could have Frodo'd himself. Yikes
wait till you have a track bike on the stand.  Been there. 
Joel Rodriguez
Sep 26, 2013 at 01:01 PM
nothing beats eye level chain mechanism. I learned the hard way some things father and 3yr old son should never do -- degrease bike together. not sure what i was thinking.  
Marc Bertucco
Oct 14, 2013 at 03:29 AM

Anyone have experience with Deuter kid-carrying backpacks?  (or other brand/models?) We're thinking of upgrading as something is just a bit wonky fit-wise about our hand-me-down Kelty carrier. After reading a few reviews, and looking at some pics, I'm somewhat concerned that there is no platform or stirrups for my boy's legs. But maybe that's not even something he needs?
dstokes
Oct 14, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Try this one

image

Jules
Oct 14, 2013 at 11:52 AM
We never found a great use-case for the bigger backpacks; when they're under 30 pounds the ergo worked great and over that weight they're heavy no matter how you carry them... and they can walk long distances... Just keep promising ice cream :)
mugwump
Oct 14, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Marc Bertucco said:

Anyone have experience with Deuter kid-carrying backpacks?  (or other brand/models?) We're thinking of upgrading as something is just a bit wonky fit-wise about our hand-me-down Kelty carrier. After reading a few reviews, and looking at some pics, I'm somewhat concerned that there is no platform or stirrups for my boy's legs. But maybe that's not even something he needs?
Hello?  I've been using one since Oscar was six months old or so.  Both kids loved riding in it, never was there a complaint about where to put feet.

My kids have not needed the stirrups.
Marc Bertucco
Oct 18, 2013 at 06:16 PM

Me again...I'm going to borrow JPs bike rack/child seat combo at some point, but I'm wondering as I'm poking around the internets to purchase my own...

What's the best brand/set up? I intended to use it with my cross bike. Okay with 32 spoke wheels and say, 25mm Conti gator for tires...or should I get something beefier?
Jules
Nov 19, 2013 at 03:07 AM
Anyone have a recommendation for kids intro swim lessons in the slope area?
neilx
Nov 19, 2013 at 03:56 AM
Did you check out the YMCA on 9th street?

Also the Berkeley Carrrol pool.
http://www.berkeleycarroll.org/athletics/athletic-center-swim-classes/index.aspx


On Mon, Nov 18, 2013 at 10:07 PM, Jules <
mugwump
Nov 19, 2013 at 04:17 AM
Marc Bertucco said:

Me again...I'm going to borrow JPs bike rack/child seat combo at some point, but I'm wondering as I'm poking around the internets to purchase my own...

What's the best brand/set up? I intended to use it with my cross bike. Okay with 32 spoke wheels and say, 25mm Conti gator for tires...or should I get something beefier?
Marc,
Topeak is pretty popular and very protective for little kids.  If they fall asleep while back there, a common thing, they're pretty safe, even if you crash.  In terms of tires, I'm riding 1.5" slicks on my mtb and I'd suggest the biggest tires you can stuff in your cx bike.  It's not so much for you, but for the critter.  The spoke count, btw, shouldn't be much of an issue either way, especially the bigger the tires get.
Jeff Condon
Nov 19, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Jules said:
Anyone have a recommendation for kids intro swim lessons in the slope area?

We've done Camp Olympia at the John Jay HS pool. There are group lessons and privates.
jim_nelson
Nov 19, 2013 at 05:01 PM
We've done both group and private lessons at the Y on 9th Street. The private lessons were awesome and far more productive. A bit more expensive but in the long run probably cheaper because we found the instruction to be top notch and the progress was substantially faster. Ask for Celeste - she was excellent (but there were a others that were good as well).

The kids also did group lessons at the Y as part of 2nd grade at PS321. I'm pretty sure some other schools do it as well. Kind of a late age to start but at least its there for kids who don't have the opportunity or other means.
neilx
Nov 19, 2013 at 05:16 PM
The kids also did group lessons at the Y as part of 2nd grade at PS321. I'm pretty sure some other schools do it as well. Kind of a late age to start but at least its there for kids who don't have the opportunity or other means.
Same thing for P.S. 107. Agree that starting earlier than 2nd Grade is definitely helpful.
mugwump
Nov 19, 2013 at 08:35 PM
Jeff Condon said:
Jules said:
Anyone have a recommendation for kids intro swim lessons in the slope area?
I didn't realize the Slope was so lacking.  My son's public pre-k in Harlem had its own pool. How you people live with such privations, I do not know.