Recreational & Family - Teaching Kids- Can't Get Saddle Low Enough for Feet to Touch

I just bought my soon to be 5 year old son his first bike. I went with a 16" even though he'll probably grow out of it soon -- the 20" seemed too big especially since it's his first two-wheeler. My plan was to use the no training wheel method, taking off the pedals and lowering the saddle so his feet would be flat on the ground. The problem is that even at the lowest saddle position, his feet aren't flat -- he's on his toes so he can't really control the bike. He's above average height which makes me wonder if anyone has been able to do this with a typical 5 year old on a 16" bike?

The top of the seat tube is about level with the top of the tire. I searched online looking for bikes with shorter seat tubes, but they all appear to be about level with the top of the tire. At the saddle's lowest position there's about an inch of seatpost exposed. I'm thinking the only option might be to cut the seatpost down in order to lower the saddle some more. I realize that reduces the length I can raise the saddle when it needs to go up but I'm not sure what else to do. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for the input!

Pictures will help, but seatposts are cheap. And kids bikes are even cheaper ... let him outgrow the bike.

I just did some measuring this morning. His heels are about 2 inches from the ground but if I were to cut down the seatpost it looks like I'll only be able to lower the saddle by 1 inch. So, his heels will still be about an inch from the ground. :( Any other ideas?

I attached a photo of the bike -- it's a 2006 Schwinn Gremlin. If the attachment doesn't work, the url is http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=649

I waited until mine grew another couple of inches. I didn't have to wait long either.

The frame on that bike does not look exceptionally large to me, so the bottom line is that he really is just not ready yet for learning on a 16" bike. Facing the same problem, I recently bought my younger daughter a 12" bike, and honestly, it is going to sit for about two or three more months as she is just too short to handle it quite yet. At a mere $29 at Target, however, I figure that even if she ultimately only uses it for one year, it was still the right way to go.

Steve

Ya, cut the seatpost. He'll grow some more by May. Approach the shorter seatpost issue when he gets to the point of needing. You could probably find a junker bike for a longer seatpost or he may just be ready for a 20" at that point. Sounds like the 16" should take you through at least this year maybe even next. My almost 7 year old is about ready for a 20" but my kids are on the smaller side. Good luck.

Wow, $29 for a 12" bike -- that gives me an idea. I'm wondering if I ought to pick up something like that just for teaching without the pedals and training wheels. I know the bike would be small but with that size his feet would definitely touch the ground. Has anyone had success teaching using a 12" bike for a 5 year old?

My plan was to remove the pedal crank and chain ring completely, and turn it into a quasi scooter for her to flat foot around the driveway. But she is a peanut and cannot sit on the seat and touch the ground yet!

It sounds like a lot of trouble where a parent is trying to get a kid to learn how to ride a bike before he is ready. I learned how to ride a bike at about 6 years of age riding an adult woman's bike. I taught myself. My son learned to ride with training wheels and when he was ready to have them off he told me. He was left to figure it out and it didn't take long. Most kids seem to learn to ride a bike because a parent has decided that it is time. Let them figure it out for themselves. There's nothing wrong with training wheels. Peer pressure will remove them quickly enough.

My question is, if you cut down the seatpost (which we do at the shop all the time) will your son be aboe to ge his toes on the ground? That's really all he needs to be able to do in order to teach him to ride without training wheels. I hate training wheels, by the way. All they do is teach kids how to ride at a 15 degree angle, which ultimately makes it MORE difficult for them to learn to balance on their own. And if they can't balance the bike by themselves, they aren't ready to be on two wheels yet.

If, with the shorter post, your son can get his toes on the ground, remove the pedals and take him to a large flat area (like a school parking lot on the weekend.). Have him practice pushing off with his feet and coasting as far as he can. Make a BIG deal of how far he can coast without putting a foot down. Once he can go quite a ways, put the pedals back on and teach him how to use a pedal to lift himself onto the saddle while the bike starts moving.

I've literally taught kids to ride in under half an hour this way. It sure beats running up and down the driveway bent double while you hold onto their bike! Good luck! :)

Have you tried reversing the clamp on the seat rail so the rails are below the clamp bolt. That should get you another inch or so. He only needs to put his toes on the ground. You need a place like a school parking lot with a slight slope, then they dont need to put any effort in getting moving. If it is a large space they dont have to think about steering, just keeping upright.

There are a number of methods to teach bike riding. Being able to put "both feet flat on the ground" is not part of the methods.

First, let the kid develop the concept of balancing on two wheels. I gave my nephew a two wheel scooter. When he got skilled at pushing the scooter and then coasting along, his sense of balance was well developed.

Next, I took him to a park with a smooth lawn. Took him up to the top of the hill. Had him just rest his feet on the pedals and coast down the hill. By the time he reached the bottom of the hill, he was ready to pedal along.

The Electra company sells kids' bikes designed to allow the kids to put their feet flat on the ground, yet fully extend their legs while pedaling. This design puts the seat closer to the ground, making riding a bit less "scary". Trek has several models that would permit getting the saddle very low, but would not allow full leg extension with the saddle so low.

Why do his heels have to touch the ground? Any time we push off against something, like the ground for example, we always use our toes. I've never used my heel to push something...

Just an update on my original post that might help others who are in the same situation....

The 16" was just a bit too big for my son to learn to balance on. It was just too much for him to handle so I re-attached the training wheels and pedals. It took him a while to get used to the upright position, pedaling, braking and steering. So, for those areas, the training wheels were very helpful and I'd recommend them to teach those skills.

At the same time, I picked up the 12" bike from Target for under $30 and did not install the training wheels and pedals. I also lowered the seat so he could stand flat on his feet -- this did the trick. He felt much more confident trying to maneuver it and within about 15 minutes he was gliding down an incline with his feet up in the air. After he developed his confidence, I raised the seat so just his toes would touch the ground.

Every day he practiced gliding on the 12" bike for about 5 - 10 minutes. Then, he'd switch to the 16" with the training wheels and spend about 30 minutes working on pedaling, braking and steering. After about two weeks he asked me to take the training wheels off the 16" and sure enough was able to ride it. :)

Post42k -- which bike at Target did you find for under $30? I checked online and the least expensive shown is $39.99. I have a adopted 5.5yr old sister who needs a larger bike. Many thanks.

Post42k -- which bike at Target did you find for under $30? I checked online and the least expensive shown is $39.99. I have a adopted 5.5yr old sister who needs a larger bike. Many thanks.

The brand name was "Magna" but I bought it at the store. I believe the online offerings don't necessarily correspond to what's available in the stores. Good luck!

Get a small s/h bmx, take cranks off and follow previously posted advice on teaching kids to ride using this approach.

When he's learned, put cranks back on. When he's learned to pedal comfortably on that, try him on 16". When he's comfortable on that, keep s/h bmx and offer your services to neighbourhood as Learn-to-bike teacher.

Do this for a few years and retire rich



I lied about the rich

High heeled shoes should do the trick.