This video shows the range of rider size. Bode (5 years old) has the handlebars and saddle up near the top of the adjustment range while his little brother Jesse (almost two years old) has them set at their lowest setting. There are a few interesting points in this video. First, the opening scene shows Bode gliding while standing… this is an advanced skill that is really only possible on the Strider design with the integrated footpads located directly below the saddle. Second, you’ll notice that Jesse is standing up while walking the bike and is up close to the handlebars. I have seen this on nearly EVERY really little kid that starts on a balance bike. After they get comfortable walking the bike, they learn to relax and extend their arms… allowing them to settle into the seated position. The key is to not rush kids to sit down… they’ll figure it out on their own and at their own speed/comfort level. Simple encouragement and praise is what they really need when they are this young.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 17th, 2009 at 7:07 pm and is filed under Designer's Corner. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.