Recreational & Family - 20" Kids bike: Giant Gloss vs Electra Rosie

Bike shopping with a 6 year old girl is a real challange, but I think we've settled on a crusier type bike. Right now looking at a Giant Gloss or Electra Rosie. The Gloss appears to be discontinued for '06, but still available. Anyone have any experience with either? The Gloss is a little less, and has really fat tires, the Electra is a classic design and availalbe as a '06. We'll likely move up again in a couple years to a multi speed bike, but right now she has really out grown her 16", and still not big enough for a 24", so we need a bike to fill the gap. The cruisers look cool, very important to a 6 year old and seem like a lot of fun. Plus the low seating position makes them a little nicer for a young novice rider. Any info in appreciated.

John

SO what did you go with. I am looking at buying my daughter an Electra Hawaii. She just turned 5. The Hawaii and the Rosie look a lot alike. So what did you think of the bike?

A test ride may be helpful in comparing two bikes. The new Electra kid's bikes feature the "flat foot" design. It enables the rider to put both feet flat on the ground when the bike is stopped, yet have full leg extension while pedaling. I've taught a number of kids to ride, and I know they want to be able to get a foot down when stopping. So, if a new rider was a "good fit" for an Electra, that would be a good way to go.

One method for kids to learn how to ride is to first use the bike as a "scooter". Just push the bike with the feet while learning to balance. After the kid is good at balancing, and feels secure on the bike, the next stage is beginning to pedal.

The new Electra "flat foot" models make that "scooter" method far easier than traditional designs. With other kids' bikes, the saddle is so low in the "scooter" mode that pedaling puts the kid's knees up under the chin in a cramped and uncomfortable position. The Electra allows "foot down" scootering with the seat in the correct position for full leg extension while pedaling.

Given that kids' bikes have been around for about 110 years, it is amazing that it took so long for someone to think of the "flat foot" design.

I didn't realize that about the beach cruiser style bike that they could put their feet down while on the seat. That might make it much more comfortable for her to learn to ride without the training wheels.

As far as test ride goes, I and the bike shop will have to look how she is riding. She is not going to give me much of any good feedback.. All she is going to care about will be what it looks like and that it is pink. It could ride horrible and a black one could ride great but if I ask her which one felt better she will tell me the pink one.

Thanks

We went with the Electra, I admit based mostly on color and graphics. But it's a very nice kids bike. Well made and much better then the mart store brands. She loves it and that is all that matters. In a couple years, she'll be in a 24", so I think we are fine not having gears and fancy brakes at this point. I need to snap a pic, it's a very nice looking bike.

John

Here's a pic:

http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikes/electrarosie.jpg

John