bic_bicknell
2014-11-05 20:23:00 UTC
As many of you know I have a five year old and three year old twins. All three of them have learned to ride on balance bikes and the oldest has progressed onto a first pedal bike. Christmas is looming and Amy is pushing for us getting the twins pedal bikes. All of this is great because watching your kids learn to ride is amazing and it's great time spent.
But......
I really like the idea of this new breed of electric trials bikes that are hitting the market. In the UK there is a guy who started making them for his son and now has a business doing really well. They are called OSET and run silently on batteries but are really well made and teach everything you need to know about off road riding skills and fun on two wheels. There is a 12.5 inch wheel version that is ideal for 3-6 year olds, you can even dial down the power so they they get too learn progressively. Not cheap - they retail for about £800 and really hold their value well.
On e bay they always go for between £500 and £650 for second hand.
Anyway, Amy will not accept the idea of a powered bike for our kids at this age. She deems them too dangerous. It's a load of bollox, (I think), and we have had many long debates about this but I have failed to win her over. I have watched them on ebay every week for the last six months. I know a good one and a bargain when I see one. I'm a fooking expert!
So..........
Just been following one that came to an end a few minutes ago. A beaut, one owner, spare batteries, the right model, the right colour.
I bid on it. http://osetbikes.com/us/
So my question is how do I break it to Amy without ending in divorce and with her giving the kids her blessings?
Nukem
2014-11-05 20:33:00 UTC
I don't know about the UK website, but here in New Zealand it clearly states they are "Mother friendly", so you shouldn't have any worries at all
Sarasota_Steve
2014-11-05 20:38:00 UTC
Amy: "Bic, you're a GENIUS! That sounds like a great idea. Why didn't I come up with it? That's why I love you honey. You are awesome"
Aphex
2014-11-05 20:39:00 UTC
I'm sure she'd rather they fall off a bike than out of a tree.
Preach all of the safety you'll be ingraining into your children and the protection they'll be wearing. Hell you can even use it as a reward for the kids (no bike til you do _______, I'll take that bike away ect ect...).
FWIW I'm still young and don't have kids so I'm talking out my ass .
Sarasota_Steve
2014-11-05 20:40:00 UTC
shadowman
2014-11-05 20:41:00 UTC
The last picture of your daughter riding and bouncing and almost loosing control, would not happen if she was riding an OSET with full suspension, knobbies and of course, full gear.
Best of luck with Amy!
jmann
2014-11-05 22:04:00 UTC
Cheers
Jeremy
81forest
2014-11-05 22:51:00 UTC
As for nothing being written about the 990 all I can say is stay tuned. My project should be ready to start soon after Christmas and if I can find the energy I will focument progress as I go along.
cdlabate
2014-11-05 23:39:00 UTC
Anyway moving forward my advice would be not to tell her what you've done and try to think of ways to encourage her to think the bike is a good idea (indeed her idea). If you could do this eventually you might be able to encourage her to look on ebay at a time when some scmuck has just the right thing at a ridiculously cheap price (way less than the scmuck actually paid for it) then she''ll be so pleased with how clever she has been that she might even take you out for a romantic dinner with the savings
cdlabate
2014-11-06 02:15:00 UTC
I would double-down on the safety angle. Start insisting that they wear helmets on the push bikes. Then, come in talking about how the bikes have "no brakes", and it's only a matter of time before the kids begin perching them at the top of any steep hill they can find. "If only the bike had some kind of limiter on the wheel, preventing it from going past a certain speed... like some kind of electric governor... Hey, I know!" etc.
Good luck.
Nathan990
2014-11-06 04:10:00 UTC
My little guy got his strider when he turned two. He got a Honda 50cc with the training wheels when he turned three. He's to short to hold the bike up by himself, but he understands starts, stops, and turning to avoid collision. He started riding a pedal bike with no training wheels at three and a half. The OSET is a very good choice electric scoot for little ones to learn on. I wish I knew of it before buying the Honda 50cc.
Everyone on my street enjoys seeing my little guy learning how to do all theses things. He's very entertaining!
scamb66
2014-11-06 04:13:00 UTC
Linga
2014-11-06 20:29:00 UTC
I gave in and bought my son a PW50 at 4yo, (he went through balance bikes and was able to ride a pedal bike)
He rode it well, really well. But all the training i gave him still couldn't prevent him from several crashes with the last one braking his collar bone and upper arm. (will full complete gear on)
Keeping them on push bikes for longer is not a bad idea until there body's nervous system and bones are more developed. Burns there energy too.
Gear them up as much as you can!
DribbleDuke
2014-11-06 22:55:00 UTC
Failing that give to one of your parents or mates to give to the kids as a gift, hard for Amy to say no to that.
Cant believe how quick the twins are growing up.
jmann
2014-11-06 23:46:00 UTC
By purchasing this product you are basically teaching both your children that anything is possible and there are no limits!!
ktmguy
2014-11-07 02:59:00 UTC
jmann
2014-11-07 03:07:00 UTC
Post missing.
ktmguy
2014-11-07 03:26:00 UTC
Post missing.
bic_bicknell
2014-11-07 04:38:00 UTC
Post missing.
ktmguy
2014-11-07 05:03:00 UTC
Post missing.
bic_bicknell
2014-11-07 07:44:00 UTC
"How much?" was the cold reaction.
'It's not about the cost, it's the benefit to the kids. Lets talk about it"
"You only bought it on Ebay so I can't make you send it back"
"No, I bought it on Ebay because it's the best place to get a used bike"
Silence for five miles.
At least it's out in the open now.
ktmguy
2014-11-07 08:48:00 UTC
Post missing.
Millar
2014-11-07 10:36:00 UTC
Now everything is back to normal but no mention of the subject. Which is OK by me.
bic_bicknell
2014-11-07 16:34:00 UTC
bic_bicknell
2014-11-21 17:09:00 UTC
Strappy
2014-11-21 18:30:00 UTC
Post missing.
ktmguy
2014-11-21 22:37:00 UTC
Post missing.
tripoddave
2014-11-27 18:02:00 UTC
You'll be buying yourself a GasGas in no time!